IELTS Speaking Part 3: Visiting others, accommodation
4 Part 3 discussion questions on visiting others, accommodation, with developed sample answers of the kind Part 3 expects.
In your country, when people visit other people in their homes, do they usually bring a gift?
Yes, in my country bringing a gift when visiting someone's home is very much part of the culture and considered good manners. It's seen as a gesture of respect, gratitude and affection towards the host. The gifts themselves are usually modest but thoughtful — commonly sweets, pastries, chocolates, fruit or flowers. If the visit is for a special occasion such as a birthday or a celebration, people tend to bring something more significant. Turning up empty-handed, on the other hand, might come across as impolite or thoughtless. This tradition reflects the strong emphasis our culture places on hospitality and maintaining warm relationships. So generally speaking, arriving with a small gift is almost second nature to people here.
What kind of houses or apartments do people prefer to buy?
People's housing preferences vary according to their circumstances, but a few clear patterns emerge. Families with children generally favour spacious properties with several bedrooms, ideally with a garden or nearby green space where the children can play. Location is a top priority for most, with proximity to schools, workplaces and amenities being highly valued. Younger professionals and singles, by contrast, often prefer modern apartments in central, well-connected areas, prioritising convenience over size. Many buyers also look for good security, natural light and a pleasant view. Affordability inevitably shapes these choices, so people frequently have to compromise between their ideal home and their budget. On the whole, though, comfort, location and value for money are the qualities most people seek.
What is the difference between living in the countryside and the city?
The two lifestyles differ dramatically in almost every respect. City living offers convenience, with easy access to jobs, shops, entertainment, healthcare and public transport all close at hand. However, this comes at the price of noise, pollution, overcrowding and a generally faster, more stressful pace of life. The countryside, in contrast, offers peace, clean air, natural beauty and a slower, more relaxed way of living, along with a stronger sense of community. The trade-off is fewer job opportunities, limited amenities and often poorer transport links, which can feel isolating. City dwellers tend to enjoy greater career prospects but less space, while country residents enjoy tranquillity but sacrifice convenience. Essentially, it's a choice between opportunity and excitement on one hand and calm and quality of life on the other.
Do you prefer to live in the city or in the countryside?
At this stage of my life, I'd honestly choose the city, though I can appreciate the charms of both. Living in an urban area gives me access to far better career opportunities, education, healthcare and entertainment, all of which matter a great deal to me right now. I also enjoy the vibrant, dynamic atmosphere and the convenience of having everything within easy reach. That said, city life does have its drawbacks, such as the noise, pollution and constant hustle, which can be draining over time. I can well imagine that later in life, when I crave more peace and space, the countryside might become far more appealing. So for now the city suits me, but my preference could easily shift with age, as it ultimately depends on one's priorities at a given moment.
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.