IELTS Speaking Part 1: Topics

The IELTS Speaking Test is divided into 3 parts. In Part 1, you will be asked about whether you work or study or, alternatively, about where you currently live. Then, the examiner will ask you about 2 different topics to talk about. There are 4 questions to answer on each topic. As Part 1 lasts for 5 minutes, you have about 1:30 to talk about each of these two topics. You need to show the examiner how good your English is right from the start. When you have to answer a lot of questions in a short time, you do not have time to “think” of what you are going to say. You have to be spontaneous and, of course, sound confident.

Keeping these points in mind, let’s go on to look at a particular possible Part 1 topic: Hobbies.

Hobbies as topic

Part 1 topics are personal. The basic idea is for the candidate to talk about his or her personal experiences and feelings.

Imagine the examiner begins by saying something like: “Let’s talk about your hobbies” and immediately follow up with the first direct question. Remember here in Part 1, the examiner is just reading from a script and can only follow up any question with a “Why?” if he or she wants you to give more information, so it’s you, the candidate, who will be speaking more.

There will be 4 questions, excluding any possible “Why?” follow ups. With the Hobbies topic, these could be what you hear.

What hobbies or interests do you have?

Do you need to use any special equipment to do this hobby?

Do you prefer to do your hobby with other people or do you prefer to be alone?

Why do you think so many people have hobbies?

Questions are speaking opportunities

The total amount of time you have to answer these questions will be around one and a half minutes, just 90 seconds.

How much can you say in 90 seconds?

We are probably talking about an average of 3 or 4 “sentences” for each question. I know, “sentences” is not the right word. But it will give you an idea. Let’s take an example.

Hobbies? Yes, I do. I love taking photos and I have this really expensive camera. It’s a Nikon and I’ve had it for about 5 years. In fact, my grandfather gave it to me. He was the one who got me interested in photography. What I like most is taking photos of landscapes. It’s risky walking around with a camera these days so I only take it with me at the weekends when I go out with family or friends.

I timed myself saying that. It took me 17 seconds. Of course, in a real interview that would be longer. We have to add some natural pauses and the occasional “er..” or “umm”. Let’s give it 22 seconds maximum. That would be reasonable. It may be a little too long in fact if we assume that we will answer each question in the same time. But, of course, some answers might be shorter. Perhaps, question 2, for example:

No, not really. I mean, I’m not a professional so I don’t have a tripod or anything like that. Everything these days is digital so I don’t have to worry about developing the film. All I need is the camera and then save and store them on my laptop.

That took me 12 seconds. If we call it 16 seconds, we are up to 38 seconds of candidate speaking time after 2 questions. Add the time it takes for the examiner to ask the questions.

Timing yourself

Practising in class, with other students or just by yourself, getting a feel for the timing is important. It’s so easy to time yourself. You don’t want to say too much and you don’t want to say too little. If you go on talking for too long, the examiner will interrupt you anyway. That is nothing to worry about …the examiner is working to a strict time schedule and wants to keep things moving. At the same time, prepare to say something like a minimum of 3,