IELTS Speaking Topic Guide: Sample Answers & Vocabulary (Parts 1, 2, & 3)

The topic of “Books” is a staple in the IELTS Speaking test. To help you answer related questions with confidence, fluency, and high-scoring vocabulary, the ECE Language Center has compiled a set of high-quality sample answers and “score-boosting” vocabulary lists for Parts 1, 2, and 3.

This article has been reviewed by Ms. Nguyen Hong Nhat, an 8.0 IELTS instructor at ECE. Ms. Hong Nhat provides ideas, sentence structures, and useful vocabulary for you to reference, practice, and develop into your own unique responses.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Books – Sample Questions & Answers

In Part 1, the examiner will typically ask general questions about your reading habits and preferences.

Question 1: Do you have many books at home?

Sample Answer: Not really. I’d say I have a moderate collection, maybe around 40 books or so. I’m not exactly an avid reader, so books aren’t something I spend a lot of money on. In fact, I stopped buying new ones last year because I still haven’t gotten around to finishing the ones I already own. I do appreciate a good read now and then, but it’s not a major part of my routine.

Useful Vocabulary:

• a moderate collection: a collection of average size
• avid (adj): enthusiastic; passionate
• get around to (doing) something: to find the time to do something after delaying it
• a good read: an enjoyable book
• now and then: occasionally; from time to time
• major (adj): significant; important

Question 2: How often do you read books?

Sample Answer: Not as often as I’d like to, honestly. It usually takes me a month or two to finish a book, regardless of how long it is. To be fair, it’s mostly because I prefer other leisure activities like watching movies and hanging out with friends over reading. Plus, I tend to take notes while I read, which makes the process even longer.

Useful Vocabulary:

• regardless of: irrespective of; no matter
• leisure activities: hobbies or relaxing pastimes
• hang out with sb: to spend time with someone
• prefer [A] over [B]: to like A more than B
• take notes: to write down key points

Question 3: What was your favorite book when you were a child?

Sample Answer: Oh, that’s a tough question. I honestly don’t have much recollection of the books I read as a child. If I had to choose, it was probably the literature textbook I studied in primary school. Back then, the stories selected by the education board were surprisingly enjoyable and meaningful. They often carried powerful messages that, in hindsight, helped shape the way I think and who I am today.

Useful Vocabulary:

• a tough question: a difficult or challenging question
• have much recollection of sth: to remember something clearly
• literature textbook: a book used for studying literature
• education board: the authority responsible for curriculum content
• meaningful (adj): significant; deep
• carry powerful messages: to contain deep or impactful themes
• in hindsight: looking back; with the benefit of experience
• shape the way I think / who I am: to influence one’s mindset or identity

Question 4: Are your reading habits now different than before?

Sample Answer: Yes, they are. When I was younger, I had more free time to dedicate to reading and would explore all kinds of books, from comics to full-length novels. These days, though, I read more mindfully. I pay closer attention to the prose and finer details, and I even jot down my thoughts or reflections afterward, something I never used to do before.

Useful Vocabulary:

• dedicate to (doing something): to commit time or effort to something
• full-length novel: a complete, unabridged novel
• mindfully (adv): consciously; with full attention
• pay attention to sth: to focus on something
• prose (n): the style of writing
• finer details: subtle or intricate points
• jot down (phr.v): to write something quickly
• reflection (n): deep thought or personal insight

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Book You Have Recently Read

This part requires you to speak on a specific topic for 1–2 minutes. Below is the cue card and a sample response.

Cue Card:

Describe a book you have recently read. You should say:

• What kind of book it is
• What it is about
• What sort of people would enjoy it
• And explain why you liked it.

(Describe a book you have recently read. You should talk about: what kind of book it is, its content, who would enjoy it, and why you liked it.)

Sample Response:

I’m going to tell you about a Japanese comic book that I finished last week, called “Look Back”. It was written by one of the leading manga artists today, whose works never fail to stir strong emotions in readers.

The story centers around the friendship between two young female artists, from their primary school years all the way to the end of high school. At 18, they part ways; one enters the comic industry as a working artist, while the other chooses to pursue higher education to refine her artistic skills, despite the fact that they had already won a prize for best manga back in middle school. Tragically, the latter passes away in an accident at her art university, which becomes the turning point for the one left behind. Amidst grief, she finds strength and motivation to carry on their shared dream, using her art as a way to honor her late friend.

Although the coming-of-age plot might seem typical, it genuinely pulled at my heartstrings. The beautiful paneling, lineless layouts, and quiet, cinematic long shots, with many showing nothing more than the characters’ hunched backs as they draw day after day, season after season, made it feel like a silent film. As someone who is also passionate about creative work like writing, it reminded me that perseverance, practice, and quiet dedication will eventually pay off.

Whenever I hit rock bottom or feel lost, I turn to that simple little book. Safe to say, it has become both a source of comfort and a reminder to hang on through difficult times. I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way because many fans of the author say the same.

Useful Vocabulary:

• leading (adj): prominent; top-tier
• stir strong emotions: to evoke deep feelings
• centers around: to focus on
• part ways: to go separate directions
• pursue higher education: to attend university or college
• refine (…) skills: to improve or polish specific skills
• the latter: the second of two people or things mentioned
• pass away (phr.v): to die
• turning point: a moment of significant change
• carry on (sth): to continue pursuing something
• honor her late friend: to pay tribute to a deceased friend
• pull at my heartstrings: to move me deeply
• paneling / lineless layouts: comic book composition techniques
• cinematic long shots: long, film-like visual sequences
• hunched backs: backs bent over from hard work
• perseverance (n): persistence; determination
• dedication (n): commitment; devotion
• pay off (phr.v): to yield good results
• hit rock bottom: to reach the lowest point
• turn to (sth/sb) (phr.v): to seek help or comfort from someone/something
• hang on (phr.v): to keep going; to persevere

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Books – Discussion Questions & Answers

Part 3 expands on the topic from Part 2, delving into more abstract aspects and requiring you to discuss and express your opinions.

Question 1: What kind of books do children like?

Sample Answer: I think most children are naturally drawn to comics, fairy tales and fantasy stories because they are fun, creative, easy to understand and often come with illustrations. Some may also appreciate books with relatable characters and meaningful lessons, teaching them about kindness and relationships around them. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Harry Potter” are great examples, with both having gained huge audiences worldwide.

Useful Vocabulary:

• drawn to (be drawn to sth): to be attracted to something
• fairy tales: traditional children’s stories
• fantasy (n): imaginative fiction
• illustration (n): pictures or drawings
• relatable characters: characters that readers can identify with
• gained huge audiences: to have attracted a large number of readers

Question 2: What should parents do to encourage their children to read books?

Sample Answer: Well, certainly, there are many approaches parents can take to help cultivate a reading habit in children. First of all, if I remember correctly, children often learn by mimicking adults’ behavior, so having parents who read regularly and visibly at home sets a strong example. In addition, creating a positive and supportive environment like giving compliments and praising children’s reading efforts can make the experience more rewarding for them.

Useful Vocabulary:

• cultivate a habit: to develop or foster a habit
• mimic (v): to imitate
• set a strong example: to be a good role model
• give compliments: to praise someone
• praise one’s efforts (n): to acknowledge someone’s hard work
• rewarding (adj): satisfying; worthwhile

Question 3: Why do adults still have to read books?

Sample Answer: It’s because there are many benefits we can gain through reading books. For one, it not only strengthens the skills we already have but also helps us acquire new ones, especially when it comes to non-fiction. I believe books like “Atomic Habits” have guided countless people to build healthy routines step by step, making their lives more productive and structured. Also, it’s widely said that reading enhances brain function and improves memory, which can be an important tool against age-related decline.

Useful Vocabulary:

• gain benefits: to derive advantages
• strengthen one’s skills: to reinforce existing abilities
• acquire skills: to learn new abilities
• non-fiction: factual literature (self-help, history, etc.)
• build one’s routine: to establish personal habits
• step by step: gradually
• productive (adj): efficient; high-output
• structured (adj): organized
• age-related decline: cognitive or physical deterioration due to aging

The “Books” topic in IELTS Speaking is not difficult if you are well-prepared with ideas and vocabulary. We hope these sample answers and vocabulary lists serve as a useful resource to help you build your own impressive responses. The most important thing is to practice regularly so you can express yourself naturally and fluently.

Feel free to explore other IELTS Speaking topics compiled and edited by ECE:

IELTS Speaking topic: Job

IELTS Speaking topic: Health and Fitness