IELTS Tips: Speaking Part 1 Practice
Today we’ll look at some sample questions and responses for Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test!
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Last week we looked at what to expect in the beginning of the IELTS Speaking test. To recap, the introduction includes being asked to enter the testing room, introducing yourself to the examiner, and showing them your passport. The examiner will verify your name and may or may not ask an introductory question.
After the short introduction period, the Speaking test will officially begin with Part 1. Remember that Part 1 is about 4-5 minutes in total and you will answer familiar questions about yourself. This could include everyday topics such as school, work, family, food, or your hobbies and interests. There will be two topics with fours questions in each topic.
Let’s look at some example responses along with tips and explanations. We’ll look at the first set of questions which asks about your hometown. These 4 questions should be answered in no more than 2 minutes, and then the examiner will move on to the next topic. Remember to speak clearly and focus on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
“I was born and raised in Vancouver which is a city on the west coast of Canada. Vancouver would be considered a mid-sized city but the population has been continuously growing. There’s a lot of construction which makes for a longer commute but it’s been interesting to see new businesses opening, like restaurants that serve international food from different countries.”
2-3 sentences would be an appropriate response, but that could differ based on when the examiner asks the next question.
Notice how each sentence connects to the previous one and elaborates on it.
Using conjunctions such as “but”, and relative pronouns like “which” are an effective and natural way to expand sentences and add details.
“The most interesting thing about Vancouver is that although it’s a city, there is a lot of nature within the city and nearby. Stanley Park is a huge park located in downtown, and there’s also a beach called English Bay. When I worked downtown, I loved walking to English Bay during my lunch break because I could relax and unwind while looking at the view.”
Here we used a range of sentence structures. Try to start your sentence structures with various words and avoid using “I” or “My hometown is” at the start of each sentence.
It’s also natural to say “Vancouver is…” or the name of your hometown rather than saying “My hometown is…”
“That’s an interesting question. I think just like any other city, there is an assortment of different jobs available in Vancouver. In my case, I work in a bank and of course there are more banks and career opportunities in Vancouver compared to smaller cities and towns in B.C. A lot of films and television series are shot in Vancouver so some people work in the film industry which also helps the economy in general. I also heard that there are a lot of tech companies and start-ups in Vancouver.
You may have never thought about a question like this or have a specific point. In this answer, we started with a comment about the question followed by a statement about our career and then shared additional information about the film and tech industries as it came to us.
Remember you’re not being tested on the job trends in your city; you’re being tested on your ability to comprehend the question and express your ideas and opinions about it!
Consider synonyms and work on expanding your vocabulary. Rather than using the word “assortment,” you could also use “variety,” range,” or “plethora.”
“I think Vancouver is a great place to live for people of all ages including young people, families and elderly people. I especially love the fresh air and mild weather plus the easy access to beaches, forests and mountains. People who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and skiing benefit a lot from living here because there are so many mountains and trails to choose from. The only issue is that Vancouver is expensive, especially rent and housing, but it feels like home!”
Be prepared to keep talking until the examiner moves on to the next question, and avoid repeating yourself.