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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Mobile phones: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicMobile phones

  • 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: What was your first mobile phone?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerIt was a small button phone I got when I was about eleven. WhyI had to save up for it with birthday money. It had a tiny screen and a basic camera. ExampleI mean, I thought it was nice. I used it mainly after school.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. thought it was nice Nice is general; small and easy to use would be more precise.
  2. I mean, I thought it was nice This filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.
  3. save up for This is a natural phrasal verb used in a personal detail.

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

Question 2: Do you use your phone more for messages or for calls?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerMessages, definitely. WhyI usually reply messages quickly because I can answer between classes, and calls feel a bit formal. ExampleLast Tuesday, I sent a voice note from the university library, then got back to my cousin later.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. reply messages quickly A common spoken slip; reply to messages is correct.
  2. Messages, definitely. I usually reply messages Messages is repeated, which is common in spontaneous speech.
  3. got back to my cousin This natural phrasal verb gives a clear personal example.

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

Question 3: Have you ever lost your phone before?

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

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

AnswerYes, unfortunately. WhyI once left my phone on a bus after an evening class, and I didn’t notice until I reached to home. ExampleI had to retrace my steps, then sort things out at the bus office, so I was without my phone for nearly two hours.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. reached to home A common spoken slip; reached home is correct.
  2. retrace my steps This precise phrase clearly describes what happened.

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

Question 4: What features do you look for when choosing a new phone?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI look for a phone with a battery that can last me through the day. WhyLet me think, I’m on campus for long hours, so charging it halfway is a bit annoying. ExampleFor example, I checked this thing before buying my current phone last March.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. Let me think This filler sounds natural in a short spoken answer.
  2. last me through This useful phrase explains the battery requirement clearly.
  3. this thing A plain choice; the battery life would be more precise.

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

Question 5: How has your mobile phone changed your life?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerIt’s made daily life more easy, Whymainly because I can keep in touch with my parents while I’m away in university. ExampleI mean, during my first semester, I sent them photos of my room every Sunday, and it helped me feel less lonely.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. away in university A small preposition slip; away at university is correct.
  2. I mean, during my first semester This filler creates a natural spoken pause.
  3. keep in touch with my parents This natural collocation gives a specific personal effect.
  4. less lonely A plain choice; less homesick would be more precise.
  5. more easy A small slip: easier is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

save up for something

/seɪv ʌp fə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

keep money until you can buy something

I’m saving up for a bicycle this year.

get back to someone

/ɡet bæk tə ˈsʌmwʌn/

contact someone again later

I’ll get back to you after class.

retrace your steps

/riːˈtreɪs jə steps/

go back the way you came to find something

I retraced my steps to find my keys.

last someone through something

/lɑːst ˈsʌmwʌn θruː/

continue until the end of a period

This battery should last me through the weekend.

keep in touch with someone

/kiːp ɪn tʌtʃ wɪð ˌsʌmwʌn/

continue communicating with someone

I keep in touch with my old classmates online.

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 has your mobile phone changed your life?

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