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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Remembering names: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicRemembering names

  • 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: Is it easy for you to remember people's names?

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’m fairly good in recognising faces, but names are a bit harder, especially on the first meeting. ExampleA new neighbour’s name still escapes me sometimes, so I try to put a face to a name by noticing one thing about them.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. on the first meeting A common spoken slip: say at the first meeting.
  2. one thing about them One thing is vague; a specific feature would be clearer.
  3. put a face to a name This natural phrase shows flexible vocabulary.
  4. good in recognising faces A preposition slip: good at recognising faces is correct.

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

Take it further: Are you good at remembering people's names when you first meet them?

Question 2: How do you usually remember new names?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI usually repeat a new name quietly after I hear it. WhyRepeating it helps the name stick in my mind, and I write that name in my phone as well. ExampleI sometimes forget if the introduction happens before the lunch.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. before the lunch A common spoken slip: say before lunch.
  2. that name in my phone Name is repeated from the sentence before, which sounds less polished.
  3. stick in my mind This everyday phrase adds precise vocabulary.

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

Question 3: What would you do if someone couldn't remember your name?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI’d probably remind them in a nice way, Whybecause I wouldn’t want them to feel awkward. I mean, I might say my name again and mention where we met, and it usually helps. ExampleI once did that with new colleague, and it helped jog their memory.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. I mean This filler makes the answer sound spontaneous.
  2. where we met, and it usually helps The simple linker and is repeated naturally.
  3. jog their memory This collocation shows good control of meaning.
  4. with new colleague A missing article: with a new colleague is correct.
  5. in a nice way A plain choice; politely would be more precise.

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

Question 4: Which helps you remember things better, words or photos?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerPhotos help me more, Whybecause I can recall a face or a place faster than words. I’m not brilliant at memorising things, and I sometimes need to see them twice before they stay with me. ExampleFor example, a photo I took on Sunday afternoon can bring back the memory of where I was.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. memorising things Things is vague; specific information would be clearer.
  2. things, and I sometimes The simple linker and is repeated naturally.
  3. bring back the memory This phrase describes remembering a past moment clearly.

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

Phrases to borrow

put a face to someone's name

/pʊt ə feɪs tə ˈsʌmwʌnz neɪm/

connect someone's name with their appearance

Meeting her in person helped me put a face to her name.

stick in someone's mind

/stɪk ɪn ˈsʌmwʌnz maɪnd/

be remembered easily

That unusual story really stuck in my mind.

jog someone's memory

/dʒɒɡ ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈmeməri/

help someone remember something

The old photograph jogged my father's memory.

bring back a memory

/brɪŋ bæk ə ˈmeməri/

make someone remember a past moment

That song brings back a memory of school.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Is it easy for you to remember people's names?

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