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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Emails: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicEmails

  • 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 send emails often?

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. WhyI usually send them before lunch because my manager needs to know things and I need to keep in touch with a few clients. ExampleLast Tuesday, I sent five emails for delivery times and meeting notes.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. keep in touch with a few clients This is a natural collocation for maintaining contact.
  2. emails for delivery times A preposition slip: emails about delivery times is correct.
  3. needs to know things A plain choice; needs updates would be more precise.

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

Question 2: Is sending emails common 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

AnswerYes, it's fairly common in Ethiopia, especially in offices. WhyIt can come in handy for saving things, and offices use it for formal messages. ExampleMy aunt works at a university, and she sends notices to students every morning.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. come in handy This useful phrase shows natural Band 7 vocabulary.
  2. for saving things Things is vague here. Messages would be more precise.

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

Question 3: Do you prefer texting or sending emails?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer texting, I mean, for small questions. WhyIt's quicker, and I can get back to someone while I'm commuting. I still use email for formal work, and I need it when I attach document. ExampleYesterday, I answered a colleague's question on the bus.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. get back to someone This is a natural phrase for replying later.
  2. I mean This small filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.
  3. attach document A common spoken slip: attach a document is correct.

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

Question 4: On your birthday, would you prefer a card or an email?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI'd prefer a card. WhyA handwritten message would mean a lot to me, mainly because it feels personal. ExampleMy sister gave me one last year, and I kept it beside my desk for several month.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. mean a lot to me This natural phrase expresses strong personal importance.
  2. several month A common spoken slip: several months is correct.

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

Question 5: Do you still write letters or cards by hand?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerYes, occasionally. WhyI still write cards by hand when I want to mark a special occasion, because typing doesn't have the same nice feeling. ExampleIn December, I wrote two cards for my neighbour, and my handwriting was looking rather messy.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. mark a special occasion This is a natural phrase for celebrating an important event.
  2. the same nice feeling Nice is vague. Personal or warm would be more precise.
  3. was looking rather messy A small tense slip: my handwriting looked rather messy is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

keep in touch with someone

/kiːp ɪn ˈtʌtʃ wɪð ˈsʌmwʌn/

maintain communication with someone

I keep in touch with my cousins online.

come in handy

/kʌm ɪn ˈhændi/

be useful in a particular situation

A small umbrella can come in handy.

get back to someone

/ɡet ˈbæk tə ˈsʌmwʌn/

reply to someone later

I'll get back to you after lunch.

mean a lot to someone

/miːn ə ˈlɒt tə ˈsʌmwʌn/

be very important emotionally

That photograph means a lot to me.

mark a special occasion

/mɑːk ə ˈspeʃəl əˈkeɪʒən/

celebrate an important event

We had dinner to mark a special occasion.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Do you still write letters or cards by hand?

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