What Part 1 asks you to do
Part 1 lasts about four to five minutes. First the examiner checks who you are — they say hello and ask your name and where you are from. This part is not scored; it just confirms your identity.
After that, the examiner asks questions on familiar topics. These are everyday subjects you already know well, such as your home, your hometown, your work or studies, your free time, hobbies, food, the weather, and your daily routine. New here? Start with the full IELTS Speaking guide.
The four things you are scored on
Every part of the speaking test — including this one — is judged on the same four criteria. Keep them in mind as you answer:
| Criterion | What it means |
|---|---|
| Fluency & coherence | You speak smoothly and your ideas connect. |
| Lexical resource | You use a range of words, not the same few. |
| Grammatical range & accuracy | You mix tenses and structures with few mistakes. |
| Pronunciation | You are easy to understand. |
You do not need long answers to show these skills — you need clear ones with a little extra. See how the scoring works for more detail.
How to extend a short answer
The right length for Part 1 is one or two sentences. Not one word, and not a long speech. The easy way to reach that length is to answer, then add a reason or an example.
A simple pattern that always works:
- Answer the question directly.
- Add a reason — start with "because".
- Add an example or detail — start with "for example" or "these days".
| Question | Too short | Good answer |
|---|---|---|
| Do you like cooking? | Yes. | Yes, I really enjoy it, because it helps me relax after work. For example, I often cook a big meal on Sundays. |
| Where is your hometown? | Osaka. | I'm from Osaka, a busy city in the west of Japan. It's famous for its food, so I grew up eating really well. |
| Do you prefer tea or coffee? | Coffee. | I prefer coffee, mainly because I need it to wake up in the morning. Tea feels a bit too weak for me. |
Common Part 1 mistakes
Most Part 1 problems are small habits that are easy to fix. Watch out for these:
- One-word answers. "Yes" or "No" gives the examiner nothing to score. Always add a reason.
- Memorised speeches. Learning answers by heart sounds robotic, and examiners notice it. Speak naturally instead.
- Repeating the same words. If you say "I like" every time, try "I'm keen on", "I really enjoy", or "I'm into".
- Using only the present tense. Many topics let you mix tenses — say what you used to do, or what you will do next weekend.
- Going silent to think. A short filler like "That's a good question" buys you a moment without an awkward pause.
Once you feel comfortable here, the next challenge is the long turn. When you are ready, move on to IELTS Speaking Part 2, where you speak alone for two minutes.
The best way to build the habit is to answer many questions out loud and hear where you slip. Aflo asks you real Part 1 questions, times you, and shows exactly where your answers are too short or repeat words.
Frequently asked questions
How long is IELTS Speaking Part 1?
About four to five minutes. The examiner first checks your identity, then asks questions on familiar everyday topics.
What topics come up in Part 1?
Familiar, everyday subjects such as your home, hometown, work or studies, free time, hobbies, food, the weather, and your daily routine.
How long should my Part 1 answers be?
One or two sentences. Answer the question, then add a reason or an example. Avoid one-word answers and avoid very long speeches.
Is Part 1 scored, or is it just a warm-up?
It is both. It warms you up, but it is scored on the same four criteria as the rest of the test: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.