IELTS Speaking Part 1: Common Questions and Band 9 Answers

Quick Answer: IELTS Speaking Part 1 lasts 4–5 minutes and covers familiar topics like work, study, home, and hobbies. To achieve a Band 9, you need to give full, natural answers with good vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency. This guide lists the most common questions, sample Band 7–9 responses, and expert strategies to impress the examiner.

Table of Contents

Understanding IELTS Speaking Part 1

Most Common Part 1 Questions

How to Give Band 9 Answers

Band Score Comparison

Real Examples: Band 7, 8, 9 Responses

Common Mistakes

Pro Tips from IELTS Active

How IELTS Active Helps

FAQ

Key Takeaways

Understanding IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1 is a warm-up conversation between you and the examiner. It lasts 4–5 minutes and includes 3–6 questions on familiar, everyday topics. Common themes include your job or studies, where you live, your hobbies, travel, weather, and food. The examiner will ask you to introduce yourself, then move through a set of topics, usually starting with one broad question and then some follow-ups.

This section tests your ability to communicate opinions and information on everyday subjects. Examiners assess four criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource (vocabulary), Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Because the topics are predictable, you can prepare well. The key is to sound natural and avoid memorised scripts. A Band 9 answer sounds spontaneous, uses idiomatic language, and fully develops the question without hesitation.

Most Common Part 1 Questions

Here are the most frequently asked question categories and examples:

Work or Study

"Do you work or are you a student?"

"What do you like about your job/studies?"

"Why did you choose that field?"

Home and Accommodation

"Where do you live?"

"What does your home look like?"

"What’s your favourite room in your house?"

Hobbies and Free Time

"What do you do in your free time?"

"Do you prefer to spend free time alone or with others?"

"How often do you do [hobby]?"

Travel and Holidays

"Do you like travelling?"

"Where have you travelled recently?"

"What kind of places do you prefer to visit?"

Weather and Seasons

"What’s the weather like in your country?"

"Which season do you like best?"

"Does the weather affect your mood?"

Food and Cooking

"What kind of food do you like?"

"Do you enjoy cooking?"

"What is a typical meal in your country?"

These categories cover about 90% of Part 1 topics. Practise answering each type with a structure: direct answer + reason + example or personal story.

How to Give Band 9 Answers

A Band 9 answer is not just about using fancy words. It demonstrates natural, fluent, and coherent speech. Here is the structure to use:

Direct answer – Start with a clear yes/no or short statement.

Reason or explanation – Explain why you think that.

Example or personal experience – Make it specific and unique.

Optional: transition to a deeper point – If you can, add a contrasting opinion or a future thought.

Example: Examiner: "Do you like your job?" Band 9: "Absolutely, I really enjoy it. I work as a graphic designer, and what I love most is the creative freedom – every project is different, which keeps me engaged. For instance, last month I designed a branding campaign for a local café, and seeing my work in use was incredibly rewarding. Although some deadlines can be stressful, I find that challenge motivating."

Notice the range of vocabulary (“creative freedom”, “incredibly rewarding”), the use of a specific example, and the contrast word “Although”. The answer is about 40 seconds, fluent, and natural.

To reach Band 9, also focus on:

Pronunciation – natural intonation, word stress, and clarity.

Grammar – mix of simple and complex structures (e.g., “what I love most is…”, “seeing my work… was…”).

Fluency – avoid long pauses; use fillers like “Well…” or “Actually…” naturally.

Band Score Comparison

Band	Criteria Focus	What the Examiner Wants
6	Adequate fluency, limited vocabulary	Gives short answers, basic vocabulary, some hesitation, simple grammar.
7	Good fluency, some idiomatic language	Answers are generally extended, uses some less common words, but may have minor errors.
8	Very fluent, wide vocabulary with natural collocations	Full, relevant answers with good use of idiomatic phrases, complex structures, only occasional errors.
9	Flawless fluency, sophisticated vocabulary and grammar	Answers are spontaneous, detailed, and natural. Uses precise vocabulary, a mix of structures, and native-like pronunciation.

Real Examples: Band 7, 8, 9 Responses

Question: "What do you do in your free time?" Band 7 Response: "Well, I like reading books and sometimes I watch movies. I usually read novels, especially mystery stories. I also go to the gym twice a week because I want to stay healthy. That’s pretty much it." Band 8 Response: "Actually, I’m quite a busy person, but when I have free time, I enjoy unwinding with a good book – typically crime fiction or thrillers. I find them absorbing. Apart from that, I’m into fitness, so I hit the gym regularly, and I also cook occasionally, which I find quite therapeutic." Band 9 Response: "To be honest, I try to make the most of my free time, so I have a few hobbies that I’m really passionate about. One of them is reading – I’m a huge fan of psychological thrillers because they keep me on the edge of my seat. For example, I recently finished The Silent Patient, and the plot twist was mind-blowing. On top of that, I’m an avid runner – I train for half-marathons, which gives me a sense of achievement. And when I feel like relaxing, I’ll cook some Italian dishes – it’s my way of switching off after a hectic day."

Common Mistakes

❌Mistake 1: Giving one-word answers – Yes/No without explanation. The examiner cannot assess your language. Fix: Always expand with a reason or example.

❌Mistake 2: Memorizing long scripts – Examiners spot rehearsed answers. They sound unnatural and rigid. Fix: Practise key phrases and structures, not full scripts.

❌Mistake 3: Using only simple vocabulary – Words like “good”, “bad”, “nice” are overused. Fix: Learn synonyms and topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., “beneficial”, “tedious”, “picturesque”).

Pro Tips from IELTS Active

Tip 1: Record yourself answering common questions and listen for hesitation or repetitive words. Aim to speak for 30–40 seconds per answer.

Tip 2: Use the “PPF” method – talk about the Past, Present, and Future for any time-related question to show grammatical range.

Tip 3: Practise with a timer. Part 1 is short; you should never answer with just one sentence. Develop a habit of adding a second and third layer.

How IELTS Active Helps

IELTS Active provides free practice tests and sample answers for all three parts of the Speaking test. On our website ieltsactive.com, you can find topic-specific vocabulary lists, model Band 9 responses, and interactive quizzes to improve your lexical resource and grammar. Our expert tips are designed to help you overcome common mistakes and gain confidence for test day.

FAQ

Q: How many questions are asked in Part 1? A: Typically 3–6 questions across 2–3 topics. Each topic has 2–4 related questions. The examiner stops after about 4–5 minutes. Q: Do I lose marks if I ask the examiner to repeat a question? A: No, it’s perfectly fine to ask politely once or twice. Say “Could you repeat that, please?” This shows communication skills. Q: Can I talk about something unrelated to the question? A: No. The examiner marks you on relevance. Always stay on topic. If you stray, you may lose points for coherence. Q: Should I use complex grammar in Part 1? A: Yes, but naturally. Mix simple sentences with conditionals, relative clauses, or passive voice where appropriate. Don’t force it. Q: How long should each answer be? A: Aim for 2–4 sentences per question. Too short seems limited; too long may waste time and cause the examiner to interrupt.

Key Takeaways

✅Know the common topics: work, home, hobbies, travel, weather, food.

✅Use the direct answer + reason + example structure for every Part 1 question.

✅Avoid memorised scripts – focus on natural fluency and spontaneous ideas.

✅Practise with recordings and aim for 30–40 second responses with good vocabulary and grammar.

✅Check IELTS Active for free practice resources and Band 9 model answers.

About IELTS Active: Trusted by 500,000+ students. Get free practice tests at ieltsactive.com Related:

IELTS Speaking Part 2: How to Prepare and Sample Answers

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Advanced Questions and Strategies

Top 50 Idioms for IELTS Speaking