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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Photography: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicPhotography

  • 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 November 2025

Question 1: Do you enjoy taking photos?

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

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

AnswerDefinitely, I enjoy taking photos, Whymainly because it helps me capture the moment instead of just remembering it later. ExampleI took a nice photo of the sunset from kitchen window on Sunday afternoon.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. capture the moment This natural phrase means recording a special memory.
  2. a nice photo Nice is general; a vivid photo would be more precise.
  3. from kitchen window A missing article: from my kitchen window is correct.

About 13 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 2: What do you usually take photos of?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerUsually, I take photos of old doorways or small street details, Whybecause they look nice in different light. ExampleFor example, on rainy mornings near the university, old doorways often catch my eye, and I keep a lot of them in my phone.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. catch my eye This phrase clearly explains what attracts my attention.
  2. a lot of them A lot is general; dozens would be more precise.
  3. old doorways Repeating old doorways sounds slightly less polished.
  4. they look nice in different light A plain choice; their colours change with the light would be more precise.
  5. in my phone A preposition slip: on my phone is correct.

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

Question 3: Do you prefer taking pictures with your phone or a camera?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer using my phone, Whymainly because it's handy for quick shots when I'm walking around town. ExampleThe quality is good enough for me, and, I mean, on Monday I used it to photograph a street musician near the station.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. handy for quick shots This is a useful everyday collocation.
  2. The quality is good enough Good is general; clear would be more precise.
  3. I mean This filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.

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

Question 4: How often do you look back at old photos?

How often, how muchGive a real number, then a reason.

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

AnswerI look back at old photos about once a month, usually when I'm tidying my phone. WhyIt brings back a lot of memory. ExampleI mean, I sometimes notice small details I'd missed, like a funny sign in a picture from last winter.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. brings back a lot of memory This natural phrase describes remembering the past.
  2. a lot of memory A lot is vague; many specific memories would be clearer.
  3. I mean This filler gives the answer a natural spoken restart.
  4. brings back a lot of memory A small slip: a lot of memories, plural, is correct.

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

Take it further: How do you feel when an old photo pops up on your phone from years ago?

Question 5: Do you prefer taking photos of people or places?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer taking photos of places, Whymainly because buildings and streets show how a neighbourhood feels. ExampleA nice courtyard near my office really stands out, and I took several photos there during my lunch break on April.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. stands out This phrasal verb shows that something is especially noticeable.
  2. A nice courtyard Nice is general; a quiet courtyard would be more precise.
  3. taking photos of places Repeating photos sounds slightly less polished.
  4. on April A preposition slip: in April is correct.

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

Question 6: Would you ever consider becoming a professional photographer?

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. WhyI work in an office, and photography is more of a nice hobby for me. The idea of making a living from it sounds difficult, Examplebecause last year I photographed my cousin graduation and spent three evenings editing those pictures.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. making a living from it This phrase clearly means earning money from photography.
  2. a nice hobby Nice is general; a relaxing hobby would be more precise.
  3. graduation and spent three evenings The simple linker and is repeated, sounding less polished.
  4. my cousin graduation A small slip: my cousin's graduation is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

capture the moment

/ˌkæptʃə ðə ˈməʊmənt/

Record a special moment in a photo

She captured the moment perfectly during the concert.

catch someone's eye

/kætʃ ˈsʌmwʌnz aɪ/

Attract someone's attention

A bright poster caught my eye outside the library.

be handy for something

/biː ˈhændi fə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Useful for a particular purpose

This small bag is handy for short trips.

bring something back

/brɪŋ ˈsʌmθɪŋ bæk/

Make someone remember something

That old song brings back memories of school.

stand out

/stænd aʊt/

Be especially noticeable

Her red coat stood out in the crowd.

make a living

/meɪk ə ˈlɪvɪŋ/

Earn enough money to live

He makes a living by repairing bicycles.

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 prefer taking photos of people or places?

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