heytardy
Log inGet started

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Headphones: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicHeadphones

  • 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 use headphones?

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

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

AnswerI use headphones almost every day, usually while I’m travelling to university. WhyThey’re part of my routine because quiet music helps me concentrate, and I use them for reading and stuff too. ExampleI mean, I wear them in the bus for about twenty minutes every morning.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. part of my routine This natural collocation shows strong everyday vocabulary.
  2. I use them for reading The word use is repeated, which sounds natural but less polished.
  3. I mean, I wear them A filler that makes the answer sound unplanned.
  4. in the bus A preposition slip: on the bus is correct.
  5. reading and stuff Stuff is vague; studying would be more precise.

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

Question 2: What type of headphones do you use?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI use wireless over-ear headphones, mainly because they’re comfortable during long study sessions. WhyThe noise cancellation is pretty good in the library, although I still hear people talking and things. ExampleFor example, I use them in the reading room after afternoon seminar.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. noise cancellation This precise technical collocation fits the topic well.
  2. I use them in the reading room The word use is repeated in the answer.
  3. after afternoon seminar A small article slip: after an afternoon seminar is correct.
  4. is pretty good Pretty good is general; blocks most noise would be more precise.
  5. people talking and things Things is vague; other noises would be more precise.

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

Take it further: Tell me about the headphones or earbuds you use. When do you wear them during the day?

Question 3: Have you ever lost or broken a pair of headphones?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerYes, I’ve lost one pair and damaged another pair. ExampleI left the first ones on table in a café after studying, and when I went back they were gone. ExampleThe other pair stopped working after a walk in the rain, which really caught me off guard because I thought they were waterproof.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. caught me off guard A natural idiom for being surprised by something you didn't expect.
  2. one pair and damaged another pair Repeating pair is understandable but slightly less precise.
  3. on table in a café A missing article: on a table in a café is correct.

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

Question 4: When would you not use headphones?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI wouldn’t use headphones during a conversation, especially if someone needed my attention. WhyI mean, it feels rude to tune out someone who’s talking to me, and I could miss an important question. ExampleFor instance, I take them off when classmate asks me something.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. tune out someone This useful phrasal verb explains the social problem clearly.
  2. I mean, it feels rude This filler makes the answer sound like natural spoken English.
  3. when classmate asks A missing article: when a classmate asks is correct.

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

Question 5: Do you use headphones in public places?

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

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

AnswerWell, yes, I use them in public places, mainly when I’m travelling alone. WhyThey help me switch off from a lot of noise, so I can listen to a podcast while walking. ExampleLast month, I wore them while waiting a train at the main station.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. help me switch off This natural phrasal verb shows precise language about relaxing.
  2. a lot of noise A slightly vague phrase could be replaced by background noise.
  3. waiting a train A preposition slip: waiting for a train is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

be part of someone's routine

/biː ˈpɑːt əv ˈsʌmwʌnz ruːˈtiːn/

be a regular part of someone's daily life

Checking my calendar is part of my morning routine.

noise cancellation

/ˈnɔɪz ˌkænsəˈleɪʃən/

technology that reduces surrounding sounds

The noise cancellation works well on busy trains.

catch someone off guard

/ˌkætʃ ˌsʌmwʌn ɒf ˈɡɑːd/

be surprised and unprepared

The sudden question really caught me off guard.

tune someone out

/tjuːn ˈsʌmwʌn aʊt/

stop paying attention to someone

I sometimes tune out the television when I read.

help someone switch off

/help ˈsʌmwʌn swɪtʃ ɒf/

help someone relax mentally

A short walk helps me switch off after work.

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 use headphones in public places?

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