--- title: "English Conversation Topics for Every Level | VocaFlare" description: "46 English conversation topics from A1 to C2, each with sentence starters, follow-up questions and key words. Draw a random topic and practise with an AI language tutor." url: "https://vocaflare.com/en/conversation-topics" language: "en" --- # Nothing to talk about? Draw a topic. English conversation topics from A1 to C2. Each card gives you a question, the first words to say, follow-up questions and the vocabulary you need. Practise alone, with a friend, or with an AI language tutor. [Get the app](https://vocaflare.com/apps/ai?src=conversation-topics-hero) ## About you ### Can you tell me about yourself? a1 To get started - My name is ... and I am from ... - I am ... years old. - I live in ... with my ... Keep it going - What do you do every day? - Do you have any brothers or sisters? - What do you like? Useful words [name](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/name)[live](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/live)[family](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/family)[student](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/student) ### Who is in your family? a1 To get started - There are ... people in my family. - My mother is a ... - I have one brother and ... Keep it going - Who do you look like? - What do you do together? - Who is the funniest person? Useful words [mother](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/mother)[father](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/father)[brother](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/brother)[sister](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/sister) ### Tell me about your best friend. a2 To get started - My best friend is ... - We met when ... - He / She is very ... Keep it going - What do you do together? - Do you ever argue? - Why is this person important to you? Useful words [friend](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/friend)[together](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/together)[funny](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/funny)[meet](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/meet) ### How did you celebrate your last birthday? a2 To get started - On my last birthday I ... - My friends gave me ... - We went to ... Keep it going - What is the best present you got? - Do you like parties? - What will you do next year? Useful words [birthday](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/birthday)[party](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/party)[present](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/present)[celebrate](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/celebrate) ### Why are you learning English? b1 To get started - I am learning English because ... - The hardest part for me is ... - I started when ... Keep it going - What would you do with perfect English? - What helps you most? - Do you feel nervous when you speak? Useful words [language](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/language)[improve](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/improve)[nervous](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/nervous)[mistake](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/mistake) ### Tell me about a day when everything went wrong. b1 To get started - It started when ... - Then, to make it worse, ... - In the end, ... Keep it going - What did you learn from it? - Can you laugh about it now? - Who helped you? Useful words [wrong](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/wrong)[worse](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/worse)[luckily](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/luckily)[finally](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/finally) ### What is a skill you learned that changed your life? b2 To get started - A few years ago I learned ... - At first it was ..., but ... - Now I can ... Keep it going - How long did it take? - Who taught you? - What skill do you want next? Useful words [skill](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/skill)[patience](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/patience)[progress](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/progress)[confident](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/confident) ### If you could go back ten years, what advice would you give yourself? c1 To get started - I would tell myself not to ... - I wish I had ... - Then again, without those mistakes ... Keep it going - Do you believe in regrets? - What would you do differently now? - What are you proud of? Useful words [advice](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/advice)[regret](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/regret)[wish](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/wish)[proud](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/proud) ### Describe a time you faced a real ethical dilemma. c2 To get started - I found myself torn between ... - My conscience told me ..., whereas ... - In hindsight, I’m not sure I ... Keep it going - Would you make the same choice today? - Did you compromise, or pick a side? - Who did you turn to for advice? Useful words [dilemma](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/dilemma)[conscience](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/conscience)[ethical](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/ethical)[compromise](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/compromise) ### Are you a different person when you speak another language? c2 To get started - Oddly enough, in English I come across as ... - Language shapes how we perceive ... - Part of my identity seems to ... Keep it going - Which language do you think in? - Do jokes survive translation? - Is something lost when you switch? Useful words [identity](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/identity)[perceive](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/perceive)[ambiguous](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/ambiguous)[conform](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/conform) ## Daily life ### What do you do in the morning? a1 To get started - I get up at ... - First I ..., then I ... - For breakfast I usually eat ... Keep it going - Do you like mornings? - How do you go to school or work? - What time do you go to bed? Useful words [morning](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/morning)[breakfast](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/breakfast)[usually](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/usually)[early](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/early) ### Do you like shopping? a2 To get started - I like / don’t like shopping because ... - I usually buy ... online. - The last thing I bought was ... Keep it going - Shops or online? - What do you spend the most money on? - Do you shop alone? Useful words [shopping](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/shopping)[buy](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/buy)[cheap](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/cheap)[expensive](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/expensive) ### What do you do to stay healthy? b1 To get started - I try to ... - I should ... more often. - I gave up ... last year. Keep it going - What is your worst habit? - Do you sleep enough? - Is it hard to eat well? Useful words [healthy](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/healthy)[habit](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/habit)[exercise](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/exercise)[diet](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/diet) ## Food ### What is your favourite food? a1 To get started - My favourite food is ... - I love ... because it is ... - I don’t like ... Keep it going - Can you cook it? - Where do you eat it? - What did you eat yesterday? Useful words [favorite](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/favorite)[delicious](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/delicious)[cook](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/cook)[sweet](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/sweet) ### What does the food of your country say about its culture? b2 To get started - In my country, meals are ... - A typical dish is ..., which ... - People here believe ... Keep it going - Which dish should every visitor try? - Is fast food changing that? - What foreign food do you love? Useful words [traditional](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/traditional)[dish](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/dish)[typical](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/typical)[culture](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/culture) ### Tell me about a restaurant you like. a2 To get started - There is a place near ... called ... - They make great ... - It is not expensive, ... Keep it going - What do you always order? - Who do you go with? - Do you prefer eating out or at home? Useful words [restaurant](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/restaurant)[order](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/order)[menu](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/menu)[prefer](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/prefer) ## Places and travel ### What is your home like? a1 To get started - I live in a house / a flat. - My home has ... rooms. - My favourite room is ... Keep it going - What is in your room? - Is your street quiet or busy? - Who lives with you? Useful words [house](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/house)[room](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/room)[kitchen](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/kitchen)[garden](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/garden) ### Where did you go on your last holiday? a2 To get started - Last summer I went to ... - I stayed there for ... - The best part was ... Keep it going - Who did you go with? - What did you eat there? - Would you go back? Useful words [holiday](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/holiday)[travel](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/travel)[beach](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/beach)[hotel](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/hotel) ### What is your city or town like? a2 To get started - I live in ..., it is a ... city. - It is famous for ... - There are many ... Keep it going - What should a tourist see there? - What is the worst thing about it? - Would you move away? Useful words [city](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/city)[famous](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/famous)[crowded](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/crowded)[quiet](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/quiet) ### Would you rather live in a big city or in the countryside? b2 To get started - I would rather ... because ... - The main advantage is ... - The downside would be ... Keep it going - Where would you raise children? - What would you miss most? - Is remote work changing this? Useful words [advantage](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/advantage)[countryside](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/countryside)[rather](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/rather)[convenient](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/convenient) ### Does travelling really change people? b2 To get started - I believe it does, because ... - When I went to ..., I realised ... - Not necessarily; ... Keep it going - What surprised you most abroad? - Is tourism good for local people? - Where would you never go? Useful words [abroad](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/abroad)[culture](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/culture)[realize](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/realize)[necessarily](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/necessarily) ## Free time ### What do you do at the weekend? a1 To get started - At the weekend I ... - On Saturday I usually ... - I like to ... with my friends. Keep it going - What did you do last weekend? - Do you sleep late? - Where do you go? Useful words [weekend](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/weekend)[friend](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/friend)[sleep](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/sleep)[park](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/park) ### Do you have a pet? a1 To get started - Yes, I have a ... - No, but I want a ... - Its name is ... Keep it going - What does it eat? - Who takes care of it? - Cats or dogs? Useful words [pet](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/pet)[dog](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/dog)[cat](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/cat)[animal](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/animal) ### What do you do in your free time? a2 To get started - In my free time I ... - I started ... when I was ... - I am good at ... Keep it going - How often do you do it? - Is it expensive? - What hobby do you want to try? Useful words [hobby](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/hobby)[free](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/free)[often](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/often)[enjoy](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/enjoy) ### Do you play or watch any sports? a2 To get started - I play ... every ... - I watch ... on TV. - I don’t like sports, but ... Keep it going - Which team do you support? - Have you ever won anything? - Is sport important for health? Useful words [sport](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/sport)[team](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/team)[match](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/match)[win](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/win) ### Tell me about a film or series you really enjoyed. b1 To get started - It is about ... - The main character ... - I liked it because ... Keep it going - Would you watch it again? - Who would you recommend it to? - Was the ending good? Useful words [character](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/character)[story](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/story)[recommend](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/recommend)[ending](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/ending) ## School and work ### What was your favourite subject at school? a2 To get started - My favourite subject was ... - I liked it because ... - I was bad at ... Keep it going - Who was your favourite teacher? - What did you do after school? - What would you change? Useful words [subject](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/subject)[teacher](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/teacher)[lesson](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/lesson)[exam](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/exam) ### Where do you see yourself in five years? b1 To get started - I hope I will ... - I am planning to ... - If everything goes well, ... Keep it going - What could stop you? - What are you doing now to get there? - Is this your dream or someone else’s? Useful words [plan](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/plan)[hope](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/hope)[career](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/career)[goal](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/goal) ### If you could have any job, what would it be? b1 To get started - I would be a ... - I think I would be good at it because ... - The best part would be ... Keep it going - What would be the hardest part? - Is money important in that choice? - What did you want to be as a child? Useful words [job](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/job)[salary](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/salary)[skill](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/skill)[choose](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/choose) ### Is it possible to have a good work-life balance? b2 To get started - In my experience, ... - It depends on ... - The problem is that ... Keep it going - Would you take less money for more free time? - Should people work from home? - How do you switch off? Useful words [balance](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/balance)[experience](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/experience)[pressure](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/pressure)[flexible](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/flexible) ### Will artificial intelligence take more jobs than it creates? c1 To get started - History suggests that ... - The real risk, in my view, is ... - It largely depends on whether ... Keep it going - Which jobs are safe, if any? - Who should pay for retraining? - Would you trust an AI doctor? Useful words [artificial](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/artificial)[replace](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/replace)[career](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/career)[inevitable](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/inevitable) ## The world around us ### What is the weather like today? a1 To get started - Today it is ... - It is hot / cold / rainy. - I like ... weather. Keep it going - What is your favourite season? - What do you wear when it is cold? - Does it snow where you live? Useful words [weather](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/weather)[rain](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/rain)[cold](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/cold)[season](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/season) ### How much time do you spend on social media? b1 To get started - I spend about ... hours a day on ... - I mostly use it to ... - To be honest, I think ... Keep it going - Does it make you happier? - What would change without it? - Do you post or only watch? Useful words [spend](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/spend)[honest](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/honest)[post](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/post)[opinion](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/opinion) ### What do you do to protect the environment? b1 To get started - I try to recycle ... - I think the biggest problem is ... - I could do more, for example ... Keep it going - Whose job is it, people or governments? - Has the weather changed where you live? - Would you pay more for green products? Useful words [environment](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/environment)[recycle](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/recycle)[pollution](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/pollution)[protect](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/protect) ### How has technology changed the way you live? b2 To get started - Compared to ten years ago, ... - The biggest change for me is ... - On the other hand, ... Keep it going - Which invention could you not live without? - Are we too dependent on our phones? - What worries you about the future? Useful words [technology](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/technology)[compare](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/compare)[depend](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/depend)[invention](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/invention) ### Where do you get your news from, and do you trust it? b2 To get started - I mostly read / watch ... - I trust it because ... - I am a bit sceptical about ... Keep it going - How do you spot fake news? - Should social media check facts? - Do you ever avoid the news? Useful words [news](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/news)[trust](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/trust)[source](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/source)[fact](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/fact) ### Is privacy dead in the age of the internet? c1 To get started - To a large extent, ... - Most people willingly ... - The trade-off is ... Keep it going - What would you never share online? - Should companies be allowed to sell data? - Is safety worth less privacy? Useful words [privacy](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/privacy)[extent](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/extent)[surveillance](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/surveillance)[consent](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/consent) ### Who bears the most responsibility for climate change? c1 To get started - It would be naive to blame only ... - Ultimately, ... - Individuals can make a difference, but ... Keep it going - Should flying be taxed more? - Are protests effective? - What sacrifice would you accept? Useful words [responsibility](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/responsibility)[ultimately](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/ultimately)[sacrifice](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/sacrifice)[carbon](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/carbon) ### Should freedom of expression ever be limited to avoid offending people? c2 To get started - The difficulty lies in who gets to decide what ... - There is a fine line between ... and ... - Historically, restrictions on speech have tended to ... Keep it going - Is being offended a harm in itself? - Should platforms or governments set the rules? - Has satire become riskier? Useful words [expression](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/expression)[offend](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/offend)[scrutiny](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/scrutiny)[privilege](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/privilege) ## Big ideas ### Can money buy happiness? b2 To get started - Up to a point, ... - It can buy ..., but not ... - The happiest people I know ... Keep it going - What would you do with a million? - Is saving more important than spending? - What makes you truly happy? Useful words [happiness](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/happiness)[afford](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/afford)[wealth](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/wealth)[security](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/security) ### How would you define success? c1 To get started - For me, success isn’t so much ... as ... - Society tends to measure it by ... - Looking back, ... Keep it going - Has your definition changed over time? - Is failure necessary? - Who do you consider successful? Useful words [define](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/define)[measure](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/measure)[achievement](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/achievement)[satisfaction](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/satisfaction) ### What would you change about the education system? c1 To get started - If it were up to me, ... - The fundamental problem is ... - Schools should focus less on ... and more on ... Keep it going - Are exams a fair measure of ability? - Should university be free? - What did school fail to teach you? Useful words [fundamental](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/fundamental)[curriculum](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/curriculum)[assess](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/assess)[ability](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/ability) ### Which traditions are worth keeping, and which should change? c1 To get started - Some traditions hold communities together, for instance ... - Others, frankly, ... - The challenge is ... Keep it going - Which tradition do you secretly dislike? - Who decides when a tradition ends? - Is globalisation erasing them? Useful words [tradition](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/tradition)[community](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/community)[frankly](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/frankly)[preserve](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/preserve) ### To what extent are our choices genuinely our own? c2 To get started - I’d argue that the notion of free choice is ... - Upbringing and circumstance determine far more than ... - And yet, paradoxically, ... Keep it going - Can we be held morally responsible for choices we didn’t really make? - Does believing in free will change how we behave? - Where would you draw the line? Useful words [notion](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/notion)[determine](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/determine)[paradox](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/paradox)[moral](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/moral) ### If science offered you immortality, would you accept it? c2 To get started - On the face of it, ... - What gives life meaning is arguably ... - I suspect I would eventually ... Keep it going - Would anything still feel urgent? - Who would get access first, and is that fair? - What legacy would matter then? Useful words [immortality](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/immortality)[meaning](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/meaning)[legacy](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/legacy)[purpose](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/purpose) ### Is there such a thing as a truly selfless act? c2 To get started - Cynics would say that ... - Even if we benefit, that doesn’t necessarily make it ... - Perhaps the real question is whether ... Keep it going - Does the motive matter if the outcome is good? - Is altruism inherent or learned? - What is the kindest thing a stranger has done for you? Useful words [altruism](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/altruism)[virtue](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/virtue)[inherent](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/inherent)[perceive](https://vocaflare.com/en/english/meaning/perceive) ## Preparing for a speaking test 1. ### Pick your level Speaking tests at school and in IELTS-style exams use these same themes: you, your family, your city, your plans. Start at your level and move up when it feels easy. 2. ### Answer out loud Set a one-minute timer and talk. Use a starter only to begin; the follow-up questions are what examiners ask next. 3. ### Use the words Try to fit every word on the card into your answer. Tap a word to see its meaning and an example sentence. 4. ### Practise with a listener An AI language tutor asks the follow-up questions for you and corrects you gently, so the real test feels like the second time. ## Conversation topics: FAQ How to get the most out of the cards. ## Found your topic? Now say it out loud. Download VocaFlare free and talk about any topic with an AI language tutor that listens, asks back and corrects you gently. [Get the app](https://vocaflare.com/apps/ai?src=conversation-topics-cta) ### How do I use a conversation topic card? Read the question, start with one of the sentence starters and keep talking for a minute. When you run out of things to say, answer the follow-up questions. ### Which level should I choose? Pick the level where you can answer but still need to think. Not sure? Take the free level test first. ### Are these topics good for a speaking exam? Yes. Speaking exams usually ask about you, your family, your daily routine, hobbies, holidays and future plans, and all of them are here. ### Who can I practise these topics with? With a friend or a classmate, or any time with an AI language tutor in VocaFlare, which asks you questions about the same topic.