ielts speaking part 1

Preparing carefully for the IELTS speaking test is the key to success – prepare to pass!

This part of the exam is your chance to demonstrate your speaking skills and ability to talk about day-to-day topics with the examiner. This is the only time you will be face-to-face with the examiner – take the opportunity to show them what you’ve got!

Take a look at an overview of the speaking test and read an in-depth guide to topics, example questions and answers.

1. Speaking Test – Overview

Typically, the speaking test takes about 12-14 minutes. You will meet the examiner(s) and introduce yourself. They will ask for your identification and then guide you through each section of the test. Remember – be friendly and smile!

The test consists of 3 parts:

Speaking Part 1: Answer questions about you and topics you know

Speaking Part 2: Prepare and present a monologue

Speaking Part 3: Answer more complex questions about the monologue topic

The examiner is marking your speaking ability using the following criteria:

  • Fluency & Coherence
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical range and accuracy
  • Pronunciation

Each area is worth 25% of the total speaking score. Let’s take a look at IELTS Speaking Part 1 in more detail.

2. About IELTS Speaking Part 1

Relax, this part of the test is about you and topics that are familiar to you.

When you meet the examiner, it is important to be friendly and polite. They will ask for your identification and introduce themselves. For the first few minutes, the examiner will ask you some questions about some regular subjects. This part of the test will take 4-5 minutes.

3. IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Topics

Here are some of the most common IELTS Speaking Topics for Part 1:

You can’t predict the questions you will hear but you can prepare to talk about the most common topics and question types. Don’t memorise your answers or this will sound unnatural to the examiner. Prepare in general, focusing on vocabulary, grammar and fluency.

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4. IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Common Questions & Answers

The examiner will ask you a selection of questions about you, your life and your opinions. The best thing to do is answer them honestly. There is no ‘correct answer’ and it will be easier to be honest than to invent. Focus on using appropriate vocabulary, connecting words and giving detail.

Here are some example questions and sample answers containing advanced vocabulary:

Example 1

  1. Where are you from?
  2. I am from Paris in France. I live in the city with my flatmates because it is very expensive to live alone there.
  3. Do you work or study?
  4. I am a student and I am studying physiotherapy. This involves training to help people after they have had an accident or injury to get back on their feet again. It is really challenging but also rewarding.
  5. Describe your house or flat.
  6. I live in a shared flat with 3 other people who are also students. They are studying nursing and medicine. The flat is quite spacious and has a large living room, modern kitchen and we all have our own bedroom space to be able to get away from it all when we need to.
  7. Do you have a good view from your window?
  8. Not at all, my room overlooks the wall of the next block of flats so there is really nothing to look at. In the living room there is a view onto the communal gardens and it is light and airy. If you want views in Paris you have to live very high up.
  9. How do you relax?
  10. To relax, I like reading, walking and spending time with friends. I recently took up running which has helped me burn off some energy and reduces any stress. At the weekends, my friends and I will go for a few drinks to chill out.
  11. Describe your house or flat.
  12. I live in a shared flat with 3 other people who are also students. They are studying nursing and medicine. The flat is quite spacious and has a large living room, modern kitchen and we all have our own bedroom space to be able to get away from it all when we need to.
  13. Do you have a good view from your windows?
  14. Not at all, my room overlooks the wall of the next block of flats so there is really nothing to look at. In the living room there is a view onto the communal gardens and it is light and airy. If you want views in London you have to live very high up.
  15. How do you relax?
  16. To relax, I like reading, walking and spending time with friends. I recently took up running which has helped me burn off some energy and reduces any stress. At the weekends, my friends and I will go for a few drinks to chill out.

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Example 2

  1. Do you like reading?
  2. I have always been a keen reader, a bit of a bookworm you might say. I often have my head buried in a book for hours at a time because I find it a great way to relax and disconnect from work.
  3. Where do you prefer to read?
  4. My favorite spot to read is in bed to be honest. I generally read before I go to bed to help me to switch off from the day. Also, if I am on holiday I always read on the beach as it is very calming and peaceful.
  5. What type of books do you like?
  6. My favourite genre is non fiction. Mainly, I read crime thrillers or detective stories because I love the way they have suspense and lots of cliffhangers. If you can’t put a book down, it must be good.
  7. When was the last time you were on a farm?
  8. I haven’t been on a farm since I was a child and went on a school trip to a farm during the lambing season. We went there to learn about farming and the breeding of animals. I don’t recall much information but I did become more fond of animals after that.
  9. Would you like to live and work on a farm?
  10. No, I think it would be really hard work because you have to wake up at the crack of dawn to look after the animals and nowadays it is very hard for a farmer to make a good living from meat or dairy.
  11. Is farming important in your country?
  12. Of course, like most countries agriculture is one of the main industries, especially livestock for meat and dairy production. Ireland is famous for beef and bacon products in fact. Nowadays, a lot of fruit and vegetables are imported as people want more choice.
  13. Are you interested in agriculture?
  14. I am not particularly interested in it but I think we all take it for granted that we have food available to us in my country. I take an interest in how food is grown because I don’t want to eat something that has lots of chemicals in it.
  15. Do you know how plants grow?
  16. I know the basics from science lessons and school and I grow a few plants on my patio. I´m not very green fingered though and prefer to grow things that are easy to maintain.

Did you notice the advanced vocabulary used in these examples? You can find hundreds of practice tests with typical questions and advanced vocabulary answers here. A great way to study vocabulary and expressions using the dictionary included.

5. IELTS Speaking Part 1 –  Tips and Tricks

There are some important tips and tricks to get the IELTS score you deserve:

Don’t memorise your answers

Preparing the subjects and possible questions will be useful – but don’t learn them word for word. This will sound unnatural and the examiner will give you a more negative band score if they think you are not responding spontaneously.

Give enough detail

Avoid yes or no answers. You should aim to give the answer to the question with a justification, example or more details. For example, when talking about your hometown, say where it is and briefly describe it. If you are asked about what you study, answer the question and give an example of a subject you enjoy or don’t like.

Listen to the question

Often the question contains vital information about the appropriate vocabulary and grammar.  LISTEN! If the examiner asks what you did last summer – this requires the past tense. If the question is ‘Have you….?’ it is asking you about experiences in the past using the present perfect. The grammar is IN the questions – use it!

Paraphrase and use synonyms

Try to paraphrase the question and use alternative words. If the question is “What do you like doing at the weekends?” you could say “I enjoy spending my freetime…” The examiner will recognise paraphrasing as having varied vocabulary and will reward you with extra points. Yay!

Don’t be too formal

IELTS Speaking Part 1 involves a face-to-face conversation with the examiner about everyday topics so you should use everyday language. Be polite, but no need for formal expressions or complex vocabulary here.

Be yourself

It is easier to speak about subjects you believe in and your own opinion. So ask yourself ‘What do I really think?’ You don’t need to use big words that you feel uncomfortable with. Your fluency and being comfortable with the vocabulary you use is more important. There is no correct answer to the exam questions and it is not a job interview – so say what you think!

Look out for more tips and advice on IELTS speaking

How to Practise IELTS Speaking Part 1

Read lots of questions

Read the most common question types at home in your free time. The questions are based around everyday themes such as work, study, friends and family. Prepare some key words around common subjects. You can use maps or diagrams to plan these themes.

Record

Even better, record yourself and listen to your answers. This will ensure you feel prepared and relaxed when you do the test for real. Also, you can listen and identify what you do well and what you need to practise.

Identify your Strengths and Weaknesses

If you record yourself speaking, you should be able to identify strengths such as using appropriate vocabulary and the correct grammar structures. Where you identify weaknesses, train yourself specifically in that area. For example, not using articles correctly? Watch a video or read an article to help you practise this. See more information about IELTS strengths and weaknesses

Practice

Practice speaking and answering common questions. When you’ve done that – do it again! Practice makes perfect! You should use as much of your free time as possible to practice.

Ask for help

At edubenchmark.com – you can take part in a realistic IELTS speaking test practice. Our experienced teachers and examiners will ask you common question types, give individualised feedback and help you improve your band score. Book a trial test today!

6. IELTS Speaking Part 1 – FAQs

Have more questions about Speaking Part 1? Check out these frequently asked questions!

  1. What should I expect?
  2. The examiner will introduce themselves and ask you questions about you and topics that are familiar to you, approximately 9-12 short questions. Part two is a monologue (link to article) and part 3 is more complex questions about the monologue subject
  3. How long will it take?
  4. The whole speaking test will take about 12-14 minutes. Part 1 will last between 4 and 5 minutes, so you should also practice how to manage time correctly.
  5. How long should my answers be in Part 1?
  6. The examiner will ask you 9-12 questions in this section so your answers should be concise, giving a little extra information. Avoid yes and no, your answers should be 1-2 sentences in length.
  7. What if I don’t understand the question?
  8. You can ask the examiner to repeat the question – you may understand the question better the second time. If the examiner has to rephrase the question, you may lose points for this. Use expressions like:
    “Sorry, I didn’t catch that” or “Could you say that again, please?”
  9. What if I make a mistake?
  10. If you know you have made a mistake, quickly correct it and move on. The examiner does not expect you to be 100% perfect. Don’t worry if you make some mistakes, focus on the conversation and the next question.
  11. How can I get a better band score?
  12. Book a speaking test simulation with our expert team!

What Benchmark IELTS offers:

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