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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Keeping healthy: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicKeeping healthy

  • 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 March 2026

Question 1: How do you keep healthy?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI keep healthy mainly by walking to work and cooking at home, although I’m not especially strict about it. WhyI fit in a short workout before dinner when I can, and I drink a lot of water. ExampleLast Tuesday, I walked home instead of taking bus.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. fit in a short workout This natural phrase shows how the speaker finds time for exercise.
  2. a lot of water A vague phrase; around two litres would be more precise.
  3. and cooking at home, although I’m not especially strict about it. I fit in The simple linker and is repeated in the answer.
  4. instead of taking bus A missing article: instead of taking the bus is correct.

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

Question 2: Did you have health classes at school?

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

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

AnswerYes, we did, but the subject felt fairly basic. WhyThere was only two lessons a year, so we mostly went over sleep and simple food choices. ExampleI remember one class in secondary school when our teacher showed us how to read food labels, but that class was a bit repetitive.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. went over sleep and simple food choices This everyday phrasal verb shows accurate topic vocabulary.
  2. There was only two lessons A common spoken slip; there were only two lessons is correct.
  3. one class in secondary school when our teacher showed us how to read food labels, but that class The word class is repeated instead of using a more precise noun.

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

Question 3: Is it easy for people to exercise where you live?

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

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

AnswerMostly, yes. WhyThere’s plenty of pavements and open spaces, and some routes are near traffic, so I don’t always feel comfortable running there. ExampleFor example, I make the most of the park near my flat early in Sunday, when it’s quieter.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. make the most of the park This natural collocation shows a useful way to describe using a place.
  2. There’s plenty of pavements A common spoken slip; there are plenty of pavements is correct.
  3. pavements and open spaces, and some routes are near traffic The simple linker and is repeated in one sentence.
  4. early in Sunday A preposition slip: early on Sunday is correct.

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

Question 4: What kind of exercise do you do, and how often?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI do Pilates at home twice a week, and I sometimes cycle along the old riverbed on Saturday mornings. WhyPilates helps me wind down after work, which is good for my mood. ExampleI started doing it regularly last autumn, when I felt tired most evenings, and I usually follow short video.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. wind down after work This phrase naturally describes relaxing after a busy day.
  2. good for my mood Good is general; lifts my mood would be more precise.
  3. twice a week, and I sometimes cycle The simple linker and is repeated in the answer.
  4. follow short video A missing article: follow a short video is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

fit something in

/ˌfɪt ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɪn/

Find time for something

I fit a short walk in before breakfast.

go over something

/ˌɡəʊ ˈəʊvə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Review or discuss something

We went over the plan before lunch.

make the most of something

/ˌmeɪk ðə ˈməʊst əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Use something as well as possible

I try to make the most of my free evenings.

wind down

/ˌwaɪnd ˈdaʊn/

Relax gradually after activity

I wind down by reading before bed.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

How do you keep healthy?

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