IELTS Speaking Part 3: Smiling
6 Part 3 discussion questions on smiling, with developed sample answers of the kind Part 3 expects.
Do people smile more when they are younger or older?
Research suggests that young children smile the most – hundreds of times a day – while smiling frequency declines through adolescence and adulthood. Babies begin social smiling around two months old, and young children smile freely without self-consciousness about their teeth or expression. Around adolescence, social pressures and self-awareness reduce spontaneous smiling, especially among girls who internalise norms about appearance. Adults in their working years may smile less due to stress, fatigue, or the emotional labour required in service jobs. Interestingly, older adults (over 65) often smile more than middle-aged adults, perhaps because they have less performance pressure and more genuine social interactions. So the pattern is not linear: high in childhood, dip in young adulthood, recover somewhat in later life. However, cultural norms also play a huge role – some cultures smile more regardless of age.
Do you think people who like to smile are more friendly?
Generally yes, because smiling is a universal social signal of approachability and lack of threat. A person who smiles frequently is perceived as warmer, more trustworthy, and easier to talk to – all components of friendliness. However, this perception can be misleading. Some people smile as a social mask, concealing resentment or manipulation (e.g., a salesperson smiling aggressively to close a deal). Others are genuinely warm but do not smile often due to cultural background, shyness, or facial habits. In some professions, like healthcare or law enforcement, a constant smile might actually be inappropriate. Moreover, research shows that people can distinguish between genuine “Duchenne” smiles (crinkling the eyes) and fake smiles, and they respond differently. So while smiling is a strong indicator of friendliness, it is not a perfect proxy, and cross-cultural differences matter.
Why do most people smile in photographs?
Smiling in photographs has become a social convention, reinforced by generations of family albums and now social media. A smiling face signals happiness, approachability, and that the photo is a “good memory.” The convention is so strong that not smiling in a photo can be interpreted as anger, sadness, or a deliberate statement. Historically, early photographs often featured serious expressions because long exposure times made smiling difficult – but as technology improved, the “say cheese” culture spread from America globally. There is also a peer pressure element: when everyone else smiles, you feel odd being the serious one. For posed photos, smiling serves as a visual shorthand for “I am pleasant and normal.” Interestingly, candid photos capture more varied expressions, and many people prefer those because they feel more authentic. But for the standard group photo, a smile is now as expected as looking toward the camera.
Do women smile more than men? Why?
On average, yes – studies consistently find that women smile more than men across many cultures. This difference appears in childhood and persists into adulthood. One explanation is socialisation: girls are taught to be nurturing, polite, and agreeable, and smiling is part of that performance. Boys are allowed (even expected) to show more neutral or serious expressions. Adult women also face higher social pressure to appear friendly and non-threatening, especially in service or caregiving roles. Additionally, men may suppress smiles to appear more dominant or competent, as smiling can signal subordination in certain contexts. However, the difference shrinks in non-social situations or when people are alone. It also varies by culture – in countries with less gender role rigidity, the gap is smaller. So while there is a real average difference, it is largely learned, not biological.
*Is smiling always positive? (added)
No, smiling can be ambiguous or even negative in certain contexts. A smile during a tense negotiation might be strategic, not genuine. A person in a hierarchical workplace might smile at a rude boss to avoid conflict – that smile signals submission, not joy. In some cultures, smiling at strangers can be seen as foolish or suspicious. A grimacing smile when you are in pain or embarrassed is more a grimace than a positive expression. Even the “customer service smile” – maintained despite rude treatment – can be psychologically draining, leading to emotional burnout. So smiling is not always positive; it is a communicative tool that can express real warmth, social obligation, power dynamics, or emotional suppression. The context and the nature of the smile (eye involvement, duration, timing) determine its meaning.
*Why do some people rarely smile? (added)
Some people rarely smile due to personality (e.g., high introversion or neuroticism), cultural upbringing, or medical conditions like resting sad face or Bell’s palsy. In some cultures, frequent smiling is seen as insincere or childish; people display a neutral resting face as a sign of seriousness or intelligence. Depression, anxiety, or chronic stress can also reduce spontaneous smiling, even if the person is not consciously sad. Others may have been criticised as children for their smile (teeth, gums, dimples) and learned to suppress it. There is also a subset of people who simply have a more stoic emotional style – they feel pleasure but do not show it facially. It is important not to assume that a non-smiling person is unfriendly or miserable. Many rare smilers are perfectly warm and kind once you talk to them; their face just does not telegraph it.
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.