Creativity

Welcome back to IELTS TIME .Today we’re focusing on a Part 3 topic: creativity.

First, you’ll hear a mock interview where Jessica asks questions and Joseph provides model answers. Then, I’ll break down his responses, highlighting key points and useful vocabulary you can use for your speaking exam.

So, let’s begin our practice round on creativity.

Do you think creativity is more important in the arts or in science?

I’d say creativity is equally important in both, but it shows up differently. In the arts, it’s about expressing emotions or offering fresh perspectives through things like music, film, or painting. In science, creativity is more about innovation and problem-solving — for instance, designing experiments or finding novel ways to cure diseases. You can’t have groundbreaking discoveries without some level of imaginative thinking. The end product may look different, but the underlying creative process is what drives progress in both areas. So in my opinion, it’s not a matter of which is more important, but how creativity is applied.

How important is creativity in education?

I think creativity is fundamental in education because it shapes how students engage with learning. If schools only emphasise memorisation, students may do well on tests but struggle in real-life situations. By contrast, when children are encouraged to think creatively, they learn to question ideas, make connections across subjects, and come up with their own solutions. For example, project-based learning often leads to deeper understanding than just memorising formulas. Without creativity, education risks becoming a rigid system that doesn’t prepare students for the complexities of the modern world. In short, creativity makes learning both more enjoyable and more relevant.

Should children focus more on developing creativity or learning skills for their future careers?

I think it’s a false choice — children should really be developing both at the same time. Career-oriented skills give them practical tools, but creativity ensures they can adapt and stay relevant when the job market changes. For instance, many jobs that exist today, like app development or social media management, didn’t exist twenty years ago. Without creativity, people might be stuck with outdated skills. So while technical training is useful, nurturing imagination prepares children for jobs that may not even exist yet. I’d say the balance between the two is what creates the most successful professionals.

Do you think creativity is more important than technical skills in the modern world?

In my opinion, neither stands alone; they’re interdependent. Technical skills are like the tools, while creativity is the vision that guides how to use them. For example, a web developer needs coding skills to build a site, but they also need creativity to design a user-friendly interface. With automation and AI taking over repetitive tasks, creativity is becoming a key differentiator for humans. At the same time, creativity without the ability to execute often remains just an idea. So in today’s world, true innovation comes from combining the two.

How can schools and teachers encourage students to be more creative?

I think the key is to move away from a “one right answer” approach. Teachers should design open-ended assignments that allow students to experiment and even fail without being punished for it. For example, instead of asking for a standard essay, students could be asked to present an idea through a video, a model, or a performance. Schools should also integrate the arts into core subjects like math and science, so students see how different fields are connected. Creating a safe, supportive environment is essential, because fear of failure is one of the biggest killers of creativity. With these methods, students are more likely to take risks and think outside the box.

Do you think creative people are born talented, or can creativity be developed through practice?

I’d say some people are naturally imaginative, but creativity can definitely be developed. It’s similar to physical fitness: some are naturally athletic, but anyone can improve with regular exercise. Likewise, creativity grows when people practice brainstorming, explore new experiences, or look at problems from different angles. For instance, someone who travels widely or reads across genres tends to develop a more creative outlook. So while natural talent might provide a head start, it’s really the environment and persistence that shape long-term creativity. In that sense, I see creativity more as a skill than a gift.

Do you think technology helps or harms creativity?

Technology is a double-edged sword when it comes to creativity. On one hand, it offers powerful tools — for example, digital art software, video editing platforms, or even AI — that allow people to create things that were once impossible. It also connects people globally, which can spark collaboration and new ideas. On the other hand, if people over-rely on templates or get distracted by endless online content, originality might suffer. Personally, I think it helps more than it harms, but only if people use it mindfully as a tool, rather than a crutch. In other words, technology can amplify creativity, but it shouldn’t replace it.

Do you think creativity is generated more easily when there is no stress?

That’s a tricky question because stress affects people differently. In general, a relaxed environment is more conducive to creativity, since people feel free to take risks and explore ideas. For instance, many writers say their best ideas come when they’re in a calm state of mind. However, a small amount of pressure, like a deadline or competition, can also push people to think outside the box. Too much stress, of course, kills creativity because it leads to anxiety and burnout. So I’d say creativity flourishes best in low-stress situations, but a little challenge can sometimes be beneficial.

What kinds of creative jobs are popular in your country?

In my country, creative jobs have really expanded beyond the traditional arts. Of course, we still have painters, musicians, and writers, but there’s a huge demand for careers that blend creativity with technology. For example, graphic design, website and app design, and digital marketing are booming fields. Content creation on platforms like YouTube or TikTok has also become a career path for many young people. Even in business, roles like branding or product design require a lot of original thinking. I think this trend reflects how creativity has become central to almost every industry.

How do creative people contribute to the development of society?

Creative people are often the driving force behind progress. They inspire others, challenge the status quo, and come up with solutions to problems that others might not see. For example, inventors have created technologies that improve our daily lives, while artists often highlight social issues and push for change. Creativity isn’t limited to art — it’s equally present in science, business, and policymaking. Without it, societies would probably become stagnant and resistant to innovation. So in many ways, creative thinkers shape not only culture but also the future direction of the whole community.

That was a really strong mock interview between Jessica and Joseph. Let’s take a moment to unpack what Joseph did particularly well and highlight some language that you can use in your own answers.

Starting with the question about whether creativity is more important in the arts or in science, Joseph made a very clear point that creativity is equally important in both, just expressed differently. In the arts, it’s about expression and originality, whereas in science, it’s about problem-solving and innovation. He also used the phrase “groundbreaking discoveries,” which is an excellent way to sound precise and academic without being unnatural.

When it came to creativity in education, Joseph emphasised that it goes beyond just art classes. He pointed out that without creativity, education risks becoming purely memorisation. He also mentioned that creative thinking helps students connect ideas and solve problems, which adds depth and shows an understanding of how creativity functions across subjects.

For the question on whether children should focus on creativity or career skills, Joseph avoided framing it as a strict either-or choice. He explained that both are important and used the example of jobs that don’t yet exist to illustrate why creativity is essential for the future. That kind of forward-looking reasoning really strengthens a Part 3 answer.

On the topic of creativity versus technical skills, Joseph gave a memorable analogy: technical skills are the tools, while creativity is the vision. He also connected this to the modern world by mentioning how automation and AI are taking over routine tasks, which made the point feel very relevant.

When asked how schools can encourage creativity, Joseph kept his answer practical and straightforward. He talked about giving students freedom through open-ended projects, encouraging group work, and creating a safe environment where failure isn’t punished. These examples show the examiner that he understands how creativity can be nurtured in real settings.

For the question about whether creative people are born or developed, Joseph used a strong analogy comparing creativity to physical fitness. Some people are naturally talented, but anyone can improve with consistent practice and exposure to new experiences. That’s a perfect example of using a relatable analogy to make an abstract idea easy to understand.

Joseph’s answer on technology was well balanced. He recognised that technology can empower creativity, offering tools and access to inspiration, but he also warned that over-reliance can stifle originality. He wrapped up by saying that technology helps more than it harms if it’s used thoughtfully, which shows nuance and sophistication.

Regarding stress and creativity, Joseph highlighted the importance of balance. He explained that a relaxed mind is usually more open to ideas, but a small amount of pressure can sometimes spark innovative thinking. That’s a realistic and well-rounded response.

When discussing popular creative jobs, Joseph gave a modern perspective. He mentioned traditional roles like painters, musicians, and writers, but also highlighted digital jobs that combine technology with creativity, such as website and app design, content creation, and social media. This shows awareness of current trends and makes the answer feel up-to-date.

Finally, on how creative people contribute to society, Joseph summed it up clearly: creative thinkers drive progress, challenge the status quo, and inspire others. He used strong language like stagnate to emphasise the importance of innovation. This answer neatly tied together his understanding of creativity’s cultural, social, and economic impact.

Overall, Joseph’s answers were well developed: he gave clear opinions, added reasons, used examples, and occasionally compared two sides. That’s exactly the formula you should aim for in Part 3.

That’s it for today’s episode on creativity in IELTS Speaking Part 3. Joseph’s answers show how clear opinions, reasons, and examples make responses strong and fluent. Notice how he used natural vocabulary and relatable examples to make abstract ideas easy to understand.

Try these questions yourself, record your answers, and practice developing your ideas fully. Thanks for listening to IELTS TIME. Keep practicing, stay positive, and speak confidently!