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IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Speaking Part 1 lasts for 4-5 minutes. After a brief introduction with the examiner, you’ll
be asked a series of questions on a couple of different topics. IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions
are chosen by your examiner. Generally, they will ask about 1 or 2 different topics.
These topics are designed to be general, everyday topics that anyone can talk about. It’s a
chance to break the ice with the examiner and for them to get an idea of your ability in
commonplace situations.
At first glance, this seems like the easiest part of the exam, but if you’re able to impress the
examiner during this stage, it will set the stage for the rest of the exam. Just because the topics
and questions are reasonably easy doesn’t mean your answers have to be basic. You
should extend your answers and give clear reasons, examples and anecdotes. Try to relax and
be yourself, but also remember to use some high level vocabulary, phrases and grammar if
you want to get a high score.
Common IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics
Your hobbies and interests
Studying
Work
Your home, neighbourhood and country
Technology and the internet
Sports and leisure activities
Food and healthy living
Family
Your childhood
Shopping and fashion
Daily routines
Entertainment (music, TV and film)
There are more possible topics than only these, but they will often be part of the same
category. For example, perhaps the examiner only asks you about going to the cinema, not
about entertainment in general.
The most common topics are the ones about your personal life. Work and studying are
especially popular. It’s also common to ask about your home country connected to different
topics, which gives you an opportunity to compare your country to English speaking countries.