heytardy
Log inGet started

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Borrowing and lending: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicBorrowing and lending

  • 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 March 2026

Question 1: Do you often borrow things from other people?

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

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

AnswerUsually, yes. WhyI’m a university student, so I often borrow things from classmates because I can get by with them instead of buying something for one assignment, and I return them after class and check the condition. ExampleLast month, I borrowed a calculator from Rafi for a statistics test.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. get by with This natural phrase shows you can manage with something available.
  2. borrow things from classmates Things is a general word; calculators or books would be more precise.
  3. and I return them after class and check Repeating and is a small spoken limit in linking ideas.

About 20 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 2: Do you feel comfortable lending your things to others?

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

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

AnswerYes, mostly. WhyI’m comfortable lending my belongings when I know the person will look after them, but there’s a few items I use every day that I feel uneasy about lending. ExampleLast winter, I lent my headphones to my flatmate for a long bus journey, and they came back with one side loose.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. look after This useful phrasal verb clearly means take care of something.
  2. there’s a few items A common spoken slip: There are a few items is correct.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 3: Have you ever borrowed something and forgotten to return it?

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

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

AnswerYes, I have, unfortunately. WhyDuring my first year in university, a book I borrowed from a classmate had completely slipped my mind because I was moving between lectures and part-time work. ExampleI remembered three weeks later, I mean, I remembered it when she messaged me, and I returned it the next morning.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. slipped my mind This natural idiom shows that you forgot something unintentionally.
  2. I remembered three weeks later, I mean, I remembered it The restart and repeated words sound like a natural spoken correction.
  3. first year in university A preposition slip: at university is correct.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 4: Would you borrow money from a friend?

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

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

AnswerProbably not. WhyMy own savings, I’d rather manage with, because borrowing money can make a friendship feel awkward, even when the amount is small. ExampleLast year, I was short of cash for medical appointment, so I used my emergency fund instead of asking my closest friend.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. short of cash This everyday collocation expresses needing money at that moment.
  2. My own savings, I’d rather manage with The slightly unusual word order is understandable but not fully polished.
  3. when the amount is small Amount is general; a precise sum would give clearer detail.
  4. short of cash for medical appointment A missing article: for a medical appointment is correct.

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

Take it further: How do you feel about lending money to friends or family?

Question 5: How do you feel if someone doesn't return something they borrowed from you?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerIt makes me frustrated, especially if they don't explain why, Whybecause I need the item for something specific. ExampleLast month, I lent my portable charger to a group member before presentation, and he kept it for nearly a week, so I had to chase him up.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. chase him up This phrasal verb means reminding someone to return or do something.
  2. something specific This is vague; saying a portable charger would be more precise.
  3. a group member before presentation A missing article: before a presentation is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

get by with something

/ɡet baɪ wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

manage using something available

We can get by with one computer for now.

look after someone/something

/lʊk ˈɑːftə ˌsʌmwʌn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

take care of someone or something

Could you look after my bag for a minute?

slip someone's mind

/slɪp ˌsʌmwʌnz maɪnd/

be forgotten

The appointment slipped my mind completely.

short of cash

/ʃɔːt əv kæʃ/

having less money than needed

I was short of cash after paying my rent.

chase someone up

/tʃeɪs ˌsʌmwʌn ˈʌp/

remind someone to do something

I had to chase her up about the paperwork.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

How do you feel if someone doesn't return something they borrowed from you?

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