IELTS Speaking Part 1

Master IELTS Speaking Part 1 with our comprehensive guide. Get expert tips, proven strategies, and real sample answers. Learn how to confidently handle common topics like work, hobbies, and daily life. Includes practice exercises and essential vocabulary.

Jan 24, 2025

What is IELTS Speaking Part 1?

The first part of the IELTS Speaking test lasts 4-5 minutes and consists of general questions about familiar topics. The examiner will ask questions about you, your home/family, work/studies, interests, and daily routines.

Key Assessment Criteria

Fluency and Coherence

Lexical Resource

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Pronunciation

Essential Tips for Success

Give Extended Answers (2-3 sentences)

Use Natural Transitions

Include Personal Examples

Show Range of Vocabulary

Maintain Eye Contact

Common Topics & Sample Answers

Home/Accommodation

Q: "Where do you live?" A: "I live in a modern apartment in downtown Seoul. It's a relatively spacious two-bedroom unit with a great view of the city skyline. I particularly enjoy having easy access to public transportation and various amenities in the neighborhood."

Work/Studies

Q: "What do you do for work?" A: "I'm a software developer at a tech startup. My role mainly involves developing mobile applications and collaborating with our design team. I find it incredibly rewarding to create solutions that make people's lives easier."

Hobbies/Free Time

Q: "What do you enjoy doing in your free time?" A: "I'm really into photography, especially street photography. I love capturing candid moments of city life and experimenting with different lighting conditions. Recently, I've been focusing on improving my night photography skills."

Useful Expressions

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Expressing Preferences

Expression: "I'm particularly interested in..." Model Answer: "I'm particularly interested in urban photography. I love capturing the energy of city life, especially during rush hour when there's so much movement and emotion to document."

Expression: "What I enjoy most about... is..." Model Answer: "What I enjoy most about living in Seoul is the perfect blend of traditional and modern culture. You can visit ancient temples in the morning and enjoy a high-tech shopping experience in the afternoon."

Describing Daily Routines

Expression: "I typically..." Model Answer: "I typically start my day at 6 AM with a morning run. It helps me clear my mind and energizes me for the busy workday ahead."

Expression: "On a regular basis, I..." Model Answer: "On a regular basis, I spend about two hours reading professional journals to stay updated with industry trends. This habit has really helped me grow in my career."

Adding Details

Expression: "To be more specific..." Model Answer: "I enjoy cooking. To be more specific, I've been focusing on traditional Korean dishes lately, and I've mastered making kimchi and various banchan side dishes."

Expression: "In fact..." Model Answer: "I love reading books about psychology. In fact, I just finished an fascinating book about cognitive behavioral therapy and how it can improve daily decision-making."

Expressing Opinions

Expression: "In my experience..." Model Answer: "In my experience, learning a language is most effective when you immerse yourself in real-life situations. I try to watch English movies without subtitles and practice speaking with native speakers whenever possible."

Expression: "From my point of view..." Model Answer: "From my point of view, social media has both positive and negative impacts on our lives. While it helps us stay connected with friends globally, it can sometimes be quite distracting and time-consuming."

Time References

Expression: "Recently, I've been..." Model Answer: "Recently, I've been exploring vegetarian cooking. I'm learning to make plant-based versions of my favorite dishes, and I'm surprised by how delicious they can be."

Expression: "At the moment, I'm..." Model Answer: "At the moment, I'm working on improving my public speaking skills. I joined a local Toastmasters club and practice giving short presentations every week."

Making Comparisons

Expression: "Compared to..." Model Answer: "Compared to living in the suburbs, city life is much more convenient for me. Everything I need is within walking distance, and there are always interesting events happening nearby."

Expression: "Unlike..." Model Answer: "Unlike my previous job, my current position offers many opportunities for creative thinking. I can propose new ideas and implement innovative solutions to problems."

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Practice Strategies

Record Your Answers

Use voice recorder

Review for improvement

Time your responses

Mirror Practice

Maintain eye contact

Work on facial expressions

Practice natural gestures

Topic Bank Creation

List common topics

Prepare vocabulary

Practice varied responses

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Single-word answers

Memorized responses

Speaking too quickly

Using overly complex vocabulary

Sample Question Sequence

Q: "Do you work or study?"

A: "I'm currently working as a marketing coordinator. I joined the company about two years ago, and I mainly handle social media campaigns and content creation."

Q: "Do you enjoy your job?"

A: "Yes, I really enjoy it because it allows me to be creative while also applying analytical skills. I particularly like collaborating with different teams and seeing our campaigns succeed."

Q: "What's your typical working day like?"

A: "My day usually starts at 9 AM with a team meeting where we discuss ongoing projects. Then I spend most of my time creating content and analyzing campaign performance. I also regularly meet with clients to present our results."

Conclusion

Success in IELTS Speaking Part 1 comes from natural, confident responses that demonstrate good English skills. Regular practice with these strategies and examples will help you achieve your target score.

Remember: authenticity matters more than perfection. Focus on expressing yourself clearly and naturally while incorporating varied vocabulary and grammatical structures.

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