In Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner asks personal questions about familiar topics, such as home, work, studies, hobbies, or daily routines. Responses should be natural, and using a range of vocabulary and expressions can help show your fluency. Here are some helpful phrases and vocabulary for common Part 1 topics:

1. Talking about Home/Accommodation:

• Phrases:
  • “I live in a (house/apartment) in...”
  • “My neighborhood is...”
  • “I’ve been living there for (x years)...”
  • “What I like about my home is...”
  • “I would describe my home as...”
  • “One thing I’d like to change about my home is...”
• Vocabulary:
  • Spacious, cozy, modern, well-furnished, convenient location, suburbs, quiet, lively, rural, urban, amenities, renovation, decorate, furnished.

2. Talking about Work/Study:

• Phrases:
  • “I work as a (job) at...”
  • “I’m currently studying (subject) at...”
  • “My daily routine involves...”
  • “I’m responsible for...”
  • “I chose this job/course because...”
  • “In the future, I’d like to...”
• Vocabulary:
  • Deadline, multitasking, internship, workload, demanding, rewarding, career path, promotion, major, lecture, seminar, hands-on experience, professional development.

3. Talking about Hobbies/Free Time:

• Phrases:
  • “In my free time, I enjoy...”
  • “I’ve been interested in (hobby) since...”
  • “I usually spend my weekends doing (x)/gardening/reading a new book, etc...”
  • “I try to make time for...”
  • “I find (hobby) relaxing/energizing/challenging...”
• Vocabulary:
  • Leisure time, hobby, pastime, unwind, stress-relief, physical activity, creative outlet, outdoor/indoor activities, adrenaline rush, practice regularly, socialize.

4. Talking about Daily Routines:

• Phrases:
  • “I usually wake up at...”
  • “My typical day consists of...”
  • “I start my day by...”
  • “In the evenings, I prefer to...”
  • “On the weekends, I tend to...”
• Vocabulary:
  • Routine, habit, productive, early bird/night owl, commute, schedule, organized, busy, relaxation, errands, chores, flexible, fixed routine.

5. Talking about Likes/Dislikes:

• Phrases:
  • “I’m really into...”
  • “I can’t stand...”
  • “I absolutely love...”
  • “I’m not a big fan of...”
  • “I enjoy... because it’s...”
• Vocabulary:
  • Passionate about, fond of, keen on, interested in, prefer, favorite, dislike, hate, annoying, fascinating, boring, engaging, challenging.

​6. Talking about Future Plans:

• Phrases:
  • “In the future, I hope to...”
  • “I’m planning to...”
  • “I would like to...”
  • “I’m considering...”
  • “My goal is to...”
• Vocabulary:
  • Ambition, long-term goals, short-term plans, career prospects, further studies, travel, explore, settle down, improve, enhance, achieve.

7. Talking about Friends/Family:

• Phrases:
  • “I’m very close to...”
  • “We often spend time...”
  • “I’ve known (friend) for...”
  • “My family is quite...”
  • “I get along well with...”
• Vocabulary:
  • Close-knit, bond, sibling, childhood friend, trustworthy, supportive, family-oriented, understanding, fun-loving, sociable.

8. Useful Linking Phrases:

• “To be honest...”
• “Well, it depends...”
• “Actually, I think...”
• “As I mentioned earlier...”
• “Speaking of...”
• “On the one hand... on the other hand...”
• “Let me see...”

Using these phrases and vocabulary appropriately in Part 1 will show fluency and confidence. However, we always emphasize that it's important for students to practice speaking naturally while integrating these expressions and understanding when they can be used appropriately.  Avoid simply memorizing phrases and then forcing them into sentences. Practice with a friend who has a high level of English or get feedback from a trusted teacher. 

Extending answers is the top strategy to show your language skills to the examiner. In IELTS Speaking - Part 1, you will be asked questions about yourself, your studies or job, your interests, and other general topics. Always strive to respond with full and extended answers by employing the strategies below.

1. What, who, why, when, how, how often, how much?
Give additional details using these question words as your cue.

Example: What is your favorite TV program or show?

A short response: "My favorite TV show is The Witcher."
A more detailed answer: "I really like the Netflix series called The Witcher. It was introduced to me by a friend who is a fan of the video game. It's a fantasy series based on a book about a monster hunter, though unfortunately, I've forgotten the name of the author. I just started watching it last month. 

In this second response, we added the elements of 'who' and 'when':

• Who:  who introduced the show to me; the author of the book, even though I don't know his name (You are not being tested on facts, so it's okay to admit when you don't know something.)
• What type: a fantasy series
• When: last month 

Here's a similar response with more details:

• "A few months ago, I came across the Netflix series called The Witcher, which is a fantasy series based on a book and video game. A witcher is basically a monster hunter with more powers than a normal human being. I like the show because of the enjoyable storyline, plus his hunting adventures are really exciting.

The elements in this third response:

• When: A few months ago
• What: The Witcher; a fantasy series; a monster hunter
• Why: unique storyline; exciting adventures

Talking about the 'why' element, which is very much applicable when talking about our likes and dislikes, as well as many other situations, is a particularly good way to extend your response.

• Why do you like or dislike something? Why do you do something? Why do you believe something?

Don't wait for the examiner to ask you 'why'. Take the initiative to explain why something is so. 

Have a go with these practice questions:

• Do you prefer watching TV shows, movies, or documentaries? Why?
• Are there any TV programs you used to watch but don’t watch anymore? Why?

2. Explain. 
To explain means to give someone the information they need to understand something.
Let's apply this to the question 'What don't you like about your studies?'

A short response: I don't really like my schedule this semester. 
An extended response: Well, I'm not too happy about my schedule this semester. I mean, my classes start early in the morning at 8am every day, but then three times a week, I need to attend some other late afternoon classes which forces me to be on campus all day till evening on those days.

Besides the phrase, 'I mean' here are others you can use to explain something:

• You see...

Example: Well, I'm not too happy about my schedule this semester. You see, my classes start early in the morning at 8am every day but then I have to stay on campus till 7pm three times a week because I have some evening classes too.

• To be specific...

Example: I'm not too happy about my schedule this semester. To be specific, I don't like the fact that I need to be on campus from 8am to 7pm three times a week. 

• That is,...

Example:  I'm not too happy about my schedule this semester. That is, I don't like the fact that I need to be on campus from 8am to 7pm three times a week.

3. Give examples.
Add more details by giving one or two examples of what you are talking about whether it's an object or something abstract such as preferences, situations or experiences.

Question: What subject did you find most difficult at school? Why?

​A short response:  I've always found math subjects difficult. 
A longer response with examples: Honestly, math and other related subjects were always challenging for me. For example, I really could not understand lots of the problem-solving they made us do in Algebra and Physics. In Algebra, especially, I could not see the real-life application of the equations we were always solving.

In the second response, it not only gives examples of math-based subjects (Algebra, Physics) but also common tasks in the subject that the student finds difficult. 
​
4. Describe.
What to describe?

• Physical characteristics: colors, shapes, sizes, names, and appearances
• Sensory information (information that we get from the five senses): sights, scents or smells, textures, temperatures, tastes, and sound
• Physical environment: the location including landscapes, buildings, or natural elements.

Example question: Are there any foods that you dislike? Why?
A short response: I don't like exotic foods like insects, wild rats or guinea pigs.
A longer response with some description: Well actually, I think I eat a variety of foods. I even eat bitter herbs and vegetables, but there are some things that I won't be excited to eat such as insects as well as cute and furry animals like rabbits and guinea pigs. 

In this second response, we included the sensory details of taste (bitter) as well as sight or appearance (cute and furry).

5. Express or share your emotions.
Instead of giving a simple and literal answer to the question, share your feelings, personal thoughts, and experiences about that particular topic. 

Example question: What is your favorite meal of the day, and why?

A short response: My favorite meal of the day is dinner because I get to relax.
A longer response with emotions: Dinner is definitely my favorite because it's the most relaxing meal of the day, compared to breakfast and lunch which I usually gulp down in a hurry. I also enjoy cooking dinner for my family and look forward to sitting down at the table to talk about our day. 

But what if I don't have any favorite meal and don't like cooking at all?
A possible response: Actually, I don't really have any favorite meal of the day because I live alone and eat meals at irregular hours of the day due to my busy schedule as a ___________. I skip breakfast on most days and often eat lunch and dinner outside, sometimes with co-workers and sometimes by myself. I really don't mind eating alone. 

6. Bonus: Cultivate a 'responsive' mindset.
​
The Cambridge IELTS book 'Insight into IELTS' refers to this as the 'willingness to participate and expand'. In short, be open and interested to have the conversation, like you would feel if you're meeting a friend whom you haven't seen in a while. 
Before going inside the interview room, gather up as much enthusiasm as you can for your talk with the examiner. You're probably thinking, 'Enthusiasm?! That's going a bit far! How can I feel enthusiasm when I'm too nervous about the exam?' But that's the point exactly. Giving in to your tension, anxiety, and stress on test day will not help you at all, whereas making an effort to pull yourself to the other end of the spectrum by raising your enthusiasm may balance or cancel out some of your anxiety. Having the openness, or if you can go further, the interest, to have this interview will make you more 'talkative' and will also tone down the nervousness you might be feeling. ​