IELTS SPEAKING-PART 1: L1 IMPROVING YOUR RESPONSE

IELTS SPEAKING-PART 1: L1 IMPROVING YOUR RESPONSE

by Jhoana Macariza

​* In part one of the test, you are asked general questions about yourself.

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​*You'll be asked about 12 questions in part one of the test, and these will be taken from three different sets of topics which the examiner will choose.

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​Some topics may include:

​Hometown, Hobbies, Work, Free time, Studies, Family, Neighbors, Food, Dream, Weather, etc.

***​Tips***

​Stay on topic

Listen carefully to the question and make sure you are answering it. Don't talk about something completely different just so you can talk for longer.

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Extend your answers

Give reasons for your answer. This can be a useful way to extend your responses. Always explain WHY you have given the answer that you have.

​Don't speak excessively

Extend your answers but don't go on too much. This will only mean the examiner will have to keep interrupting you to move onto the next questions.

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Be honest but positive

Try to remain upbeat and positive even if you are saying you don't do things or don't enjoy things you are being asked about. You can always put a positive slant on your answers.

Multiple Choice

Choose the best answer.

How many people are there in your family?

• There are four. We live in a large house in the north of my country. It gets very cold there in the winter but it is really nice during the summer months. I try to go back there often.

• There are four. My brother and my parents.

• There are four. There's myself of course. Then there's my younger brother, he's fifteen years old. And I have my mother and father who are both in their late 70s. I have two grand parents as well, but they don't live with us.

Multiple Choice

Do you know the people who live next door to you?

• No, I've never met them. The reason for this is that I'm away most of the time at university so I've never really had the opportunity. I know my family has met them on a few occasions, just for a quick chat, but they don't know them well. I think they like to keep their privacy.

• No, I've never met them.

• No, I've never met them. I think my parents have, but I don't know who they are.

Multiple Choice

What kinds of books do you like reading?

• I don't like reading. Books are boring. I much prefer to play on the internet or just watch TV in my free time. Reading books just sends me to sleep.

• Although I think books are great ways to learn, and I know some people love to read, I've never been a great fan of them. I used to read books a bit when I was younger but not much anymore. I read a lot on the internet actually, articles on various topics. So I do read, but it's just not usually books.

• I don't really like reading, but I did read a book once. I'll tell you the story. It was set in the 1960's in London. It was about a poor family who were just trying hard to make ends meet as they had so little money. If followed the life of the boy in the family from when he was young until he grew up. The first part of the book was about growing up with his family and his school life...(candidate continues the story)