In IELTS Speaking Part 3, opinion questions are a common type used to assess your ability to express viewpoints, justify arguments, and engage in critical thinking. These questions typically begin with:
“Do you think…?”
“What is your opinion on…?”
“Why do you think…?”
“Do you agree or disagree with…?”
They require more than a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, you need to present a well-developed answer with a clear stance, supported by logical reasons, examples, and conclusions.
Opinion-based questions allow examiners to evaluate several core speaking skills:
Ability to think critically in English
Fluency when presenting ideas
Vocabulary range for expressing agreement, disagreement, or neutrality
Grammatical accuracy in using complex structures
Use of cohesive devices to organize speech
Doing well on opinion questions can significantly improve your overall score, especially in Fluency and Coherence and Lexical Resource.
Using a clear, logical structure in your responses ensures that your ideas are easy to follow and persuasive. The most effective structure is:
State Your Opinion Clearly
Give a Reason or Explanation
Provide an Example
Summarize or Restate
Do you think it’s better to study alone or in a group?
Sample Answer Using Structure:
“I personally believe that studying in a group is more effective. One key reason is that group study allows students to exchange ideas and clarify doubts quickly. For example, when I prepared for my IELTS exam, I joined a study group where each member explained difficult topics, which helped me understand better. So, I’d say group learning promotes collaboration and deeper understanding.”
To sound natural and fluent, vary the language you use to express opinions. Here are some useful sentence starters and connectors:
I personally believe that…
In my view…
I would argue that…
As far as I’m concerned…
I’m of the opinion that…
The main reason is that…
This is because…
One contributing factor is…
It’s mainly due to…
For example…
For instance…
To illustrate this…
A good example of this is…
So, in short…
Therefore, I believe that…
All things considered…
That’s why I think…
Being familiar with frequently tested topics helps you prepare more effectively. Here are popular areas where opinion questions are often asked:
| Topic | Sample Opinion Question |
|---|---|
| Education | Should schools focus more on creativity than exams? |
| Technology | Do you think social media has improved communication? |
| Environment | Is it more important to protect animals or humans? |
| Culture | Should traditions be preserved or adapted over time? |
| Government | Do you think the government should control food prices? |
| Work and Lifestyle | Is job satisfaction more important than salary? |
Avoid vague or indecisive answers. Choose a side and defend it.
Weak Answer:
“Both are good… it depends.”
Improved Answer:
“I believe one is better because of specific reasons, although the other has some advantages.”
Avoid repeating basic words like “good,” “bad,” “thing,” or “nice.” Upgrade your vocabulary:
Instead of: good
Use: beneficial, effective, advantageous
Instead of: bad
Use: harmful, problematic, counterproductive
Grammatical range improves your score. Use structures like:
Conditional sentences: If students collaborate, they often perform better.
Relative clauses: A person who studies in a group can benefit from others’ strengths.
Passive voice: Group work is often encouraged in modern education systems.
Aim to speak for at least 3–5 sentences per answer. Include explanations and real-world examples to build depth.
Do you think it’s important for children to learn art?
Weak Answer:
“Yes, art is important because it’s fun.” (Too short, vague, lacks support)
Stronger Answer:
“Yes, I strongly believe that art is essential for children. The main reason is that it helps them express emotions creatively, which is vital for mental health. For example, painting and drawing can provide a safe outlet for children who struggle to communicate verbally. Moreover, it encourages imagination, which can be beneficial in problem-solving skills later in life.”
Avoid these common pitfalls that can hurt your score:
Stick to the question. Don’t drift into unrelated ideas.
Avoid saying the same point in different words. Focus on adding new supporting ideas.
Maintain a semi-formal tone. Avoid slang, text-speak, or overly casual expressions.
Use a variety of opinion expressions to show lexical range.
One effective practice method is the “Question Loop.” Here’s how:
Pick a common opinion question.
Answer it aloud using the structure: Opinion → Reason → Example → Summary
Ask a follow-up: “Why is that important?” and answer again.
Repeat with: “Can you give another example?”
This trains your brain to extend ideas fluently and naturally, just like in the real test.
Use this quick checklist to evaluate your practice answers:
| Criteria | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Do I state my opinion clearly? | ✅ / ❌ |
| Do I support my opinion with reasons? | ✅ / ❌ |
| Do I give at least one relevant example? | ✅ / ❌ |
| Do I use a variety of vocabulary? | ✅ / ❌ |
| Do I use complex sentence structures? | ✅ / ❌ |
| Do I stay on topic and answer the question directly? | ✅ / ❌ |
Opinion questions are a core component of IELTS Speaking Part 3 and offer candidates a chance to demonstrate their ability to think, reason, and express ideas in English fluently.
By using a clear answer structure, supporting your ideas with reasons and examples, and applying appropriate vocabulary and grammar, you can confidently tackle this question type and significantly improve your score.
Regular practice, paired with targeted feedback, will help you gain the fluency and coherence required to deliver strong, impactful responses on test day.