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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Dream job: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicDream job

  • 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 June 2026

Question 1: What was your dream job 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

AnswerWhen I was young, I wanted to be an architect, Whymainly because I was drawn to big buildings and that kind of stuff. ExampleI spent Saturday mornings sketching houses in notebook, although they weren't very realistic.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. drawn to A natural phrase for being interested in something.
  2. that kind of stuff Stuff is vague; design would be more precise.
  3. in notebook A missing article: in a notebook is correct.

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

Take it further: Compare what you dreamed of becoming as a child with what you want now. How have things changed?

Question 2: Have you changed your mind about your dream job?

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. I used to picture myself designing houses, but now I'm more interested in project management Whybecause it seems to fit in with my organised side. ExampleI mean, since I started my office job in last year, I prefer coordinating people and deadlines to dealing with things alone.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. fit in with my organised side This is a natural collocation with a clear personal reason.
  2. I mean This filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.
  3. dealing with things alone Things is vague here; tasks would be more precise.
  4. in last year A small slip: last year takes no in.

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

Question 3: Why did you want to do that job?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI wanted that job Whybecause I liked the creative stuff involved in turning empty rooms to useful spaces. ExampleMy aunt worked in construction, so I sometimes visited building sites with her, and that made the career feel within reach. I was fascinated by floor plans, even though I understood very little about them.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. creative stuff involved Stuff is a slightly vague everyday word; creative work is more precise.
  2. so I sometimes visited building sites with her, and The simple linkers so and and connect ideas clearly but simply.
  3. feel within reach This less common phrase shows natural, flexible vocabulary.
  4. turning empty rooms to useful spaces A preposition slip: turning empty rooms into useful spaces is correct.

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

Question 4: What do you plan to do 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

AnswerIn the future, I plan to move into project management, Whymainly because I enjoy keeping a team on track. ExampleBefore that, I want to build up some experience in my current office, and perhaps take a short course next year. I haven't chosen specific course yet.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. move into project management This gives a specific and natural plan for the future.
  2. specific course yet A common spoken slip: a specific course is correct.
  3. a short course next year. I haven't chosen specific course yet Course is repeated, which is a small natural limitation in speech.

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

Question 5: Have you ever had a full-time or part-time job?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerYes, I have. ExampleI worked part-time at a small stationery shop during university, and now I'm a full-time marketing assistant. WhyThe shop was good for learning how to talk to people, although I made a few mistakes with the till on my first month.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. good for learning Good is slightly vague here; useful for learning is more precise.
  2. stationery shop during university, and now I'm a full-time marketing assistant. The shop Shop is repeated, a small limitation that sounds natural in speech.
  3. on my first month A preposition slip: in my first month is correct.
  4. talk to people People is general; customers would be more precise.

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

Phrases to borrow

be drawn to something

/biː ˈdrɔːn tə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

feel naturally interested in something

I was drawn to the quiet confidence of the speaker.

fit in with something

/fɪt ɪn wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

match or suit something

The flexible hours fit in with my evening classes.

be within reach

/biː wɪˈðɪn riːtʃ/

be possible to achieve or obtain

Owning a small flat now feels within reach.

build up something

/bɪld ʌp ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

develop something gradually

I need to build up my confidence before presenting.

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 had a full-time or part-time job?

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 69 topics+59

How the IELTS Speaking test works