How to Handle Difficult IELTS Speaking Questions (When You Don’t Know What to Say)

It's a common fear: what if you get an IELTS Speaking question about something unfamiliar — like space tourism, classical music, or government policy? The good news is you don't need expert knowledge to succeed. Here's how to stay calm and give a high-scoring answer even when you're unsure about the topic.

🎯 Remember: IELTS Speaking Tests Communication, Not Knowledge

The examiner is not testing your facts or opinions — only your ability to express ideas clearly. You can still score Band 7+ with a creative or partial answer, as long as your language is fluent and structured.

✅ Strategies When You're Stuck

1. Be Honest, Then Pivot

It’s okay to admit the topic is unfamiliar — just don’t stop there. Use the opportunity to explain why and then move the conversation somewhere relevant.

Example:
Q: What’s your opinion on space tourism?
✅ “To be honest, I’ve never thought about that before. I’m not really into science or space exploration, but I suppose it’s exciting for some people. Personally, I’d rather spend money exploring places on Earth first.”

2. Use General Opinions

If you don’t have personal experience, talk about what “most people” or “society” might think.

“I don’t know much about classical music, but I believe many people find it relaxing or intellectually stimulating.”

3. Give Hypothetical Responses

If you lack personal experience, use “would” or “might” to speculate.

“I’ve never tried paragliding, but I imagine it would be thrilling and a bit scary. I’d love to try it one day.”

4. Link to a Related Topic

Don’t force unrelated stories, but gently move to something similar that you can talk about.

“I don’t know much about historical monuments abroad, but in my country, we have some amazing ancient ruins that tourists love to visit.”

📋 Useful Phrases for Difficult Questions

• “That’s an interesting question. I haven’t thought about it before.”
• “I’m not really familiar with that, but I’ll try to answer.”
• “Well, I suppose if I had to guess…”
• “Although I don’t have much experience with this, I think…”

⚠️ What NOT to Do

• ❌ Don’t say “I don’t know” and stop speaking
• ❌ Don’t stay silent or panic
• ❌ Don’t go completely off-topic or make up strange facts

🧠 Practice Exercise

Try answering these unusual questions using the strategies above:

• What is your opinion on genetically modified food?
• Should children be taught how to invest money in school?
• How do you think artificial intelligence will affect jobs in the future?

🎯 Final Advice

You’re not expected to be an expert. Even if you’re unsure, you can still give a strong answer by staying calm, being honest, and expressing your ideas clearly. The key is to communicate — not to sound like a professor.

See also next Using Fillers and Hesitation Devices Naturally in IELTS Speaking

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