Why IELTS speaking part 1 is important
IELTS Speaking Part 1 is so important because you need to make a good first impression.
You need to be
- Calm
- In control
- Well prepared
In this lesson, I will help you get well prepared by giving you 15 useful phrases for IELTS Speaking Part 1 that can help you impress the examiner.
The great thing about these phrases can be used for all sorts of topics.
Do remember, to practice these phrases a lot, as you need to use them naturally to make a good impression.
Table of Contents
IELTS speaking questions about 'things you like'
1. Yes, I can’t get enough of it
In part 1 the examiner may ask you if you like different things.
For example,
- Do you like music?
- Do you like art?
- Do you like social media?
- Do you like coffee?
Instead of saying ‘yes, I like it’, you could say,
Yes, I can’t get enough of it
Notice this is for singular things, but if the question is about plural things, such as cakes, you need to change the ‘it’ for ‘them’
For example,
- Do you like cakes?
- Do you like books?
- Do you like cars?
Yes, I can’t get enough of them.
2. What I like most about it is
This is a nice expression to help you develop your answers a little. It’s a more complex signpost that emphasizes what you like and so naturally you will go on to say why.
So you may use a structure like this:
What I like most about it is + adjective clause + example
For example,
- Do you like science?
Yes, what I like most about it is
it’s so interesting
for example, last week
I read an article about solar panels
and how we can use them
We can use this phrase for those questions we saw above, such as:
- Do you like music?
- Do you like art?
- Do you like social media?
- Do you like coffee?
3. I love that it allows me to
Again, this is a nice phrase that lets you naturally develop your answer a little.
IELTS Speaking Part 1 TIP: Develop your answer a little, but not too much!
For example,
- Do you like science?
Yes, I love that it allows me to understand the world around us
- Do you like social media?
Yes, I love that it allows me to connect with family and friends at the press of a button
- Do you like coffee?
Yes, I love that it allows me to wake up quickly and be on the ball at work
IELTS speaking questions about 'things you are good at'
In IELTS Speaking Part 1 the examiner may ask you about your ability and if you are good at doing certain activities.
For example,
- Are you good at cooking?
- Are you good at swimming?
- Are you good at playing sports?
Here, of course, you can say, you are good at it or bad at it. However, you could use richer vocabulary with phrases like the ones below
4. Yes, I have a knack for it
To have a knack for ____ = to be good / talented at ______
- Are you good at cooking?
Yes, I have a knack for it
5. No, I am hopeless at it
- Are you good at cooking?
No, I am hopeless at it
IELTS speaking questions about 'how oftern you do things'
IELTS Speaking Part 1 is all about you and your experience, so it is natural that the examiner will ask you about activities you do and how often you do them.
For example,
- Do you play football? How often?
- How often do you sing?
- Do you often go to parks?
Here are some useful phrase for IELTS Speaking Part 1 that can help you with this.
Other ways to say “sometimes”
6. Yes, from time to time
7. Yes, now and again
8. Yes, every once in a while
Another way to say “usually”
9. Yes, I play football at the weekends, more often than not
Another way to say “never”
10. No, I’m not in the least bit interested in that
IELTS speaking answers with 'connectors'
In IELTS Speaking Part 1, you may get questions asking your opinion about something.
For instance,
- Do you prefer hot weather or cold weather?
- What’s your favourite kind of weather?
If you start your answer with a connector or signpost, it can make your answer more coherent and easier for the examiner to follow.
Here are some examples,
11. Without a doubt
12. In all seriousness
13. To be totally upfront
- Do you prefer hot weather or cold weather?
Without a doubt, I prefer cold weather because in the hot weather, if it’s sunny, my skins burns so easily
In all seriousness, I prefer cold weather because in the hot weather, if it’s sunny, my skins burns so easily
To be totally upfront, I prefer cold weather because in the hot weather, if it’s sunny, my skins burns so easily
IELTS speaking questions with 'would you?'
Another common question type in IELTS Speaking Part 1 is ‘Would you ______?’
For example,
- Would you like to be famous?
- Would you give a pen as a present?
Here are two simple phrases for IELTS Speaking Part 1 you can use to answer this kind of question.
14. Yes, I wouldn’t think twice about it
This means, yes for sure, I would not hesitate and I do not need to think about it.
15. No, not for the love of money
This means no not at all, even if you gave me a lot of money, I would not do it.
IELTS speaking part 1 tips
Remember in Part 1, you should talk about you and your life experiences. Also, you do need to develop your answers a little, but not too much.
These 15 phrases can help you show off your use of language, but do practice these phrases a lot before using them in the test.
Make sure you are comfortable using them and that you can use them naturally.
Finally, leave me a comment below and tell me which phrase you like and are going to try and practice.
25 thoughts on “15 Useful Phrases for IELTS Speaking Part 1”
You are a godsend to all the ILETS students who are preparing for the test . I can not thank you enough . God bless you .
You are very kind and I am pleased to know my work can help.
I really like the way you teaches us
Thanks – my pleasure!
thank you keith you are grate teacher ,more over you are so positive person
Thanks!
Greetings From Azerbaijan
Hi! Keith,
There is a TYPING mistake in number 10. It should be ‘I’m not the least bit interested in …’ rather than ‘I’m not in the least bit interested in …’. It seems that someone accidentally typed the extra ‘IN’ in the sentence.
I looked it up in Oxford Advanced Dictionary (https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/bit_1#bit_idmg_17).
Thanks, but we also do say, “I’m not in the least bit interested” as you can see here: https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/not-the-least-not-in-the-least-not-the-least-bit
Wow… It was amazing.. helped me to get a lot of vocabularies as well as learnt a new way to answers.. Thanku so much
My pleasure and so glad it helps!
it helped me, thanks. The first ielts i got 7 at speaking, i hope i cant get more this time.
Band 7 is a great result, well done. Keep practicing and I am sure you will do even better. Good luck!
” I can’t get enough of it.” I like this sentence and I can also say that I can’t enough of it, right?” I can’t enough of it.” I like this sentence and I can also say that I can’t get enough of it, right?
Glad you like it – Yes, we just say ‘I can’t get enough of it’ (you need the verb get).
Thank you so much Sir for posting this article.
Waiting for more from your side
Glad you liked it
I love that I love this website
I love the you love it too!
“Yes, I wouldn’t think twice about it”. I love this sentence because when it comes to ” No, I don’t or yes, I do”, both ‘No’ and ‘I don’t’ are negative and the ‘yes’ and ‘I do’ are positive; whereas in that sentence even though ‘yes’ is positive and ‘I wouldn’t think’ is negative, the sentence is positive and it supports the positive ‘yes’. Are we obliged to thank Keith for this wonderful phrases? Yes, ofcourse we are, I wouldn’t think twice about it. Thanks Keith.
Love your comment – thank you for posting!
Good afternoon Keith, I love your explanation, I am from Bolivia.
Thanks, glad you like it
I really enjoy your lessons you’re a great teacher I’m so happy to have found you. Thank you very much Keith!
My pleasure- enjoy your learning Ludo!