IELTS Speaking Part 3: Animals
8 Part 3 discussion questions on animals, with developed sample answers of the kind Part 3 expects.
Why do stories and movies for children always feature animals?
Animals feature so prominently in children's stories and films for several very good reasons. Firstly, children are naturally fascinated by animals and find them cute, funny and appealing, which instantly captures their attention and affection. Animal characters can also be given human traits and emotions in a way that feels magical and imaginative, making them perfect for storytelling. Importantly, they allow writers to teach moral lessons and explore difficult themes gently and indirectly, without them feeling too preachy or frightening for young minds. A story about a brave little lion, for instance, can teach courage in a way children easily relate to. Animals are also universal and culturally neutral, so they appeal to children everywhere. For all these reasons, they've become a timeless and effective device in children's entertainment.
Why do people like to keep pets?
People keep pets for a whole host of emotional and practical reasons. Above all, pets provide wonderful companionship and unconditional love, which is especially valuable for those who live alone or feel lonely. Caring for an animal gives people a sense of purpose and responsibility, and the bond that develops can be genuinely comforting. Numerous studies have shown that pets reduce stress, lower blood pressure and even combat depression, so they offer real health benefits. Dogs, in particular, encourage their owners to exercise and get outdoors regularly. Pets can also teach children valuable lessons about responsibility, empathy and kindness. Some animals additionally provide security or practical help. In short, pets enrich people's lives emotionally and physically, which explains their enduring popularity across the world.
What are the advantages of keeping a pet?
Keeping a pet comes with a remarkable range of advantages. The most significant is companionship, as pets offer constant, loyal and non-judgemental company that can greatly ease feelings of loneliness and isolation. There are well-documented health benefits too, since interacting with animals reduces stress and anxiety, and owning an active pet like a dog encourages regular exercise. Pets can also be hugely beneficial for children, teaching them responsibility, empathy and respect for other living creatures. For families, a pet often becomes a beloved member that brings everyone closer together. Some pets provide practical benefits as well, such as guarding the home. On an emotional level, the unconditional affection a pet gives is deeply rewarding. So the advantages span the emotional, physical and social aspects of life.
Do you think children love animals more than old people do?
I don't think it's necessarily a question of who loves animals more, but rather that children and older people express their affection differently. Children are often instantly and openly enthusiastic about animals, finding them exciting, cute and fun to play with, and their love tends to be spontaneous and uninhibited. However, this doesn't mean older people love animals any less. In fact, many elderly people develop deep, meaningful bonds with their pets, who become cherished companions that ease loneliness in later life. Their love is often quieter but more committed, born of experience and genuine attachment. Older people also tend to understand the responsibilities of pet ownership more fully. So rather than one group loving animals more, I'd say children love them more visibly, while older people often love them more deeply.
Do you like to take care of animals?
Yes, I genuinely enjoy taking care of animals, as I find it both rewarding and calming. There's something deeply satisfying about nurturing another living creature and receiving its trust and affection in return. Looking after an animal, whether it's feeding, grooming or simply spending time with it, gives me a real sense of purpose and responsibility. I also find that being around animals is a wonderful way to relieve stress and lift my mood after a demanding day. That said, I'm fully aware that caring for an animal is a serious, long-term commitment that requires time, effort and patience, not just something to be taken on a whim. So while I love animals and enjoy caring for them, I believe it should always be done responsibly. Overall, it's an experience I find genuinely fulfilling.
How are pets now different from those in the past?
The way people keep and treat pets has changed quite dramatically over the years. In the past, animals were often kept primarily for practical purposes — dogs guarded the home or helped with hunting, and cats kept mice at bay. Today, by contrast, pets are overwhelmingly seen as beloved companions and even family members, valued for the emotional bond they provide rather than any practical function. This shift has led to a whole industry catering to pets, with specialised food, toys, grooming salons and advanced veterinary care that simply didn't exist before. People now spend considerable sums pampering their animals. Pets also tend to live more comfortable, indoor lives and enjoy far longer lifespans thanks to better medical care. So overall, pets have gone from working animals to cherished members of the household.
What problems will keeping pets bring?
While pets bring immense joy, keeping them can certainly create a number of problems. The most obvious is the considerable cost involved, as food, veterinary bills, grooming and other expenses can add up significantly over an animal's lifetime. Pets also demand a great deal of time and commitment, which can be difficult for busy people, and they may cause practical issues like mess, noise, damage to furniture and unpleasant odours. Some animals can pose health risks too, spreading allergies or, in rare cases, diseases. There are also broader concerns, such as the problem of abandoned or stray animals when owners can no longer cope. In cities, keeping large pets in small apartments raises welfare issues as well. So although the rewards are great, prospective owners really need to consider these responsibilities carefully before taking on a pet.
Is it safe for animals to live in cities?
Cities present a rather mixed and often challenging environment for animals in terms of safety. For pets like dogs and cats, urban life carries real dangers, most obviously the heavy traffic, which poses a constant threat, as well as pollution and the stress of noise and crowds. The lack of open, green space also makes it harder for them to exercise and behave naturally. For wild animals that adapt to city life, such as birds, foxes and rodents, cities can offer plentiful food but also numerous hazards. That said, with responsible ownership, cities can be perfectly safe for pets — keeping dogs on leads, providing indoor space and regular vet care all help enormously. Many well-designed cities now include parks and pet-friendly facilities too. So while cities aren't the ideal natural habitat, animals can live safely there with proper care and precautions.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 3 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How is Part 3 different from Part 1?
Part 1 is about you; Part 3 is about people in general. The questions move to society, causes and consequences, and the answers are expected to be longer and more developed — an opinion plus a reason plus an example.
What if I have no opinion on the question?
You are not marked on the opinion, so pick one and support it. Saying you have never thought about it and stopping there leaves the examiner nothing to assess.
How long does Part 3 last?
Four to five minutes. The topics develop out of your Part 2 card, so the discussion is usually connected to what you just described.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.