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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Boredom: Part 1 questions and answers

Real Part 1 questions about boredom, as candidates reported them. Play each one, answer it out loud, then open a short Band 7 reply to compare.

Today's topicBoredom

  • 4–5 minthe whole part
  • ~12questions
  • ~20 seach answer

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop. The examiner moves on fast, so short and real wins.

Reported in June 2026

Question 1: Do you often feel bored?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerNot very often, I suppose. WhyI work in an office at Amman, so my weekdays are fairly full. I sometimes zone out during a long meeting. ExampleLast Tuesday, I was looking at same spreadsheet for ten minutes, and it was a bit embarrassing.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. zone out during a long meeting This natural phrasal verb shows precise spoken vocabulary.
  2. weekdays are fairly full Full is general here, while busy with deadlines would be more precise.
  3. Not very often, I suppose I suppose is a small spoken filler that makes the answer less polished.
  4. looking at same spreadsheet A missing article: looking at the same spreadsheet is correct.
  5. I was looking at A plain choice; I caught myself staring at would be more precise.
  6. at Amman A preposition slip: in Amman is correct.

About 17 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 2: What kinds of things make you feel bored?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerProbably repetitive things, especially tasks that drag on without a clear purpose. WhyFiling the same documents can make me lose focus, and I usually start checking the clock after about twenty minute. ExampleFor example, I once spent a morning sorting old forms, and it felt endless.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. drag on without a clear purpose This collocation describes a task that continues unnecessarily.
  2. repetitive things Things is vague here, while repetitive tasks would be more precise.
  3. about twenty minute A common spoken slip. The correct form is about twenty minutes.

About 18 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 3: How do you deal with boredom?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerWell, I usually deal with boredom by switching off for a few minutes. WhyAt work, I make tea and look out of the window, then I return to the task and finish the task. ExampleIf I’m at home, I might walk around the neighbourhood before starting anything else.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. switching off for a few minutes This phrase gives a natural, everyday way to manage boredom.
  2. Well, I usually deal Well is a small filler that sounds natural but is not fully polished.
  3. return to the task and finish the task Repeating task shows a small vocabulary limit.

About 19 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 4: Do you think childhood or adulthood is more boring?

About the pastUse the past: I used to, I remember…

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerAdulthood, probably. WhyChildhood felt more varied, with more breaks between lessons, and my schoolwork changed often. ExampleFor example, last Thursday I spent the afternoon updating figures, and I honestly envied my younger self’s free time. That routine can become same old, same old by Thursday.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. same old, same old This idiom naturally describes a repetitive adult routine.
  2. more varied, with more breaks The repeated word more is a small vocabulary limit.
  3. and my schoolwork changed often The simple linker and is used repeatedly to join ideas.

About 18 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Phrases to borrow

zone out

/ˌzəʊn ˈaʊt/

stop paying attention for a short time

I sometimes zone out when a lecture becomes repetitive.

drag on

/ˌdræɡ ˈɒn/

continue for longer than wanted

The journey seemed to drag on after lunch.

switch off

/ˌswɪtʃ ˈɒf/

relax and stop thinking about work

I switch off by reading before bed.

same old, same old

/ˌseɪm ˈəʊld seɪm ˈəʊld/

repeatedly familiar and uninteresting

Every weekday felt like the same old, same old.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

Phrases from the answers above. Pick the one that belongs in the gap.

Your turn: answer the examiner

Do you often feel bored?

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop: about 20 seconds. Nothing is uploaded.

Want a band score?Sign in free, answer the examiner's Part 1 questions out loud and get one thing to fix.

Practise Part 1

More Part 1 topics

Each question with a short Band 7 reply.

How the IELTS Speaking test works