I just walked into an IELTS test center and achieved a perfect Band 9 in Speaking. Today, I'm sharing the exact IELTS speaking part 1 questions and IELTS speaking part 1 topics you're likely to face, plus the proven strategies I used to handle them confidently.
My Official Band 9 Score, Breakdown & TRF for Verification
Welcome to Lesson 3a of the Ultimate IELTS English Speaking Course! If you've been wondering about specific IELTS speaking part 1 questions, what topics come up most frequently, or exactly how many questions IELTS speaking part 1 contains, you're in the perfect place. This lesson provides your complete roadmap to every question type you might encounter.
The "Foundation" Topics: Your Guaranteed Starting Point
Every IELTS Speaking Part 1 begins with what I call the "Foundation Topics." These are the personal subjects you know better than anyone else – because they're about YOUR life. The examiner will always start with one of these three areas, making them your golden opportunity to establish confidence from the very first question.
The Opening Question Formula
The examiner will almost always ask: "Do you work or are you a student?" Based on your answer, they'll follow one of two paths. This predictability is your advantage – you can prepare thoroughly for both scenarios.
Work Questions
Common IELTS speaking part 1 questions about work:
- • "What is your job?" / "What do you do for work?"
- • "What is the most interesting part of your job?"
- • "What skills are important for your work?"
- • "Do you enjoy your current job? Why/Why not?"
- • "Do you think your job will change much in the future?"
- • "Would you recommend your job to other people?"
Study Questions
Common IELTS speaking part 1 questions about studies:
- • "What subject are you studying?" / "What is your major?"
- • "Why did you choose this subject?"
- • "What is the most interesting part of your studies?"
- • "Is your subject very challenging?"
- • "What do you plan to do after you finish your studies?"
- • "Do you enjoy studying at your current school/university?"
Home & Hometown Questions
Common IELTS speaking part 1 questions about home/hometown:
- • "Can you describe your hometown for me?"
- • "How has your hometown changed in recent years?"
- • "Do you think your hometown is a good place to live? Why?"
- • "What do you like most about where you live now?"
- • "Would you like to live somewhere else in the future?"
- • "What is your house/apartment like?"
Foundation Topics Strategy
Since you're guaranteed to get one of these Foundation Topics, prepare thoroughly for all three. Practice talking about your work, studies, and hometown until discussing them feels as natural as chatting with a friend. This preparation pays dividends in building early confidence during your test.
The Topic Pool: Navigating Common Ground
After your Foundation topic, the examiner moves to what I call the "Topic Pool" – a collection of everyday subjects that connect us all as humans. Understanding how many questions IELTS speaking part 1 includes helps you prepare: you'll face approximately 9-12 questions total across 3 topic sets, with 3-4 questions per topic.
These IELTS speaking part 1 topics aren't designed to trick you. The examiner simply wants to see if you can maintain natural conversation across various familiar subjects. Here are the most frequently appearing topics based on recent test reports:
High-Frequency Topics
Family & Friends
Sample questions:
- • "What qualities do you look for in a good friend?"
- • "Do you prefer spending time with family or friends?"
- • "How often do you see your friends?"
Hobbies & Free Time
Sample questions:
- • "What hobbies would you like to try in the future?"
- • "Do you prefer spending free time indoors or outdoors?"
- • "What do you enjoy doing on weekends?"
Food & Cooking
Sample questions:
- • "What is your favorite type of cuisine?"
- • "Do you enjoy trying new recipes?"
- • "Do you prefer eating at home or in restaurants?"
Daily Routine
Sample questions:
- • "Can you describe your typical day?"
- • "What do you usually do before going to bed?"
- • "Are you a morning person or night person?"
Travel & Holidays
Sample questions:
- • "What was the last vacation you went on?"
- • "Do you prefer traveling alone or with others?"
- • "What kind of places do you like to visit?"
Shopping
Sample questions:
- • "Do you prefer shopping in stores or online?"
- • "What do you usually buy when you go shopping?"
- • "Do you enjoy shopping? Why/Why not?"
Additional Common Topics
Weather & Seasons
Climate preferences, seasonal activities
Transport
Commuting methods, travel preferences
Health & Fitness
Exercise habits, wellness routines
The A.R.E. Framework™: Your Answer Blueprint
Knowing the IELTS speaking part 1 questions is only half the battle. The real skill lies in crafting natural, well-developed responses that showcase your English ability. This is where the SpeakPrac A.R.E. Framework™ becomes invaluable – it's the simple structure I used to achieve my Band 9 score.
SpeakPrac A.R.E. Framework™
ANSWER
Respond directly to the question
REASON
Explain why you think that
EXAMPLE
Add a brief example or explanation
A.R.E. in Action: Shopping Topic Walkthrough
Let me demonstrate how to use the A.R.E. Framework™ with a complete topic set about shopping. This shows you exactly how to handle multiple related IELTS speaking part 1 questions within a single topic area.
Question 1: "Do you enjoy shopping?"
A "To be honest, I have mixed feelings about it. R I really enjoy shopping for things I'm passionate about, but I find grocery shopping a bit of a chore. E For example, I could spend hours in a bookstore, but I want to get out of a supermarket as fast as possible."
Question 2: "What type of things do you usually buy when you go shopping?"
A "Well, besides the essentials like food, I probably buy clothes most often. R This is because I like to feel comfortable and presentable for my work. E So I might get a new shirt or a pair of jeans every few months to freshen up my wardrobe."
Question 3: "Do you prefer shopping in stores or online?"
A "I definitely prefer shopping online these days. R The main reason is that it's just so much more convenient. E It saves me a lot of time, and I can easily compare prices from different websites without ever leaving my house."
A.R.E. Success Tips
Notice how each answer flows naturally while hitting all three components. The structure ensures your responses are neither too short (which sounds abrupt) nor too long (which can get you interrupted). Aim for 15-30 seconds per answer – that's your "Goldilocks Zone."
The Wildcards: Handling Unexpected Questions
Even with thorough preparation for common IELTS speaking part 1 topics, you might encounter what I call "Wildcard Topics." These are less common, sometimes quirky subjects designed to test your ability to think on your feet and speak naturally about unfamiliar territory.
Recent wildcard topics include questions about maps, robots, puzzles, shoes, mirrors, and patience. While these might initially seem daunting, remember this crucial insight: the topic doesn't matter – your English does.
Recent Wildcard Examples
Maps
- • "How often do you use maps?"
- • "Do you prefer paper maps or electronic maps?"
- • "Are you good at reading maps?"
Robots
- • "Are you interested in robots? Why or why not?"
- • "Do you think robots will be common in homes in the future?"
- • "Would you like to have a robot in your home?"
Puzzles
- • "Did you do puzzles in your childhood?"
- • "Do you like doing word puzzles or number puzzles?"
- • "Do you think puzzles are good for children?"
Shoes
- • "How often do you buy shoes?"
- • "Do you prefer comfortable shoes or fashionable shoes?"
- • "What's your favorite type of shoes?"
Your Wildcard Strategy
When faced with an unexpected topic, follow this simple approach:
- Take a breath: Don't panic. These questions test your adaptability, not your expertise.
- Give your honest opinion: The examiner wants to hear your authentic thoughts, not textbook knowledge.
- Use the SpeakPrac A.R.E. Framework™: Even with unfamiliar topics, this structure keeps your answer organized.
- Stay conversational: Treat it like a friend asking your opinion over coffee.
Wildcard Example Response
Question: "Do you think robots will be common in homes in the future?"
"Hmm, that's an interesting question. I think they probably will be, especially for tasks like cleaning. However, I hope they don't replace jobs that require a human touch, like caring for the elderly."
Notice: Simple, honest, and conversational – exactly what the examiner wants to hear.
How Many Questions: Understanding Part 1 Structure
One of the most common questions I receive is: "How many questions IELTS speaking part 1?" Understanding the exact structure helps you manage your time and energy effectively during the test.
IELTS Speaking Part 1 Question Structure
This structure means you have roughly 25-30 seconds per question, including the examiner's transition time between questions. This timing naturally guides you toward the ideal response length we discussed with the A.R.E. Framework™.
Smart Preparation Strategies
Knowing all the potential IELTS speaking part 1 questions is overwhelming if you try to memorize specific answers. Instead, focus on developing flexible skills that work across any topic. Here's your strategic approach:
The Foundation-First Method
- Master your Foundation Topics: Start with work/studies and hometown questions. Practice until you can discuss these naturally and confidently. These are guaranteed topics, so this preparation always pays off.
- Practice the SpeakPrac A.R.E. Framework™: Use this structure with every topic until it becomes automatic. The framework works regardless of the subject matter.
- Build Topic Vocabulary: Instead of memorizing answers, collect useful phrases and vocabulary for common themes. Our IELTS Vocabulary Flashcards can help you systematically build this lexical resource.
- Record and Review: Practice responding to questions and record yourself. Listen for hesitations, unclear pronunciation, or overly short/long responses.
Active Practice Techniques
Find Practice Partners
Use language exchange platforms, join local conversation groups, or practice with fellow IELTS candidates. Regular conversation practice builds natural fluency that can't be achieved through solo study.
Use Technology
Practice with AI feedback using tools like our SpeakPrac app, which provides instant analysis of your responses and identifies specific areas for improvement.
Time Your Responses
Practice giving responses within 15-30 seconds. This helps you develop the natural pacing expected in the test while ensuring you provide sufficient detail without rambling.
Focus on Authenticity
Practice giving genuine responses rather than "perfect" ones. Examiners can easily identify memorized answers, and authentic responses showcase your true speaking ability more effectively.
Avoid the Memorization Trap
Don't try to memorize perfect answers for dozens of potential topics – it's like trying to catch raindrops in a sieve! The beauty of Part 1 is that all questions are about YOU, so there's no "wrong" content. Focus on developing natural, flexible speaking skills rather than scripted responses.
Sample Response Bank
To help you understand how the A.R.E. Framework™ applies across different IELTS speaking part 1 topics, here are additional sample responses for various common question types:
Personal Interest Questions
Q: "What do you do in your free time?"
"I usually spend my free time reading or watching documentaries. I find it relaxing after a busy day at work, and it helps me learn new things about topics I'm curious about."
Q: "Do you have any hobbies?"
"Yes, I'm really into photography, especially landscape photography. It gives me a great excuse to explore new places, and I love the challenge of capturing the perfect moment."
Preference Questions
Q: "Do you prefer hot or cold weather?"
"I definitely prefer warmer weather because I feel more energetic when it's sunny. Cold weather makes me want to stay indoors, but when it's warm, I'm motivated to go out and be active."
Q: "Do you like cooking?"
"I enjoy cooking on weekends when I have more time, but I find it stressful on busy weekdays. I particularly like trying new recipes from different cuisines – last week I made Thai curry for the first time."
Experience Questions
Q: "Have you ever lived in another city?"
"Yes, I lived in Madrid for two years while I was studying. It was an amazing experience because I got to practice Spanish every day and experience a completely different culture from my own."
Q: "Did you enjoy school when you were younger?"
"I had mixed feelings about school, to be honest. I loved subjects like art and literature because they were creative, but I found mathematics quite challenging and sometimes frustrating."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with thorough preparation for IELTS speaking part 1 questions, many test-takers make predictable errors that can impact their scores. Here are the most frequent pitfalls and how to avoid them:
The "Scripted Robot" Response
Problem: Using obviously memorized answers that sound unnatural and robotic.
Solution: Practice flexible response patterns rather than fixed scripts. Use the A.R.E. Framework™ but vary your vocabulary and examples naturally.
The "One-Word Wonder"
Problem: Giving responses that are far too short (e.g., "Do you like music?" "Yes.")
Solution: Always extend your answer with a reason and example. Even simple questions deserve 2-3 sentences.
The "Endless Monologue"
Problem: Giving responses that are far too long, forcing the examiner to stop you.
Solution: Practice timing your responses. Aim for 15-30 seconds – enough to show fluency without dominating the conversation.
Key Takeaways: Your Part 1 Questions Mastery Plan
Success with IELTS speaking part 1 questions comes from understanding the patterns, not memorizing hundreds of responses. When I achieved my Band 9, it was because I approached each question as a genuine conversation opportunity, not a test to be beaten.
Your Action Plan
- Foundation First: Master the guaranteed topics (work/studies/hometown) before moving to others
- A.R.E. Always: Use this framework until it becomes automatic across all topics
- Practice Authenticity: Focus on natural responses over "perfect" answers
- Time Management: Keep responses in the 15-30 second range
- Stay Flexible: Prepare for wildcards by developing adaptable speaking skills
- Regular Practice: Consistent speaking practice trumps intensive cramming
Next Steps
Now that you understand the question types and response strategies, it's time for hands-on practice. Continue to our Part 1 Practice Workshop where you can test your skills with real questions and receive detailed feedback on your responses.
For broader speaking strategies across all test sections, explore our comprehensive IELTS Speaking Tips resource. And if you want to accelerate your vocabulary development for more sophisticated responses, check out our specialized IELTS Speaking Flashcards.
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This lesson is part of our comprehensive Ultimate IELTS English Speaking Course. Each lesson builds on the previous one to give you complete mastery of the IELTS Speaking test.
