Suggested vocabulary and ideas for the IELTS Speaking topic Films

Hello everyone, I’m Huong Giang, an 8.5 IELTS instructor at ECE. In this article, we will explore ideas for the topic of “films” – a topic that, while quite familiar, can be difficult to impress with in IELTS Speaking. In today’s article, let’s explore this topic through the following questions:

IELTS speaking Part 1 topic films

1. Do you like to watch films?

→ To be honest, these days I hardly ever have the time to sit through an entire film because I’m constantly juggling work and other commitments. I’m always busy as a bee. That said, back when I was a university student and had far more free time on my hands, I could easily binge-watch a whole series in just a couple of days.

• Juggle work and other commitments: to try to complete all tasks
• Sit through an entire film: to watch a whole film from start to finish
• busy as a bee: very busy
• Binge-watch: to watch many episodes or films in a row

2. What types of movies do you like? Why?

→ Animated films are usually my go-to choice whenever I manage to carve out some time to go to the cinema. Some people might find them a bit predictable in terms of storyline, but what I genuinely appreciate is the visual artistry. The animation is often incredibly vibrant, and the characters feel so expressive and endearing. There’s a certain charm and emotional warmth in animated films that I don’t quite get from other genres.

• go-to choice: preferred choice

• carve out some time: to manage to find some time

• visual artistry: the way images are created (in a film)

• Endearing: cute/lovable

3. Do you still enjoy watching the movies you loved as a child?

Honestly, yes, I do. As a child, I was always thrilled whenever I was allowed to watch cartoons. What has changed over time, though, is the way I experience them. When I was younger, I tended to focus on the moral lessons behind the stories. Now, I’m more drawn to how comforting and relaxing they are. There’s something incredibly soothing about watching those adorable characters and simply switching off from the real world for a while.

• moral lessons: moral lessons
• be drawn to: to be attracted to/to like something

4. Do you prefer watching movies at home or at the cinema?

→ I’d definitely say the cinema. As I’ve mentioned before, I tend to associate movies with going out rather than staying in. When I’m at home, I constantly feel the urge to tick things off my to-do list, whether it’s housework, meeting deadlines, or giving feedback to my students. It’s hard for me to completely switch off in that environment. At the cinema, though, I’m physically removed from all those responsibilities, so I can fully immerse myself in the film and genuinely enjoy the experience without distractions.

• tick things off my to-do list: to complete the tasks I have set for myself
• switch off: (in this context) to completely disconnect (from work)

IELTS speaking Part 2 topic films

Describe a movie you watched recently that you felt disappointed about

You should say:

• When it was
• Why you didn’t like it
• Why you decided to watch it
• And explain why you felt disappointed about it

To tell you the truth, I’m a huge fan of animated films, especially those known for outstanding visual artistry. I remember being incredibly excited about a movie called Ne Zha 2. It was actually released last year, but it’s still the most recent film I watched that truly disappointed me.

I was completely hooked the first time I saw the trailer. A friend of mine shared a short clip on Facebook, and those few scenes were both hilarious and surprisingly emotional. As someone who absolutely loves the vibrancy and charm of animated characters, I genuinely thought it was going to be a masterpiece.

However, when I finally got the chance to watch the full movie, it was such a let-down. The plot turned out to be painfully predictable, and to make matters worse, most of the interesting scenes had already been revealed in the trailer. The remaining parts felt disconnected and, at times, rather tedious.

What made it even more embarrassing was that I had convinced my husband to watch it with me. I had hyped it up so much beforehand, telling him it would be amazing. But halfway through the film, we both started feeling drowsy, and honestly, it was a struggle to sit through the entire thing.

Looking back, I think my disappointment mainly stemmed from having overly high expectations. It taught me not to judge a movie solely based on an impressive trailer.

• Hooked: interested, found it attractive
• painfully predictable: too easy to guess
• a let-down: a disappointment
• hyped it up: to promote or praise highly
• sit through (a movie): to watch until the end

IELTS speaking Part 3 topic films

• Do you believe movie reviews?

I think movie reviews can be a useful reference point, especially when I’m unsure whether a film is worth my time. For instance, I sometimes watch review videos on YouTube to get a general sense of the storyline and overall quality before deciding to book a ticket. It helps me assess whether the film aligns with my personal taste. That said, I don’t rely on them entirely. Reviews often reveal key plot details, which can diminish the suspense and overall viewing experience. Moreover, some reviewers may be sponsored or financially incentivised to promote certain films, which raises questions about their objectivity. So while reviews can be informative, I prefer to treat them as guidance rather than a decisive factor.

Useful reference point: reference source

Aligns with my personal taste: matches personal taste

Diminish the suspense: reduce excitement

Financially incentivised: financially sponsored

• What are the different types of films in your country?

There’s quite a wide range of film genres in my country, but I’d say romantic comedies are probably among the most popular. Many of them revolve around family dynamics and everyday life, so they’re light-hearted and easy to watch. In fact, they’re the kind of films families can enjoy together during a relaxed evening meal. Quite a few are also adapted from foreign productions but localised to suit Vietnamese culture. Because of their relatable themes, they tend to appeal to viewers of all ages. Another genre that has gained popularity, particularly among younger audiences, is action films. In the past, Vietnamese viewers mainly relied on Hollywood blockbusters for this type of entertainment. However, in recent years, domestic filmmakers have started producing their own action movies, and the quality has improved considerably. I think this reflects the gradual development of our local film industry.

Revolve around: revolve around certain content

Adapted and localised to suit Vietnamese culture: adapted and modified to suit Vietnamese culture

Appeal to viewers of all ages: suitable for all ages

• Are historical films popular in your country? Why?

I would say historical films are moderately popular in my country, but they’re not necessarily mainstream. They tend to attract viewers who are particularly interested in history or national identity rather than the general public. One reason is that historical films often require a substantial budget for costumes, set design, and visual effects, so they aren’t produced as frequently as romantic comedies or action films. When they are well-made, though, they can generate a lot of interest, especially if they portray significant events or legendary figures from Vietnamese history.

• National identity: national identity

• Substantial budget: substantial budget

• Set design: set design

• Portray: portray

• Legendary figures: legendary figures

Hopefully, these suggestions and shared ideas can help readers approach the topic flexibly and make better use of topic vocabulary.