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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Colours: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicColours

  • 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: What is your favourite colour?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerMy favourite colour is navy blue Whybecause it goes with almost everything I wear. Well, I still buy nice clothes when I find them, especially for office days. ExampleLast month, I picked a shirt for a presentation.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. goes with almost everything I wear This natural phrase gives a clear personal reason.
  2. Well, I still buy nice clothes Well is a natural opening, and nice is less precise than smart or well-cut.

About 15 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Take it further: What colours do you like to wear, and are there any colours you avoid?

Question 2: Has your favourite colour changed over time?

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

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

AnswerProbably yes. WhyWhen I was a teenager, I loved bright red, but I gradually grew out of it because it felt too noticeable, so I started choosing muted blue. ExampleI bought blue jacket last winter, and the colour still suits me.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. grew out of it This phrasal verb describes a natural change in personal taste.
  2. muted blue This precise colour phrase shows flexible everyday vocabulary.
  3. I bought blue jacket A common spoken slip: I bought a blue jacket is correct.

About 16 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 3: Do you prefer bright colours or dark colours?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer bright colours Whybecause they stand out in a crowded room, and they make my work clothes feel less dull. ExampleI normally wear a bright scarf in Fridays, although sometimes the colour is a bit too strong. Yellow is, let me think, probably my favourite for that.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. stand out in a crowded room This precise phrase explains why bright colours appeal to me.
  2. bright scarf in Fridays Bright is repeated from the first sentence, which sounds slightly less polished.
  3. let me think, probably my favourite This filler sounds natural when choosing a detail aloud.
  4. scarf in Fridays A preposition slip: on Fridays is correct.

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

Question 4: Are there any colours you would never wear?

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

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

AnswerProbably fluorescent green, Whybecause I find it too much for my usual wardrobe. I steer clear of fluorescent green tops, since they make me look washed out. ExampleActually, I saw one in a shop last July, but I left it at the rail.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. steer clear of fluorescent green tops This everyday phrase clearly means avoid.
  2. fluorescent green tops Fluorescent green repeats the answer's colour choice, a small limit.
  3. left it at the rail A common spoken slip: left it on the rail is correct.
  4. too much for my usual wardrobe A plain choice; too loud would be more precise.

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

Question 5: Have you ever bought something mainly because of its colour?

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. WhyI bought a coral notebook mainly because the colour caught my eye while I was waiting in a stationery shop. ExampleI hadn't planned to buy anything, but the cover looked cheerful, so I paid for it after about five minute.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. caught my eye This natural idiom explains how the colour attracted my attention.
  2. but the cover looked cheerful, so I paid Two simple linkers make the answer sound direct and spoken.
  3. after about five minute A common spoken slip: after about five minutes is correct.

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

Question 6: Do you think colours can influence your mood?

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. Colours can lift my mood when I wake up feeling flat, Whymainly because they change the atmosphere in my room and make the walls seem warmer and calmer. ExampleFor example, I put pale orange cushion near my desk last month, and it made the space feel nicer.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. lift my mood This useful everyday phrase means become happier.
  2. in my room and make the walls The repeated and links ideas simply in natural speech.
  3. feel nicer Nicer is general; brighter or more cheerful would be more precise.
  4. put pale orange cushion A missing article: put a pale orange cushion is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

go with something

/ɡəʊ wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

match or suit something

This jacket goes with my work shoes.

grow out of something

/ɡrəʊ aʊt əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

stop liking something as you get older

I grew out of wearing very bright trainers.

stand out

/stænd aʊt/

be easy to notice

Her yellow umbrella stood out in the crowd.

steer clear of something

/stɪə klɪər əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

avoid something

I steer clear of heavy coats in warm weather.

catch someone's eye

/kætʃ ˈsʌmwʌnz aɪ/

attract someone's attention

A small painting caught my eye in the gallery.

lift someone's mood

/lɪft ˈsʌmwʌnz muːd/

make someone feel happier

A short walk usually lifts my mood.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Have you ever bought something mainly because of its colour?

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