IELTS Speaking
Part 1 Questions (2026)
The most common Part 1 questions students are reporting from real exams, grouped by topic — with a model answer. Then do the one thing reading can't: answer them out loud and get an instant AI band score.
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Part 1 · The Interview
Part 1 is easy to pass and easy to waste.
For the first 4–5 minutes the examiner asks short questions about you — your home, work, hobbies, daily life. The trap is answering in one or two words. Band 7 means a couple of full sentences with a reason or an example, sounding relaxed and natural. The fastest way to build that habit is to answer them out loud, over and over, and hear where you fall short.
The Question Bank
Common IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions
Ten topics the examiner picks from. Work through them out loud — tap any topic into the app to get scored.
Work & Study
- Do you work or are you a student?
- What do you like about your job or course?
- Why did you choose that field?
- What would you like to do in the future?
Hometown
- Where is your hometown?
- What is it known for?
- Do you like living there?
- Has it changed much in recent years?
Home & Accommodation
- Do you live in a house or a flat?
- What is your favourite room?
- Would you like to change anything about it?
- What kind of home would you like in the future?
Hobbies & Free Time
- What do you do in your free time?
- Have your hobbies changed since you were a child?
- Do you prefer relaxing alone or with others?
- Is there a new hobby you would like to try?
Daily Routine
- What does a typical day look like for you?
- Are you a morning person or a night person?
- Has your routine changed recently?
- Is there anything you would like to change about it?
Technology & Phones
- How often do you use your phone?
- What do you mainly use it for?
- Which app could you not live without?
- Do you think people use phones too much?
Food & Cooking
- What kind of food do you like?
- Do you prefer eating at home or out?
- Can you cook?
- Has your diet changed over the years?
Weather & Seasons
- What is the weather like where you live?
- What is your favourite season and why?
- Does the weather affect how you feel?
- Do you prefer hot or cold weather?
Travel & Transport
- How do you usually get around?
- Do you enjoy travelling?
- Where would you like to go next?
- Do you prefer public transport or driving?
Music
- What kind of music do you like?
- Has your taste in music changed?
- Do you play any instruments?
- When do you usually listen to music?
Stop guessing your band.
Answer any question above out loud in Actually Speak and get an examiner-style band score plus a model answer in seconds — free.
Worked example
What a Band 7+ Part 1 answer sounds like
The secret to Part 1: answer the question, then add a reason or an example. Two or three natural sentences — no more.
"Do you like living in your hometown?"
Weak (Band 5): "Yes, I like it. It's nice."
Strong (Band 7+): "Yeah, I really do, actually. It's a fairly small town, so everything's within walking distance and people are genuinely friendly. The only downside is that it can get a bit quiet in winter — but on the whole I'd say it's a lovely place to call home."
Now say yours.
Reading the model is step one. Speaking your own answer and hearing where it drops below Band 7 is what changes your score. The app does that, free.
How to win Part 1
Three rules that lift your Part 1 band
Never answer in one word
"Yes" or "No" kills your score. Always add a reason, an example, or a contrast. Aim for two to three sentences — not a speech.
Sound relaxed, not rehearsed
Memorised answers are obvious and capped at Band 6. Use natural fillers like "well", "actually" and "I'd say" to sound like yourself.
Practise out loud, daily
Reading questions does nothing. Speaking them — and getting feedback on fluency and vocabulary — is what builds the habit. Ten minutes a day compounds fast.
Train all 10 topics with AI.
Actually Speak runs full Part 1 interviews, scores every answer 1–9, and flags one-word replies so you learn to extend naturally.
Stop reading questions.
Start scoring bands.
Answer every Part 1 question on this page out loud and get instant AI feedback on your IELTS speaking — free, in your browser, right now.
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Questions
IELTS Speaking Part 1, answered.
What questions are asked in IELTS Speaking Part 1?
Part 1 lasts 4–5 minutes and covers familiar, personal topics — your hometown, work or study, home, hobbies, daily routine, food, weather, technology, travel and music. The examiner usually asks about two or three of these, with a few short questions each. The full list above covers the topics that come up most often.
How long should my Part 1 answers be?
Two to three sentences. Answer the question directly, then add a reason, example or contrast. One-word answers cap your score; long, rambling answers waste time. The aim is to sound natural and relaxed, like a real conversation.
Are these the real exam questions?
No one can promise the exact questions you'll get, and you should be wary of sites that claim to. These are the recurring Part 1 topics and question types reported from recent tests, so practising them prepares you for the kind of questions you'll face — which matters far more than memorising answers.
How can I practise Part 1 and get feedback?
Open the free Actually Speak app, pick any topic on this page, and answer the questions out loud. An AI examiner scores you 1–9 on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, flags one-word answers, and shows you how to extend them. It's the fastest way to find out whether your Part 1 is actually a Band 7.
Should I memorise my Part 1 answers?
No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers and will mark them down. Prepare ideas and useful phrases, but keep your delivery spontaneous. Practising out loud across many questions builds real fluency, which is what scores.