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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Cars: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicCars

  • 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 September 2026

Question 1: Do you own a car?

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

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

AnswerNo, I don't own a car at the moment. WhyI live in a flat in South Jakarta, and parking there is a real hassle, so I usually use my motorbike for local journeys. ExampleLast month, I borrowed my uncle's car for day trip to Bandung.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a real hassle This natural collocation gives a clear personal reason.
  2. for day trip to Bandung A common spoken slip: for a day trip to Bandung is correct.
  3. and parking there is a real hassle, so Two simple linkers make the spoken answer slightly less varied.

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

Question 2: How often do you travel by car?

How often, how muchGive a real number, then a reason.

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

AnswerUsually twice a month. WhyI travel by car when my parents need me to visit them in Bien Hoa, because the bus takes too long to get there with gifts. ExampleIn April, my sister's family car took us there for her birthday, and we stayed overnight.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. stayed overnight This everyday phrase adds a specific personal detail.
  2. with gifts Gifts is general, and fruit and clothes would be more precise.
  3. get there with gifts There is repeated wording, which is common in natural speech.

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

Question 3: Do you think it is necessary to learn how to drive?

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 think it's necessary, especially if you live outside a big city. WhyI mean, my office is in central Jakarta, but my family home is in rural area, so driving would give me more freedom there. ExampleI started lessons last summer, and the instructor set me some practical exercises.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. give me more freedom This natural collocation explains a practical personal benefit.
  2. outside a big city Big is general, and a major city would be more precise.
  3. I mean, my office is in This filler sounds natural and gives the answer a less rehearsed feel.
  4. in rural area A missing article: in a rural area is correct.

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

Question 4: Are there a lot of traffic jams in your city?

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

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

AnswerYes, definitely. WhyJakarta has lots of traffic jams, particularly on Jalan Sudirman at about six in the evening, because there's several busy roads joining near a flyover. ExampleLast Friday, I got held up there for forty minutes, so my journey home took nearly an hour and a half.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. got held up there for forty minutes This phrasal verb describes a real travel delay naturally.
  2. lots of traffic jams Lots of is general, and frequent traffic jams would be more precise.
  3. there's several busy roads A common spoken slip: There are several busy roads is correct.

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

Question 5: What kind of car would you like to have in the future?

Plans and wishesUse would, I'd like to or I'm planning to.

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

AnswerI'd like a small electric car in the future, Whymainly because it'd be cheaper to run than a petrol one. ExampleI sometimes imagine taking it to Da Lat with my partner, but, how can I say, I don't need anything fancy. A quiet, comfortable car would be good for weekend trips.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. cheaper to run This useful comparison gives a clear practical reason.
  2. but, how can I say, I don't need anything fancy This filler sounds natural but makes the answer slightly less direct.
  3. anything fancy Fancy is vague, and luxury features would be more precise.

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

Phrases to borrow

be a real hassle

/biː ə rɪəl ˈhæsəl/

be very inconvenient or annoying

Finding a parking space can be a real hassle.

stay overnight

/steɪ ˌəʊvəˈnaɪt/

sleep somewhere for one night

We stayed overnight near the beach.

give someone more freedom

/ɡɪv ˌsʌmwən mɔː ˈfriːdəm/

allow someone to act more independently

A flexible schedule gives her more freedom.

get held up

/ɡet held ˈʌp/

be delayed while travelling

I got held up by roadworks yesterday.

be cheap to run

/biː tʃiːp tə rʌn/

cost little to use regularly

This scooter is cheap to run in the city.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

What kind of car would you like to have in the future?

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