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Random Speaking Topics

These random speaking topics are designed to be answered out loud in one or two minutes. They are easy enough to start talking immediately, but open enough to reward a clear structure.

Use the generator to draw one at random, or pick from the list below and press “Practise”.

Default settings: 30 seconds to prepare, 1 minute to speak,PREP structure.

Prep
Speak

30s to prepare · 1:00 to speak · Uses your microphone. Audio is sent only for transcription and is not stored.

100 random speaking topics

  1. 1What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?Everyday · easy
  2. 2Would society be better if social media disappeared tomorrow?Opinion · medium
  3. 3If you could have dinner with any person from history, who would it be?Would you rather · medium
  4. 4Describe a small habit that has made your life better.Everyday · easy
  5. 5Would you rather be respected or liked?Opinion · medium
  6. 6Would you rather know the future or change the past?Would you rather · medium
  7. 7What is a skill everyone should learn before turning eighteen?Everyday · easy
  8. 8Is it more important to be smart or to be kind?Opinion · medium
  9. 9If you ran your country for one day, what would you change first?Would you rather · medium
  10. 10What does a perfect Sunday look like for you?Everyday · easy
  11. 11Should homework be banned in primary schools?Opinion · medium
  12. 12Would you rather never use social media again or never watch another film?Would you rather · medium
  13. 13Which app on your phone could you not live without, and why?Everyday · easy
  14. 14Is it ever okay to lie?Opinion · medium
  15. 15If you could instantly learn one skill, what would it be?Would you rather · medium
  16. 16What is something you changed your mind about in the last year?Everyday · easy
  17. 17Are people happier today than they were fifty years ago?Opinion · medium
  18. 18Would you rather live without music or without movies?Would you rather · medium
  19. 19Describe a place that makes you feel calm.Everyday · easy
  20. 20Should everyone learn to cook?Opinion · medium
  21. 21If you woke up with a million dollars tomorrow, what would you do first?Would you rather · medium
  22. 22What is the most useful thing you own?Everyday · easy
  23. 23Is it better to be a generalist or a specialist?Opinion · medium
  24. 24Would you rather be able to talk to animals or speak every human language?Would you rather · medium
  25. 25What is one thing you would like to get better at this year?Everyday · easy
  26. 26Does money buy happiness?Opinion · medium
  27. 27If you could add one subject to every school, what would it be?Would you rather · medium
  28. 28Talk about a meal that brings back a strong memory.Everyday · easy
  29. 29Should voting be mandatory?Opinion · medium
  30. 30Would you rather have more time or more money?Would you rather · medium
  31. 31What is a tradition you would like to keep forever?Everyday · easy
  32. 32Is working from home better than working in an office?Opinion · medium
  33. 33If you could solve one world problem overnight, which would you pick?Would you rather · medium
  34. 34Who is someone who taught you something without trying to?Everyday · easy
  35. 35Are exams a good way to measure ability?Opinion · medium
  36. 36Would you rather live one hundred years in the past or one hundred years in the future?Would you rather · medium
  37. 37What would you do with one extra hour every day?Everyday · easy
  38. 38Should public transport be free?Opinion · medium
  39. 39If you could design your own holiday, what would people celebrate?Would you rather · medium
  40. 40Describe your ideal workspace.Everyday · easy
  41. 41Is it better to rent or to buy a home?Opinion · medium
  42. 42Would you rather be famous or be powerful behind the scenes?Would you rather · medium
  43. 43What makes a good neighbour?Everyday · easy
  44. 44Do we rely too much on our phones?Opinion · medium
  45. 45If you had to give a TED talk tomorrow, what would it be about?Would you rather · medium
  46. 46What is a hobby you think is underrated?Everyday · easy
  47. 47Should every student learn a second language?Opinion · medium
  48. 48Would you rather work four ten-hour days or five eight-hour days?Would you rather · medium
  49. 49If you could master any instrument overnight, which would you choose?Everyday · easy
  50. 50Is it better to have a few close friends or many acquaintances?Opinion · medium
  51. 51If you could open any kind of shop, what would you sell?Would you rather · medium
  52. 52What is the best way to spend a rainy afternoon?Everyday · easy
  53. 53Should people retire at a fixed age?Opinion · medium
  54. 54Would you rather always be ten minutes early or always be ten minutes late?Would you rather · medium
  55. 55What is a book, film or show you recommend to everyone?Everyday · easy
  56. 56Is competition good for children?Opinion · medium
  57. 57If you could swap lives with anyone for a week, who would it be?Would you rather · medium
  58. 58What does being on time mean to you?Everyday · easy
  59. 59Is ambition always a good thing?Opinion · medium
  60. 60Would you rather explore space or the deep ocean?Would you rather · medium
  61. 61Describe a moment when you felt really proud of yourself.Everyday · easy
  62. 62Should tipping be replaced by higher wages?Opinion · medium
  63. 63If animals could vote, which party would they support?Would you rather · medium
  64. 64What is one thing about your hometown that visitors should know?Everyday · easy
  65. 65Does travel really broaden the mind?Opinion · medium
  66. 66Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button for your life?Would you rather · medium
  67. 67Is it better to plan a trip in detail or to improvise?Everyday · easy
  68. 68Is it better to save money or to spend it on experiences?Opinion · medium
  69. 69If you could make one law that everyone had to follow, what would it be?Would you rather · medium
  70. 70What is your favourite season, and what does it say about you?Everyday · easy
  71. 71Should school start later in the morning?Opinion · medium
  72. 72Would you rather be the funniest person in the room or the smartest?Would you rather · medium
  73. 73What is a simple pleasure that never gets old?Everyday · easy
  74. 74Are online friendships as real as offline ones?Opinion · medium
  75. 75If you had to live in a book or film world, which would you choose?Would you rather · medium
  76. 76Talk about a teacher who made a difference.Everyday · easy
  77. 77Is it rude to use your phone during a meal?Opinion · medium
  78. 78Would you rather give up coffee or give up dessert forever?Would you rather · medium
  79. 79What would your friends say is your best quality?Everyday · easy
  80. 80Should cities ban cars from their centres?Opinion · medium
  81. 81If you could invent a new sport, how would it work?Would you rather · medium
  82. 82Describe the most memorable gift you have ever given.Everyday · easy
  83. 83Is failure a better teacher than success?Opinion · medium
  84. 84Would you rather have a personal chef or a personal driver?Would you rather · medium
  85. 85What is something you learned from a mistake?Everyday · easy
  86. 86Should children be paid for doing chores?Opinion · medium
  87. 87If you could send a message to yourself ten years ago, what would it say?Would you rather · medium
  88. 88What does a good morning routine look like?Everyday · easy
  89. 89Is it better to be honest or diplomatic?Opinion · medium
  90. 90Would you rather live without the internet or without air conditioning?Would you rather · medium
  91. 91What is the best purchase you made under fifty dollars?Everyday · easy
  92. 92Do celebrities have a duty to be role models?Opinion · medium
  93. 93If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?Would you rather · medium
  94. 94If you could live in any city for a year, where would you go?Everyday · easy
  95. 95Should university be free?Opinion · medium
  96. 96Would you rather be an expert in one thing or good at many things?Would you rather · medium
  97. 97What is one rule you always follow?Everyday · easy
  98. 98Is boredom good for creativity?Opinion · medium
  99. 99If you could remove one daily chore from your life, what would it be?Would you rather · medium
  100. 100Talk about a time you tried something completely new.Everyday · easy

How to practise

  1. 1

    Answer first

    Open with your answer in one sentence. “Yes, I think everyone should learn to cook” beats “That is an interesting question…”.

  2. 2

    One reason, one example

    You do not need five arguments in sixty seconds. One reason and one concrete example is a complete answer.

  3. 3

    Close the loop

    Finish by restating your answer. It signals you are done and makes you sound decisive.

Recommended answer structure

PREP

Best for: most impromptu questions

  1. 1Point
  2. 2Reason
  3. 3Example
  4. 4Point again

State your answer, give one reason, prove it with an example, then repeat your answer. The default structure for almost any unexpected question.

Example answer to “Should everyone learn to cook?”

  1. PointYes — I think everyone should learn at least five basic meals.
  2. ReasonBecause cooking gives you control over your health and your budget.
  3. ExampleWhen I moved out, learning to cook cut my food spending almost in half.
  4. Point againSo yes: five meals, and you are independent for life.

FAQ

What makes a good speaking topic?+

A good speaking topic is easy to understand in one read, has no single right answer, and connects to personal experience so you always have an example.

How long should I speak on each topic?+

Start with 60 seconds. When you can fill a minute comfortably with a clear point and an example, move up to two minutes.

Are these topics good for English learners?+

Many are. For simpler vocabulary, try the English Practice mode, which includes beginner questions and IELTS-style cue cards.

Related topic lists