IELTS Speaking Part 3: Videos
4 Part 3 discussion questions on videos, with developed sample answers of the kind Part 3 expects.
Do teachers play videos in class in your country?
Yes, using videos in the classroom has become increasingly common in my country, particularly as schools have modernised and adopted new technology. Many teachers now incorporate educational videos, documentaries and animated clips to explain complex topics in a more engaging and visual way. This is especially popular in subjects like science, history and languages, where seeing something demonstrated can be far more effective than simply reading about it. Videos help capture students' attention and cater to those who learn better through images and sound. During the pandemic, this trend accelerated significantly as online learning became the norm. That said, the extent varies from school to school and teacher to teacher, depending on the available resources. But overall, videos have definitely become a valuable and widely used teaching tool.
Why are young people so obsessed with watching short videos?
Young people's obsession with short videos can be explained by a combination of psychological and technological factors. Above all, short videos are perfectly designed for instant gratification, delivering quick bursts of entertainment or humour that suit today's shrinking attention spans. Platforms like TikTok use clever algorithms that learn exactly what each user likes and serve up an endless stream of tailored content, which is genuinely addictive. The videos are also easy to consume in spare moments, require little effort or concentration, and are highly shareable, which taps into young people's desire to connect and stay current with trends. There's a strong social element too, as watching and creating these videos is a way of belonging. Unfortunately, this convenience and stimulation can make longer, more demanding content feel tedious by comparison. So it's really a mix of instant reward, clever design and social pressure.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning from videos?
Learning from videos offers some clear advantages but also comes with notable drawbacks. On the positive side, videos are highly engaging and can explain difficult concepts visually, making them easier to understand and remember than plain text. They allow learners to study at their own pace, pausing and rewinding as needed, and provide access to expert instruction from anywhere in the world, often for free. However, there are downsides too. Videos can encourage passive learning, where people watch without truly absorbing or applying the material. It's also easy to get distracted or drift into unrelated content, especially online. The quality and accuracy of videos vary enormously, and unlike a teacher, a video can't answer questions or give personalised feedback. So while videos are a powerful learning aid, they work best when combined with more active, interactive methods.
Do you think videos will replace traditional books as a learning tool?
I think videos will continue to grow in importance, but I doubt they'll ever completely replace traditional books as a learning tool. There's no question that videos are becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger learners, thanks to their engaging, visual and easily accessible nature. For demonstrating practical skills or explaining visual concepts, they're often superior to text. However, books still offer distinct advantages that videos struggle to match. Reading develops deep concentration, critical thinking and imagination in a way that passive video-watching does not. Books also tend to cover subjects in far greater depth and detail, and they allow readers to absorb information at their own reflective pace. Rather than one replacing the other, I believe the future lies in a blend of both, with each used for what it does best. So books will remain valuable alongside video learning.
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.