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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Running: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicRunning

  • 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 July 2026

Question 1: Do you go running a lot?

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

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

AnswerNot really, no. WhyI’m an office worker, and I only run once or twice a month because I get tired after sitting at my desk all day. ExampleI sometimes fit in a short jog before the dinner, but it’s more for clearing my head than training seriously.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. I’m an office worker, and I only run The simple linker and joins ideas in a natural spoken way.
  2. fit in a short jog This everyday phrase shows useful control of collocation.
  3. once or twice a month A clear, real number for how often.
  4. before the dinner An extra article: before dinner is correct.

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

Question 2: Where do you usually go running?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI usually go running along Kuwait City’s seafront Whybecause it’s more open than the streets near my flat, and it’s nice. ExampleI mean, I go there after work when I can, or on a Friday I head out at just before sunset, when it’s cooler. The view is nice.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. at just before sunset A small grammar slip: say just before sunset, without at.
  2. The view is nice. The vague word nice could be more precise, such as peaceful.
  3. I mean, I go there A filler that makes the answer sound unplanned.
  4. and it’s nice Nice is used twice in the answer, a small repetition.

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

Question 3: When was the last time you went running?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerThe last time I went running was last Thursday. ExampleI left work early and jogged for about twenty minutes. WhyI was feeling a bit sluggish, so I took it easy around park near my apartment. My legs ached the next morning, which was annoying.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. The last time I went running was last Thursday Repeating last sounds slightly less polished but natural in speech.
  2. took it easy around park This phrase naturally describes reducing physical effort.
  3. The last time I went running was last Thursday Last is repeated, which sounds less polished.
  4. around park near A missing article: around the park near is correct.

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

Question 4: What do you think of running as a sport?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI think running’s a good sport for me, Whymainly because it’s cheap and easy to fit around work. I’m not very competitive, though, so I like that I can keep it up in my own pace. ExampleFor example, I can run for fifteen minutes without needing special equipment.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a good sport for me The vague word good could be more precise, such as accessible.
  2. though, so I like that The simple linker so keeps the explanation conversational.
  3. keep it up Keep something up is the natural way to say keep doing it regularly.
  4. in my own pace A preposition slip: at my own pace is correct.

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

Take it further: Do you prefer team sports or doing things on your own, like running or the gym?

Phrases to borrow

fit something in

/fɪt ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɪn/

find time for something

I try to fit in a walk before lunch.

head out

/hed aʊt/

leave a place

We headed out before the traffic got heavy.

take it easy

/teɪk ɪt ˈiːzi/

do something gently or without effort

I took it easy after feeling unwell.

keep something up

/ˌkiːp ˌsʌmθɪŋ ˈʌp/

continue doing something regularly

I started swimming in May and I want to keep it up.

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 go running a lot?

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.

See all 69 topics+59

How the IELTS Speaking test works