Part 1 Topics and Questions
For The IELTS Speaking Tests, JANUARY to the end of MAY, 2020
Notes
The pages PAST_PART_ONE_TOPIC_INDEX.htm is also useful as a guide to when different topics were used in the past. That page is connected to PREVIOUS_PART_1_QUESTIONS.htm.
I don't always keep those four pages up-to-date so you might also need to specifically look at Part 1 pages that have not yet been added to the Past Part One Topic Index or the "All Part 1 Questions" pages. See "Older Materials" for that. This applies just to the past couple of years.
Amusement Parks Possibly just "Parks"
Art
History
Running
Desserts
Numbers
Science
Laughter
Patience N
You should check the page Vocab_Lists_Index.htm to see if there is any useful vocabulary for each of the topics listed below.
See important information here and click the link for "student" or "work" at the bottom of that page. The grammar points apply both to students and people working, of course.
Do you work or are you a student?
WORK
Main Questions
What work (or job) do you do?
Do you enjoy your work (or, your job)?
Why did you choose to do that type of work (or,/that job)?
Would you recommend this job to other people?
Do you like your job?
What do you do in this job?
What do you find interesting about your work?
(Similar to above) What's the most interesting part of your work?
What are your responsibilities at work?
Where do you work?
How much (how many hours) do you work every week (or, every day)?
Is your work (or, you job) different to what you thought it would be before you started it?
What is your work environment like?
Are you satisfied with the place where you work?
Would you say that's a good place to work?
(Possible question) Have there been any changes to you work (since you began this job)? *
Would you like to change the place where you work? See Note 18
(The question above might be this) Would you like to make (or see) any changes to the place where you work?
(Similar to above) How do you think your workplace could be improved?
What's the most important part of your work?
Do you do anything that especially helps you in your work?
How do you think you could improve your efficiency at work?
What work do you plan to do in the future?
What’s your dream job like?
(Similar to above) What is (or, would be) your ideal job?
Have you (ever) changed your job?
Do you prefer to work in the morning(s), or the afternoon(s)?
Possible Other Questions
Is that what you wanted to do when you were a child?
Do you work part-time, or full-time?
What do you do in that job? (= What are your responsibilities in that job?)
What does that company do?
How long have you been working?
What did you do to get your first job? *
Did you enjoy your first day at work?
(Similar to above) How did you feel on your first day at work?
Are you friends with the people you work with with?
(Similar) Have you made many (or any) friends at work?
Do you think it's important to be friends with the people you work with?
What time of the day do you work the best?
(Similar to above) Do you work better in the morning, or in the afternoon?
Did you have any training for this job?
Would you like to have some (or, more) training in the future?
Will you always do this job? ( = Will you continue to do this job / this type of work?)
STUDY
Main Questions
What subject are you studying?
Why did you choose to study that?
Do you like it (your subject)?
What do you do/learn in this subject?
What's the most enjoyable part of your studies?
What would you say is the most important part of your studies?
What would you say is the most interesting part of your studies?
Is it (your subject) interesting?
Would you say your studies (or, your subject) is what you expected it to be (before you started)?
What's your favourite subject? (for high school stds)
(Similar to above) What classes do you like the most?
Do you like to study? (= Do you like studying?)
How much study do you do every week?
Where do you usually study? See Note 1
(Possible question) Where did you do your studying yesterday?
Do you do anything that especially helps you to study?
How do you think you could improve your
efficiency as a student?
What school/university do (or, did) you study at? (= Where do you study?)
Do you like your school / university? See Note 20
What do you like most about your school / university?
Why did you choose to study at that school/university?
How do you think your school/university could be improved?
Would you like to change your school (or university)? See Note 21
What will you do (or, what do you plan to do) after you graduate from university / finish secondary school?
Do you prefer strict teachers, or fun teachers?
Do you like your teachers and classmates?
Who do you think are the more important in a school, the students, or the teachers?
(Possibly the question above is this) Which is more important to you, your classmates or the teachers?
(Possibly the question above is this) Which do you think is more important, the students or the lesson contents?
Would you say that communication is important when/for studying?
Do you prefer to study in the morning or in the afternoon?
Possible Other Questions
Do you think it (your subject) will be helpful for you in the future?
Is that a popular choice among your friends?
Do you plan to (or, will you) continue your studies in the future?
Do you plan to (or, will you) continue studying this subject?
Have you made many (or any) friends at school/university?
See some extra vocabulary here
Main Questions
Where are you living (where do you live) at the moment? See Note 25
Have you lived there for a long time? See Note 26
Do you like it?
(Similar to above) Do you like the environment around where you are living?
Are there good facilities in your area, such as shops?
What are some of the most popular (recreational) activities that people do in your community?
Where do people in your community usually gather for social activities?
Are there many people living around you?
What do you like about the area around where you live?
Is there anything you dislike about your city/local area?
Where do you like to go to in your area?
Who do you live with?
Do you know the people (or, many people) living around you (living nearby)?
Do you have many friends there?
Are you planning to move to another area to live? See Note 27
What changes have you seen in this area (since you have been living there)?
What changes (= what improvements) would you like to see in this area?
(Different to above) What changes are you expecting (to see) in this area? See Note 28
Possible Other Questions
Is that far from here (the test centre)?
Please describe the area you live in.
Would you say it's a good place to live?
Is this place famous for anything? See Note 6
Are there any interesting places near (or, in) this area?
Do you live in a house or a flat?
What kind of building do you live in?
Do you like your current accommodation?
Are there many (or, any) markets near your home?
Are there many public facilities near your home?
Have you lived there for a long time?
Who do you live with?
What do you do at home?
Does your home have a garden?
How long have you lived there?
What's your favourite room?
What kind of places would you like to live in (in the future)?
Which do you (or, would you) prefer living in,
a house or a flat?
This topic has never been used before.
See Note 41
See some extra vocabulary here
Do you like having your hair cut?
(Different to above) Do you like your current hair style?
How often do you have your hair cut?
When was the last time you had your hair cut?
How much do you usually spend on a haircut?
How long have you had your current hair style?
Do you often (or, ever) change your hairstyle?
What's your favourite hairstyle?
Would you like to change the colour of your hair?
On what occasions do people in your country usually get a haircut?
Have you ever had an unhappy haircut experience? (e.g. a bad haircut)
Would you like to be (or, work as) a hair stylist?
This topic has never been used before.
See some extra vocabulary here
Do you like recording and hearing your (own) voice?
Do any members of your family have a similar voice (or, similar voices)?
Has your voice ever changed? (When?) See Note 42
Does you voice ever change? (When?) See Note 53
Have you ever seen any wild animals?
Do you have a favourite wild animal?
Do you think wild animals should be protected?
Do you like going to the (or, a) zoo?
This topic has never been used before.
See Note 43
See some extra vocabulary here
Do you wear jeans?
(Similar to above) Do you like wearing jeans?
(Possible question) When did you start wearing jeans?
Is there any brand of jeans that you prefer?
How often do you wear jeans?
Would you say jeans are popular in your country?
This topic was last used in Sep. 2016. See also here
See some extra vocabulary here
Do you walk very much?
Do you walk more often now than (you did) in the past?
Do you think people will be walking more in the future than they do now?
What do you think are the benefits of walking?
9. Amusement Parks Possibly just "Parks"
This topic has never been used before. It is possible that the topic is the more general, "Parks" and that there were one or two questions about amusement parks.
See some extra vocabulary here
Do you like amusement parks?
How often do you go to an amusement park?
What do you usually do at amusement parks (or, at an amusement park)?
This topic was last used in Sep. 2014. See also here
When do you need to stay (or, be) focused?
Do you ever find it difficult to stay focused (= hard to concentrate)?
What distracts you (= What are some examples of things that distract you) when you're trying to stay focused?
Do you ever do anything to help you concentrate?
(Similar to above) What do you do to help you concentrate? ?
(Similar to above) What do you do when you are trying to (= want to) concentrate?
Do you think you can do two things at the same time?
This topic was last used in May 2014. See also here
What is your mother tongue (or, your first language)?
What other languages can you speak?
Would you say English is difficult (to learn)?
Will you learn other languages in the future? See Note 54
(Similar to above) Would you like to learn any other languages?
(Similar to above) Do you intend to learn other languages in the future?
(Similar to above) Do you think you might learn other languages in the future?
Would you say it' s difficult to learn a new language?
The examiner might introduce this as, "Sunny Days".
This topic was last used in Sep. 2017. See also here
What do you do on sunny days?
Do you like sunshine?
Do you ever use sunscreen?
What kinds of people do you like to make friends with?
What do you usually do when you are with your friends?
Do you keep in contact with any of your friends from your childhood?
What do you think makes a good friend?
(Similar to above) What do you value most in a friend?
(Similar to above) What do you think is the most important part of a good friendship?
Would you say you are a good friend to others?
Do you prefer to spend time with your family or with your friends?
Which do you think is more important, your family or your friends?
How do (or, how can) people choose who to have as a boyfriend/girlfriend?
What's your favourite type of music?
When do you listen to music?
Do you prefer to listen to music alone, or with others?
Has your preference in music changed since you were younger?
See previous questions here
Have you ever been to the countryside?
Do you prefer to live in a city, or in the countryside?
Would you consider living in the countryside in the future?
What would you do if you lived in the countryside?
What kinds of people do you think like going to the countryside?
See Note 7
Have you ever been to an art gallery?
(Similar to above) Do you often go to art galleries?
Do you like going to art galleries?
Do you think it would be exciting (or, interesting) to be an artist?
Have you ever had any art classes?
Are there any paintings on the walls of your home?
See some vocabulary
When you were a child, did you enjoy learning (about) history?
Have you ever been to a museum to learn about history?
Have you ever watched movies related to history?
When was the last time you read a book about history?
Do you think history is important?
(Somewhat different to above) Do you think it's important to know about (or, learn about) history?
See some Vocab
See Note 45
Do you like water sports? See Note 46
Are any water sports that are popular in your country?
Did you do any water sports when you were young?
Is there any water sport that you would like to try? See Note 51
What do you usually use for writing, a pen, or a pencil?
(Similar to above) Which do you prefer to use for writing, a pen or a pencil?
When was the last time you bought some pens or pencils (or, a pen or pencil)?
If someone gave you some pens/pencils as a gift, how would you feel?
Do you like running?
Where do usually go (for) running?
How often do you go running for exercise?
Have you ever run a long distance?
Do you like watching running races on TV?
21. Beautiful Scenery / Views N
Does your hometown have beautiful views/scenery? See Note 47
Do you like to stay in (or, visit) places with beautiful views when you are traveling?
How would you like to live in a house with beautiful scenery?
(Similar to above) Would you like to live in a house with beautiful scenery? See Note 48
(Possible question) What is the view (like) when you look out the window of your room at home? *
Why do you think people often take pictures of beautiful scenery?
Can you suggest why many people use their mobile phone to take pictures of beautiful views?
(Possible question) Can you explain why some people ask for a room with a good view when they stay at a hotel? *
This topic might be called, "Cakes" or "Sweet Food".
Do you like eating sweet things (sweet food)?
(Similar to above) Do you like having (eating) dessert?
(Possibly the question above is this) Do you like eating cake(s)?
Have you ever made any cakes (or, a cake)?
In your culture (or country), do people usually eat dessert at the end of (or, after) dinner?
Are there any sweet foods that are famous in your country?
In your culture, do people eat cakes during festivals?
See some vocabulary
See also this topic in 2011
Do you often use numbers to do something?
Are you good at memorizing numbers? See Note 49
Can you memorize phone numbers?
(Possibly the question above is this) Do you usually memorize phone numbers?
Is there any (particular) number that's (especially) important to you? See Note 52
Would you say you are good at using numbers (= good at maths / good at arithmetic)?
Did you enjoy maths when you were a student?
Would you like to have a job dealing with numbers?
(If you are working) Do you use numbers in your work?
See also this topic in 2016 and in 2011
Do you think it’s important to study science?
(Similar to above) Do you think people should study science?
Do you laugh very often? See Note 50
When was the last time you laughed? (Why?)
Do you like watching funny TV shows?
Do you like to make people laugh?
(Similar to above) Would you say you are good at making others laugh?
Do you think it's important for friends to have the same sense of humour?
(Possibly the above Q is this) Do you think it's important for friends to laugh together?
Do you like to spend time by yourself?
When was the last time you spent time alone?
What do you usually do when you spend time by yourself?
See Note 44
See also this topic in 2019
Would you say your are a (very) patient person?
Do you think you were more (or less) patient when you were young (than you are now)?
Would you say you are less patient when you are angry?
How do you feel when others are not patient (towards you)?
Where do you usually study?
This question means, "Where do you do such activities as studying your textbooks, writing essays and class assignments etc?" For example, "I usually study at my desk in my bedroom" or, "I usually study in the university library." The inclusion of the word, "usually" indicates that the question has this meaning.
If the question is simply, "Where do you study?" then it could have two possible meanings, either, a) What educational institute or school do you attend? or, b) Where do you do your private study, such as writing essays?
"Would like" Questions
Would you like to be a teacher?
Most likely this question uses the words, "Would you like" but possibly the question is, "Do you want to be a teacher?" These two are not always exactly the same! See HERE for an explanation.
We never say, "A sunglasses" or "a sunglass"; it's always, "a pair of sunglasses".
Here, "take" = "travel by", "travel on", "go by" etc
Is this place famous for anything?
"Famous" more or less means the same as, "well-known". This question means, "Is there some fact that many people in your country (or, in the world) know about this place?" The question is not really asking about something famous that the people who live in this place know. It is possible to include that in your answer, but you should actually say something like, "... But as for the people who live there, almost everyone in the city knows the famous XYZ market, which ...."
"Painting" and "drawing" are activities (verbal nouns) that people do. These are from the verbs, "to paint" and "to draw". But "a painting" and "a drawing" (paintings and drawings) are nouns, the things that are created by those activities.
"eat out" = eat away from home.
To say, "eat outside" means to eat outside of any building, i.e., to eat in the fresh air such as when you have a picnic, eat in your back yard, eat on your veranda or balcony, or eat at a restaurant table that is outside the restaurant, such as on the footpath (sidewalk).
"Strictness" here refers to the teacher strictly controlling the behaviour of the students, including strictly enforcing rules such as rules concerning homework. For example, a teacher not allowing the students to play games on their mobile phones while he or she is teaching is being strict or, strictly enforcing a rule.
A "strict" teacher is not the same as "an expert" teacher who teaches very well. A strict teacher may, or may not necessarily do a good job at teaching (be skilled at teaching) just as a lenient teacher may or may not necessarily do a poor job in teaching.
How often do you hire a taxi?
This might be, "How often do you travel by taxi?" or, ""How often do you take a taxi?"
Do you think everyone should get a drivers' licence?
This question might be worded as, "Do you think everyone should learn how to drive?"
The two questions do not always have exactly the same meaning. Some people say, "Learn to drive!" when they really mean, "Learn to drive properly!" or "Learn to drive correctly!" And some people "get a driver's licence" by paying someone but not sitting for a test! But generally speaking the two different questions represent the same idea.
This question might be,"Would you say that's a good company to work for?"
Do you have the same routine every day of the week?
That might be, Do you have the same morning routine every day of the week?
If this topic is just "Sport" or "Sports" I suggest you be very careful about using any of the following words in your answers: "exercise", "exercises" or "gym". This is because "sport" and "exercise" are not the same thing. Although most sports involve physical exercise, exercise itself is not considered to be a sport.
Do you like sports?
This can mean either, a) "Do you like to play any sports?" b) "Do you like to watch sports, for example, on TV?" or, c) both a & b.
This question is asking you to express your feelings. If you simply say, "... because I want to keep fit" that is not wrong but it is not really expressing your feelings.
Would you like to change the place where you work?
This probably means, "Would you like to change your job?" = "Would you like to get a different job?" = change your employer.
The question might be expressed as, "Have you thought about changing job?"
How much study do you do every week?
This most likely means, "How many hours of private study (e.g., at home) do you do?
However, it might mean, "How many hours of classes do you have every week?"
Do you like your school / university?
This might be expressed as, "Do you like your current learning (or studying) environment?"
Would you like to change your school (or university)?
This means, "Would you like to change the school (or university) you attend and go to a different school (or university)?"
The question might be expressed as, "Have you thought about changing your school (or university?"
Do you do anything that especially helps you to study?
This is referring to your private study.
The question might be, "Is there anything that especially helps you when you study?"
How do you think you could improve your efficiency as a student?
This might be expressed as, "What would (or, could) help you study better?"
Do you do anything that especially helps you in your work?
The question might be, "Is there anything that especially helps you in your work?"
Where are you living (where do you live) at the moment?
This is asking for the name of the place (the city or town). You should also add what part of your country this is in if it is not where you are doing the test.
Two common errors that people make when answering this are:
i) Saying the province instead of the hometown. For example, "My hometown is Heilongjiang". That's your home province, not your hometown. Of course, you can and probably should include the name of the province when you say where it is. An example of a good answer to the question is: "It's a small city in the north of China called ..... That's about 100 kilometers north of Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province."
Note that in English we first say the city, then the province or state. For example, we say, "Harbin, Heilongjiang Province." That's the opposite to the way Chinese people speak.
ii) "It's north of China". That should be, "It's in the north of China. "It's north of China" means it's outside China, for example, in North Korea or Siberia.
Have you lived there for a long time?
This might be expressed as, "Have you been living there (for) a long time?", "How long have you been living there?" or, "How long have you lived there?"
Are you planning to move to another area to live?
This wording could be interpreted to mean either, a) "Are you planning to move to a different part of this city or town to live?" or, b) "Are you planning to move to a different part of your country to live?" or even, "Are you planning to move to a different place to live, (including in a different country)?"
The question might also be, "Would you like to move to another area to live?", which is not the same as planning to move.
What changes are you expecting to see in this area?
The changes you are expecting in this area could either be improvements or a deterioration in conditions.
Do you prefer a park with open space or recreational facilities?
This has also been reported as, "Do you prefer a park with open space or entertainment facilities?" That question is possible but I think the examiner is more likely to use the word, "recreational". The two are not exactly the same.
Do you prefer a warm, or a cool climate?
This question has also been reported as, "Do you prefer a hot, or a cold climate?" but I think the other choice of words is more likely to be the real question. "Hot" and "cold" are more extreme than "warm" and "cool".
Would you like to attend the Olympic Games?
It is not 100% certain that the word, Attend" is used in this question. If it is used, it means to be a spectator at the Olympic Games, not to compete in the games. However, it is possible that the wording is, "compete in the Olympic Games".
The three words, "exercise", "exercises" and "sport" mean different things, although they are related and the usages sometimes overlap.
See: vocabulary_lists_6.htm#80. Sport
This can mean or include, "prefer to watch", not just, "prefer to play".
Do you like reading?
This does not necessarily or only mean, "Do you like reading books?"
"Professional" books = specialist books
Example: technical journals
Textbooks could be included in this category.
= "Can you detect a fake/false smile?"
= "Can you distinguish between a fake/false smile and a real smile?"
Do you smile when you are having your picture taken?
Several people have reported this question as, "Do you smile when you are taking a photograph?" To :"take a photo" means to operate the camera; to "have your photo taken" means to be the subject of the photo, or in the photo.
Of course, it is possible to smile when you are photographing something (= taking a photo), including when you want children to smile if you are taking a photo of them. It is also typical for people to smile when they are taking a selfie on their mobile phone!
Conclusion: Although the question is most likely to be, "Do you smile when you are having your photo (= picture) taken?", it is certainly possible that the question is, "Do you smile when you are taking a photograph?" Be prepared for either question.
These two questions might be under a separate topic which is not included in the current list, "Transport".
Some people, especially some Americans, say things like, "I cut my hair yesterday" when they did not really cut their hair themselves but actually "had their hair cut" or "got their hair cut". In the IELTS test, you should use one of those two forms, which are how educated people speak. It's the same as saying, "I'm going to get my car repaired today" or "I'm going to have my car repaired today". Those two correct statements mean that someone else is going to repair your car. If you say, "I'm going to repair my car today" it means that you are going to do it yourself.
Of course, the voices of males change when the males reach the age of puberty, at about 13 or 14. Their voices become deeper and more "manly". When this happens, we say the boy's voice "breaks". But I strongly recommend that you DO NOT use that expression in the test unless you know for sure you are Band 7+ for speaking. For most of you. if you use that expression, you will be telling the examiner that you knew what topics are in the test and had prepared your answer before the test. The examiner will not like to be told that and will possibly REDUCE your score if you show that several of your answers were prepared before the test. Just say your voice became "deeper". https://young.scot/get-informed/national/what-happens-when-my-voice-starts-breaking
The word, "jeans", like "pants" and "trousers" is a plural noun. There is no singular form. So we say things like, "I started wearing them when I was about 13." We refer to those nouns by saying "a pair of". such as, "a pair of jeans"."Glasses" (that you wear to help you see) is another example of a plural noun.
"Having a break" = Taking a break"
A note about swimming as a water sport - Although it's not a great "error", I suggest not talking about swimming as a water sport unless you are referring to swimming competitively, i.e., joining a swimming club and entering swimming races. Even if you are referring to swimming up and down a swimming pool, I think of that more as exercising rather than engaging in a sport. There are many other choices of water water that you can choose to talk about.
You can "like" a water sport even if you don't do it yourself if you talk about liking watching it, for example, on TV.
"Scenery" is a non-count noun. Use "views" or "scenes" as the plural form.
"Beautiful" views/scenery in your hometown can be man-made, such as beautiful architecture; they don't necessarily need to be natural scenes.
This means beautiful scenery when you look out the window of your home.
Are you good at memorizing numbers?
This question might be, "Are you good at remembering numbers?"
To memorize and to remember have different meanings! When you memorize something, you put it into your "memory bank"; when you remember something, you bring it out of your "memory bank".
Some people have reported this question as, "Do you like to laugh? (Do you like laughing?)"
That wording would be a stupid question because when people laugh they are expressing a happy emotion. It's almost like asking, "Do you like to be happy?" Of course everyone likes to be happy. Many people confuse doing something often with liking to do that something. They are not always the same.
Something you "would like to try" is something that you have never done before. If you answer yes, say what water sport and include why you would like to try it. If you answer no, say why not.
A "number" can be any of the digits, 0 to 9 but a number can also be a string of digits, such as a phone number or a string of digits that you use as a password for your bank account. Surely one of those is important to you! It could even be a number that changes such as the exchange rate between your country's currency and that of another country, the price of gold, or a certain stock market index, including the price of a particular stock that you own on the stock market.
The (tone of) people's voices do tend to change according to their moods. For example, when you are angry, when you are feeling tender and loving towards someone, when you are confused, when you are stressed or depressed . . .
This question might be the only and the real question about voice changes.
a) Will you learn other languages in the future?
b) Would you like to learn any other languages?
Although a) is possibly the real question, I think b) is more likely to be the real question. Question a) is asking you to predict the certain or very likely future. Well, most young people cannot predict what other language they might decide to study (to learn) in the future because you don't know for sure what your circumstances will be in the future.
Question b) is just asking you what other languages interest you and you would like to learn if you had the time. This question is also testing your ability to pronounce the names of other languages correctly, such as "Italian" or "Spanish" and to test that you don't make the mistake of saying something like "Germany" instead of "German".