IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions: 16 topics with example answers

Part 1 is the warm-up of the IELTS Speaking test, but it is still marked. The examiner asks short questions about you and familiar topics, and your answers count towards your band in the same way as the rest of the test. This page explains what happens in Part 1, how long your answers should be, and then gives original IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions on 16 everyday topics, with example answers and notes for several of them.

What happens in IELTS Speaking Part 1

The Speaking test lasts 11 to 14 minutes in total, and Part 1 takes 4 to 5 minutes of that. According to the official format on ielts.org, the examiner introduces themselves and checks your identity, then asks general questions on familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies or interests. The part tests your ability to give opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences.

In practice that means two or three short topics, each with a handful of questions. The questions are personal and concrete: what you do, what you like, how often, whether something has changed. You don't need specialist vocabulary or clever opinions. You need clear, natural answers with a little bit of development.

Part 1 is assessed on the same four criteria as the rest of the test: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. See the Speaking band descriptors guide for what each one means.

How long should Part 1 answers be?

There is no official word count. A good working target is two or three sentences, roughly 15 to 25 seconds. That is long enough to show some range and short enough that the examiner can get through their questions.

A simple shape that works for almost every Part 1 question is answer + reason or detail + (optional) example or contrast.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions by topic

Practise these out loud. For each topic, answer every question, then go back and improve the weakest answer. Topics marked with an example include a model answer to one of the questions and a short note on why it works.

1. Where you live

• Do you live in a house or a flat?
• What do you like most about the area where you live?
• Is there anything you would change about your neighbourhood?
• Would you like to live somewhere different in the future?

Example: What do you like most about the area where you live? “Probably how walkable it is. Everything I need, the bakery, the pharmacy, even the gym, is within about ten minutes on foot, so I hardly ever need to take the bus.”

Why it works: a clear answer first, then a specific list as evidence, then a consequence. The hedge “probably” sounds natural rather than uncertain.

2. Work or studies

• Do you work or are you a student?
• What do you enjoy about your job or course?
• What is the hardest part of it?
• Is it a job or subject that many people in your country do?

Example: What is the hardest part of your course? “For me it's the statistics module. I'm studying psychology, and I didn't expect so much maths. I'm getting there, but it's taken a lot of late nights.”

Why it works: it names something specific, adds background (“I didn't expect…”) and finishes with a present perfect that shows progress over time.

3. Mornings and daily routine

• What is the first thing you do after you wake up?
• Is your routine different at the weekend?
• Do you think it is important to have a routine?
• Has your daily routine changed in the last few years?

4. Food and cooking

• Do you enjoy cooking?
• What kind of food did you eat most as a child?
• Do you prefer eating at home or eating out?
• Is there any food you didn't like before but enjoy now?

Example: Is there any food you didn't like before but enjoy now? “Olives, oddly enough. As a kid I thought they tasted like soap, but a friend kept putting them on pizza and eventually I came round to them. Now I buy them every week.”

Why it works: it contrasts past and present (thought / now I buy) and uses a natural phrasal verb (came round to) without forcing it.

5. Weather and seasons

• What is the weather usually like where you live?
• Which season do you like best?
• Does the weather affect your mood?
• Do you check the weather forecast often?

6. Music

• What kind of music do you listen to?
• When do you usually listen to music?
• Have you ever learned to play an instrument?
• Do you prefer live music or recorded music?

7. Reading

• Do you read much in your free time?
• Do you prefer paper books or reading on a screen?
• What did you like reading when you were younger?
• Is there a book you would recommend to a friend?

Example: Do you prefer paper books or reading on a screen? “It depends what I'm reading. For news and articles a screen is fine, but for novels I like a proper book. I find I remember the story better when I can actually turn the pages.”

Why it works: “It depends” is a useful opener when you genuinely see two sides, as long as you then explain both sides, as this answer does.

8. Sport and exercise

• Do you do any sport or exercise?
• Did you play sport at school?
• Do you prefer exercising alone or with other people?
• Is there a sport you would like to try?

9. Phones and technology

• How much time do you spend on your phone each day?
• Which app do you use most?
• Have you ever tried to use your phone less?
• Do you think you could manage for a week without the internet?

Example: Have you ever tried to use your phone less? “Yes, last year I turned off almost all my notifications. It sounds like a small change, but I was surprised how much calmer I felt. I still check it too often, though.”

Why it works: past simple for the story, a reaction (“I was surprised…”), and an honest twist at the end that sounds like real conversation.

10. Getting around

• How do you usually travel to work or school?
• Is public transport good where you live?
• Do you enjoy long journeys?
• Would you like to learn to drive, or do you already drive?

11. Shopping

• Do you enjoy shopping?
• Do you shop more online or in shops?
• Is there a shop you go to regularly?
• Do you ever buy things you don't really need?

12. Friends

• Do you prefer having a few close friends or lots of friends?
• How do you usually keep in touch with friends?
• Have you known any of your friends since childhood?
• What do you usually do when you meet friends?

Example: Have you known any of your friends since childhood? “Yes, one. We've known each other since we were about six because our mums worked together. We live in different cities now, but we still speak every couple of weeks.”

Why it works: present perfect with since for a situation that is still true, a reason, and a contrast linked with but. For more on this, see present perfect vs past simple.

13. Holidays and free time

• What do you usually do on holiday?
• Do you prefer relaxing holidays or busy ones?
• Where did you go on holiday as a child?
• Is there anywhere you would love to visit?

14. Sleep

• How many hours do you usually sleep?
• Do you ever have a nap during the day?
• What helps you sleep well?
• Did you sleep more when you were younger?

15. Parks and nature

• Is there a park near where you live?
• How often do you spend time outdoors?
• Did you spend much time in nature as a child?
• Would you prefer to live in the countryside or a city?

16. Birthdays and celebrations

• How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
• Do you think birthdays are more important for children or adults?
• Do you remember a birthday from your childhood?
• Do you like giving presents?

Five habits that make Part 1 answers stronger

1. Answer the question first. Start with a direct answer (Yes, Not really, Mostly by bike), then develop it. Long warm-ups before the answer sound evasive.
2. Add a reason or a detail, every time. Because, especially, for example and the main reason is are simple, reliable extenders.
3. Use the tense the question signals. Did you… invites the past; Have you ever… invites present perfect; Would you like to… invites would or future forms. See future forms and conditionals.
4. Don't repeat the question word for word. Turn Do you enjoy cooking? into I quite like it, actually rather than Yes, I enjoy cooking.
5. Be honest and specific. Specific details (a place, a time, a name) are easier to talk about and naturally bring in more varied vocabulary.

Phrases for buying a second of thinking time

• “That's a good question. I'd say…”
• “I haven't really thought about it, but probably…”
• “Hmm, let me think. I suppose…”
• “It depends, really. If…, then…, but if…”

Use these sparingly and follow them with a real answer. One per topic is plenty. Our Speaking fluency guide has more on pauses and fillers, and the IELTS Speaking tips cover strategy across all three parts. When you're ready for longer answers, move on to Part 2 cue cards and full sample answers.

Practising Part 1 effectively

Part 1 rewards ease more than brilliance, so the best practice is volume. Pick three topics a day, answer every question aloud, and record yourself. When you listen back, check whether every answer has a reason or detail, and whether you started more than two answers with the same word.

On Stride's Speaking practice you answer questions out loud, see a transcript of what you said, and get an AI-estimated band with feedback, including answer length and filler words. The band is an estimate to guide your practice, not an official IELTS score.

How many questions are there in Part 1?

ielts.org does not publish a fixed number. Part 1 lasts 4 to 5 minutes and covers general questions on familiar topics, so expect several short questions on two or three topics.

Are these real IELTS Part 1 questions?

No. All the questions here were written by Stride for practice. They cover the kind of everyday topics Part 1 uses, such as home, work, studies and interests, but they are not real or recent exam questions.

Should I give long answers in Part 1?

Not too long. Two or three sentences is a good target: a direct answer plus a reason or detail. Save extended answers for Part 2 and Part 3.

What if I don't understand a Part 1 question?

Ask the examiner to repeat it, for example “Sorry, could you say that again?”. It is much better than guessing and answering a different question.

Can I use memorised answers?

Memorised answers often sound unnatural and may not fit the exact question. It is better to practise many topics so that you can answer freely in your own words.