IELTS Speaking Phase 1 - Common Topics & Questions
Phase One of the IELTS Speaking Test isn't difficult and with a little preparation you should feel confident in your ability to pass with flying colors.
Some important things to keep in mind while taking this portion of the exam are:
1. LISTEN: just because it's the speaking portion of the exam doesn't mean you shouldn't listen to your examiner and pay intention to the questions being asked. Listen before speaking is a good rule to follow.
2. FOCUS: it's easy to begin trying to formulate your thoughts about what you will say and how you will say it while the examiner is still asking you questions. Listen carefully to the examiner so you know how to give the proper answer
3. TALK: try to keep talking until the examiner stops you. Provide relevant information to your topic and the question you were asked.
4. REAL: be real, don't memorize answers or use 'canned' responses. The examiner will know if you are receipting from memory or using fake answers.
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Common Part 1 Topics and Questions:
Tell me about..Where you live / are living now
- Where do you live / are you living now?
- What do you like most about the area? Why?
- What don't you like about the area? Why?
- What is the area like?
- Can you tell me about the area?
- Do you think you will live there for a long time? Why?
- Can you tell be about any interesting places there?
- What do people do in the area?
- How would you improve the area?
- How has the area changed in recent years?
Tell me about...Where you come from / your hometown
- Where do you come from?
- Can you tell me about your hometown?
- What is the area like?
- What don't you like about the area? Why?
- What is the area like?
- Can you tell me about the area?
- Can you tell be about any interesting places there?
- What do people do in the area?
- How would you improve the area?
- How has the area changed in recent years?
Tell me about...Your country
- What country do you come from?
- What country were you born in?
- What is it like?
- What are the people like?
- Can you describe the country for me?
- What are the main areas of industry and commerce?
- What are the main areas of employment?
- Have there been any recent developments
- in your country? What?
- How will your country develop in the future?
Common Part 2 Topics and Questions:
What do you do?
The examiner will tell you that (s)he is going to ask you some questions about what you do, then you will be asked either "What do you do: work or study" or "What are you doing now: working or studying?" This is just an introduction so that the examiner knows what to ask you about, so just answer with one word.
Work:
- Where do you work?
- What job do you do?
- Do you like your job? Why?
- Is there anything you don't like about your job?
- How would you like to improve your job?
- What training did you need for this job?
- Why did you choose this career / job?
- Do you think you will change jobs in the future? Why / why not?
- What are your future career plans?
Study:
- What do you study?
- What subjects are you studying?
- Why did you choose these subjects?
- What do you like most about your studies? Why?
- Is there anything that you don't like about your studies? Why?
- What are your study plans for the future?
- What subjects do you think will be popular / important in the future? Why?
- What subjects are popular with male and female students?
