Use these ten prompts to practise giving a short answer and responding to a follow-up question. Work alone or with a partner. This page does not record, score or certify your speech. The collection’s beginner label is not a verified placement result.
A short speaking routine
- Choose one prompt and note two or three keywords.
- Say two or three connected sentences. Use a sentence starter below if helpful; you do not need to use every frame.
- Partner: say one detail you understood, then ask one related follow-up question. For solo practice, think of a follow-up question and answer it aloud.
- Repeat the answer with one clearer detail or connection. Practise one point at a time, such as a verb form or a useful phrase.
You can use real or fictional details and skip a topic you do not want to discuss.
Ten speaking prompts
- Introduce Yourself
- Introduce yourself in a few sentences. You can use a real or fictional name, where you are from, and a hobby; share only the details you choose.
- Optional sentence starters: My name is … . I’m from … . In my free time, I like … .
- Daily Routine
- Talk about your typical day. Describe what you do from the time you wake up until you go to bed.
- Optional sentence starters: First, I … . Then I … . In the evening, I … .
- Favorite Food
- Describe your favorite food. Explain what it is, why you like it, and when you usually eat it.
- Optional sentence starters: My favorite food is … . I like it because … . I usually eat it … .
- Your Family
- Talk about a family, household or group of people you know. You may use fictional details. Say who the people are and one thing they enjoy doing together.
- Optional sentence starters: I’d like to talk about … . We enjoy … together.
- Describing a Friend
- Describe one of your friends. Talk about their appearance, personality, and what you like about them.
- Optional sentence starters: My friend is … . One thing I like about this person is … .
- A Place You Want to Visit
- Name a place you would like to visit. Explain where it is, why you want to go there, and what you would like to do there.
- Optional sentence starters: I’d like to visit … . It is in … . I want to go there because … .
- Your Favorite Hobby
- Talk about a hobby you enjoy. Describe what it involves and why you find it interesting or fun.
- Optional sentence starters: I enjoy … . To do this, I need … . It is fun because … .
- A Recent Experience
- Share something interesting or fun that happened to you recently.
- Optional sentence starters: Recently, I … . First, … . After that, … . I felt … .
- Your Dream Job
- Describe what your dream job would be. Explain why you would choose this job and what makes it appealing to you.
- Optional sentence starters: I’d like to work as a … because … . In that job, I would … .
- A Book or Movie You Like
- Talk about a book or a movie you really like. Explain what it’s about and why you enjoy it.
- Optional sentence starters: The book/movie is about … . My favorite part is … because … .
Example answers: two possible models
Show fictional model answers
Introduction: My name is Alex. I’m from a small town near the coast. In my free time, I like drawing. Possible follow-up: What do you like to draw?
Recent experience: Last Saturday, I visited a park with a friend. We walked by the lake and had lunch outside. I felt relaxed. Possible follow-up: What did you enjoy most?
These examples illustrate an answer followed by a related question. They are not the only correct answers or a required script.
Give useful feedback
- Message: What did you understand? Ask for a missing detail instead of guessing.
- Connection: Can you follow the order of ideas? Try first, then, because or after that where appropriate.
- Language: Choose one word or grammar pattern to check, rather than correcting every part at once.
- Understandable speech: Ask for repetition when needed. A different accent is not automatically an error.
There is no single answer key for personal speaking prompts. These questions support discussion and practice, not a formal proficiency grade. No independent speaking assessment is provided.
For spoken-language examples, the British Council’s speaking resources offer conversation videos and phrase practice. Choose a suitable activity; this page does not supply a recording of its prompts.
Return to the ESL Practice Exams directory or browse articles on ESL Speaking.