The part 1 of IELTS speaking test lasts 4-5 minutes. Its core is a simple interview for test taker's basic information, such as home, town, study, or hobby. Candidates usually talk personal information in a small talk style interview. The talk is controlled by examiner who actually has a script to follow.
The initial questions includes:
- Your full name
- Your identification
- Basic problems about yourself, e.g., your hometown, your family
- If you are working: what your job is, why you chose it, questions about co-worker
- If you are studying: what subjects, why you chose them, if you enjoy them and why
Usually, in part 1 you may be asked two or three other topics, for example, family, travel, food preferences, and national festivals.
Part 1 starts with your basic information, so it the easiest part in speaking test. It's critical important for candidates who are aiming to get mark 4-5. Meanwhile, high score hunters have to use it to impress examiners to challenge advanced questions in Part 3.
To familiarize with common topics is the best way to prepare IELTS speaking, because examiners use a script list to drive the test and the list is updated periodically, e.g., by 3 or 4 months. The recent topics have more chances to be repeated in near future.
We collect recent topics in "Topics and Questions" section of
IELTS Speaking Test. The latest Part 1 topic and its sample questions are presented at its "Hot Topics". We also maintain a list of
IELTS Speaking Questions to show new speaking test materials.
Below are 20 sample questions of part 1.
No: 1 2019-01-05: Part 1 (Singapore)
Topic: MONEY - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you like to save money?
- Did you save money when you were a child?
- Were you helping family in money?
- How will you teach someone to save money?
- How to teach a child to save money?
- Is it good to give money as a gift?
- Have you given money as a gift to someone?
Recent Tests:- 2018-12-13 (Qatar)
- 2018-12-11 (India)
- 2018-11-12 (India)
- 2018-09-25 (Philippines)
- 2018-09-13 (Philippines)
No: 2 2018-12-28: Part 1 (Sri Lanka)
Topic: WORK - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- What do you do?
- What is your job position?
- Do you like your work? Why?
- Did you get training for the work you are doing currently?
- Do you like the environment at your work place?
- What was your first day experience?
- What changes would you like to see in the place you work?
- Would you continue to work there for long?
Recent Tests:- 2018-12-22 (Nepal)
- 2018-12-20 (Vietnam)
- 2018-12-20 (India)
- 2018-12-17 (Turkey)
- 2018-12-15 (UK)
No: 3 2018-12-22: Part 1 (Nepal)
Topic: PLANT - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you like plants?
- Do you have any plant at home? Why?
- Did you ever grow any plants yourself?
- What kind of plant do you like?
- Would you like to receive a plant as a gift? Why?
- Did you have interest in plants in your childhood?
- What do you know about taking care of plants?
- Do you have any knowledge about fertilisers?
Recent Tests:- 2018-12-15 (Italy)
- 2018-12-15 (Vietnam)
- 2018-12-12 (India)
- 2018-12-03 (India)
- 2018-11-04 (Iran)
No: 4 2018-12-19: Part 1 (Pakistan)
Topic: MAP - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- How often do you use map?
- When did you learn to use maps?
- Do you prefer using electronic map or paper map?
- What are the differences between them?
- Do you take help from people to know about the directions?
- Do you think maps are helpful? How?
Recent Tests:- 2018-11-24 (Canada)
- 2018-11-12 (India)
- 2018-10-27 (Ireland)
- 2018-10-26 (Saudi Arabia)
- 2018-10-01 (India)
No: 5 2018-12-19: Part 1 (Pakistan)
Topic: TRAVEL,TRIP - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Did you travel recently?
- Where do you like to travel?
- What is the most important thing when going to travel?
- Do you plan travel in advance?
- When we plan any trip, which things should we consider?
- Have you travelled long distance? Why?
- Do you think you will travel abroad in future?
- Are you someone who travels a lot by plane?
- Have you ever thought to travel in space?
Recent Tests:- 2018-08-17 (Kazakhstan)
- 2018-07-24 (Pakistan)
- 2018-07-13 (Qatar)
- 2018-06-08 (Sudan)
- 2018-06-01 (India)
No: 6 2018-12-14: Part 1 (Brazil)
Topic: ART,PAINT - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you like drawing or painting?
- What kind of drawing or pictures do you like?
- Would you like to have yourself draw by someone?
- Did you use to draw when you were a child?
- Did you learn to draw something?
- Is it easy to learn how to draw?
Recent Tests:- 2018-12-01 (Jordan)
- 2018-11-09 (Egypt)
- 2018-10-13 (USA)
- 2018-09-08 (Indonesia)
- 2018-09-04 (India)
No: 7 2018-12-13: Part 1 (Saudi Arabia)
Topic: PUNCTUALITY,ON TIME - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you wear a watch normally? How often?
- Is there a tradition in your country to be on time?
- Do people in your country care about punctuality? Why?
- Do you usually be on time or do you often late?
- What do you do when you have to wait for someone?
- How do you feel when people are late?
Recent Tests:- 2018-12-07 (Lithuania)
- 2018-12-01 (Australia)
- 2018-11-24 (Canada)
- 2018-11-10 (Hong Kong)
- 2018-10-12 (Saudi Arabia)
No: 8 2018-12-08: Part 1 (Australia)
Topic: SUNGLASSES,GOGGLES - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you wear sunglasses?
- Why do you wear sunglasses?
- How often do you buy sunglasses?
- Would you give someone a sunglasses as a gift?
- Do youngsters like to wear sunglasses? Why?
Recent Tests:- 2018-10-23 (Philippines)
- 2018-09-16 (India)
- 2018-09-15 (USA)
- 2018-09-07 (Saudi Arabia)
- 2018-09-07 (India)
No: 9 2018-11-18: Part 1 (India)
Topic: RAIN - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you like rain?
- How often it rains in your city?
- Which whether do you like most?
- When does it rain at your place?
- Is it usually hot in the place you live?
- Have you ever changed your plan due to rain?
Recent Tests:- 2018-09-08 (Canada)
- 2018-09-05 (Pakistan)
- 2018-08-18 (USA)
- 2018-08-11 (England)
- 2018-08-01 (Bangladesh)
No: 10 2018-11-12: Part 1 (India)
Topic: CLOTHES - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you like shopping for clothes?
- How often do you buy clothes?
- What kinds of clothes do you usually buy?
- Do you prefer comfortable clothes, or formal clothes?
- Can we judge a person by clothing? Why?
- Can we judge a person's character by clothing? Why?
Recent Tests:- 2017-12-06 (China)
- 2017-10-25 (Saudi Arabia)
No: 11 2018-11-10: Part 1 (England)
Topic: TEACHER - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Who is your favourite teacher when you were at elementary school?
- Do you remember something extraordinary you were taught by teacher at school?
- How teachers have changed nowadays from past?
- Do you think current teachers jobs are different from earlier teachers?
- Would you like to be a teacher?
- Is school a best place to get education?
- What improvements do you want to do in your school?
- Do you think teaching methods have changed over the years?
- How education nowadays changed from our parents days?
Recent Tests:- 2018-10-13 (Ukraine)
- 2018-09-25 (Canada)
- 2018-09-12 (India)
- 2018-08-12 (Canada)
- 2018-08-11 (Indonesia)
No: 12 2018-11-04: Part 1 (Iran)
Topic: DAY OUT - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- What do you do in a day out?
- Why do you like going out?
- Do you prefer to go for a day out alone or with your friends?
- Where do you usually plan for a day out?
- Which is the best place you have ever been in a day out?
Recent Tests:- 2018-10-26 (Egypt)
- 2018-09-08 (Argentina)
- 2018-08-11 (England)
- 2018-07-06 (USA)
- 2018-07-04 (Nigeria)
No: 13 2018-11-03: Part 1 (Philippines)
Topic: HOME,LIVE - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you live in a house or flat?
- Why do you live in an apartment?
- Do most people live in apartment?
- Which is your favorite room? Why?
- Do you have any plans to move to a new home in future?
- Do you plan to move to another place in the future?
Recent Tests:- 2018-11-01 (Iran)
- 2018-10-23 (Malaysia)
- 2018-10-13 (India)
- 2018-10-10 (Sri Lanka)
- 2018-10-05 (India)
No: 14 2018-10-27: Part 1
Topic: DRIVE - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- How often do you drive?
- Is it an essential to learn driving?
- What is your longest driving hours?
No: 15 2018-10-23: Part 1 (Philippines)
Topic: UNIVERSITY - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you study or work?
- Where do you study?
- Do you like your major and why?
- Do you like your university? Why?
- Do you think the university where you studied is the best in your country?
- How do you like your life in the university?
- What facilities do university provide?
- Is there anything you want to change in your university?
Recent Tests:- 2018-10-14 (Georgia)
- 2018-10-13 (Indonesia)
- 2018-09-04 (India)
No: 16 2018-10-13: Part 1 (Nigeria)
Topic: PHONE,APP - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- How often do you use your phone?
- For what purpose do people in your county use mobile phone?
- What apps are used in your country?
- What type of app would you like to have on your phone?
- Why do you use them?
- Are there any apps that you would like to have?
- Do you want to build an app?
Recent Tests:- 2018-08-18 (USA)
- 2018-08-12 (Nigeria)
- 2018-07-29 (USA)
- 2018-07-19 (Philippines)
- 2018-06-30 (New Zealand)
No: 17 2018-10-13: Part 1 (Ukraine)
Topic: REST - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Where do you like to go for a rest?
- If you could go anywhere, which country would you choose? Why?
- Where have you been recently?
No: 18 2018-10-12: Part 1 (Saudi Arabia)
Topic: PLACE - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Where are you from?
- Where do you stay at present and how far is it from the test center?
- Is it an interesting place?
- How long have you been staying at this place?
- Where did you live before?
- What are the interests of your place?
- What kind of places do you like to visit?
- Till me one interesting place that you’d like to visit now?
Recent Tests: No: 19 2018-09-15: Part 1 (Australia)
Topic: WRITE - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- Do you write letters and cards?
- When did you last time write a letter?
- Have you written much letters today than you were a child?
- Do you prefer to write by hand or type?
- Do you think computers might replace handwriting one day?
- Do you prefer getting cards or emails in special occasions? why?
Recent Tests:- 2018-09-06 (Philippines)
- 2018-08-18 (Russia)
- 2018-08-17 (Poland)
- 2018-08-17 (India)
- 2018-08-02 (Colombia)
No: 20 2018-09-13: Part 1 (Pakistan)
Topic: STUDY - This part of the test begins with the examiner introducing himself or herself andchecking the candidate’s identification. It then continues as an interview.
- What are you doing? Job or study?
- Where did you study? Why?
- Is it good place for study? Why?
- Will you recommend others to study there? Why?
- Why did you choose to study there?
- Why did you choose that subject?
- Do you always want to study this subject? Why?
Recent Tests:- 2018-09-04 (India)
- 2018-08-18 (USA)
- 2018-08-14 (India)