IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics and Questions | IELTS Part 1

Prepare for your IELTS speaking part 1 by checking out these possible topics and questions. These are just some of the questions and answers your examiner may ask you in IELTS speaking part 1.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics: The 3 Most Common Ones

Here are some of the most common IELTS speaking topics for part 1 of the exam. The test will start off with questions from some of these three topics.

• Work
• Home
• School

IELTS Speaking Topics Part 1: Other Topics

Then, you’ll have some other possible topics and questions for IELTS speaking part 1. Check the brief list of IELTS topics for speaking here and continue reading to find out the more specific questions for each English speaking topic.

• Advertisements
• Art
• Bags
• Birthdays
• Childhood
• Clothes
• Computers
• Daily routines
• Evenings
• Food
• Free time
• Friends
• Going out
• Happiness
• Hats
• Hobbies
• Internet
• Jobs
• Music
• Noise
• Pets
• Reading
• Shopping
• TV
• Transportation
• Vacation
• Walking
• Weather

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions

Here are some of the most common IELTS speaking questions for part 1 of the exam.

Work

• What’s your job?
• Where do you work?
• Do you like your job?
• How long have you been working at your job?
• Do you get along well with your co-workers?
• Do you plan on changing jobs?
• What kinds of things do you do at your job?
• If you could change something about your job, what would it be?

Home

• Do you live in a house or apartment?
• What are the good things about your home?
• Are there any negatives about your home?
• Do you live alone?
• What’s your ideal home like?
• Do you have a yard?
• Is there anything you’d like to change about your home?
• Are you planning on moving in the future?

 

School

• What are you studying?
• Do you like your subject?
• How did you choose your major?
• What are some popular majors in your country?
• Are you almost finished school?
• Where do you go to school?
• What’s your plan for after graduation?

Advertisements

• What are the different places you can see advertisements?
• What kind of advertisements grab your attention?
• Where can you see advertisements?
• Are you influenced by advertisements?

Art

• Are you interested in art?
• Did you study art in school?
• Do you like creating things?
• Have you ever been to an art gallery?
• Is there value in children studying art in school?
• What kinds of art are popular in your country?

Bags

• Do you usually carry a bag with you when you go out?
• What kinds of bags do you own?
• What kind of bags do you like?
• Do you ever use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic?
• Do men and women buy different types of bags?

Birthdays

• Do you like to celebrate your birthday?
• How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
• What are some birthday traditions in your country?
• What did you do on your last birthday?
• How did you celebrate your birthday when you were a kid?
• Are there any birthdays which are very important in your country?
• Do people give gifts to other people on their birthday?

Childhood

• Did you enjoy your school days?
• Are you still friend with anyone from your school days?
• Did you enjoy your childhood?
• Is it better to grow up in the city or the countryside?
• What are some hobbies you had as a child?
• Were you in any clubs in school?
• Did you play a musical instrument when you were young?

Clothes

• Do you enjoy shopping for clothes?
• Where do you usually buy clothes?
• How would you describe your style?
• Do you ever wear the traditional clothes of your country?
• Do you enjoy dressing up for special occasions?
• What do you think about school uniforms?
• Have you ever had to wear a uniform for a job?
• Do you ever shop at vintage or thrift shops?

Computers

• Do you have a computer at home?
• Do you prefer a laptop or desktop?
• What kinds of things do you need a computer for?
• Do most people have access to the Internet in your country?
• Should children learn how to use a computer in school?
• Do you use a smartphone regularly?

Daily Routines

• When do you usually get up in the morning?
• What time do you go to sleep?
• How do you get to work or school each day?
• What is your daily routine?
• Do you do anything special on weekends?
• What do you like to do after work?
• Are you ever late for work or school?
• Do you ever skip a meal because you’re running late?

Evenings

• What do you like to do in the evenings?
• Do you prefer being at home or going out at night?
• Do you ever work or study at night?
• What are some popular activities that people do after work in your country?
• Do you spend time with family or friends at night?

Food

• What’s your favourite kind of food?
• Is there any kind of food that you don’t like?
• Do you usually cook?
• What’s your favourite restaurant?
• Do you ever eat junk food?
• Do you have a healthy diet?
• What’s kind of food do you eat on special occasions or holidays?

Free Time

• What do you like to do in your free time?
• How do you usually spend your weekends?
• What do you usually do after work?
• Do you ever have to work or study at night?
• Do you prefer to spend your free time with friends or alone?
• What do you think about a 4-day work week?
• Do you ever watch TV in your free time?
• Do people have enough time off in your country?

Friends

• Do you spend a lot of time with your friends?
• What do you like to do with your friends?
• Are you still in touch with any of your school friends?
• Who is your oldest friend?
• Are friends important to you?
• Have you ever gotten into a fight with a friend?

Going Out

• Do you prefer going out or staying at home on weekends?
• Do you often go out with friends after work or studying?
• Who do you hang out with on weekends?
• Where do you people like hanging out in your country?
• Is it okay for single men and women to hang out in your country?
• How often do you go out in a week?

Happiness

• Are you a happy person?
• What kinds of things make you happy?
• Is it difficult to be happy if you’re poor?
• Are people in your country generally happy?
• What kinds of things might make people unhappy?
• Does the weather impact how you feel?

Hats

• Do you like to wear hats?
• What kind of hats do you have?
• Where do you buy hats?
• Do you wear hats more often during a certain season?
• Are there some jobs where you have to wear a hat?

Health and Exercise

• Do you exercise regularly?
• What do you do to stay healthy?
• Do you have any bad habits?
• Is it easy for smokers in your country?

Hobbies

• How much time do you have for your hobbies?
• What do you like to do in your free time?
• What kind of equipment do you need?
• Do you prefer hobbies that you can do alone, or with other people?
• What are some benefits of hobbies?
• What are some popular hobbies in your country?

Internet

• Do you spend a lot of time online?
• How do you access the Internet?
• What are some of your favourite websites?
• Do you prefer booking things online or by talking to someone?
• Do you have your own computer?
• What are some of the negative things about the Internet?
• At what age should children be allowed to use the Internet without their parents?

Jobs

• What are some difficult jobs?
• What are some jobs that are easier?
• What’s a job that everyone wants in your country?
• Are government jobs in your country good?
• What’s the longest period of time that you’ve worked at a job?

Music

• Do you enjoy listening to music?
• Do you have a favourite singer or band?
• Can you play a musical instrument?
• Can you sing well?
• Why do people like listening to music so much?

Noise

• Do noisy places bother you?
• Is there a quiet spot at your house for studying or working?
• Do you think some places are too quiet?
• Do you like studying or working with music?
• What kinds of noises are there outside your house?

Pets

• Do you have a pet?
• What are some of the most popular pets in your country?
• Are you a cat or dog person?
• Did you have a pet when you were growing up?
• Why do people like having pets so much?
• Are there any negatives to having a pet?

Reading

• Do you like to read?
• What kind of books do you like to read?
• How often do you read?
• Do you have a favourite place that you like to read?
• Do you ever go to the library in your city?
• Have you ever read a book using an e-reader?

Seasons

• What’s your favourite season?
• What are some activities that you like to do in your favourite season?
• Is there a season that you don’t like?
• When do most people take holidays in your country?

Shopping

• How often do you go shopping?
• Do you like shopping?
• Where do you like to go shopping?
• Have you ever gone window shopping?
• What kinds of things do you like to buy?
• Do you regularly shop online?

TV

• How often do you watch TV?
• What do you like to watch?
• Do you ever watch sports on TV?
• Do you have a subscription to something like Netflix?
• Have you ever seen a movie with subtitles?
• Do you think kids should be allowed to watch TV?
• What did you enjoy watching when you were young?

Transportation

• How did you get here today?
• Do you know how to drive?
• How do you get to work or school usually?
• Did you walk to school when you were a kid?
• Is the public transportation system in your city good?

Vacations

• What was the last vacation you took?
• Have you ever done a staycation (doing fun things at home)?
• How many weeks of vacation do you get at your job (or from school)?
• Where’s a popular vacation place in your country?
• Do kids get enough vacation from school? Or, too much?

Walking

• Do you like walking?
• Do you ever go on walks just for fun?
• Where do you walk in your city?
• Do you prefer walking alone, or with others?
• Is there a season that’s best for walking in your country?
• Do you ever go hiking?
• Do people in your country walk a lot?

Weather

• What’s the weather like today?
• What’s your favourite kind of weather?
• Do you think it’s too hot or too cold where you live?
• Does the weather ever affect how you feel?
• Is there a city in your country that is known for really good weather?

Introduction Questions for IELTS Speaking Part 1

Here are some examples of introduction questions for IELTS that the examiner might ask. These questions mostly ask about you. Try to practice saying the answers aloud for these IELTS introduction questions.

• What is your full name?
• What shall I call you?
• Does your name have a special meaning?
• Where do you live?
• Do you work or study?
• What do you do for a living?
• Do you like your job?

Can you answer all of these questions? If yes, you are prepared for the introduction section.

How to Get a Higher Band Score on IELTS Speaking Test

Watch the video, and learn the best IELTS Speaking tips. Find out how you can improve your IELTS speaking score:

IELTS Speaking Test Grading

Watch the video and learn how IELTS speaking tests are evaluated:

More IELTS Speaking Topics Resource

Check out the topics for IELTS topics for other speaking parts and listening tests.

• IELTS Topics for Speaking Part 2
• IELTS Topics for Speaking Part 3
• IELTS Listening Topics

Get prepared and get a higher score on the IETLS exam!

More IELTS Speaking Tips and Tricks

Want to know more? Have a look at these articles:

• IELTS speaking test evaluation
• IELTS speaking test tips
• IDP vs British Council IELTS
• IELTS Listening Tips

FAQs About IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics and Questions

Check out the most frequently asked questions about IELTS topics for Speaking.

Is IELTS Speaking Part 1 important?

Speaking Part 1 in IELTS is an introductory part, which is meant to lead the conversation into Part 2 and Part 3. Therefore, questions are more general and easier. Although students’ efforts in all parts are important, we can say that Speaking Part 1 is relatively less important than pars 2 and 3.

How long should I speak in IELTS Speaking Part 1?

There are about 4 to 5 minutes for 12 questions in Part 1. Try to give details answers within two to three sentences. Not too short, not too long, is the key.

How can I prepare for IELTS Speaking Part 1?

Because the questions and topics tend to be more general and easier than the other parts, you will do well by going over the topics. You want to familiarize yourself with the questions you might encounter in the actual IELTS speaking exam. This way, there won’t be any surprises, and you will be able to give the answers you have practiced.

The IELTS Speaking Part 1: Join The Conversation

Do you have any topics or questions that you’ve encountered during IELTS Speaking Part 1? Leave a comment below and let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Last update on 2025-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API