Speaking skills · Lesson 1 of 15

Part 1: Talking about familiar topics

What happens in Part 1, the topics you can expect, and how to give a full, interesting answer of two to four sentences.

45–60 minutes
Level B1+
5 exercises

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In this lesson you will

learn what happens in Part 1 and why it is there
build vocabulary for the most common Part 1 topics
practise asking and answering typical Part 1 questions
give full answers of two to four sentences

The test

What happens in Part 1?

The examiner introduces themselves and checks your identity. Then they ask you questions about familiar topics, such as your home, your work or studies, friends, hobbies and food. Part 1 lasts 4–5 minutes, and the examiner usually asks about two or three topics.

Part 1 is there to start the test, to help you relax, and to find out some general information about you. The topics should be familiar, so this is your chance to settle your nerves and show what you can do.

Exercise 1

True or false?

Part 1 lasts about 4–5 minutes.
The examiner will ask you about unusual, difficult topics.
One aim of Part 1 is to help you relax.
“Yes” or “No” is a good enough answer.
You should try to use some topic vocabulary, but not every word you know.

Step 1

Topic vocabulary: make a mind map

Useful vocabulary for each topic includes nouns, verbs and adjectives. For example, accommodation: flat, neighbourhood, live, close to, spacious.

Exercise 2

Which topic does each word belong to?

neighbourhood
major in
hang out
mouth-watering
take up
cramped
deadline
close-knit
bland
pick up (a skill)

Exercise 3

Add your own words

Choose one topic and write at least eight words or phrases you could use: nouns, verbs and adjectives. Then check the matching lesson in the vocabulary course for more ideas.

Step 2

Know the questions

For example, the examiner might ask: Can you tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in? Thinking of the possible questions helps you prepare for each topic.

Exercise 4

Make the questions

Put the words in order to make Part 1 questions about accommodation.

(you / long / have / lived / how / there)
(do / what / you / like / living / about / there)
(you / prefer / do / a house / living in / or an apartment)
(room / your / favourite / what's)

Step 3

Give a full answer

A good Part 1 answer has two to four sentences: answer the question, then add a reason, an example or a detail.

Exercise 5

Which answer is better?

Do you live in an apartment or a house?
A An apartment. B An apartment, like most people in my city, because houses are very expensive. It's on the twelfth floor of a fairly new building, which has great views over the river. C I live in an apartment. An apartment is a home in a building. Apartments are common. I like apartments.
Do you often go out with your friends?
A Probably once or twice a week. Since we've been friends since secondary school, we're quite a close-knit group, and we try to meet up whenever we have a free weekend. B Yes, I do. C Friendship is one of the most important things in human society, and there are many advantages and disadvantages of going out with friends in the modern world.

Step 4

Practise with frequently reported Part 1 questions

Press the button for a random question from our 46 topics. Answer it out loud in two to four sentences, using some topic vocabulary. Record yourself, then compare with the model answer. Ask yourself: Did I answer the question? Did I add a reason or an example? Was there any vocabulary I could improve?

Press “Give me a question”.

Press Record, answer out loud, then listen back.

How to improve: practise asking and answering Part 1 questions with a partner, and use every chance to speak English outside class, for example whenever you meet someone new.

Activities adapted from Cambridge English IELTS Speaking teaching activities (© UCLES 2009). Example answers written for Tips4IELTS.