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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Getting lost: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicGetting lost

  • 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: Have you ever lost your way?

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. ExampleI was visiting Casablanca's old medina with my cousin, and I went the wrong way near busy gate. WhyI felt a bit silly because my phone battery was low, but I eventually found my bearings beside a nice little bookshop.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. found my bearings This natural phrase shows strong vocabulary for becoming oriented.
  2. I was visiting Casablanca's old medina with my cousin, and I The subject I is repeated, which sounds natural but less varied.
  3. a nice little bookshop Nice is vague here; small independent would be more precise.
  4. near busy gate A missing article: near a busy gate is correct.
  5. went the wrong way A plain choice; took a wrong turn would be more precise.

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

Take it further: Tell me about a time you got lost somewhere unfamiliar. What happened?

Question 2: How do you find your way when you are lost?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI usually check a map app first, then ask someone nearby if I still can't work it out. WhyI mean, I prefer a shopkeeper because they know the streets well. ExampleLast month, I asked for directions outside tram stop and reached my class in ten minutes.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. asked for directions This is a natural everyday collocation for requesting help.
  2. I mean, I prefer a shopkeeper I mean is a natural spoken filler and shows hesitation.
  3. outside tram stop A common spoken slip; outside a tram stop is correct.

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

Question 3: How did you feel the last time you got lost?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI felt quite anxious, Whybecause I was late and my phone had nearly died. ExampleI was walking back from a study group when I missed my usual turning, and I just wandered around for about fifteen minutes. How can I say it, I wasn't calm at all.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. wandered around This precise phrasal verb describes walking without direction.
  2. How can I say it This filler makes the answer sound spontaneous rather than rehearsed.
  3. I just wandered around for about fifteen minutes. How can I The subject I is repeated, a small natural limit in spoken English.

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

Question 4: Have you ever helped someone who got lost?

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

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

AnswerYes, once. ExampleA tourist was looking for the train station, and I walked with her for a few minutes and showed her the entrance. WhyIt was on my way to library, and I gave her a helping hand before I carried on.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. gave her a helping hand This natural idiom shows precise vocabulary for offering help.
  2. and I walked with her for a few minutes and The simple linker and is repeated, with limited variety.
  3. on my way to library A common spoken slip; on my way to the library is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

find your bearings

/faɪnd jə ˈbeərɪŋz/

understand where you are and which way to go

After walking for ten minutes, I finally found my bearings.

ask for directions

/ɑːsk fə dɪˈrekʃənz/

request help finding a place

I asked for directions to the nearest bus station.

wander around

/ˈwɒndə əˈraʊnd/

walk without a clear direction

We wandered around the town before finding the museum.

give someone a helping hand

/ɡɪv ˈsʌmwən ə ˈhelpɪŋ hænd/

help someone with a problem

My neighbour gave me a helping hand with my heavy boxes.

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 lost your way?

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