Part 1 Topics and Questions
For The IELTS Speaking Tests, MAY to the end of SEPTEMBER, 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.
Sleep
Fish
Insects
Age
Shopping
Drinking
Water
Films
Parks
Travel
Tidiness
Gifts
Discussions
Normally there should be a total of 26 to 28 topics in Part 1.
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)?
Do you think it's important (for people) to enjoy their work?
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?
Do you like the people you work with?
Are you satisfied with the place where you work?
Would you say that's a good place to work?
Have you changed your job (or, your work) recently?
If you wanted to change your job, what kind of job would you
choose?
(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)?
Which do you think is more important, to
do a job that you like, or to work with people that you like?
What kind of
influence has your job had on you?
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?
(Similar to above) Why
do you think people in your country choose to study that subject?
(Similar to above) Is
that subject a popular choice in your country?
What do you learn in this subject?
What elective subjects are popular in high schools in your
country? (Why?)
Are there subjects that are more popular with boys than
girls?
Do you like it (your subject)?
What's the most enjoyable part of your studies?
What would you say is the most important part of your studies?
Is it (your subject) interesting?
What would you say is the most interesting part of your studies?
What's your
favourite part of your studies?
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?
Would you like to
continue your studies after you graduate?
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?
What kind of job would you like to do
after you graduate?
(Similar to above, but different) What
kind of job do you think you will do after you graduate?
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?
Possibly the examiner will ask about, "your city" or "your hometown" instead of "your area".
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?
Which do you (or, would you) prefer living in, a house or a flat?
(Possibly that question is this) Why do (or, did) you choose
to live in . . . . (what you live in now)?
What kind of building do you live in?
How long have you lived there?
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?
What facilities (e.g., equipment) do you have
in your home?
Does your home have a garden?
What
decorations do you have in your home?
(Similar
Above) How have you decorated your home?
What's your favourite room?
What kind of places would you like to live in (in the future)?
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?
What is your favourite kind of art?
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?
Do you like to read about history? See Note 61
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?
Do you think it's better to go running outside, or inside?
(Possibly that question is this) Do you think it's better to go running outside, or do other forms of exercise inside?
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
What is the view (like) when you look out the window of your room at home?
Have you
taken any photos of that view?
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? *
Would you spend more on accommodation
with a good view?
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? See Note 53
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?
Are numbers important for your current
study/work?
Would you like to have a job dealing with numbers?
See also this topic in 2016 and in 2011
Did you like your science classes at school?
What kinds of science did you learn (or, study) at school?
Do you think it’s important to study science?
(Similar to above) Do you think people should study science?
See Note 58
Do you laugh very often? See Note 50
When was the last time you laughed? (Why?)
Do you like watching funny TV shows and movies (films)?
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 think
it's important (or, good) for people to laugh?
Would you like to take part in a live comic show on television?
See also this topic in 2015
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 you're 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)?
See also this topic in 2019
How much sleep do you usually get (or, have or need) every day?
Have your sleeping habits changed since you were young(er)?
What time do you usually go to bed?
Do you think old people need as much sleep as young people? See Note 56
Do you like to read before you fall asleep?
Do you (usually) take a nap in the middle of the day?
Do you ever (or, often) stay up late? (If yes, why, what do you do when you stay up late?)
Do you ever sleep late? See Note 55
Is it easy to wake up in the morning if you stay up late?
Do you stay up late more often now than when you were younger?
What do you usually do when you stay up late?
What are some reasons why people (or, you) get up early?
Where can you (or, we, or one) see fish?
Do you like eating fish?
Have you ever gone fishing?
Is fishing a very popular activity in your countrty?
Why do people go fishing?
19.
Insects
Possibly this is really a Part 2 topic. Or a similar Part 2 topic will come soon. Such a topic was reported last year but I thought it was a mistake.
Some vocab
Are there many (different types of) insects around where you live?
How do you like insects?
(Similar to above) How do you feel about insects?
Is there any insect that you particularly dislike? *
Do you think insects are useful? See Note 57
See also this topic in 2008 although the questions seem to be different this time.
Do you like (being) your current age?
How do you feel about getting older? See Note 60
At what age do you think people are the happiest (in their lives)?
What do you think is the best age to learn to drive?
Do you think we should treat people of different ages in the same way (or, in different ways)?
Are there many shops near your home?
What (sorts of) things do you buy the most?
What do you usually go shopping in a shopping mall, or in small, local shops?
22.
Drinking Water
See also this topic in 2019
See some vocabulary here
This topic is about a particular type of water, the water that you drink. This is called, "drinking water". Note how it is pronounced, with the stress on the word, "drinking". See Note 31 for the use of the word, "drink"
Do you often drink water?
(Alternative to above) How often do you drink water?
What kind of water do you drink?
(Alternative to above) Is there any particular type of water that you drink? See Note 59
Do you prefer to drink bottled water, or tap water ?
(= Movies)
Do you like to watch movies?
What’s your favourite movie?
Do your friends also like that movie?
What kinds of movies do young people like?
Do you often go to a cinema with your friends?
Would you like to be a movie star?
24.
Parks
In September 2019 there was a new topic that I called, "Amusement Parks". However, it is possible that this name was a mistake and the topic was the more general, "Parks" and that there were just one or two questions about amusement parks. If it really was, "Parks" then this topic will still be used until the end of May 2020 only, and probably will not continue until September 2020. On the other hand, if the topic in Sep. 2019 really was, "Amusement Parks" then "Parks" would be a different, new topic that will continue until September, 2020.
See some vocabulary about Parks.
Do you often go to a park?
What do you do there?
Do many people in your country go to parks?
Did you (ever) play in a park (or, parks) when you were a child?
What do they do there?
Do you prefer going to natural parks or amusement parks? See Note 54
See also some vocabulary
Do you like travelling?
What kinds of places do you like to travel to?
What are some of the places (or cities) that you have travelled to?
Which one of those places left the deepest impression on you? (Why?)
This might be either the topic of "News", "Newspapers & Magazines", or Reading"
See also this in 2018 and this in 2009
Which do you prefer to read, newspapers or magazines?
Do you prefer to read news online or in newspapers?
What's your opinion of newspapers?
Can you suggest why more and more people are seeing (or, reading) the news on their phones today? See Note 63
Do you think people should be tidy all the time?
Have you ever received an unforgettable gift?
Have you ever given a handmade gift?
What kind of gift do you give to other people?
Are you good at buying (or, choosing) a gift?
What kind of gift do you usually buy?
Possibly this is a Part 2/3 topic
Have you ever seen a famous person? See Note 62
(If yes) What did you do?
What famous person would you like to see, and talk with?
30.
Discussions
This has been reported as a Part 1 topic but I think that is probably a mistake. However, these questions probably do exist in the test as part of some Part 3 discussion.
What topics do you usually discuss with your friends?
What kinds of discussions did you have when you were a child?
Do you often change your mind after having a discussion with someone?
Do you tend to talk more than others when you are discussing something with other people?
This has been reported as a Part 1 topic but I think that is probably a mistake. However, these questions probably do exist in the test as part of some Part 3 discussion, possibly Part 2/3 Topic 1051 or 1054.
Do you like meeting new people?
What are some good places to meet people?
Do you feel nervous when you are introduced to others for the first time?
What would you do if you forget the the name of someone who you had just been introduced to?
Note
Both Topic 32 & Topic 33 were new topics in September 2019 and, according to the usual pattern, they would have been used for two test periods plus one month, i.e., until the END of May 2020, and then retired. However, apparently those two topics have been reported by many candidates as being in use in June and July, 2020. So I have added them to my Part 1 list for May to September, 2020.
Do you like to borrow things from others?
Would you ever (or, do you ever) borrow money from others?
Do you borrow money from your friends?
Do you lend things to your friends?
Would you like to borrow your phone to others?
Note
Both Topic 32 & Topic 33 were new topics in September 2019 and, according to the usual pattern, they would have been used for two test periods plus one month, i.e., until the END of May 2020, and then retired. However, apparently those two topics have been reported by many candidates as being in use in June and July, 2020. So I have added them to my Part 1 list for May to September, 2020.
Do you travel by public transport?
When was the last time you travelled by public transport?
Is there anything you don’t like about public transport?
Do you think you will choose to use public transport in the future?
(Similar to above) Do you think you will be using public transport in the future?
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.
"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.
This question might be,"Would you say that's a good company to work for?"
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.
In English, if we say things like, "I like drinking", "He likes to drink", "He drinks a lot" etc it means "drink alcohol". Therefore, you should say what you drink, such as, "I like drinking water", "I like drinking tea" etc., not simply, "I like drinking".
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
"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.
In your culture (or country), do people usually eat dessert at the end of (or, after) dinner?
Instead of the word, "dessert", the examiner might say, "something sweet" in order to see if you know to use the word "dessert". Make sure you know that "dessert" is not pronounced the same as "desert", which is a dry place where nothing much lives.
Do you prefer going to natural parks or amusement parks?
This wording has been reported but the expression, "natural park" is not a common collocation. It is possible that the person who reported it was actually asked about national parks. These are quite different to the typical parks in towns and cities. See the vocabulary about Parks.
On the other hand, the word "natural" might be used, since amusement parks are full of man-made structures and are therefore not "places that are full of nature".
"Sleep late" = "get up late". It does NOT mean "go to bed late".
Do you think old people need as much sleep as young people?
It is possible that the word, "adults" is used instead of "old people" and "children" used instead of "young people". If that is the case, your answer might be different to an answer to the question above.
"Old people" is people over about the age of 60; "young people" usually means people aged from about 13 to 30.
One example - bees (and other insects) and pollination.
Some notes about laughter -
However, when talking about laughter, for example, why you don't often laugh, it is suitable to say that you don't laugh very much although when you find something (mildly) amusing, you do usually smile. "Amusing" = "mildly funny", "a little humorous" but not funny or humorous enough to make you laugh.
Some various types of water that you can buy in convenience stores and supermarkets are -
You should not say that tea or coffee are "types of water". But it is suitable to say that you get a lot of your water from the tea or coffee, fruit juice, soft drinks, beer or other kinds of commercial drinks that are available in the shops. In other words, these beverages are composed mainly of water but are not said to be "types of water". You could even include soup as another way that you get water into your body.
This question might be something like, "How do you feel about being old (or, getting old) one day?
This question might be, "Do you like to ready history books?"
This questio0n usually means, "seen in real life" or "seen in the flesh", not just seen on TV or in the movies.
Can you suggest why more and more people are seeing (or, reading) the news on their phones today?
This question is unclear but it seems that there is a question about getting the news on a phone. The question might be about the future, for example, "Do you think more and more people will be getting their news on their phones in the future?"/