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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Old buildings: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicOld buildings

  • 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: Are there many old buildings in your city?

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

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

AnswerYes, especially in the centre of Chișinău. ExampleI mean, I work near several nineteenth-century villas, and some have been left standing despite of newer offices appearing around them. ExampleOne on my walk to work still has its original balconies, although the paint looks a bit tired.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. left standing This is a natural phrase for buildings that were not demolished.
  2. I mean, I work near I mean is a natural spoken filler, making the answer less rehearsed.
  3. paint looks a bit tired A vague description could be more precise, such as faded.
  4. despite of newer offices A common slip: despite takes no of.

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

Question 2: Would you like the old buildings in your city to be preserved?

Plans and wishesUse would, I'd like to or I'm planning to.

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

AnswerDefinitely, I’d like them to be protected. WhyThey make older streets feel nicer, and they fit in with newer buildings better than I expected. ExampleFor example, last winter I noticed restored doorway that still matched the original stonework.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. fit in with This collocation shows how old and new buildings can look suitable together.
  2. feel nicer Nicer is a general word; more distinctive would be more precise.
  3. noticed restored doorway A common spoken slip: noticed a restored doorway is correct.

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

Question 3: Would you prefer to live in an old building or a modern house?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI’d prefer an old building, mainly because I like the high ceilings and thick walls and things like that. WhyI spend most of day at a desk, and coming home to a place with real character would just feel better. But a modern house is easier to heat and things, I guess.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. coming home to A natural phrase for what waits for you when you get home.
  2. most of day at A common spoken slip: most of the day at is correct.
  3. would just feel better Better is general; warmer or more personal would be more precise.
  4. and things like that Things like that is vague; naming one more feature would be more precise.
  5. easier to heat and things, I guess Things is used again and is vague; naming one more benefit would be clearer.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 4: Are there any old buildings you would like to visit?

Plans and wishesUse would, I'd like to or I'm planning to.

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

AnswerYes, I’d like to visit Soroca Fortress, Whymainly because its medieval walls look fascinating. I’ve only seen photographs, so I’d like to look around the interior with guide. Maybe I could visit it on a Saturday in spring, if I get time.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. look around This phrasal verb naturally describes exploring the inside of a place.
  2. with guide A common spoken slip: with a guide is correct.
  3. like to visit Soroca Fortress The verb visit is repeated later, which sounds slightly less polished.

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

Phrases to borrow

leave something standing

/liːv ˌsʌmθɪŋ ˈstændɪŋ/

Not demolish or remove something

The council decided to leave the old theatre standing.

fit in with something

/fɪt ɪn wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Look suitable alongside something else

The new extension fits in with the original house.

come home to something

/kʌm ˈhəʊm tə ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

Return to a particular home or place

I love coming home to a quiet flat.

look around something

/lʊk əˈraʊnd ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

Explore a place by walking through it

We looked around the museum after lunch.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Are there many old buildings in your city?

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