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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Pets: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicPets

  • 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: Have you ever had a pet?

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 have. WhyI mean, I grew up with a small dog called Nube, and I was quite attached with her because she followed me around the house. ExampleWhen I was about ten, I used to look after her after school, although I sometimes forgot little things, like her water bowl.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. I mean, I grew up with This natural filler makes the answer sound spontaneous.
  2. forgot little things Things is vague; small details would be more precise.
  3. look after her after school This phrasal verb shows good everyday vocabulary.
  4. attached with her A preposition slip: attached to her is correct.

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

Take it further: Describe a pet that you or someone close to you has. What is it like?

Question 2: Do you prefer to keep pets indoors or outdoors?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer keeping pets indoors, Whymainly because it feels safer for them and it’s easier to notice if they need something. ExampleWhen my cousin stayed by us, she kept her cat inside, and having it around made the flat feel less empty, although the fur on sofa was a bit annoying.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. the fur on sofa A common spoken slip; the fur on the sofa is correct.
  2. if they need something Something is vague; food or medical attention would be more precise.
  3. having it around This natural phrase shows flexible everyday vocabulary.
  4. stayed by us A preposition slip: stayed with us is correct.

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

Question 3: Are pets popular 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

AnswerYes, they’re quite popular where I live, especially among families with children. ExampleI notice dogs in local parks most evening, and my colleague brings her small terrier to the riverside in Sundays, so pets come up in conversation fairly often. I suppose they’re a normal part of daily life here.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. parks most evening A common spoken slip; parks most evenings is correct.
  2. I suppose they’re a normal This filler makes the answer sound spontaneous.
  3. come up in conversation This natural collocation shows good conversational vocabulary.
  4. in Sundays A preposition slip: on Sundays is correct.

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

Question 4: Would you like to have a pet in the future?

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

AnswerProbably yes, but not immediately. WhyI’m working full-time now, so I’d like to wait until my schedule is more settled and I have a few more things sorted out. ExampleMaybe in next year, I’ll adopt an older cat because it would suit my routine, and I could make time for it in evenings.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a few more things sorted out Things is vague; work and appointments would be more precise.
  2. it in evenings A common spoken slip; it in the evenings is correct.
  3. make time for it This useful phrase shows natural planning language.
  4. Maybe in next year An extra word: Maybe next year is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

look after someone

/lʊk ˈɑːftə ˌsʌmwən/

take care of someone or something

I look after my neighbour’s plants when she travels.

have someone/something around

/hæv ˌsʌmwən əˈraʊnd/

have someone or something nearby

I like having my sister around at weekends.

come up in conversation

/kʌm ʌp ɪn ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən/

be mentioned while people are talking

Her new job came up in conversation yesterday.

make time for something

/meɪk taɪm fə ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

find time to do or enjoy something

I make time for exercise before work.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Have you ever had a pet?

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