Why Is Practice Essential for IELTS Speaking Part 3?

IELTS Speaking Part 3 is a challenging section that tests your ability to:

• Use advanced vocabulary for education topics

• Express clear and justified opinions

• Make comparisons and discuss advantages and disadvantages

• Speak fluently and with confidence

Practice helps you move from understanding vocabulary and structures to actually using them naturally under exam conditions. This lesson will help you build automaticity, accuracy, and flexibility—so you’re ready for any question about education.

Lesson Goals

In this lesson, you will:

• Practice answering IELTS Part 3 questions about education

• Use key vocabulary and collocations from previous lessons

• Apply opinion and comparison structures to build longer, well-organized answers

• Complete gap-fill and matching activities for vocabulary

• Try speaking drills and receive guidance on self-assessment

Practice Task 1: IELTS Speaking Part 3 Sample Questions

Read and Reflect

Below are realistic IELTS Part 3 questions about education. First, read each question and think about how you could answer it using vocabulary and structures from previous lessons.

• What are the most important aims of education in your country?

• How does the education system in your country differ from that of other countries?

• What changes would you like to see in your country’s education system?

• Is academic achievement more important than creativity in schools?

• Do you think online learning is as effective as classroom learning?

• Should schools put more emphasis on practical life skills or academic subjects?

• What role do extracurricular activities play in a student’s development?

• How can schools help reduce dropout rates?

Practice Task 2: Model Answers with Key Vocabulary

Model Answer 1

Question: What are the most important aims of education in your country?

“In my opinion, the primary aim of education in my country is to equip students with basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as to prepare them for higher education and employment. Our national curriculum places a strong emphasis on academic achievement, but there is also a growing awareness of the importance of developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Another important goal is to promote equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their background.”

Key Vocabulary Used:

• primary aim

• equip students

• national curriculum

• academic achievement

• critical thinking

• equal opportunities

Model Answer 2

Question: How does the education system in your country differ from that of other countries?

“Compared to many Western countries, the education system in my country is more exam-oriented. Students face considerable academic pressure because standardized testing is used to measure success. In contrast, education systems like those in Finland or Canada focus more on student well-being and project-based learning. I think we could benefit from adopting some of these methods to create a more balanced approach.”

Key Vocabulary Used:

• exam-oriented

• academic pressure

• standardized testing

• student well-being

• project-based learning

• balanced approach

Model Answer 3

Question: What changes would you like to see in your country’s education system?

“I would like to see the curriculum become more flexible, so that students can choose subjects based on their interests and strengths. It would also be beneficial to introduce more vocational training options, as not all students are suited to academic routes. Additionally, reducing tuition fees and providing more scholarships could make higher education more accessible to everyone.”

Key Vocabulary Used:

• flexible curriculum

• vocational training

• academic routes

• tuition fees

• scholarships

• accessible

Model Answer 4

Question: Is academic achievement more important than creativity in schools?

“Personally, I believe that both academic achievement and creativity are essential for a well-rounded education. Academic success provides students with opportunities for further study and employment, but creativity fosters innovation and problem-solving skills. A balanced curriculum should give students the chance to develop in both areas.”

Key Vocabulary Used:

• academic achievement

• well-rounded education

• opportunities

• creativity

• innovation

• balanced curriculum

Model Answer 5

Question: Do you think online learning is as effective as classroom learning?

“In my view, online learning is effective for many students because it offers greater flexibility and access to resources. However, it lacks the social interaction and immediate feedback that classroom learning provides. I think a blended approach, which combines both methods, is the best solution.”

Key Vocabulary Used:

• online learning

• flexibility

• access to resources

• social interaction

• immediate feedback

• blended approach

Practice Task 3: Gap-Fill Exercises

Fill in the blanks using the following words: curriculum, dropout, scholarship, extracurricular, standardized, compulsory, critical thinking, tuition fees

1. Many students are unable to attend university because of high __________.

2. Schools should encourage __________ activities to help students develop social skills.

3. The __________ in my country requires students to study science and mathematics until the age of sixteen.

4. Some students leave school early and become __________s, often because of financial problems.

5. She won a __________ for her excellent academic performance.

6. __________ testing is often criticized for putting too much pressure on students.

7. Teachers should help students develop __________ rather than just memorize facts.

8. The national __________ has recently been updated to include computer science.

Answers:

1. tuition fees

2. extracurricular

3. compulsory education

4. dropouts

5. scholarship

6. Standardized

7. critical thinking

8. curriculum

Practice Task 4: Vocabulary Matching

Match the word to its definition:

a. Vocational training
b. Lifelong learning
c. Assessment
d. State education
e. Learning styles

1. The process of evaluating a student’s progress

2. Government-funded education

3. Training for a specific job or career

4. Continuing to study new things throughout one’s life

5. The different ways people prefer to learn

Answers:

a–3
b–4
c–1
d–2
e–5

Practice Task 5: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences using appropriate vocabulary:

1. Many countries now recognize the importance of __________ learning because the world is constantly changing.

2. Continuous __________ allows teachers to monitor student progress throughout the year.

3. __________ education is often considered a good alternative to university for students who prefer practical work.

4. Parents often debate whether __________ education or private education is better for their children.

5. __________ activities, such as sports and music, can help students discover their talents.

Example Answers:

1. lifelong

2. assessment

3. Vocational

4. state

5. Extracurricular

Practice Task 6: Speaking Drills – Short Answers and Mini-Talks

1. Express Your Opinion

• Do you think school uniforms are a good idea?

• Should university education be free for everyone?

• Is homework necessary for academic achievement?

Tips:
Use opinion phrases such as:
“In my opinion…”, “I believe that…”, “Personally, I think…”, “From my perspective…”

2. Make Comparisons

• How are private and state schools different in your country?

• Is distance learning better than traditional learning?

• Are extracurricular activities as important as academic subjects?

Tips:
Use comparison language:
“Compared to…”, “While…”, “In contrast…”, “On the other hand…”, “Both…and…”

3. Discuss Advantages and Disadvantages

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of standardized testing?

• What are the benefits and drawbacks of compulsory education?

• Are large classes better than small classes?

Tips:
Use:
“One advantage is…”, “On the downside…”, “A major disadvantage is…”, “The main benefit is…”

4. Build Extended Answers

Practice:
Try to answer this Part 3 question for one minute:

Question: “What changes would you like to see in the education system of your country?”

Sample Response Outline:

• State your opinion clearly

• Give reasons using vocabulary from previous lessons

• Make a comparison, if relevant

• Conclude your answer

Practice Task 7: Role-Play Activities

Pair up with a classmate (or imagine both roles) and practice these speaking scenarios:

Scenario 1:

Student A: You think vocational training should be promoted more.
Student B: You think academic achievement is more important.
Task: Debate your viewpoints using vocabulary and structures from the lesson.

Scenario 2:

Student A: You support distance learning for its flexibility.
Student B: You believe classroom learning is more effective for student development.
Task: Compare and justify your opinions.

Practice Task 8: Self-Assessment Checklist

After each speaking or writing practice, check:

• Did I use key education vocabulary and collocations?

• Did I organize my answer logically (opinion, reason, comparison, conclusion)?

• Did I use linking words to connect ideas?

• Did I compare or contrast where appropriate?

• Did I avoid repeating simple words (“good,” “bad,” etc.) and use more advanced synonyms?

• Did I personalize my answers when possible?

Further Fluency Drills: Shadowing and Paraphrasing

Shadowing:
Listen to a model answer (or your teacher/classmate) and try to repeat it exactly, focusing on pronunciation and intonation.

Paraphrasing:
Take a model answer and rewrite or restate it using different words and phrases from the lesson.

Example:
Original: “Distance learning is very flexible, but some students miss the classroom environment.”
Paraphrase: “Although online learning offers a lot of flexibility, it lacks the social interaction provided by traditional classes.”

Recap: How to Succeed in IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Education Topics

• Practice answering questions using full sentences and a range of vocabulary.

• Always justify your opinions with reasons, examples, or comparisons.

• Use linking words and cohesive devices to organize your answer.

• Build your confidence by practicing with realistic questions and peer feedback.

Challenge: Record and Reflect

Choose any education topic question from above. Record your 1–2 minute response using at least five advanced words or phrases from this unit.
Listen and reflect:

• Did you use opinion and comparison structures?

• Did you include a variety of vocabulary?

• Was your answer clear and well-organized?

Final Task: Mock Speaking Test

Ask a friend, teacher, or yourself the following three IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions in a row. Try to answer naturally, using as many of the lesson’s vocabulary and patterns as possible.

1. What are the most important qualities of a good teacher?

2. Should education be more focused on knowledge or on developing skills?

3. Do you think international exchange programs are valuable for students?

After answering, write down three new words or phrases you used, and review any areas where you felt uncertain.

The more you practice, the more confident, fluent, and flexible you will become. With regular use of these exercises and strategies, you’ll be ready to face any education-related question in IELTS Speaking Part 3!