IELTS Online: Course

Language requirements for Part 1

In Part 1 of the Speaking test, the examiner is assessing your ability to communicate accurately and fluently. You should also make sure that your answers are relevant to the question.

The questions in this part of the Speaking test may ask you to do one or more of the following:

describe express a preference give an opinion

explain suggest compare and contrast give a reason.

Now, let's listen to some example questions from Part 1, about your home town.

1.

This question asks the student to describe their home town.

2.

This question asks the student to compare and contrast what their home town is like now to what it was like in the past.

3.

This question asks the student to suggest things a tourist might like to do there.

4.

This question asks the student to give an opinion.

Note that where appropriate you should give reasons for your answers because this shows that you know how to extend your answer. If you don't give reasons, the examiner will ask you Why? or Why not?