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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Saving money: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicSaving money

  • 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 June 2026

Question 1: Did you save money when you were young?

About the pastUse the past: I used to, I remember…

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

AnswerNot really. WhyWhen I was at primary school, I only put aside coins from birthdays because I usually spent them on small things. ExampleFor example, one summer I kept about 200 dinar in a tin for a football.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. put aside coins from birthdays This natural phrase means save money for later.
  2. small things Small things is vague; snacks or toys would be more precise.
  3. 200 dinar A common spoken slip; the correct form is 200 dinars.

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

Question 2: Do you find it easy to save money?

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

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

AnswerA bit, but it isn't easy. WhyI work in an office now, and I try to keep track of my spending because rent takes most of my salary. ExampleFor example, I check bank app every Friday, although I sometimes forget the smaller payments.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. keep track of my spending This shows precise vocabulary for monitoring money.
  2. I check bank app A missing article: I check my bank app is correct.

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

Question 3: Do parents in your country give children pocket money?

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

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

AnswerYes, usually. WhyIn Algeria, parents often give children a small amount each week, mainly for snacks or school supplies. ExampleMy younger cousin used to run out of his pocket money by Wednesday, so my aunt started giving it to him in Fridays.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. run out of his pocket money This useful phrase means use all the money.
  2. a small amount A small amount is vague; a fixed weekly allowance is more precise.
  3. in Fridays A preposition slip: on Fridays is correct.

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

Take it further: Do you think children should be given pocket money?

Question 4: Is it a good idea for parents to teach children how to save money?

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

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

AnswerDefinitely. WhyI think parents should teach saving early because it helps children control their spending, rather than buying whatever they see. ExampleFor example, when I got my first proper pay, I set aside some of it, but I made a few bad choice at first.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. set aside some of it This phrase shows saving money for a purpose.
  2. some of it Some of it is vague; a fixed amount would be more precise.
  3. a few bad choice A common spoken slip; the correct form is a few bad choices.

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

Phrases to borrow

put aside something

/ˌpʊt əˈsaɪd ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

save something for later use

I put aside some cash for unexpected travel.

keep track of something

/ˌkiːp ˈtræk əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

record or monitor something carefully

I keep track of my weekly spending in a notebook.

run out of something

/ˌrʌn ˈaʊt əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

use all of something and have none left

We ran out of milk before breakfast.

set aside something

/ˌset əˈsaɪd ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

save something for a particular purpose

She sets aside part of her salary for rent.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Did you save money when you were young?

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