IELTS Speaking Part 1

Household chores: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicHousehold chores

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: Do you like to keep your home clean and tidy?

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 after work. WhyA clean room helps me switch off, although I’m not very patient with staying on top of dusting. ExampleI usually spend about twenty minutes in Sunday, then the flat feels good again.

Why it's a Band 7

staying on top of dusting This useful phrase shows natural vocabulary for managing a task.
feels good again Good is vague here; tidy or pleasant would be more precise.
in Sunday A common spoken slip: on Sunday is correct.

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

Take it further: How tidy or messy is your living space, and does it actually bother you?

Question 2: Who does most of the housework where you live?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerMy partner does most of the housework where we live, Whymainly because I get home later from the office. I mean, I still help with taking out the rubbish and stuff, and I wash dishes while she cooks. ExampleLast Thursday, I came home early and cleaned the kitchen for a change.

Why it's a Band 7

taking out the rubbish This is a natural household collocation and shows precise vocabulary.
I mean, I still help This small filler makes the answer sound spontaneous.
the rubbish and stuff A plain choice; the rubbish and the recycling would be more precise.

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

Question 3: How do you keep things tidy?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI keep things tidy by giving each item a fixed place. WhyI mean, I put clothes straight into the wardrobe and put away papers after I use it, so the surfaces stay clear. ExampleMy desk is the first place I sort when I arrive home.

Why it's a Band 7

put away papers This phrasal verb gives a natural, useful household expression.
I mean, I put clothes This filler makes the spoken answer less rehearsed.
after I use it A small grammar slip: after I use them is correct.

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

Question 4: When you were a child, did you help your parents with household chores?

About the pastUse the past: I used to, I remember…

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

AnswerYes, I did, although I wasn’t keen on it at first. WhyMy parents asked me to pitch in with washing plates and sweeping the yard, so I usually helped before school and helped again after dinner. ExampleWhen I was about ten years, I broke a glass and had to admit it.

Why it's a Band 7

pitch in with washing plates Pitch in is a natural way to say help with a shared job.
helped before school and helped again Repeating helped is a small natural fluency limit.
so I usually helped So is a simple linker connecting the reason and result.
When I was about ten years A small slip: about ten years old, or just about ten, is correct.

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

Question 5: Which household chores do you do most often?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI do the dishes most often, because my partner usually cooks in the evening. WhyHow can I say, I also wipe down the kitchen counter, and I sometimes sweep the sitting room when a lot of crumbs build up. ExampleOn weekdays, I wash up straight after dinner before I answer to any messages.

Why it's a Band 7

wipe down the kitchen counter This precise phrasal verb describes cleaning a surface.
How can I say, I also This filler sounds like a real speaker searching briefly for words.
a lot of crumbs A lot of is general; a pile of crumbs would be more vivid.
answer to any messages An extra word: answer any messages is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

stay on top of something

/ˌsteɪ ɒn ˈtɒp əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

keep something under control by dealing with it regularly

I use a calendar to stay on top of my appointments.

take out something

/teɪk aʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

remove rubbish from a home

I take out the rubbish before leaving for work.

put away something

/pʊt əˈweɪ ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

return something to its usual place

Please put away your books after studying.

pitch in

/ˌpɪtʃ ˈɪn/

help with a task or activity

Everyone pitched in to prepare the room.

wipe down something

/waɪp daʊn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

clean a surface with a cloth

I wipe down the table after breakfast.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Which household chores do you do most often?

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

Question 1: Do you like to keep your home clean and tidy?

Question 2: Who does most of the housework where you live?

Question 3: How do you keep things tidy?

Question 4: When you were a child, did you help your parents with household chores?

Question 5: Which household chores do you do most often?

Which phrase fits?

More Part 1 topics