Introduction
Many students think that the Speaking Part 1 questions in C1 Advanced are the easiest and simplest of the four parts, but it is a great time to show off what you can do. In real life, people take three seconds to find out if they like someone or not when they get that first impression. This is a great chance for you to give your examiner a good first impression.
Home > C1 Advanced > Speaking > Part 1
To continue your speaking practice, there are part 2 pictures here, and questions for parts 3 and 4 here.
C1 Advanced Speaking Part 1: Do You Know Enough?
Question Topics
These questions are all about you, your work, studies, travel, entertainment or your life, so you know the answers. This is a wonderful opportunity to show what you can do, rather than just answer the questions mechanically.
Very Important:
In C1 Advanced Speaking Part 1, the questions will jump from one topic to another. Some sample questions below are divided into topics, others aren’t, but in the test, you will be asked between 2 and 4 questions, with each question from a different topic. If you are not expecting this, it can come as a big surprise!
How to Answer
Answer the questions, then extend your answer by one or two sentences. If you try to speak for longer, the examiner will stop you. They have to be fair and give everyone the same amount of time to answer.
When Your Speaking Test Starts
At the beginning of the speaking test, the examiner will start the test like this.
Interlocutor: Good morning/afternoon/evening.
My name is ….. and this is my colleague ……
And your names are?
Can I have your mark sheets, please?
Thank you.
Where are you from, (Candidate A)?
And you, (Candidate B)?
First, we’d like to know something about you.
You will then be asked one or two questions about your circumstances and your English learning. Such as:
Where do you live?
Who do you live with?
How did you get here today?
How do you normally travel to the place where you work or study?
How long have you been studying English?
What do you enjoy most about learning English?
How long have you been studying English?
Apart from English, what other languages have you studied?
Why is learning English useful or important to you?
What reasons do other people have for learning English?
How have you been learning English?
What aspects of learning English have you found most and least enjoyable? …. (Why?)
For useful vocabulary go here for C1 Advanced.
C1 Advanced Speaking Part 1 Questions
• What’s the best time of day for you to study? Why?
• What kind of holidays do you enjoy most? Why?
• Is there anything you dislike about travelling? Why?
• What kind of magazines or newspapers do you read regularly? Why/Why not?
Example Answers
What’s the best time of day for you to study? Why?
Morning is definitely the best for me for two reasons. First, I’m really a morning person and tend to get more lethargic as the day goes by. Second, I like to reach my study goal, then I have enough time for other things.
What kind of holidays do you enjoy most? Why?
It has to be the kind of holiday that is crammed with things to do. Then, when I get home and look back, there are so many memories I struggle to believe I was only away for a week.
Is there anything you dislike about travelling? Why?
Not really, but if I had to choose something, it would be the lack of facilities at most airports for making travellers comfortable during long waits.
What kind of magazines or newspapers do you read regularly? Why/Why not?
Although I read most of them online these days, I much prefer to read about serious news, opinions and football. These tend to satisfy my range of interests quite well.
• What do you like to do when you go out with your friends?
• Are you an organised kind of person? Why/Why not?
• Has the kind of music you enjoy changed since you were younger? Why/Why not?
• Where would you recommend tourists to visit in your country? Why?
Example Answers
What do you like to do when you go out with your friends?
I used to like going to a club or pub, but these days we’re too old for that kind of thing, so we usually go somewhere in the countryside for a long walk, or even a trip to an island.
Are you an organised kind of person? Why/Why not?
Definitely not! I try really hard to be, but it never seems to work out. I am untidy in my mind and untidy in my life and to be honest, I can’t see that changing anytime soon.
Has the kind of music you enjoy changed since you were younger? Why/Why not?
Yes, it has, quite dramatically really. I used to listen to music whenever I could, but these days hardly ever listen to anything else apart from singing competitions and Tik Tok videos.
Where would you recommend tourists to visit in your country? Why?
It would have to be the Western Isles off the west coast of Scotland. The scenery is dramatic, the wildlife is amazing, and the locals are friendly and renowned for their hospitality.
• Do you think it would be a good idea to work in another country for a short time? Why/Why not?
• What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
• Do you like having a routine in life? Why/Why not?
• What would your ideal job be? Why?
• If you could travel to any country in the world, where would it be? Why?
• What is your favourite way to relax?
• Have you seen any good films recently?
• Do you enjoy watching sport? Why/Why not?
• Where is a good place to visit in winter in your country? Why?
• Do you think you spend more or less time watching television now than you did in the past? Why?
• Do you think it’s a good idea to have a daily routine? Why/Why not?
• What would you like to be doing in five years’ time? Why?
• Do you enjoy listening to the same kind of music as your friends?
• When is the best time of day for you to relax? Why?
• What is your favourite way of travelling short distances? Why?
• Do you ever listen to the radio? Why/Why not?
• What do you prefer to do when you spend time with your friends?
• Is there something you would really like to study in the future? Why/Why not?
• What do you enjoy about travelling? Why?
• Do you read many books? Why/Why not?
If you could do any job, what would it be? Why?
Do you prefer having one long holiday or several short breaks? Why?
Do you watch the same kind of television programmes now as you did in the past? Why/Why not?
The following questions are divided into categories. This is only to help you practice, remember, in the test the questions will vary considerably.
People
Who do you think has had the greatest influence on your life so far? (Why?)
If you could meet somebody famous, who would you choose? (Why?)
Study
Do you prefer studying on your own or with other people?. (Why?)
How important have teachers been in your life so far?
Places
What is the most memorable place you have ever visited?
Which is the most important room in your house? ……. that?)
Health and fitness
What do you do to keep fit? (Why is
If you had the opportunity to learn a new sport, what would it be? ……. (Why?)
Daily life
How important is the computer in your daily life?
Is it easy for you to find time to relax every day? ……. (Why? / Why not?)
Friends
Do you and your friends share the same interests? (Is this a good thing?)
Do you think you will still have the same friends in ten years’ time?
The future
What do you think you will be doing in five years’ time?
Are you excited or worried about the future? ……. (Why?)
Leisure
What do you do to relax after a busy day?
How important is music in your life?
Travel
Where would you like to go for your next holiday?
What do you enjoy most about being on holiday?
People
Who has had the greatest influence on your life so far?
How easy is it for you to meet new people? (Why?)
Personal experience
In what ways do you hope to use your English in the future?
Looking back on your life, what has been a memorable event for you?
The media
Do you prefer watching films at home or in the cinema? (Why?)
How important are newspapers for you? ……. (Why do you say that?)
Travel
What advice would you give to someone coming to visit country?
Would you consider going on holiday on your own? (Why?/Why not?)