IELTS Speaking Part 1
Part 1 is the warm-up: 4–5 minutes of everyday questions. It is easy to be too casual here. Remember this is still a test — every answer is being scored on all four criteria.
What Part 1 is like
The examiner asks about familiar topics: work, study, home, hobbies, food, travel, technology. Usually 3 topics, 4 questions each. Answers should be 2–4 sentences long, not one word and not a speech.
The P-E-E formula for Part 1
Point (direct answer), Explanation (a bit more detail), Example (one specific example). This naturally extends your answer without you having to think too hard.
Common topics to prepare
Work or studies, hometown, accommodation, hobbies and free time, food and cooking, technology and phones, travel and holidays, weather, music, reading, sport, family and friends.
Mistakes to avoid
Giving one-word answers, memorising full answers (examiners can tell), and switching to an overly casual register. Aim for natural, spoken English with some range.
Frequently asked
Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question?
Yes — once or twice is fine and does not affect your score. Just say "Sorry, could you repeat that, please?"
Is Part 1 less important than Part 2 or 3?
No — your performance across all three parts contributes to your final band. A weak Part 1 can pull you down.
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