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IELTS Speaking: Media & News Questions & Answers (2026)

IELTS Speaking media and news topic guide. Model answers about social media, news consumption, advertising, and entertainment for Part 1, 2 & 3.

Part 1 Questions: Media

These questions are asked at the start of the speaking test. Keep your answers to 2-3 sentences.

  • How do you get your news?
  • Do you read newspapers?
  • How much time do you spend on social media?
  • What type of TV programmes do you watch?
  • Do you think news media is trustworthy?
  • Has the way you consume media changed over the years?

Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a TV programme or film you have enjoyed recently. You should say: what it was, what it was about, when you watched it, and explain why you enjoyed it.

Model Answer (Band 7+)

I would like to talk about a documentary series I watched recently called Blue Planet III, which is a nature documentary produced by the BBC and narrated by Sir David Attenborough. I watched it over the course of a week about a month ago, typically one episode per evening.

The series explores the world's oceans, from the sunlit shallows of coral reefs to the pitch-black depths of ocean trenches thousands of metres below the surface. Each episode focuses on a different marine environment, showcasing both the extraordinary beauty of ocean life and the mounting threats it faces from climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

What made this series particularly compelling was the combination of stunning cinematography and powerful storytelling. The filming technology has advanced to a point where you can see individual plankton in crystal clarity, and some of the behaviour captured had never been filmed before. One sequence showed a pod of orcas cooperatively hunting in a way that demonstrated almost strategic military precision, which was both awe-inspiring and slightly terrifying.

I enjoyed this programme for several reasons. Firstly, it reminded me of the astonishing diversity of life that exists on our planet, much of which most people never see or think about. Secondly, it struck an effective balance between celebration and concern, showcasing the beauty of marine ecosystems while honestly confronting the damage humans are causing. The series did not lecture or moralise but simply presented the evidence and allowed viewers to draw their own conclusions.

Attenborough's narration, as always, elevated the material. His ability to convey genuine wonder at nature, even after seven decades in broadcasting, remains remarkable.

Examiner tip: This answer demonstrates fluency, range of vocabulary, and the ability to extend responses with specific details and personal reflection. Notice the use of linking phrases and the natural progression of ideas.

Part 3 Discussion Questions

These are more abstract questions that require deeper analysis. Aim for 3-5 sentences per answer.

  • How has social media changed the way people communicate?
  • Do you think there is too much fake news today?
  • Should social media be regulated more strictly?
  • How do you think media will change in the next 10 years?

More Speaking Topics


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