CD IELTS Prep
Back to Speaking

Speaking format guide

Part 1 — Introduction & Interview

Answer questions about familiar topics. 4–5 minutes.

Practice prompts

Open a prompt to review the task, instructions, and recommended timing.

Focus and neighbourhoods — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about your daily routine and the places where you concentrate best.

  • What part of your day is usually the busiest?
  • Do you prefer to plan your day or decide things as you go?
  • Where do you usually go when you need to concentrate?
  • Has your daily routine changed in the last few years?
  • What is one routine you would like to improve?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Learning new skills — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about learning outside school or work.

  • What is something useful you learned recently?
  • Do you prefer learning alone or with other people?
  • Where do you look for help when a topic is difficult?
  • Did you enjoy learning new skills as a child?
  • Is there a skill you hope to learn this year?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Local food and shopping — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about buying and preparing food.

  • Where do you usually buy fresh food?
  • Do you plan meals before you shop?
  • What food did you dislike as a child but enjoy now?
  • How often do you try an unfamiliar ingredient?
  • Is cooking an important skill for young people?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Urban travel — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about travelling around your town or city.

  • How do you usually travel on a normal weekday?
  • What do you enjoy about that form of transport?
  • At what time is travel most difficult in your area?
  • Do you often walk to nearby places?
  • Has local transport improved since you were younger?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Photographs and memory — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about photographs.

  • How often do you take photographs?
  • What kinds of things do you usually photograph?
  • Do you organise your digital photographs?
  • Did your family take many photographs when you were a child?
  • Would you rather print a photograph or keep it on a phone?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Small businesses — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about shops and services near your home.

  • What kind of local shop do you visit most often?
  • Do shop owners in your area know their regular customers?
  • Is there a service missing from your neighbourhood?
  • Do you compare prices before buying everyday items?
  • Would you like to run a small business?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Weather and outdoor events — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about weather in your area.

  • What is the weather like at this time of year?
  • Does weather affect your plans very often?
  • Which kind of weather helps you feel productive?
  • How do people prepare for difficult weather where you live?
  • Do you check forecasts every day?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Community celebrations — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about celebrations.

  • Which celebrations are important in your family?
  • Do you prefer large celebrations or small gatherings?
  • How far ahead do you usually prepare for a special event?
  • What food is associated with celebrations in your culture?
  • Have celebrations changed since you were a child?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Technology and habits — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about how you use your phone and other devices day to day.

  • What do you use your phone for most often?
  • Do you ever deliberately spend time away from screens?
  • What was the last app you found genuinely useful?
  • Do you prefer typing or writing by hand?
  • How is your use of technology different from your parents' generation?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Work and ambition — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about your work or your studies.

  • Do you work or are you a student?
  • What do you enjoy most about your work or studies?
  • What was your very first ambition as a child?
  • Do you prefer working alone or with other people?
  • What skill would most improve your career if you learned it?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Nature and the outdoors — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about parks and spending time outdoors.

  • How often do you spend time outdoors?
  • Is there a park or green space near your home?
  • Did you spend more time outside as a child than you do now?
  • What outdoor activity would you like to try?
  • Do you prefer mountains, forests or the sea?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Music and performance — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about music.

  • What kind of music do you listen to most?
  • When do you usually listen to music?
  • Did you learn a musical instrument at school?
  • Has your taste in music changed over the years?
  • Do you prefer listening at home or hearing music live?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Reading and stories — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about reading.

  • Do you read more for pleasure or for work and study?
  • What did you enjoy reading as a child?
  • Do you prefer paper books or reading on a screen?
  • Where do you usually read?
  • Is there a book you have read more than once?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Sport and health — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about exercise and keeping fit.

  • What kind of exercise do you do regularly?
  • Did you enjoy sport at school?
  • Do you prefer exercising alone or in a team?
  • Is walking a popular way to keep fit where you live?
  • What stops people from exercising as much as they would like?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Gifts and generosity — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about giving and receiving gifts.

  • When do people usually give gifts in your country?
  • Do you find it easy to choose gifts for other people?
  • What is the best gift you have ever received?
  • Do you think handmade gifts are better than bought ones?
  • Is it acceptable to give money instead of a present?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes

Travel and languages — Part 1· interview

Let us talk about travel and learning languages.

  • Do you enjoy travelling to new places?
  • Which foreign languages have you studied?
  • What is the hardest part of learning a language?
  • Do you prefer travelling with plans or without them?
  • What place in your own country would you recommend to visitors?

Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.

5 minutes