Part 1 of the IELTS speaking exam consists of a short Q & A about familiar Topics (3-4 minutes): There is always either a set of questions about where you live or where you work/study; and two additional sets of questions about familiar topics such as hobbies, holidays, sports, entertainment.

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	Requirement	Strategy
PART 1: General questions 4-5 Minutes	Answer questions about 3 topics Try to speak for about 3-4 sentences for each question.	1. Full response – not just yes/no 2. Linking words to extend answers 3. Focus on language not ideas/opinions

Which of the 3 answers below is best and why? 

QUESTION: Do you like riding bicycles?

1. Yes
2. Yes, because it’s fun, good for health, and doesn’t cost a lot.
3. Well, I like to ride bikes for a few reasons. The main reason I like riding bikes is that I think it is a really fun and it is a good way to go sightseeing. I’d also like to point-out that riding a bike is very good for my health because it can help me to lose weight. I would also like to add that recently I have not been able to ride my bike much, as I am quite busy at work.

Of course the answer is number 3! In the example below notice that the topic based words are underlined, and that the non-topic based words are about half of the content. So, learn lots of phrases that can apply to any topic!
Well, I like to ride bikes for a few reasons. The main reason I like riding bikes is that I think it is a really fun and it is a good way to go sightseeing. I’d also like to point-out that riding a bike is very good for my health because it can help me to lose weight. I would also like to add that recently I have not been able to ride my bike much, as I am quite busy at work.

You can practice with the following topic:

Do you like watching movies?
Well, I like to _____________ for a few reasons. The main reason I like_____________
is that I think it is a _____________ . I’d also like to point-out that_____________
because _____________

PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR PART ONE OF THE IELTS SPEAKING TEST: 

Let’s talk about where you live. Do you live in a small town or a city? What do you like most about your home town? What would you like to change about your home town?

2. Let’s talk about what you do. Do you work or are you a student? Work 1.What’s your job? 2.Why did you choose that kind of work? 3.Did you have to do any training or study for this job? 4.Are there things you don’t like about it? Study 1.What are you studying? 2.Why did you choose to study that? Are there many job opportunities for you? What is the best thing about studying?

3. Now let’s talk about reading. How often do you read a book or magazine? What types of books or magazines do you like to read? Are there any types of things that you don’t like to read? What types of books or magazines do you like to read when you were a child?

4. Now lets talk about health. What do you do to keep in good health? Do you have any unhealthy habits? What could you do to be healthier? Do you think you will be healthier in the future?