IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answer

These are high-scoring sample answers for the following IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions. Read them to understand what you need to talk about and the kind of answers you need to start your IELTS speaking test well. For advice, strategies and tips on the best ways to answer (because 1 minute is very short), this article will help.

Sample Answers

Singing

1/ Do you like singing? Why?

I do, yes. I used to enjoy singing at school in particular because it had a choir, and all of the boys kind of my age used to sing in the choir and so it was very rousing and so on and I sing along with the radio and songs, but apart from that, nothing much else.

2/ Have you ever learnt how to sing?

I’ve never really learned how to sing and I think, to be quite honest, I think I should have. And occasionally I think that’s maybe something I should do as a hobby is go to singing lessons because I’ve stopped smoking now and so it’d be much easier for me.

3/ Who do you want to sing for?

I only really want to sing for my own pleasure, although I quite like the idea of joining another choir. But saying that there’s nothing like going to karaoke or anything that would interest me as far as that’s concerned.

4/ Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?

I think singing can bring deep happiness to people, especially those who are unsettled or have deep kind of pressure. For example, I know a few counsellors who listen to people’s worries and troubles all day and they both sing and they find that it gives them some kind of release in that way and it’s almost spiritual for them, in fact.

Speaking Analysis

This is my opinion of the above answers. The answer was given as in a test, with minimal preparation time.

Question 1 – Good answer. The question is answered directly, then some explanation is given.

Question 2 – Average answer that answers the question, but doesn’t really show anything regarding English.

Question 3 – Good answer. The question is answered, and reasons added for the choice made, using good vocabulary (see below).

Question 4 – Good. First, the context, then detail, with some good vocabulary (see below).

Less Common and Idiomatic Vocabulary

in particular – specifically
choir – a group of people singing together
kind of my age – around the same age
rousing – exciting
to sing along with the radio – to sing the same song that is playing on the radio
to be quite honest – the truth as far as I know
but saying that – however
as far as that’s concerned – regarding that
deep – intense or extreme
unsettled – not stable
release – to let go of worries or fears
spiritual – relating to the human spirit