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If you’re preparing for the IELTS Speaking test in 2025, you might be wondering: What kind of questions will the examiner ask me in Part 1?
The good news is that Part 1 is the easiest part of the speaking test. The examiner will ask you simple, everyday questions about yourself—your home, studies, work, hobbies, and routines.
The challenge is that many students give answers that are too short or too basic. This can stop you from reaching Band 7 or higher.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The most common IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions in 2025
- A basic answer (Band 5–6 level)
- A better answer (Band 7+)
- Why the better answer scores higher
Talking About Where You Live
Question: Do you live in a house or an apartment?
👉 Basic Answer
I live in an apartment. It’s on the 7th floor and it’s in the city centre. There’s lots of space and also we are close to a park.
👉 Better Answer (Band 7+)
I live in an apartment with my family. We actually live on the 7th floor of a high-rise building, right in the city centre. It’s really spacious and there’s a great balcony overlooking our local park.
✨ Why this is better:
- Uses connectors or emphasis words: actually, really
- Topic-specific vocabulary: high-rise, balcony
- Adds more description with adjectives/adverbs: really spacious
Question: Tell me about the city where you live.
👉 Basic Answer
Well, I live in Manchester which is a big city. There’s a lot of traffic, and to be honest I find it too noisy.
👉 Better Answer (Band 7+)
I live in a pretty big city, Manchester, which is up in the north of England. There’s an awful lot of traffic and traffic jams, especially in the rush hour. For me, it’s far too noisy. I think I’d prefer to live in the countryside.
✨ Why this is better:
- Adds comparison or preference: I’d prefer to
- Strong adjectives/adverbs: pretty big, awful lot, far too noisy
- Topic-specific vocabulary: traffic jams, rush hour
Want to expand your vocabulary for places, cities, and daily life? My course The Vocabulary Vault will help you learn topic-based vocabulary that is perfect for IELTS Speaking.
Personal Routines & Preferences
Question: Do you prefer mornings or evenings?
👉 Basic Answer
I prefer the mornings. I have more energy and I can get more things done in the morning. I usually feel too tired to do anything in the evenings.
👉 Better Answer (Band 7+)
Well, I’m definitely an early bird. I mean, I’ve always been an early riser. I usually get up when the sun rises, without even setting my alarm clock. I just feel much more energetic and productive in the mornings, especially compared to the evenings when I feel drained and just want to disconnect in front of the TV.
✨ Why this is better:
- Natural spoken fillers: well, I mean, just
- Topic-specific vocabulary and collocations: an early bird, an early riser, feel drained
- Mix of tenses: I’ve always been…
Question: What do you do in your free time?
👉 Basic Answer
I try to relax. I like walking. I go to the park with my dog. We walk around. I like it a lot.
👉 Better Answer (Band 7+)
Whenever I get free time, I tend to take my dog for a walk in the local park. We’ll stroll around for half an hour or so, or until he gets too tired—he is getting on a bit. That’s my favourite way to spend my free time and unwind.
✨ Why this is better:
- Natural phrases: tend to, stroll around, unwind
- Adds humour/personalisation: he is getting on a bit
- Build up phases that add extra detail: We’ll stroll around.., or until …, he’s getting on.
If you want to speak more fluently about your routines and hobbies, check out my Fluent Grammar for IELTS Speaking course.
Work or Study
Question: What do you do—work or study?
👉 Basic Answer
I am a student. I am studying French at the university. I’m in my first year. It’s an interesting course and the teachers are really good.
👉 Better Answer (Band 7+)
I’m an undergraduate student at Manchester University. I’m studying French as a matter of fact. I’ve been on this course for around 6 months now and I’m loving it. I mean it’s challenging, for sure, but the teachers, even though they’re pretty strict, are really supportive.
✨ Why this is better:
- Emphasis words /spoken fillers: as a matter of fact, I mean, for sure
- Mixes tenses: I’ve been on this course for 6 months
- Uses a relative clause: the teachers, even though they’re strict, are supportive
Key Tips for IELTS Speaking Part 1 in 2025
- Keep answers short but developed (2–3 sentences).
- Use connectors and emphasis words (actually, really, for sure).
- Add topic-specific vocabulary for home, work, routines, free time.
- Use adjectives and adverbs to make your answers richer.
- Show a range of tenses and structures (present simple + present perfect, comparisons, relative clauses).
👉 To really master these skills, join my flagship IELTS Speaking Success GOLD course. It gives you a step-by-step system to improve your fluency and confidence for IELTS.
FAQs about IELTS Speaking Part 1 (2025)
Aim for 2–3 sentences per answer. Avoid yes/no answers—always add a little detail.
Use natural vocabulary, collocations, connectors, and varied grammar. Try to speak with as little effort as possible and avoid memorised answers.
No. However, part 1 is all about you, so when you express your real preferences and experiences, this will make your answers sound more natural.
No. Memorised answers sound robotic. Instead, prepare ideas and useful phrases, then adapt them to the exact question you are asked in the test.
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