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What is IELTS Speaking Part-1?

Well, In your IELTS Speaking part-1 Examiner will ask you 2 types of questions.

1. About yourself like your name, profession, and living place.
2. Some familiar topic like Traveling, Sports, Books & So on.

How Long your speaking part-1 will be?

In this part, your examiner is going to take nearly 4-5 minutes time to complete your speaking part-1.

Now let’s have a look at the most common questions & 8 Band Sample answers.

Topic: Advertisements & Sample Answers

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1. Are there many advertisements in your country?
2. Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?
3. What are the various places where we see advertisements?
4. How do you feel about advertisements?

Sample Answers

Are there many advertisements in your country?

Definitely, there are. They appear all over the place from the streets to social media with a high density. For example, there is a multitude of colorful flyers stuck on the street walls in Sydney.

Vocabulary

All over the place (expression) everywhere

Density (n) the number of people or things in a given area or space.

A multitude of (expression) a very large number of people or things

Flyers (n) a small handbill advertising an event or product.

2. Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?

I guess it’s due to the benefits of the companies. First, advertisements are the easiest way to reach customers to attract their attention to a particular brand or product. From that attractive information, customers will be able to choose an appropriate one. Second, it also plays a crucial role in the marketing strategy that the company applies to attract customers.

Vocabulary

To be able to do Sth (v) having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something.

To play a (an) crucial/essential/key/main role in (v): of great importance

Campaign (n) an organized course of action to achieve a goal

3. What are the various places where we see advertisements?

Advertising is here, there, and everywhere. It gets to people through different types of communication such as flyers and banners on the streets or printed ones on newspapers, magazines or electronic ones on social media. It could be written, verbal or a short movie.

Here, there, and everywhere (expression) everywhere

4. How do you feel about advertisements?

Sometimes, I find it a little bit disappointing because the quality products are usually overrated. However, there are other beneficial advertisements in supermarkets which has informative content for customers such as on which days there will be promotions or which new products will be launched.

Vocabulary

Informative (adj) to provide useful or interesting information

Promotions (n) activity that supports or encourages a cause, venture, or aim.

Launch (v) to introduce (a new product or publication) to the public for the first time.

Overrated (adj) to have a higher opinion of (someone or something) than is deserved

 

ART

1. Do you like art?
2. Do you think art classes are necessary? (Why?)
3. How do you think art classes affect children’s development?
4. What kind of paintings do people like?
5. What benefits can you get from painting as a hobby?
6. How often do you visit art galleries?
7. What kinds of things do you like to draw?
8. Is it easy to learn how to draw?

Sample Answers: 

1. Do you like art?

I have a lifelong passion for art since I was a child. Besides the official art class in school, I also joined a drawing class in The Children’s House and my teachers were very pleased with my drawings. I also participated in some drawing competitions back then. Until now I still draw in my free time, although not as often as I used to do.

Vocabulary

To have a passion for (v) to be enthusiastic about Sth

To participate in (v) to join in

2. Do you think art classes are necessary? (Why?)/3. How do you think art classes affect children’s development?

Yes, definitely. Learning arts, especially at a young age, can help stimulate children’s cognitive development and encourage them to think outside the box. Because they’re still little, their ideas are very fresh and lovely, which is worth appreciating.

Vocabulary

Cognitive development (noun) the construction of thought processes, including remembering, problem-solving, and decision-making, etc

Think outside the box (idiom) think creatively

4. What kind of paintings do people like?

In my opinion, people love hanging landscape paintings at home. Bringing in the beauty of Mother Nature somehow ease people’s mind after a long day at work. Another style of drawing that most people also like is portrait. It could be portraits of someone important to them or even their lovely pets.

 

Vocabulary

Landscape (n) scenery, a large area of land

Portrait: A painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders

5. What benefits can you get from painting as a hobby?

I think the mediation efficiency worths mentioning first. Colors in some ways reflect our thoughts and emotions very well and somehow stimulate our body to defend against our negativity inside. For me, in particular, I think what’s so interesting about painting is that you have no idea how harmonized colors can become until you actually try.

Vocabulary

Mediation (n) psychological treatment to stay calm

To be harmonized (n) to be well combined

6. How often do you visit art galleries?

To tell you the truth, I have never visited art galleries before. Unless I have a guide to acknowledge me, art galleries would be quite boring for me.

7. What kinds of things do you like to draw?

My main inspiration is Japanese manga. The drawing topic is extremely varied, however only manga seems to show great potency for my level. I have a big collection at home and as I sometimes go through it again, I can see how much I’ve improved.

Vocabulary

To go through Sth (v) to check Sth again

8. Is it easy to learn how to draw?

I think I must say it’s even challenging for a lot of people. I absolutely failed when it comes to drawing still life paintings like fruit and flowers. I think for those who succeed in drawing or arts in general, they first must have God-gifted talent, then comes to the long-term commitment to arts that requires extreme practice and high patience.

Vocabulary

Still life (n) a painting or drawing of an arrangement of objects

 

BAGS

Do you like bags?

What types of bags do you like?

Do you usually carry a bag (when you go out)?

Do you have different bags for different occasions (or, different purposes)?

What do you put in these bags?

What sorts of bags do women like to buy?

Sample Answers

1. Do you like bags?

Bag is not really a must-have item to me. I just use a backpack due to its convenience. Probably I’ll spend some time getting to know more about bags later on.

Vocabulary

Get to know (phrase) to start to be familiar with someone or something

Later on (phrase) in the future, or after the time already mentioned

2. What types of bags do you like?

I’m not a big fan of this item so the only bag I use from time to time is the backpack. I love backpack because I tend to put a lot of heavy stuff inside such as my laptop, my water bottles,   etc. whenever I get outdoors. It’s the long-term convenience that makes high-quality backpacks worth my money.

3. Do you usually carry a bag (when you go out)?

As aforementioned I carry my backpack all the time when I go to school or hang out with friends. Although it may not give me a fashionable look, I think comfort and convenience is the top priority to me.

Vocabulary

To give a fashionable look (v) to look fashionable with Sth

4. Do you have different bags for different occasions (or, different purposes)?

Well, I must say that at present I have no idea about different types of bags or that sort of things. And it also costs me an arm and a leg if I ever want to become a bag collector with, say, twenty different bags for different occasions. However, I do have one fashionable small satchel for special occasions. I’m also kind of afraid that wearing heavy bags all the time will somehow affect my spine and my shoulders.

Vocabulary

All the time (idiom) repeatedly; habitually

Spine (n) a series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the small of the back, enclosing the spinal cord and providing support for the thorax and abdomen; the backbone

5. What do you put in these bags?

Well, when I go out or go to work, I usually put my laptop, cellphone, charger, basic beauty products like lipsticks, lotions, water bottle, and probably a pair of earphones.  When I use the smaller backpack, I tend to leave everything at home but my makeup kit and water bottles.

6.What sorts of bags do women like to buy?

I think every woman regardless of age, occupation, tastes, needs, etc has at least one backpack with them. As I’ve already explained about its convenience, a backpack is ideal for everyday life. However, the top favorite bag would be the well-designed handbag.

CELEBRITIES

1.Who is your favorite celebrity in your country?

2.How do celebrities influence their fans in your country?

3. Do you like any foreign celebrities?

4.Would you like to be a celebrity? Why?

5.Do you think we should protect famous people’s privacy?

 Sample Answers:

1.Who is your favorite celebrity in your country?

I guess not only me, but a number of young people have also been highly impressed by her for the past months- Deshauna Barber. She is our 2016 Miss USA and the representative of the USA in Miss Universe taking place in Las Vegas in the same year. After the beauty contests, she became well-known for her outstanding beauty, her amazing characteristics, and also her professionalism.

Vocabulary

Representative (n) A person chosen or appointed to act or speak for another or others, in particular.

Professionalism (n) The competence or skill expected of a professional (in terms of personalities, lifestyle, social relationships)

Outstanding (adj) exceptionally good

2. Do you like any foreign celebrities?

Absolutely. The person I’m gonna talk about is my bias ever since I was a teenage girl-Miley Cyrus. I guess most people at the same age as I grew up with Disney Channel and among its successful series, Hannah Montana starring Miley Cyrus would always be on top of my list. Although now she’s grown up, I’m still a big fan of her amazing voice and highly inspiring songs.

Vocabulary

Bias (n) A concentration on our interest in one particular area or subject.

To be on top of the list (expression) to be the highest priority

To be a (big/huge/avid) fan of (expression) to admire SO

3. Would you like to be a celebrity? Why?

Well, though I’ve never thought about it, I’m pretty sure that rising to stardom would never be one of my life goals. I appreciate all the efforts that the celebrities, no matter which field they’re working in, are making every single day. However, I find myself not belong to that world, I mean, you never know what’s going on when the curtains close, right? So yeah, I don’t think I want to become a public figure, to be honest.

Vocabulary

No matter (adv): without much worries

To appreciate (v): Recognize the full worth of/To be grateful of Sth

What’s going on when the curtains close (phrase): the secrets lie behind showbiz

To rise to stardom (expression): to become famous

Public figure (np): a well-known and notable person

4. Do you think we should protect famous people’s privacy?

Indeed. As you probably can tell, these days fans, anti-fans, and even non-fans are so curious about what their bias is doing. Some are aggressive that they mentally attack their bias by leaving bad comments online. Some even approach them in person on the street, especially the so-called paparazzi. Thus I strongly agree that there should be some regulations to protect the celebrities’ privacy.

Vocabulary

Bias (n): prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another

So-called (adj) used to introduce a new word or phrase that is not yet known by many people

Paparazzi (n) a freelance photographer, especially one who takes candid pictures of celebrities for publication.

5. How do celebrities influence their fans in your country?

I think the influence of celebrities on fans is extensive. It’s somehow natural to follow our bias and try to be like them. In the first place, it could probably be just physical changes like clothing, hairstyle or makeup. However thanks to the social networks, fans and idols are much closer now, sometimes it’s just a status away. However, this mental connection is a two-edged sword, meaning the idols actually need to be more careful about their lifestyle or their manners.

Vocabulary

Physical changes (n) changes in appearance

Two-edged sword (idiom) pros and cons

CHOCOLATE

1. Do you like sweets or chocolate?
2. What’s your favorite flavor?
3. How often do you eat chocolate?
4. When was the first time you ate chocolate?
5. Is chocolate popular in your country?
6. Why do people like chocolate?
7. Do you think people use chocolate differently now than in the past?
8. Is chocolate good for our health?
9. Have you ever given chocolate as a present to someone? Why?

Sample Answers:

1. Do you like sweets or chocolate?

Well, chocolate is my all-time favorite. After working my butt off all day long, I usually decompress with a chocolate bar.

2. What’s your favorite flavor?

To be honest, I’m addicted to chocolate, I do have my all-time favorite flavor, which is the white chocolate. Since I have a sweet tooth, dark chocolate would be too bitter for me. Meanwhile, milk chocolate just isn’t sweet enough. So white chocolate is just a perfect fit.

3. How often do you eat chocolate?

Well, although it’s quite pricey, I usually buy myself a box of hand-made dark Belgian chocolates when I receive my wages.

4. When was the first time you ate chocolate?

To the best of my recollection, it was 20 years ago when I ate chocolate for the first time. The 7-year-old me was over the moon/on cloud nine/deliriously happy when eating something that moreish. Now that my taste changed though, still I enjoy having some dark chocolate after working hard all day long.

5. Is chocolate popular in your country?

There are a variety of chocolate brands with different price ranges and quality available in the market nowadays. Thanks to the health benefits that it offers for humans, consuming chocolate at a suitable level is encouraged. The sweetness of chocolate also makes it a common present that men choose to give their beloved women on special days, especially Valentine’s Day or International Women’s Day.

6. Is chocolate good for our health?

Scientifically, chocolate provides humans a number of health benefits. Firstly, eating chocolate helps improve our mood and lift our spirits, even when we’re under pressure. Secondly, consuming chocolate at a reasonable amount is good for the cardiovascular system. Interestingly, chocolate has been proved to contain antioxidants, which benefit women as well. However, if people have over-consumption, it can pose a dire threat to their bone density.

7. Do you think people use chocolate differently now than in the past?

Well, I have never ever thought about it. However, I suppose that people living in this modern life prefer eating chocolate to their ancestors. In my country, the number of chocolate consumption is on the rise, especially among young consumers.

8. Have you ever given chocolate as a present to someone? Why?

Yes. The sweetness of chocolate also makes it a common present that people choose to give their beloved ones on special days, especially Valentine’s Day or International Women’s Day.

Vocabulary

All-time favorite (noun) favorite of all choices, during all times

Working my butt off (idiom) work really hard

Decompress (verb) sit down and chill

All-day long (phrase) throughout the day

To have a sweet tooth (n) to like sweet foods

Moreish (adj) delicious

Cardiovascular system (n) The system that circulates blood and lymph through the body, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, blood, lymph, and the lymphatic vessels and glands

To benefit (v) to provide advantages to SO

Antioxidant (n)  a substance such as a vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism.

 

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic & Questions: Cooking/Food

Q1: What kinds of food do you particularly like?
I’d have to say Asian cuisine is my favorite. I am a huge fan of the bold flavors and spices used in Korean and Vietnamese dishes. Something I often daydream about eating is X, which is a tip-smacking noodle soup dish served with a crab broth. It’s every bit as delicious as it sounds.

Bold flavor (phrase) strong flavor

Tip-smacking (adj) delicious

Broth (noun) soup consisting of meat or vegetable chunks

Q2: Is there any food you don’t like?
It’s true that there are a few things that kind of put me off. For example, I cannot stand Y, which is essentially a shrimp paste. A lot of people like it, though, but I think it smells awful. Definitely not my cup of tea.

Put someone off (phrase) cause someone to lose interest or enthusiasm

Not my cup of tea (idiom) not what one likes or is interested in

Q3: What kinds of food are most popular in your country?
I think street food is a staple around here. You can find bustling food stalls all around our nation, and they are my go-to’s for a cheap and cheerful meal. I mean gourmet restaurants are nice and all, but street food is what our country is all about.

Staple (noun) an important product, especially food, that people eat or use regularly

Bustling (adj) a bustling place is full of noise and activity and is usually pleasant and interesting

Gourmet restaurant (phrase) describes a class of restaurant, cuisine, meal or ingredient of high quality, a special presentation, or high sophistication

Q4: Do you like cooking? (Why?/ Why not?)
Actually, I’d like to think that cooking is my forte. I developed a passion for culinary arts when I first watched the cooking show Masterchef. Since then, I have learned a lot of recipes and I can easily whip up a good dinner.

Whip up (phrasal verb) prepare something to eat very quickly

Forte (noun) something that someone is very good at or knows a lot about

Tip for IELTS Speaking:

Use relative clauses to make your sentence longer, for example:
– I cannot stand Y, which is essentially a shrimp paste
– Something I often daydream about eating is X, which is a tip-smacking noodle soup dish served with a crab broth.

 

Topic: Dream

Do you like your dreams at night?

For me, the answer is obviously no. This is mainly because I often dream about the bad experiences in the past, which makes me have a sinking feeling when waking up and put me in such a bad mood all day long.

Vocabulary:

Have a sinking feeling (idiom) a feeling that something bad is going to happen  

Put somebody in a bad mood (idiom) sad; depressed; grouchy; with low spirits

 Do you remember your dream when you wake up? 

Well, honestly, I completely forget most dreams I have been through. However, sometimes I had vivid dreams which regularly haunted me. Every now and then, I had really pleasant and meaningful dreams which I could remember well after awakening and I love to take a trip down memory lane for a while.

Vocabulary:

To be through (phrase)  To have finished something

Vivid dream (phrase) any dream or nightmare which one remembers after awakening

Every now and then (idiom) sometimes

Take a trip down memory lane (idiom) to reminisce over memories of past events, especially happy ones.

Or:

You spend nearly one-third of your life asleep, so remembering your dream is such a challenge. Honestly, I hardly recall any of my dreams after waking up. Sometimes, I manage to visualize a dream in graphic detail just because that dream does bring some strong emotions after I wake up.

Vocabulary:

Recall (v): to remember something

Visualize (v): to form a picture of somebody/something in your mind.

Do you like hearing other’s dreams? 

By all means. I suppose that dreams represent their current psychological stress or struggle that they express themselves in an environment considered safe.  Therefore, when I listen to them speaking about their dreams, I can get an insight into their body, mind, and spirit.

Vocabulary:

By all means (phrase) Of course, certainly

Psychological stress (phrase) under mental, physical, or emotional pressure

Get/gain insight into (phrase) have a clear understanding of something

Or:

Surprisingly, there are those whose dreams can be fortune-tellers. Therefore, I prefer listening to the mysterious dreams of people surrounding me. They can predict what will happen in the future, which makes me very excited. Hearing other’s dreams really catches my attention.

Vocabulary:

Fortune teller (n): a person who claims to have magic powers and who tells people what will happen to them in the future

Catch someone’s attention: to make someone interested in or excited about something

Why are dreams so important? /Do you think dreams will affect life?

Well, this is an interesting question. I think we are all aware of how important a dream is. Dreams motivate us to move forward, overcome obstacles to fulfill ourselves.  The dream is something out of reach only when do people have no passion and patience, as well as life purposes. Honestly, I feel pity for whoever lives without a dream as they’ll never know what they can do and how dreams can shape them.

Vocabulary:

Move forward (phrase verb) make progress

Out of reach (phrase) unobtainable

Life purpose (phrase)

Or:

In fact, a dream is a wish your heart makes. Hence, you usually dream about what you are hoping for, so with someone who is superstitious, it’s good when their dreams turn into a good precursor, which makes them feel relieved about the future. Then, it is undeniable that dreams will affect life in all ways.

Superstitious (a): the belief that is not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, but is connected with old ideas about magic, etc.

Precursor (n): a person or thing that comes before somebody/something similar and that leads to or influences its development

 What is your dream?

I’m living the dream to become a successful businessman who can run a chain store. I’m trying to fulfill my dream and hopefully one day it’ll come true.

Vocabulary:

Living the dream (idiom) do what you really want to do/achieve

Chain store (phrase) a store that is part of a chain of similar stores selling the same type of product, and that are all owned and controlled by the same organization

Fulfill one’s dream (phrase) realize one’s dream

Come true (phrase) to materialize as expected or hoped

Do you want to learn more about dreams?

To me, dreams always beg a question. I often wonder why we dream, how dreams occur in our lives and how they can predict what will happen in the future. Therefore, I would like to look into them more carefully to figure out the mysteries lying beneath my dreams.

Beg a question: if a statement or situation begs the question, it causes you to ask a particular question

Look into: to examine the facts about a problem or situation

Figure out: to discover

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