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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Parks: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicParks

  • 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: Are there many parks or gardens where you live?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerThere are a few decent parks, although they’re not evenly spread around Ulaanbaatar. ExampleNear my office there’s only a small park, but for a quick walk in lunchtime it does the job. The bigger parks feel far away, especially in winter.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a few decent parks Decent is vague; well-kept would be more precise.
  2. a quick walk in lunchtime A preposition slip: at lunchtime is correct.
  3. does the job A natural phrase for something that is good enough for what you need.
  4. only a small park Park is repeated; square or green space would add variety.

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

Question 2: What do you like to do when you visit a park?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI like to sit on bench somewhere quiet and watch people and stuff for a while. WhyIt helps me switch off after a long day, especially when my head’s full of emails and small things. ExampleLast Sunday, I bought a coffee and hung around near a pond for about half an hour.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. on bench somewhere quiet A common spoken slip: on a bench is correct.
  2. emails and small things Things is vague; unfinished tasks would be more precise.
  3. hung around near a pond This phrasal verb adds useful everyday vocabulary.
  4. people and stuff A plain choice; people and birds would be more precise.

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

Question 3: Are parks important for a 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, definitely. WhyParks, I mean, make a difference to city residents, mainly because they can get away of traffic and screens for a few minutes. ExampleI noticed it during lunch break in May, when I walked through a green space and returned to my desk feeling better.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. Parks, I mean, make a difference I mean is a natural spoken filler and the phrase is precise.
  2. make a difference This strong collocation describes a noticeable effect.
  3. during lunch break A missing article: during a lunch break is correct.
  4. feeling better A plain choice; calmer would be more precise.
  5. get away of traffic A preposition slip: get away from traffic is correct.

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

Question 4: Who do you usually go to the park with?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI usually go with my younger sister because our schedules line up at weekends. WhyShe’s studying at university, and I’m working full-time, and meeting in a park is a good way to catch up with her without booking anything. ExampleIn July, we met beside river after she’d finished her exams.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. and I’m working full-time, and meeting The simple linker and is repeated in a natural spoken rhythm.
  2. catch up with her This phrase naturally describes talking after time apart.
  3. a good way A plain choice; a convenient way would be more precise.
  4. beside river A missing article: beside the river is correct.

About 20 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 5: How are parks today different from the ones you visited as a child?

About the pastUse the past: I used to, I remember…

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

AnswerThey’re more developed now, especially with better paths and lighting. WhyAs a child, I remember parks being fairly bare, or rather, I mostly played near the apartment block because there wasn’t much equipment. ExampleLast autumn, I went to renovated park with a neighbour and noticed it had been done up quite recently.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. They’re more developed now More developed is general; better equipped would be more precise.
  2. or rather, I mostly played Or rather shows a natural spoken restart.
  3. had been done up This phrasal verb adds useful everyday vocabulary.
  4. went to renovated park A missing article: went to a renovated park is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

do the job

/duː ðə ˈdʒɒb/

be good enough for a particular purpose

This old laptop still does the job.

hang around

/hæŋ əˈraʊnd/

stay somewhere without a particular plan

We hung around after class for a while.

make a difference

/meɪk ə ˈdɪfrəns/

have a noticeable effect

A short break can make a difference to my mood.

catch up with someone

/kætʃ ʌp wɪð ˈsʌmwʌn/

talk to someone after time apart

I catch up with my cousin on Sundays.

do something up

/duː ˈsʌmθɪŋ ʌp/

repair or decorate something

We did the kitchen up last spring.

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 are parks today different from the ones you visited as a child?

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