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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Politeness: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicPoliteness

  • 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 September 2026

Question 1: Are you a polite person?

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

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

AnswerProbably yes. WhyI try to keep my voice down on trains and in office, because I don't want to distract anyone. ExampleI mean, I can be a bit direct about things when I'm tired, and last Thursday I answered my manager too quickly, which sounded rude.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. keep my voice down This natural phrase shows precise everyday vocabulary.
  2. I mean, This filler makes the answer sound like spontaneous speech.
  3. about things Things is vague; a precise word could name the issue.
  4. on trains and in office A missing article: in the office is correct.

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

Question 2: Who taught you to be polite?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerMy parents did, Whymainly because they expected me to notice when I was making trouble for people. At home, they passed on a habit of saying sorry quickly if I'd cause a delay. ExampleWhen I was about ten, my father made me phone our neighbour after I broke a plant pot.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. passed on a habit This phrasal verb is a useful natural way to describe teaching.
  2. I'd cause a delay A common spoken slip; the correct form is I'd caused a delay.
  3. making trouble for people A plain phrase; inconveniencing people would be more precise.

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

Question 3: Is it important for people to be polite?

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. WhyIt's important because polite behaviour makes awkward things easier to deal with, especially at work. ExampleFor example, last month there was two mistakes in a teammate's spreadsheet, and I started with an apology, so the conversation stayed comfortable.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. deal with This phrasal verb shows natural vocabulary for managing problems.
  2. awkward things Things is vague; awkward situations would be more precise.
  3. there was two mistakes A common spoken slip; the correct form is there were two mistakes.

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

Question 4: Have people become more or less polite over time?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerProbably less polite, I think, although it depends on the setting. WhyPeople seem more impatient online, and some stuff comes across as abrupt, especially when there's no greeting. ExampleLast winter, a coworker sent me three short requests before the lunch, so I asked him to speak to me directly.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. Probably less polite, I think This slightly unusual word order sounds natural in spontaneous speech.
  2. comes across as This phrasal verb is a precise way to describe how something seems.
  3. some stuff Stuff is vague; messages would be more precise.
  4. before the lunch An extra article: before lunch is correct.

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

Question 5: How do people in your country show politeness?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerThey usually use respectful language and give a small bow. WhyIn Osaka, I see this most clearly in shops, where staff often soften a request with polite ending. ExampleLast week, a cashier said sorry twice when my change took a few seconds, and I found it nice.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. use respectful language and give a small bow These concrete details show clear, relevant speaking.
  2. soften a request This collocation shows natural vocabulary for polite speech.
  3. with polite ending A common spoken slip; the correct form is with a polite ending.

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

Take it further: What's one polite thing people often do where you live?

Phrases to borrow

keep your voice down

/kiːp jə vɔɪs daʊn/

speak quietly

Could you keep your voice down during the film?

pass something on

/pɑːs ˌsʌmθɪŋ ˈɒn/

teach or give something to another person

My aunt passed on her baking skills to me.

deal with something

/diːl wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

manage or handle a situation

I usually deal with complaints calmly.

come across as something

/ˌkʌm əˈkrɒs əz ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

seem to have a particular quality

He comes across as very approachable.

soften something

/ˈsɒfən ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

make words sound less direct

She softened her request with an apology.

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 do people in your country show politeness?

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