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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Friends: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicFriends

  • 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: How often do you meet your friends?

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

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

AnswerProbably twice a month, mostly after work. WhyWe usually catch up with each other at a nice coffee shop near my office, because it's easy to get to. ExampleFor example, I sometimes join a small gathering in Ciudad Vieja on Saturdays.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a nice coffee shop Nice is vague; quiet or nearby would be more precise.
  2. small gathering in Ciudad Vieja This gives a clear, personal place and detail.
  3. catch up with each other Catch up alone is more natural here; with each other adds nothing.

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

Question 2: What do you like to do when you're with friends?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI like to hang out with them in quiet café, especially when I've had a demanding week at the office. ExampleWe normally play cards or do simple things near the harbour, and I don't check my phone much.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. in quiet café A common spoken slip: in a quiet café is correct.
  2. do simple things Simple things is vague; walking around would be more precise.
  3. a demanding week at the office This gives a natural reason with precise personal context.

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

Take it further: What are your favourite ways to spend time with friends? Rank your top few.

Question 3: What do you usually talk about with your friends?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerWe usually talk about work and whatever is happening at home because it's easy to relate with. ExampleI mean, last month I opened up about feeling exhausted after a hard project, and one friend suggested I take a proper day off.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. whatever is happening at home Whatever is vague; current plans would be more precise.
  2. I mean, last month This natural filler makes the answer sound less rehearsed.
  3. feeling exhausted after a hard project This shows precise vocabulary and a personal example.
  4. a hard project A plain choice; a demanding project would be more precise.
  5. relate with A preposition slip: relate to is correct.

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

Question 4: Is it difficult for you when you don't see your friends for a long time?

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

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

AnswerYes, a little. WhyHonestly, I can feel out of touch with what's happening in their lives if work has been hectic, and I start missing the normal stuff. ExampleFor example, after one busy month, I sent a message to arrange dinner.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. feel out of touch with A natural phrase for not knowing what is new in someone's life.
  2. Honestly, I can feel A spoken opener that makes the answer sound unplanned.
  3. sent a message to arrange dinner A clear, real example of what the speaker did about it.
  4. missing the normal stuff A plain choice; missing our ordinary chats would be more precise.

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

Question 5: Have your conversations with friends changed since you were small?

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

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

AnswerYes, quite a lot. WhyWhen I was small, my friends and I kept in touch mainly by meeting after school or at weekend, but now we send voice messages because everyone's timetable is different. ExampleFor example, last Tuesday, I sent one during my lunch break.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. last Tuesday, I sent one This gives a specific personal example and clear contrast.
  2. at weekend A small slip: at weekends is correct.

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

Question 6: Do you like to share your stories with your friends?

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, especially if the story is slightly embarrassing. WhyI mean, sharing it makes the conversation nicer, and my friends often bring up similar experiences from their own lives. ExampleLast week, I told to them about getting lost on a bus route after an evening class.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. I mean, sharing it makes This filler and restart sound natural in spoken English.
  2. the story is slightly embarrassing Story is repeated, which is a common Band 7 limit.
  3. getting lost on a bus route This is a vivid, specific personal example.
  4. the conversation nicer A plain choice; more relaxed would be more precise.
  5. told to them An extra word: told them is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

catch up with someone

/ˌkætʃ ˈʌp wɪð ˌsʌmwʌn/

talk to someone after not seeing them

I caught up with my cousin over lunch.

hang out with someone

/ˌhæŋ ˈaʊt wɪð ˌsʌmwʌn/

spend relaxed time with someone

We usually hang out with neighbours at weekends.

open up about something

/ˌəʊpən ˈʌp əˌbaʊt ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

talk honestly about personal feelings

She opened up about her worries after class.

feel out of touch with someone or something

/ˌfiːl aʊt əv ˈtʌtʃ wɪð ˌsʌmwʌn ɔː ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

feel less connected to someone or something

I feel out of touch with my old classmates.

keep in touch with someone

/ˌkiːp ɪn ˈtʌtʃ wɪð ˌsʌmwʌn/

continue communicating with someone

We still keep in touch with our university friends.

bring up something

/ˌbrɪŋ ˈʌp ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

mention a subject in conversation

He brought up the travel plans during dinner.

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 your conversations with friends changed since you were small?

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