IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions And Answers

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If you’re preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, Part 1 can feel deceptively easy. The examiner asks simple questions about familiar topics — your home, hobbies, food, travel — and yet many students still lose marks here.

The key to scoring well? Have ready-made ideas for each question and a few linkers to make your answers flow. This IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions and answers guide will give you exactly that, with examples you can copy and adapt.

What Is IELTS Speaking Part 1?

IELTS Speaking Part 1 is the “warm-up” section of the interview.

  • Length: 4–5 minutes
  • Purpose: Test how you speak about everyday topics naturally.
  • Topics: Home, work/study, hobbies, food, travel, and more.
  • Goal: Sound fluent, confident, and ready for more challenging questions in Parts 2 and 3.

Why Ideas and Linkers Matter in IELTS Speaking Part 1

When you hear a question, you need to respond quickly. If you stop to think too long, you risk sounding hesitant.

  • Ideas: Give you something to talk about immediately.
  • Linkers: Connect your sentences so your answer flows instead of sounding like short, choppy statements.

Together, they help you give fuller, more natural responses that impress the examiner.

A one-page infographic titled "Linkers Cheat Sheet" displays seven categories of linkers with their functions and examples. Categories include: adding information, cause and effect, contrast, time/sequence, emphasis, giving examples, and summarizing. Each category is paired with a relevant icon and a list of linkers such as “because,” “however,” “for example,” and “in conclusion.”

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions and Answers – Ideas + Linkers Cheat Sheet

Below are three common topics with three sample questions each. For every question, you’ll find:

  • Ideas to help you generate content.
  • Linkers to make your answers flow.
  • Example Answer to show you how it all comes together.

Topic: Food

A simple mind map diagram with "FOOD" in the center, connected by lines to four surrounding nodes labeled "Favorite Dish," "Cooking Skills," "Street Food," and "Healthy Eating." The layout is clean and symmetrical, designed to help learners explore food-related ideas.
Mind map showing four key subtopics of food: favorite dish, cooking skills, street food, and healthy eating.

Q1: Do you like cooking?

  • Ideas: relaxing hobby, creative activity, saves money, healthy eating.
  • Linkers: Personally, I think… / One reason is… / For example… / That’s why…
  • Example: Personally, I think cooking is a relaxing hobby. One reason is it helps me forget about work. For example, last weekend I made homemade pizza and it was so satisfying.

Q2: What’s your favourite meal?

  • Ideas: family recipe, street food, comfort food, special occasion dish.
  • Linkers: For me… / Mainly because… / Such as… / What I mean is…
  • Example: For me, it’s definitely pho. Mainly because it’s warm and comforting, especially on rainy days. What I mean is, it just feels like home in a bowl.

Q3: Do you usually eat at home or in restaurants?

  • Ideas: convenience, cost, social life, variety of food.
  • Linkers: In my case… / The main reason is… / On the other hand… / For instance…
  • Example: In my case, I usually eat at home. The main reason is it’s healthier and cheaper. On the other hand, I do enjoy eating out with friends on weekends.

Topic: Hobbies

Q1: What do you like doing in your free time?

  • Ideas: sports, reading, creative hobbies, watching movies.
  • Linkers: In my case… / Mainly because… / For example… / That’s why…
  • Example: In my case, I spend most of my free time reading. Mainly because it helps me relax. For example, last week I finished a mystery novel in two days.

Q2: Have your hobbies changed since you were a child?

  • Ideas: new interests, technology, lifestyle changes, education.
  • Linkers: Yes, definitely… / One reason is… / For instance… / Compared to…
  • Example: Yes, definitely. One reason is I have more access to technology now. For instance, as a child I used to play outside, but now I spend more time learning online.

Q3: Is it important to have hobbies?

  • Ideas: mental health, social life, personal growth, stress relief.
  • Linkers: Personally, I believe… / The main reason is… / Such as… / That’s why…
  • Example: Personally, I believe hobbies are essential. The main reason is they help reduce stress. Such as playing sports or painting, which can make you feel more balanced.

Topic: Travel

Q1: Do you like travelling?

  • Ideas: adventure, learning about cultures, relaxation, photography.
  • Linkers: Absolutely… / One reason is… / For example… / That’s why…
  • Example: Absolutely, I love travelling. One reason is I enjoy learning about different cultures. For example, trying new food is one of my favourite parts of a trip.

Q2: What’s the best place you’ve visited?

  • Ideas: natural beauty, activities, weather, culture.
  • Linkers: As far as I’m concerned… / The main reason is… / For instance… / That’s why…
  • Example: As far as I’m concerned, Da Nang is the best. The main reason is you can enjoy both the beach and the mountains. For instance, I went hiking in the morning and swimming in the afternoon.

Q3: Do you prefer travelling alone or with others?

  • Ideas: freedom, shared memories, safety, cost.
  • Linkers: Personally, I prefer… / Mainly because… / On the other hand… / For example…
  • Example: Personally, I prefer travelling with friends. Mainly because I like sharing experiences. On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind a solo trip for some quiet time.

How to Practise for IELTS Speaking Part 1

  1. Pick 5 random Part 1 questions.
  2. Choose 1–2 ideas and 1–2 linkers for each.
  3. Add a personal detail to make it sound natural.
  4. Record yourself answering them without stopping.
  5. Listen back and check if your answers flow smoothly.

Final Word

The IELTS Speaking Part 1 test is your chance to score quick wins. By preparing ideas and linkers for common questions, you’ll always have something to say — and you’ll sound confident from the first minute.

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