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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Clothes: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicClothes

  • 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 August 2026

Question 1: What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI like to wear fairly simple clothes, especially soft jumpers and loose trousers. I usually go for muted colours Whybecause they feel nice. ExampleLast winter, I bought a green jumper and another jumper for cold mornings.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. muted colours This is a precise clothing description and shows good vocabulary.
  2. feel nice Nice is vague; comfortable would be more precise.
  3. another jumper Repeating jumper is a small spoken Band 7 limit.

About 14 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 2: Do you prefer comfortable, casual clothes or smart clothes?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer comfortable, casual clothes, Whymainly because I walk a lot and take tram to work. I mean, I do dress up for important meetings, but I don't really enjoy it. ExampleLast July, I wore a jacket on a crowded tram, and it felt really uncomfortable.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. dress up for important meetings Dress up is the natural phrasal verb for wearing smart clothes.
  2. I mean, I do dress up I mean is a spoken filler, so the answer sounds less polished.
  3. felt really uncomfortable Really is used twice; quite or very would add variety.
  4. take tram to work A missing article: take the tram to work is correct.

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

Question 3: How much time do you spend choosing clothes every day?

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

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

AnswerI spend about two minutes choosing clothes every day, usually before the breakfast. I mean, I just throw on whatever's clean Whybecause I'm often rushing, so I don't think much about it. ExampleOn Monday, I had to change my things after noticing coffee on my sleeve.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. throw on whatever's clean This phrasal verb is natural and shows fluent everyday English.
  2. because I'm often rushing, so I don't think much Using two simple linkers is a Band 7 limit.
  3. choosing clothes every day The repeated word clothes is a small spoken repetition.
  4. before the breakfast An extra word: before breakfast is correct.
  5. change my things A plain choice; change my shirt would be more precise.

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

Take it further: How do you usually decide what to wear in the morning?

Question 4: Did you choose your own clothes when you were young?

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

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

AnswerYes, I chose my own clothes from about the age ten. My mum still checked what I was wearing Whybecause she wanted me to look tidy. ExampleBy twelve, I'd grown out of my favourite coat, and in one school photo the sleeves look much too short.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. grown out of my favourite coat This is a natural phrasal verb used accurately.
  2. from about the age ten A common spoken slip; from about the age of ten is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

go for something

/ɡəʊ fə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

choose something from several options

I usually go for something practical when I travel.

dress up

/dres ʌp/

wear smarter clothes than usual

We dressed up for my sister's graduation.

throw on something

/θrəʊ ɒn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

put on clothes quickly

I threw on something warm before leaving.

grow out of something

/ɡrəʊ aʊt əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

become too big for something

I've grown out of my old winter coat.

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 clothes do you like to wear?

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