IELTS speaking part1 topics

IELTS Speaking part 1 In part 1 of the Speaking test the examiner will introduce him or herself and ask general questions on familiar topics. The examiner will ask you to confirm your identity. He or she will then ask general questions on familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests. Part 1 of the test will last 45 minutes. How to practise You will need a study partner to practise the Speaking test. Ask your study partner to interview you using the questions below. Record yourself if you can.

Your work

 What work do you do? / What do you do for living?

 How did you get your job?

 Why did you choose to do that kind of work?

 Do you like your job?

 Do you plan to continue doing this type of work?

 What job would you like to do in the future?

 What are typical working hours in your country?

 Is it OK for employers to ask employees to work on Sundays?

 Do you have any friends at your work?

 Do you like to be busy or to have some free time at work?

 Do you have to concentrate at work?

Your study

 What subject(s) are you studying?

 Why did you choose to study that?

 How long have you been studying (your subject)?

 Do you like it?

 What school/university do you go to now?

 How long have you been going to that school/university?

 Do you like studying at that school/university?

 What's the most important thing in your study life (or part of your study life)?

 What do you think is the most important part of being a student?

 What do you plan to do after you have finished your studies?

Your country / Your hometown

 What nationality are you?

 What part of the city do you live in?

 Do you like your hometown? (If not: Where would you prefer to live?)

 Would you like to move to another city / country?

 What is the first thing you will do when you arrive at the new place?

 Can you tell me something about your hometown? What kind of place is it?

 Would you say it's an interesting place?

 What would you say are the good points and the bad points of your hometown?

 What's your favorite part of your hometown?

 Are there any tourist attractions in your hometown?

 What’s the most interesting part of your town / country?

 Can you tell me some history of your hometown / country?

 Did your friends also grow up in the same place as you?

 Would you like to live there in the future?

 What types of facilities are now available in your town?

 What would you regard as the most significant events in your country’s recent history?

 What role does religion have in everyday life in your country?

 What is the biggest social problem in your country?

 What role does tourism play in your country’s economy?

 Could you describe the traditional architecture of your country?

 What are some of the main industries in your country?

 What buildings in your country attract tourists?

 Are there more historical than modern buildings in your city?

 What do you think are the positive and negative aspects of your country’s education

system?

 What are some important festivals in your country?

 Would you say it’s a good place to live? Why?

 What do you think about weddings in your country?

 If I were to meet (an important older person) in your culture, how should I greet them to be

polite and show respect?

Your home (accomodation)

 Do you live in a house or a flat?

 How long have you lived there?

 Please describe it a little

 What do you think are the advantages of living in a (what you said you live in)?

 Would you say it's a comfortable place to live?

 What do you like about living there?

 What's your favourite room in your home?

 What have you done to your room to make it look nice?

 In the future, what sort of home (flat, house etc.) would you like to live in?

 Do you want to become a designer of buildings?

 In what type of building do you live?

 Some people prefer to live in a small town Others prefer to live in a big city Which place

would you prefer to live in?

 Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building?

 Do you live with parents?

Mobile phones

 Do you often make phone calls?

 Do you have a cell phone?

 Is your cell phone important for you in your daily life?

 What do you use it for?

 When / how often do you use it?

 When did you first get a mobile phone?

 How did you feel when you got your first mobile phone?

 Do you prefer sending text messages (texting) or talking on the phone?

 Do people in your country like using mobile phones?

 Do you think people should turn off their phones in public places?

 Is there anything you dislike about using cell phones?

 Have you ever had any problems using your mobile phone while traveling?

 Who do you usually call/send text messages to?

 Do you think you will be using your mobile phone more often (than you use it now) in the future?

 How has advertising for cellphones developed in recent years?

 Do Russian people prefer to use cellphones or the older-style phones? You?

Entertainment

 What do you do for entertainment?

 What did you do for entertainment when you were a child?

 What do (other) people do for entertainment around where you live?

 What choices for entertainment are there for young people around where you live (or, in your hometown)?

 Have you recently been to any place for entertainment?

 Do you think modern lifestyles give people enough time for leisure?

Daily Routine

 What are you usually doing at this time?

 Do you do the same thing(s) every day?

 Tell me something about your daily routine

 Is your life now the same as it was before?

 If you could make one change to your daily routine, what would it be?

 Do you like to plan what you will do each day?

 Do you usually do the same things at the same time each day?

 Do you like to do housework?

 When you were a child, did you ever do any housework?

 Do you think it's important for children to do some housework?

 Have there been any changes in the housework people do since the time when your

parents were your age?

 Do you think people should be paid to do household chores?

 What do you (like to) do in the evenings?

 Is there much difference between what you do in the evenings and in the daytime?

 Do you prefer to go out with a large group of friends or just a few friends?

 When was the last time you went out with your friends? What you did?

 What are some special occasions when people go out in the evening?

 What sorts of nighttime activities are available in your hometown?

 Do people do different things in the evenings in different seasons?

 Are you willing to (or, would you like to) work in the evenings?

 What do you think are some of the good and bad points about working in the evenings?

The Internet / Computers

 Is the internet very popular in Russia?

 What kinds (groups) of people most often use the internet / computers?

 Do you often use the internet / computers?

 What do you use it for?

 Do other people in your family also use the internet /computers?

 Do you think there are any bad points about using the internet / computers?

 When did you first start using the internet / computers?

 Do think you can live without the internet / computers?

 Do you often buy things on the internet?

 What can people learn from the internet?

 What do you think are the benefits of "e-learning"? (= studying online)

 Do you think information on the internet is very reliable?

 Do you think computers are perfect now or do they still need to be improved?

 In general, what impact does the internet / computers have on people's lives?

Cards

 Do you ever receive letters or cards?

 Have you ever sent a postcard to a friend?

 When was the last time you received a card?

 Do you (ever) give cards to your friends?

 Which do you think is better (to send or receive), a card or an email?

 Which do you prefer, to send a card or to receive a card?

 Do you keep / collect any cards?

Museums

 Have you ever visited a museum ?

 Do you often visit museums?

 Do you think they are important?

 Do you think going to museums and art galleries is beneficial for children? ( e.g., for

their development)

Weather

 What's the weather like today?

 What's the weather usually like in your country?

 Do you think the weather has changed much in recent years?

 What's your favourite season?

 What do you do in that season?

 What did you do the last time the weather was good?

 Which city in Russia (or, which part of Russia) has the best / worst weather?

 Would you say the climate in your hometown is suitable for working (or studying)?

 Would you like to move to a place with different climate?

 What sort of climate do you like the most?

 Have you ever been to a country with a climate that is very different to your hometown?

 Do you usually pay attention to the weather forecasts?

 Does it rain much in Russia?

 Do you like rainy days?

 What do you do on rainy days?

 What effects can a shortage of rain (a drought) have on people's lives?

 Can you remember any time when it rained particularly heavily in your hometown?

 Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown?

 Do you think the seasons have changed in recent years, compared to the past?

Healthy lifestyle

 Do you do anything to keep healthy?

 How do (or how can) people maintain good health?

 What would you say is a "healthy lifestyle"?

 Is there any sport (or activity that promotes good health) that you would like to try in the

future?

 Did you do any exercise at school?

 Has your school/university taught you anything about how to live a healthy life?

Art

 Are you very interested in art?

 What form of art do you like the most?

 What kind of art are you best at?

 How often do you draw (or paint)?

 Do you think drawing is difficult?

 Have you ever studied anything about art?

 Did you do any artistic activities such as painting when you were a child?

 Do you think art is an important part of people's lives?

 Have you ever been to an art gallery (or, an art exhibition)?

 How often do you visit art galleries (or, an art exhibition)?

 Would you like to visit some places that have art (such as an art gallery)?

 Are there any museums or art galleries in your hometown?

 Do you ever buy (or, have you ever bought) a painting?

 Why do you think people like to have a painting (or other artwork) in their homes?

 When do you spend time with your family?

 What did you do last weekend?

 What do other people in your hometown (or, in your country) usually do on weekends?

 Which do you prefer, Saturday or Sunday?

 What do you usually do on that day?

 Do you think it is important to do something on the weekends that is different to what you

do during the week?

 Is there anything new that you would like to do on weekends?

 Do you feel that weekends now are more important to you than when you were a child?

 In your country, do men and women usually do the same kinds of things on weekends?

Sports

 Do you like sport?

 What sports have you played / do you like? How often?

 Do you like to do daily exercise? How often?

 Do you use any equipment for this exercise?

 How much time do you have for exercise?

 What sports are popular in your country?

 Where do people in Russia usually exercise?

 What are the advantages of doing regular exercise?

 Is there any sport you would like to try? (= a sport you have never played)

 What do you think are the benefits of playing sport?

 Did you play any sport when you were a child?

 Can children play sport at school in Russia?

 Is children's sport or exercise very important in Russia?

 Did you take part in any organized sport at school?

 Do you think it's important to have P.E classes (or sports classes) at school?

 What sports do old people like to do?

 Do you think people in Russia spend enough time outdoors?

 What are some examples of outdoor sports that are popular in Russia?

 Do you participate in any sports with your friends?

 Are there any sports facilities near where you live? (for the public to use)

 In the future, what sports would you like to play?

 Are boys and girls good at the same sports?

 Why do some people enjoy (watching) sports events?

 What are the most popular sports in Russia?

 Do you have a favorite Russian sports team?

 Has this sports team been successful recently?

 Is there any team you don't like? Why?

 Do you think teamwork is important?

Swimming

 Do you like swimming?

 Have you ever tried to learn to swim?

 Did you learn to swim when you were a child?

 When did you learn to swim?

 How did you learn to swim?

 Is swimming very popular in Russia?

 Do you think it's important to know how to swim?

 What do you think are the benefits of swimming?

 Do you think swimming should be taught in school?

Shopping

 Do you ever buy things on the internet (or, online)?

 What do you think are the advantages / disadvantages of buying things on the internet?

 Do you use a credit card?

 Do you like shopping?

 Do you often go shopping?

 Do you have a regular time to go shopping?

 What do you think is the most difficult (or, unpleasant) part about shopping?

 Is there anything you don't like about shopping?

 When was the last time you went shopping? (Include what you bought.)

 Which day of the week do you usually go shopping?

 In what ways do you think people's present and past shopping habits are different?

 Do you like to go window-shopping?

 Where do you like to shop?

 Do you prefer shopping alone or with others?

 When was the last time you went shopping?

 What did you buy?

 Who usually does the shopping in your home?

 Where do you like to shop?

 Do you prefer shopping in small shops or big supermarkets and department stores?

 Would you say the people who work in those shops (the people who serve you) provide

good service?

 Do you think it's good that there are more and more big shops nowadays?

 What type(s) of shop would you recommend a visitor to Russia go to? Why?

 Do you think people spend too much time (or money) on shopping?

 Why do you think they do that?

 What kinds of people spend an excessive amount of time or money on shopping?

Bags

 Do you usually carry a bag when you go out?

 What types of bags do you use in your everyday life?

 What do you put in these bags?

 What sorts of bags do women like to buy?

 When you are buying a bag, what factors do you consider?

 Do you think the style of a bag is very important?

 Do you have a bag for special occasions? (Probably means a luxury handbag or an

especially beautiful handbag.)

 Have you ever lost a bag?

Clothes and fashion

 Are you very interested in fashion and clothes?

 What types of clothes do you like?

 Do you ever buy clothes online?

 Would you say clothes are cheap in your country?

 Are people in your country very concerned about fashion?

 Do you think some people pay too much attention to fashion?

 Do you like to wear fashionable clothes?

 Is there anything that you used to wear in the past that you don't wear now?

 How often do you go shopping for clothes?

 Do you plan to buy any designer (or, name brand) clothes?

 Do you ever buy designer (or, name brand) clothes?

Friends and family

 Is your family very important to you?

 What friends do you most often see?

 Do you still have any friends from your childhood?

 Do you prefer to spend time with your family or your friends?

 Do you have any close friends?

 Are your friends mostly your age or different ages?

 Are most of your friends from school (or university) or from outside school (or

university)?

 What qualities make them good friends?

 Who are the people in your family?

 In what situations do you think family is more important than friends?

 In what situations do you think friends are more important than family?

 Do you live with your family?

 Do your family and friends still live in your hometown?

 Do you think family members should live together?

 When do you spend time with your family? What do you do together?

 Where do you meet with your friends? What do you do together?

 Are there any times when you prefer to be alone?

 Do you like meeting new people?

 Do you like face-to-face conversations with people?

 How long does it take to get to know a person?

 Do you think it's possible to become real friends with the people you meet on the

internet, for example, on chat sites or personal introduction sites?

 Can you remember your first (or, your earliest) friends? (Who were they?)

 What do your friends think of you?

 Are you married? Do you have any children?

 Do you have any siblings?

Relatives

 Do you have many relatives?

 When you were a child, which of your relatives did you see most often?

 Who do you feel is the most important of your relatives?

 When you were a child, did you play more with your friends or with your relatives?

 In the future, do you think you will have more opportunities to see your relatives (than

you do now)?

Colors

 What's your favourite colour?

 What was your favourite colour when you were a child?

 What colour is most popular among your friends?

 If you were to change the colour of your bedroom walls, what colour would you choose?

 Are colours important to you?

 Is colour very important to you when you are buying clothes?

 Do you prefer light or dark (or, bright) colours?

 Is there any colour you would not want your walls to be? (Why?)

Transport

 How did you get to the test today?

 Why did you choose that form of transport?

 Do you often use public transportation?

 Is it very expensive (dear)?

 What do you think of the transport conditions in your hometown?

 How do you think the transport system could be improved?

 How has the transport system in your hometown changed in the past few decades?

 How do you think transport (in your hometown) will change in the future (or, in the next

20 or 30 years)?

 Do you ever ride a bicycle?

 How old were you when you first learned to ride a bicycle?

 Are bicycles popular in Russia?

 What are the advantages (or, benefits) of riding a bicycle?

 Do children also ride bicycles in your country?

 Would you say bicycles are suitable for people of all ages?

 Would you say it's safe to ride a bicycle in the city

Driving a car

 Do you like cars?

 Do you have a driver's licence?

 Have you ever driven a car?

 Do you think it's necessary to learn to drive?

 Do you have a car?

 Do you often drive it?

 (If you don't have a car) Do you plan to buy a car in the future?

 If you wanted to buy a car, what kind of car would you choose?

 What kinds of cars are most popular in your country?

 Why do you think so many modern people drive a car?

 Do you like traveling by car?

 Who do you prefer to travel with?

 Do you like to take long trips in a car?

 Is there anything you don't like about cars?

 Do you think it's important to pay attention to safety when driving?

 Do you think it's important to drive well?

 What advice would you give people about safe driving?

 Do high school students in Russia drive cars?

 Do you think teenagers should be allowed to get a driver's license?

 What do you think is the most suitable age for a young person to get a driver's license?

 Do you think it's important to have driving classes at school?

Flowers

 Do you like flowers?

 What flowers do you like? Why?

 Which/What is your favorite flower?

 Have you ever given flowers to anyone?

 Which do you prefer, indoor flowers or outdoor flowers?

 Do any flowers have any special meaning in your country?

 Do you prefer real flowers or plastic flowers?

 Have you ever bought plastic flowers?

 Do you think flowers are important?

 What are the occasions when people give or receive flowers?

 When was the last time you gave flowers to someone?

 When was the last time you bought flowers for yourself?

 Where did you buy these flowers?

 Do you like to have flowers in your home?

 Have you ever grown flowers at home? (Give details)

 Do many people in your country grow flowers at home?

 Do old people in your country like gardening?

Photographs

 Do you like taking photos?

 How often do you take photographs?

 What do you like to photograph?

 Do you prefer to take pictures of scenery or of people?

 How do you think you will you keep your photos in the future?

 Are there any photos on your wall at home?

 Is there any particular photograph that you like?

 Is taking photographs very popular in your country?

 What kinds of photographs do you most like to look at?

 Which do you think is better to send to someone, a postcard that has a photograph on it,

or a photograph you took yourself?

 Do you think being a photographer would be a good job?

 Why don't some people like having their photo taken?

Your primary school

 What was the first school you attended?

 Where was it?

 Was it far from your home?

 How did you go to school?

 Did you like it?

 What were the good things about that school?

 What did you learn there (or, what did you do there)?

 Would you say it was a good school?

 Would you send your child to that school today?

 Have you been back to that school for a visit?

 What different types of schools have you been to?

 Which school did you like the most?

 Did your parents choose your secondary school (= high school) for you?

Your secondary school