What is IELTS Speaking Part 1?
The IELTS Speaking test takes place separately and is scheduled a few days after your exam. The IELTS Speaking Part 1 is 4-5 minutes long.
Here is what to expect:
- ID verification
- Introduction of both parties (examiner and you)
- General questions about your life, including work, hobbies, interests, education, and hometown.
IELTS Speaking Part 1 consists of questions that are extremely familiar to you; therefore, this part is the easiest. The very intention of this part is to ease you and create a comfortable atmosphere. Since you get asked questions you know about, it will allow you to put your best foot forward and confidently express yourself.
Let’s move on to how you can ace this section!
How to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 1?
We’ve given a complete breakdown of the IELTS Speaking exam, including appropriate responses for each.
Let’s dive in. Here’s all you need to know about IELTS Speaking Part 1.
Walk in with a smile and respond with a general greeting. You can say, “Hi, that’s me” or “Good morning/afternoon”.
At this point, the examiner starts recording. Sit down and take a deep breath. This is your sign to relax and prepare yourself for the upcoming rounds. At this point, you may be asked to submit your passport.
The examiner will read out your details and ask for confirmation. The examiners may also make small talk. For example, they may ask you where you’re from. Remember, this is not the start of round one yet, so keep your answers short and direct. These questions are only to break the ice.
This marks the start of your part 1. Remember that the IELTS Speaking Part 1 is only 4-5 minutes long. Your answer need not be too elaborate. Answer straight to the point.
You can also include the “why” behind your answer wherever it is relevant. If you don’t, the examiner will most likely prompt it.
The examiner will then ask more questions about what you do or where you live. Try to speak at a good pace, not too fast or slow. Try to avoid filler words, such as “um,’ “uh,” “like,” and also stay away from abrupt pauses. You can use linking words and phrases to sound fluent.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Questions
These questions revolve around various topics, including hometown, weather, clothes, interests, and hobbies. Here is the list of some common questions asked in IELTS speaking part 1.
Topics | Questions |
| About You | – What is your name? – Can I have your full name? – What shall I call you? – What is the meaning of your name? – How can I address you? – How important is your name to you? – Have you ever changed your name? Why? Or why not? – Why do people change their names? – Do you currently work or study? |
| Study | – Are you currently studying? – What is your major? – Why did you choose this subject? – What is the most exciting part about your subject? – What is the most interesting part about your course? – Do you dislike anything about the course or the subject? – What are your plans? – How long does it take to complete this course? |
| Work | -Do you believe in job satisfaction or better pay? -According to you, which skills are necessary to get a job? -How has technology impacted the way we work? – Can you describe your job to me? – How long are you doing this job? – Why did you choose that job? – Can you tell me one of your typical workdays? – What is your ideal job? – What are the things you enjoy about the job? And why? – What do you think is the main attraction of your job? – Are you willing to do this job permanently? – Do you want to switch careers? – What are your plans? |
| Accommodation or home | – How long have you been a resident? – What do you like in your current house? – Which kind of residence would you most prefer to live in? – Do you have a flat or house? – Whom do you live with? – What would you like to change about your home? |
| Childhood | – Did you have a good time growing up? – What is the first childhood memory you can recall? – Did you have a large social circle during childhood? – What do you believe is best for a child—city or country life? |
| Neighbourhood | – Can you describe your neighbourhood to me? – What are activities that you can do in your area? – What do you like the most about your neighbourhood?- How can your community be improved, and why?- Do you prefer to live in the centre of your town or on the outskirts? |
| Internet | – What impact can the Internet have on how we live? – Do you consider the majority of online information to be accurate? – Do you believe that kids can use the internet unattended? – Can people locate relatable information online? |
| Transport | – What is the public transport service in your hometown? – How did you come here today? – How can public transport be improved? – Should people use public transport more often? Why or why not? |
| Free Time | – What do you usually do during your free time? – Why are you doing these things? – How much time do you get every week for this? – Do you have some other hobby or interest? – Do you want to try some other activities in your free time? – How has spending time in leisure changed over the years? |
| Reading | – Do you enjoy reading books? – What book have you recently read? – What did you like about the book? – Is there anything you disliked about it? – What are the advantages of reading a book? |
| Travel | – What do people do in your town during their free time? – What places do you visit in your free time in your hometown? – Do you prefer eating out in your free time? If yes, why so? – What are your favourite places to eat out? |
| Sports | – Which sport is most prevalent in your country? – Which sport do you enjoy the most? – How has people’s outlook on sports changed over the years? |
| Holidays | – What do you do on holiday? – With whom do you usually spend your holiday? – How would you describe a typical holiday? – Are holidays vital to you? Why? – Where would you go if you could go anywhere for a holiday? – How do you feel travelling during holidays has changed over the years? |
| Shopping | – How much time do you spend shopping in a week? – Do you enjoy shopping? If not, why? – Where do you usually go shopping? – Why do you like that shop? – Is there any problem related to shopping in your area? |
How to crack IELTS Speaking Part 1: Expert Advice!
- Confidence is key: Practice remaining calm! One way to look at it is like a discussion with a close friend rather than a test. Remember, the purpose of part 1 in speaking is to ease you!
- Avoid using unfamiliar and long words: Using unfamiliar words disrupts a speaker’s natural flow, and there is a risk of mispronouncing those words. Additionally, using these words in the wrong context can affect the band score negatively.
- Take meaningful pauses: It’s natural to need some time to think before answering a thoughtful question. To pause before speaking is normal. You can also use phrases like ‘That’s a good point’ or ‘Let me think’.
- Don’t memorise answers to the IELTS questions: You might be tempted to memorise the sample answers. However, this will hamper the natural speaking flow of a candidate, and the examiner can easily recognise these answers. So, rather than memorising, it is better to practise speaking beforehand.
- Use a range of grammar and avoid using fillers: Candidates who show a range of grammatical use to express their thoughts are more likely to score a higher band than others. Also, correct grammar is necessary as it’s one of the band descriptors and affects your band scores.
- Avoid filler words: Most non-native speakers use fillers like ‘umm’ and ‘like’ while speaking. You must try to avoid these fillers to score high, as using fillers makes it difficult for an examiner to understand the ideas and indicates that your fluency isn’t great.
- Avoid monotonous and extended answers: Speaking at length is unnecessary during IELTS Speaking Part 1. To avoid sounding monotonous, you can enunciate certain words and take meaningful pauses, making the conversation more engaging for the examiner
- Smile while speaking: It is normal to feel anxious before any exam. So, smiling while speaking can relax the nerves and help you speak clearly and fluently. Smiling will also make the conversation more engaging and friendly for the examiner.
- Do not use Yes or No answers: Strictly avoid one-word answers. Provide logical answers in one or two sentences.
- Answer all the questions: Try to answer all the questions. If you don’t understand a question, ask the examiner to explain it.
The Bottom Line
Practice the questions stated above under timed conditions to make the most out of your preparation.
Feeling ready for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 test? As a next step, you can attempt our practice test questions or move on to the next parts of IELTS Speaking.
You can begin your preparation for the other IELTS modules. Need more assistance? reach out to us!
Good luck!
