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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Meeting new people: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicMeeting new people

  • 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 June 2026

Question 1: Do you like meeting new people?

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 when I’m joining a new group at work. WhyI’m usually a bit nervous at first, but a shared joke can break the ice surprisingly quickly. ExampleI met colleague that way during my first week in the office.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. break the ice surprisingly quickly This natural phrasal expression shows flexible vocabulary.
  2. I met colleague that way A common spoken slip: I met a colleague that way is correct.

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

Take it further: How do you feel about meeting new people? Tell me about a time you did.

Question 2: How often do you meet new people?

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

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

AnswerI meet new people a few times a month, mostly through work. WhyOur office takes on temporary staff quite regularly, and I sometimes run into them in the kitchen and chat for a few minutes. ExampleLast month, I had lunch with a designer who'd joined for short project.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. and I sometimes run into them in the kitchen and chat Repeating and is natural but slightly less controlled spoken linking.
  2. who'd joined for short project A common spoken slip: who'd joined for a short project is correct.
  3. run into them This phrasal verb is used naturally for an unexpected meeting.

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

Question 3: Do you prefer meeting new people in person or online?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer meeting new people in person, because it’s easier to read their expressions and respond naturally. WhyOnline chats can be good, but they often leave out small things, such as facial cues. ExampleI still keep in touch with a former coursemate I met through forum last year.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. leave out small things The vague word things could be replaced by facial cues.
  2. I met through forum last year A common spoken slip: I met through a forum last year is correct.
  3. keep in touch with a former coursemate This is a natural everyday collocation used accurately.
  4. can be good A plain choice; convenient would be more precise.

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

Question 4: Can you tell if you like someone when you first meet them?

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

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

AnswerUsually, yes, although I don't decide immediately. WhyI mean, I get a feel for someone's attitude from their tone, and I notice whether they ask question. ExampleAt a team dinner in March, one quiet colleague seemed thoughtful, but I changed my mind after talking to him.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. I mean, I get a feel for I mean is a natural filler that shows spoken fluency with a small pause.
  2. whether they ask question A common spoken slip: whether they ask a question is correct.
  3. get a feel for someone's attitude This natural phrase gives a precise personal judgement.

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

Question 5: Do you find it easy to start a conversation with someone you've just met?

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

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

AnswerNot always. WhyI can make small talk once the other person gives me something to respond to, but opening line is still difficult for me. ExampleFor example, at a networking event last autumn, I asked a woman about the workshop, and we spoke for ten minutes.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. gives me something to respond to The general word something could be a question or comment.
  2. but opening line is still difficult A missing article: but the opening line is still difficult is correct.
  3. make small talk This everyday collocation is used naturally for a social situation.

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

Phrases to borrow

break the ice

/ˌbreɪk ði ˈaɪs/

make people feel more relaxed when meeting

A simple question helped break the ice.

run into someone

/rʌn ˈɪntə ˌsʌmwʌn/

meet someone unexpectedly

I ran into my old tutor yesterday.

keep in touch with someone

/kiːp ɪn ˈtʌtʃ wɪð ˌsʌmwʌn/

continue communicating with someone

I still keep in touch with my school friends.

get a feel for something

/ɡet ə ˈfiːl fə ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

form an early understanding of something

I soon got a feel for the new routine.

make small talk

/meɪk smɔːl ˈtɔːk/

have a polite conversation about ordinary topics

I made small talk with the receptionist.

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 find it easy to start a conversation with someone you've just met?

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