IELTS Speaking Part 1: Questions, Topics & Sample Answers
In IELTS Speaking Part 1, you will be asked questions about yourself, such as home, work, studies, job, your particular interest, sport, hobby, pastimes, future plans and so on, and this part will last about 4-5 minutes.
Part 1 looks easy, but it sets the tone for the whole test. Short, natural answers with a reason or an example show the examiner straight away that you can speak fluently. Below you will find how Part 1 works, the questions you are most likely to hear, sample answers and the mistakes to avoid.
How IELTS Speaking Part 1 works
- 1
Introduction
The examiner introduces themselves and checks your identity. This is not scored, so use it to settle in.
- 2
Questions about you
Usually about your work or studies, or where you live. These come in almost every test.
- 3
Two or three topics
Then three or four short questions on two or three everyday topics, such as weather, music or shopping.
- 4
4 to 5 minutes
The examiner reads the questions from a script and keeps the time, so do not worry if they move on quickly.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introductory Questions
In the first part of the IELTS Speaking Test, the examiner wants you to feel as relaxed as possible and therefore he or she will ask you general questions about yourself.
The examiner is very likely to ask you if you work or whether you are a student, and then other questions depending on your answer. For example:
- Are you still at school / a student / or do you have a job?
- School / College: Talk about your studies, your plans and why you are doing IELTS
- Job: What do you do? Is it a temporary job or part of a career? How long have you been doing it? What are your plans and why are you doing IELTS?
- How long have you had this job?
- Try to give a fuller answer, not just 'I am a security guard in a shop'.
- Give an answer using different tenses and verb forms.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Well, I started working there about eight months ago and I'm hoping to continue with it until I go to university. I want to go and study in Britain, which is why I'm taking this exam. I have applied for a course at London University.
TIPS
IELTS Speaking Part 1: General Questions
After one or two biographical questions, the examiner is likely to ask you a general question or two about almost any everyday subject. For example:
- What's your favourite place to relax at your home?
- Have you ever cooked a meal for a lot of people?
- Are you planning to watch any movies in the near future?
SAMPLE ANSWERS
- Oh, definitely the balcony in summer because, if it's a warm day, I really enjoy sitting out there in the fresh air reading a book or sunbathing.
- Yes, lots of times. I love cooking for other people. Recently I made a big dinner for some of my friends from college. Actually, it was all traditional food and everyone said they really liked it.
- Well, let me think! Ah yes! I've heard about a new Christopher Nolan movie coming out soon. I read a great review of it, so I'd really like to see that. I've seen most of his movies already. In fact, I go to the cinema quite a lot.
TIPS
- Don't be surprised if the question is a bit strange and out of context.
- Give reasons in your answer. Explain why.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Topics, Questions & Samples
Here we have listed some of the most common topics along with the examiner's questions you are likely to encounter in IELTS Speaking Part 1. The answers that we have provided use lots of useful grammar structures and tenses the examiner is looking for while you speak.
Learning English
- What are your main reasons for learning English?
- I work as a ...
- I am learning English because ...
- I have been learning English since ... and by the time I left school I had become quite good at it, so ...
- Which aspect of learning English do you find the hardest?
- I used to find ... the hardest but nowadays ... I find that much easier
- It's difficult to say but if I had to choose one thing I'd say ...ing because ...
- Actually, I wish I had ...
- What do you need to do to help you pass the exam?
- Well, according to my teacher I have to / need to / should ... which is why we have ...
- I also think I ought to ...
- And it might be better if I did more ...
Free-time activities
- What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
- I love being outside, so I enjoy walking
- Another thing I like doing in summer is ...
- Of course I can't do that in winter, so then ...
- However, being a busy person/mother, I'm limited in how much time I have for ...
- If I had more time, I would ...
- How important is sport and fitness in your life?
- Being a footballer means ...
- Not being a sports person means ...
- However, I do believe that ...
- I usually go to the gym ... , but at the moment I am not doing ...
- If one eats well and one has a healthy lifestyle, I don't believe that one needs to ...
- Do you like spending time alone?
- I don't mind being on my own, but ...
- I love / can't stand being alone, but ...
- After being with people all day ...
- Having a young child means that ...
- I would rather have some company ...
- One of the best things about being ...
Travel and holidays
- What is one of the most interesting places you have visited?
- In 2017 I went to ...
- I had never been ... before
- The ... was really amazing/lovely
- What I liked most were the ...
- However, there was a downside ...
- If I have the chance, I'll go again ...
- Do you prefer going on holiday with family or friends?
- Being a mother and a wife I obviously ...
- However, if I had the time and money ...
- I would love to ...
- Last year I went ...
- I have been planning to ...
- The best option for me is ...
- Where would you most like to go?
- There are so many places where I would love to go. If I had to choose one, it would be ... because ...
- I have read so much about ... and a friend went there ...
House and home
- What do you most enjoy about living where you do?
- My house is situated ...
- It faces south which means ...
- It is very convenient for shopping ...
- The thing I most like about the area/house is being near the sea. Having shops nearby is another big plus
- If you could afford your ideal home, what would it be like?
- It would/wouldn't be very different to ...
- It would have ...
- It would have to be near ...
- Actually, I'm not a great believer in ideal homes
- For me, what counts the most is the happiness of ...
- I would far rather spend the money on ... than ...
- Would you ever consider living abroad?
- Well, actually I am planning to ... which is why I am doing the exam
- It's difficult to imagine having that opportunity but if I did I would ...
- It would of course depend on the circumstances
- If I could ... then I would be happy to ... but if I had to ...
The past
- What were you doing this time yesterday?
- Now then, let me think. It's half past two. Oh, yes ...
- I was ...ing ...
- I had been ...ing all morning
- I had just stopped for a break and ...
- What are some of your earliest childhood memories?
- When I was quite young I used to ...
- My friends and I would often go ...
- Once when we were playing with a ball ... happened
- Another thing I remember was ...ing
- What have been some of the happiest moments in your life?
- That's a difficult one!
- There have/haven't been many
- Perhaps one of the happiest was the day I ...
- A time which I remember with great fondness ...
Future plans
- What are you most looking forward to doing in the next few months?
- In December I am going to ... which should be great
- It's my birthday soon and I am having ...
- Actually, there isn't much to look forward to in winter
- I'm just longing for summer again
- At this time of year, there are only small pleasures, like ...
- Well, this time next month I'll be lying on a beach in ...
More Part 1 topics with sample answers
Twelve common questions and band 7+ answers on each page.
How to answer Part 1 questions
Aim for two or three sentences: a direct answer, then a reason, an example or a small detail. Compare three answers to the same question:
“Do you like cooking?”
-
Too short
“Yes, I do.”
Correct, but it gives the examiner nothing to assess: no vocabulary, no grammar beyond three words.
-
Just right
“Yes, quite a lot. I cook most evenings because it helps me relax after work, and at weekends I like trying recipes from other countries.”
A direct answer, a reason (because) and an example. Two sentences, natural and complete.
-
Too long
“Yes, I really like cooking. My mother taught me when I was about ten, and the first thing I made was pancakes, which were terrible. Then at university I lived with three friends and we took turns cooking, and once I tried to make a curry for everyone and…”
Good English, but it turns into a Part 2 story. The examiner has more questions to ask and may have to interrupt you.
Common mistakes in Part 1
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Yes / no answers | Always add a reason or an example. One extra sentence makes a big difference. |
| Memorised answers | Examiners notice prepared speeches, especially for "Where are you from?". Know a few facts, then answer naturally. |
| Repeating the question word for word | Paraphrase it: "Do you like cooking?" → "I really enjoy it" rather than "Yes, I like cooking". |
| Only using the present simple | Bring in other tenses naturally: "I used to...", "I have recently started...", "I would like to..." |
Useful Phrases for IELTS Speaking Part 1
Here we have listed some phrases that are worth practising for IELTS speaking. You can use them, for example, if you need more time for thinking or don't understand the examiner's question. If you show you can use this language effectively in your sentences, the examiner will give you more points.
Delaying phrases to give time for thinking
- Well, let's see ...
- Well, let me think ...
- Well, I suppose that the ...
- According to my teacher/colleague the ...
- Actually, ...
- As far as possible I ... although ...
- Generally speaking ... ; however, ...
- It depends a lot on ...
- It depends whether it is summer or winter
Asking for clarification
- I beg your pardon, but could you repeat your question, please?
- I'm sorry but I didn't catch what you said
- Sorry, what do you mean by ' ... '?
- By ' ... ' do you mean ' ... '?
- By 'place' are you referring to a city or country?
Not sure what the examiner means? Ask.
Sorry, what do you mean by ‘…’?
Asking is allowed, and a correctly formed question like the ones above earns you credit. Staying silent only wastes your limited time, so learn these questions so they are ready to use.
IELTS Speaking Part 1 FAQ
Quick answers to the questions students ask most.
How long is IELTS Speaking Part 1?
About 4 to 5 minutes. The examiner asks questions about you and two or three familiar topics.
How long should my answers be in Part 1?
Usually two or three sentences: a direct answer plus a reason or an example. Longer answers are for Part 2.
What topics come up in Part 1?
Almost always work or studies, or your hometown, followed by everyday topics such as weather, music, shopping, technology or free time.
Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question?
Yes. You can ask the examiner to repeat the question. It is better to ask than to answer a question you did not understand.
Is Part 1 scored?
Yes. Your Speaking band is based on the whole test, Parts 1, 2 and 3 together, using four criteria: fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
Speaking resources
IELTS Speaking Test
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Topics, Questions & Samples
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Topics & Questions
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Topics, Follow-up Questions & Samples
How to Practice IELTS Speaking for a Band 7+ Score?
