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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Science: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicScience

  • 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 August 2026

Question 1: When did you start learning science?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI started learning science at primary school, probably when I was about eight. WhyI remember our teacher using simple experiments with water, and that made the subject feel less abstract. ExampleDuring one of our first lesson, I picked up the basic ideas quite quickly.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. During one of our first lesson A common spoken slip: one of our first lessons is correct.
  2. the basic ideas Basic principles would be more precise than the vague word ideas.
  3. picked up the basic ideas This natural phrasal verb shows useful vocabulary.

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

Question 2: Which science subject interests you?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI'd say biology is the most interesting for me, I mean, human biology, Whybecause it helps me make sense of how the body responds to illness. ExampleLast term, I spent an afternoon in lab looking at prepared slides, which was quite interesting.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. I mean, human biology This restart sounds natural in speech and shows thinking while speaking.
  2. spent an afternoon in lab A common spoken slip: in the lab is correct.
  3. make sense of how the body This collocation shows clear, natural vocabulary.
  4. quite interesting A plain choice; fascinating would be more precise.
  5. is the most interesting for me A slightly unusual way to say it; interests me most is more natural.

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

Question 3: Do you think science classes are necessary?

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. WhyScience classes are necessary because they teach students to take online claims with a pinch of salt. ExampleAt my secondary school, one lesson on clean water changed how I judged adverts for water filter, although the teacher sometimes explained things too fast.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. take online claims with a pinch of salt This idiom shows that the speaker checks information carefully.
  2. changed how I judged adverts for water filter This specific example gives a clear personal result.
  3. Science classes are necessary because This repeats the question's words; It's because would sound more natural.
  4. adverts for water filter A small slip: adverts for water filters is correct.
  5. explained things too fast A plain choice; explained the ideas too quickly would be more precise.

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

Question 4: Do you enjoy watching programmes or videos about science?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerYes, I do. WhyI enjoy them mainly because videos explain something connected to daily life. ExampleI watched one about thunderstorms last month, and it made me wonder about weather near the coast. I don't always understand the technical terms, so I replay parts until explanation sticks.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. explain something connected to daily life The vague word something could be replaced by a specific topic.
  2. until explanation sticks A common spoken slip: until the explanation sticks is correct.
  3. made me wonder about weather This phrase shows natural curiosity in a personal example.

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

Phrases to borrow

pick something up

/pɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ ʌp/

learn something informally or quickly

She picked up some useful cooking skills at home.

make sense of something

/meɪk sens əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

understand something clearly

This diagram helped me make sense of the instructions.

take something with a pinch of salt

/teɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ wɪð ə pɪntʃ əv sɔːlt/

not completely believe something

I take dramatic headlines with a pinch of salt.

wonder about something

/ˈwʌndər əˌbaʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

think about something curiously

I often wonder about the history of old buildings.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

When did you start learning science?

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