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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Neighbours: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicNeighbours

  • 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 know many of your neighbours?

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 know a few of them, Whymainly because I see the same faces near the entrance every morning. I work in an office, so I leave early, and I’ve started to get on with the woman in 3B. ExampleWe sometimes chat for five minutes on stairs.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. get on with This is a natural phrase for having a friendly relationship.
  2. a few of them A less vague choice would be three neighbours.
  3. so I leave early, and I’ve started The simple linkers make the answer fluent but slightly repetitive.
  4. minutes on stairs A missing article: five minutes on the stairs is correct.

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

Take it further: Tell me about a neighbour you get along with.

Question 2: Are you friends with your neighbours?

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

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

AnswerProbably not. I mean, we’re friendly, but I wouldn’t say we’re close, Whybecause most of us are busy during the week. I usually keep to myself after the work. ExampleLast Sunday, though, I had tea with a neighbour on her balcony.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. keep to myself This everyday phrase clearly describes spending time alone.
  2. I mean, we’re friendly I mean is a natural spoken filler, but it slightly interrupts the flow.
  3. most of us are busy Busy is general; working late would be more precise.
  4. after the work An extra article: after work is correct.

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

Question 3: Do people of different age groups live in your area?

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

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

AnswerYes, they do. WhyPeople of different ages live side by side in my building, although most flats seem to have young adults. ExampleFor example, a retired couple on second floor often sit outside in the evening when I’m getting home. I mean, it feels fairly mixed.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. live side by side A useful collocation for people living very close together.
  2. I mean, it feels fairly mixed I mean is a natural filler, and fairly mixed is less exact than naming the age groups.
  3. on second floor A missing article: on the second floor is correct.

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

Question 4: Are there many children in the area 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

AnswerNot really. WhyThere are a couple of children in my block, but the area is mostly made up of adults. ExampleLast month, I saw two of them playing football in small courtyard after school, which was unusual for a weekday.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. made up of This phrase naturally means that something consists of particular people.
  2. a couple of children A more precise answer would be two children.
  3. in small courtyard A common spoken slip; the correct form is in the small courtyard.

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

Phrases to borrow

get on with someone

/ɡet ɒn wɪð ˈsʌmwʌn/

have a friendly relationship with someone

I get on with my new manager quite well.

keep to yourself

/kiːp tə jəˈself/

spend time alone and avoid talking much

She tends to keep to herself at large gatherings.

live side by side

/lɪv saɪd baɪ saɪd/

live close together in the same place

Several families live side by side in that old building.

be made up of something

/biː meɪd ʌp əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

consist of particular people or things

The committee is made up of local residents.

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 know many of your neighbours?

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.

See all 69 topics+59

How the IELTS Speaking test works