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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Cycling: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicCycling

  • 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 July 2026

Question 1: Do you own a bicycle?

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 do. I mean, I keep a fairly basic bicycle in the building’s storage room. WhyI use it for short trips around neighbourhood because it’s handy for picking up groceries. ExampleThe basket is a bit loose.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. I mean This filler makes the answer sound spontaneous.
  2. around neighbourhood A small article slip: around the neighbourhood is correct.
  3. handy for picking up groceries This natural phrase shows precise everyday vocabulary.

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

Question 2: Did you ride a bike when you were little?

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

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

AnswerYes, I did. WhyI mean, my cousin lent me a small bicycle, so I practised after school, but at first I only practised in weekends. ExampleI remember finally getting the hang of it on a quiet small road near our apartment, then I rode too fast and fell onto the grass.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. in weekends A common preposition slip: at weekends is correct.
  2. practised after school, but at first I only practised The same word is repeated, which sounds less polished.
  3. getting the hang of it This idiomatic phrase shows natural spoken English.
  4. a quiet small road A plain choice; a quiet lane would be more precise.

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

Take it further: Tell me about learning to do something tricky for the first time as a kid — riding a bike, swimming, tying your laces. How did it go?

Question 3: Do you often ride a bike now?

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. WhyI mostly ride on Sunday mornings because I want to keep in shape without joining a gym. ExampleI ride a nice loop beside river for about forty minutes, then head home before the roads get busy.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a nice loop Nice is a vague word; scenic loop would be more precise.
  2. mostly ride on Sunday mornings The word ride is repeated in the next sentence.
  3. keep in shape This useful collocation explains the purpose clearly.
  4. beside river A missing article: beside the river is correct.

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

Question 4: Is cycling dangerous in your country?

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

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

AnswerSometimes, yes. WhyCycling can be risky because there are a lot of scooters, and drivers don’t always watch out for cyclists. ExampleI felt uneasy last autumn when a scooter cut across my lane near a junction, so now I slow down and check behind of me before crossing.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. watch out for cyclists This phrasal verb gives a natural safety warning.
  2. a lot of scooters A lot of is vague; heavy traffic would be more precise.
  3. a scooter cut across my lane Scooter is repeated; a rider would add variety.
  4. behind of me An extra word: behind me is correct.

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

Question 5: Would you ever take a long cycling trip?

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 would. Let me think, probably only for a weekend. WhyI like the idea of setting off early and stopping in small towns along the way, but it would involve a lot of planning. ExampleLast spring, I cycled during two hours with a colleague, and that made a longer trip feel okay.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. Let me think This filler sounds natural when giving a personal answer.
  2. a lot of planning This is vague; detailed planning would be more precise.
  3. setting off early This natural phrase describes starting a journey.
  4. feel okay A plain choice; feel manageable would be more precise.
  5. cycled during two hours A preposition slip: cycled for two hours is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

be handy for something

/biː ˈhændi fə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

useful or convenient for a particular purpose

This small bag is handy for carrying my lunch.

get the hang of something

/ɡet ðə hæŋ əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

start to understand how to do something

I soon got the hang of using the new software.

keep in shape

/kiːp ɪn ʃeɪp/

stay physically fit

She swims twice a week to keep in shape.

watch out for someone/something

/wɒtʃ aʊt fə ˈsʌmwʌn/

be careful to notice possible danger

Drivers should watch out for children near schools.

set off early

/set ɒf ˈɜːli/

start a journey early in the day

We set off early to avoid the traffic.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Would you ever take a long cycling trip?

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.

See all 59 topics+49

How the IELTS Speaking test works