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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Laughter: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicLaughter

  • 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 August 2026

Question 1: What kinds of things make you laugh?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerMostly silly stories about everyday mistakes. WhyMy friends crack me up when they tell a funny story, especially if they've misunderstood each other. ExampleLast month, my flatmate told funny story about his first driving lesson.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. crack me up A natural, informal way to say something makes you laugh a lot.
  2. tell a funny story Funny is a plain word; ridiculous would be more precise.
  3. told funny story A missing article: told a funny story is correct.

About 14 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 2: Do you like making other people laugh?

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

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

AnswerProbably, yes. WhyI enjoy making other people laugh because it can lighten the mood when a conversation feels awkward. ExampleI sometimes send my classmates silly voice note, and last Tuesday one friend played it before class, which made the whole room laugh.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. lighten the mood This natural collocation shows precise everyday vocabulary.
  2. silly voice note A common spoken slip: a silly voice note is correct.
  3. made the whole room laugh The repeated word laugh shows a slightly limited word range.

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

Question 3: Is it important to have a sense of humour?

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

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

AnswerYes, definitely. WhyI think humour helps me see the funny side of a bad day, especially when studying becomes stressful. ExampleLet me think, during exam week I usually share a joke to my course group, and it makes difficult evenings easier.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. see the funny side of a bad day This useful phrase expresses a clear personal opinion naturally.
  2. Let me think, during exam week This filler makes the answer sound spontaneous and spoken.
  3. share a joke to my course group A small preposition slip: share a joke with my course group is correct.

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

Question 4: Have you watched any funny programmes or films recently?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerYes, I have. ExampleAt Saturday night, I watched a comedy film with my cousin, and we had a good laugh because the main character kept making absurd mistakes. The film was good, and one supermarket scene was so silly that we had to pause it.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. had a good laugh This everyday phrase shows natural conversational vocabulary.
  2. The film was good Good is vague here; entertaining would be more precise.
  3. At Saturday night A small preposition slip: On Saturday night is correct.

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

Take it further: What's the last thing you watched or heard that made you laugh out loud?

Phrases to borrow

crack someone up

/ˌkræk ˈsʌmwən ʌp/

make someone laugh a lot

That comedian always cracks my brother up.

lighten the mood

/ˌlaɪtən ðə ˈmuːd/

make a situation feel less serious

A small joke can lighten the mood.

see the funny side of something

/siː ðə ˈfʌni saɪd əv ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

notice the amusing part of something difficult

She can usually see the funny side of a mistake.

have a good laugh

/hæv ə ɡʊd ˈlɑːf/

laugh a lot and enjoy yourself

We had a good laugh at the reunion.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

What kinds of things make you laugh?

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