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IELTS · Articles · October 19, 2026 · 9 min read

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 16 common questions with sample answers

Two people talking in armchairs

Part 1 is the first 4–5 minutes of IELTS Speaking. The examiner checks your ID, asks your name and moves on to simple questions about you: where you live, your work or studies, the food you like, how you spend weekends.

It is a warm-up, and that is exactly why it gets underestimated. The questions are easy, so most people answer too briefly. But your score starts forming from the first minute.

How Part 1 works

The examiner picks 2–3 topics and asks 3–4 questions on each. The topics are personal and predictable: work, studies, home, hometown, hobbies, food, weather, transport, social media.

There is no preparation time: you hear the question and answer. You do not need any, because every answer is about you.

The answer formula

The biggest Part 1 mistake is a one-word answer. Saying Yes to Do you like cooking? shows neither fluency nor vocabulary.

Use three steps:

  1. Answer the question directly.
  2. Reason: say why.
  3. Detail: an example, a contrast or a clarification.

That gives 2–4 sentences, 15–20 seconds. You do not need more in Part 1: the examiner has to get through several topics.

One more technique: avoid flat yes/no answers. It depends on…, For the most part, yes and I’d say… sound more natural and show real spoken English.

Work and studies

Do you work, or are you a student?

I’m currently working as a marketing specialist at a small tech company. I’ve been there for just over two years now, and although it can get pretty hectic, I genuinely enjoy the creative side of the job. Before this, I studied business management at university, so what I do now is quite closely related to my degree.

Do you enjoy your job?

For the most part, yes. What I enjoy most is that no two days are the same, so I never get bored. The deadlines can be stressful, I won’t lie, but the sense of achievement when a project comes together makes up for it. I’d say the pros definitely outweigh the cons.

Home and hometown

Do you live in a house or a flat?

I live in a fairly small flat on the outskirts of the city. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s cosy and it’s got everything I need. I’ve been renting it with a friend for a couple of years now, and what I like most is how quiet the area is, especially after a long day at work.

Can you describe your hometown?

I’m from a mid-sized city in the south of the country. It’s not particularly famous, but it has a really laid-back atmosphere and some beautiful old architecture in the centre. The one downside is that job opportunities are fairly limited, which is why a lot of young people move to bigger cities.

The plus-and-minus pattern works well: the answer sounds balanced and gives you a natural reason to keep talking.

Free time

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time, I usually try to unwind by doing something active, like going for a run or playing tennis with friends. I find that exercise really helps me clear my head after a long day. On lazier days, though, I’ll happily curl up with a good book or binge-watch a series.

How do you usually spend your weekends?

My weekends tend to be a mix of catching up on chores and seeing friends. On Saturdays I usually run errands and tidy up the flat, and then Sundays are more about relaxing, maybe meeting up with friends for brunch. I always try to strike a balance between being productive and actually resting.

The Saturday/Sunday structure is a ready-made frame for any question about routines.

Do you like reading?

I do, although I wish I had more time for it. I’m mostly into non-fiction, things like popular science and biographies, because I like learning something new. I tend to read in the evenings to wind down before bed, and lately I’ve been getting through about a book a month, which isn’t bad given how busy things are.

What kind of music do you like?

My taste in music is pretty varied, but I tend to gravitate towards indie and a bit of jazz. It really depends on my mood, to be honest. When I’m working, I’ll put on something instrumental, but on a night out, I’m all for upbeat pop. Music is a big part of my daily routine.

Food

What is your favourite food?

That’s a tough one, because I’m a bit of a foodie. But if I had to choose, I’d probably go with Italian, pasta in particular. There’s just something really comforting about a good homemade carbonara. I’m not much of a cook myself, though, so I usually leave it to the professionals.

Do you like cooking?

I’d say I enjoy it more than I used to. I’m no chef, but I can put together a few decent meals, and I find it quite relaxing after work. During the week I keep things simple, but at weekends I like experimenting with new recipes, usually something I’ve come across online.

Shopping, social media and photos

Do you enjoy shopping?

It depends on what I’m shopping for, really. I quite enjoy browsing for things like books or gadgets, but I find clothes shopping a bit of a chore. These days I do most of it online anyway, it saves so much time, although I do miss being able to try things on before I buy them.

Do you use social media a lot?

Probably more than I’d like to admit, to be honest. I mainly use it to keep in touch with friends and to follow a few accounts related to my work. That said, I’ve been trying to cut down recently, because it’s so easy to lose track of time scrolling. I think it’s all about using it in moderation.

Do you like taking photos?

Yeah, I take photos all the time, mostly just on my phone. I’m not a serious photographer or anything, but I love capturing little everyday moments, especially when I’m travelling. Looking back at old photos is one of my favourite things, it brings back so many memories I’d otherwise forget.

Daily life, weather and transport

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Definitely a night owl, I’ve never been much good in the mornings. I tend to be most productive late in the evening, when it’s quiet and there are no distractions. Mornings are a bit of a struggle, to be honest, I usually need a coffee or two before I feel properly awake.

What’s the weather like in your country?

We get quite distinct seasons where I’m from. Winters can be pretty harsh, with a lot of snow, while summers are warm and fairly short. Personally, I’m more of an autumn person, I love that crisp, cool air and the colours. The only thing I can’t stand is the grey, damp weather we sometimes get in spring.

How do you usually get around your city?

I mostly rely on public transport, the metro in particular, since it’s by far the quickest way to get around during rush hour. Occasionally I’ll walk if it’s somewhere nearby, because I like getting a bit of fresh air. I’m not a big fan of driving here, to be honest, the traffic can be a nightmare.

What lifts a Part 1 score

Read the answers again and you will see four techniques repeat:

Hedging instead of flat answers. It depends on…, For the most part, I’d say, to be honest. Speech sounds natural rather than rehearsed.

Phrasal verbs. Cut down, wind down, come across, get through, meet up with. A clear signal for Lexical Resource, and they fit everyday topics naturally.

A range of tenses. I’ve been renting, I used to, I wish I had, I’d otherwise forget. This is Grammatical Range, which drops if every answer is in the present simple.

Contrast. …but, That said, The one downside is, although. It gives you a natural reason for a second sentence, so you do not dry up.

How to practise

Do not memorise answers word for word. Examiners notice: rehearsed speech sounds unnaturally smooth and falls apart at the first follow-up question. Take vocabulary and structure from the samples and use your own facts.

A practical approach: go through all 16 questions out loud with your own answers, using 2–3 expressions from the notes in each. Repeat a day later: whatever comes back by itself is your active vocabulary.

Next: Part 2, where you speak for two minutes from a card, and Part 3, a discussion of wider topics. In the Nomto practice room you can answer Part 1 out loud and get a band on the four criteria with feedback.

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