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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Shoes: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicShoes

  • 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: How often do you buy new shoes?

How often, how muchGive a real number, then a reason.

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

AnswerProbably every six months or so. WhyLet me think, I usually wait until my current pair starts falling apart before I buy another pair. ExampleLast January, I got black trainers for commuting.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. Let me think, I usually wait This natural filler shows a real spoken hesitation.
  2. pair starts falling apart before I buy another pair The repeated word pair is a small limitation in spoken language.
  3. starts falling apart This phrasal verb gives a natural, precise description of worn shoes.

About 13 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 2: What kind of shoes do you usually wear?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI usually wear trainers. WhyThey’re good for walking around the city and getting to work, so I don’t think much about changing them. ExampleMy everyday pair is a bit plain, I mean, but it goes with most of my clothes.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. They’re good for walking around the city Good is general here, and supportive would be more precise.
  2. I mean, but it goes with This filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.
  3. goes with most of my clothes This useful phrase shows flexible everyday vocabulary.

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

Question 3: Do you choose shoes more for comfort or for style?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerProbably comfort, especially when I’m walking a long way. WhyI tend to put comfort first, although the colour can be less fashionable. ExampleI once chose a softer pair for a weekend in Hoi An because my feet gets sore quite quickly.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. Probably comfort, especially when I’m walking Comfort is repeated, which is a small spoken limitation.
  2. my feet gets sore quite quickly A common spoken slip: my feet get sore quite quickly is correct.
  3. put comfort first This phrase clearly explains the speaker’s priority.

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

Question 4: Have you ever bought shoes online?

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

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

AnswerYes, I have, but only once. WhyI was looking for something specific, so I ordered running shoes from a local website last summer. ExampleThey looked nice online, but the size were wrong when they arrived, and returning them was a bit of a hassle.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. They looked nice online Nice is a general word, and attractive would be more precise.
  2. online, but the size were wrong A common spoken slip: the size was wrong is correct.
  3. was a bit of a hassle This everyday phrase describes a minor problem naturally.

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

Question 5: Why do some people have too many shoes?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI think some people buy too many shoes Whybecause shopping is a good way to cheer themselves up. ExampleMy cousin keeps pairs for work and weekends, and last month there was too many in her cupboard, so she had to make room for them under her bed.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. shopping is a good way to cheer themselves up Good is general here, and stress-relieving would be more precise.
  2. there was too many in her cupboard A common spoken slip: there were too many in her cupboard is correct.
  3. make room for them This phrase gives a clear result of owning too many shoes.

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

Phrases to borrow

fall apart

/ˌfɔːl əˈpɑːt/

break into pieces or stop being usable

The old fence began to fall apart after the storm.

go with something

/ɡəʊ wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

look suitable together with something

This jacket goes with almost everything I own.

put something first

/pʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ fɜːst/

treat something as the main priority

When I travel, I put safety first.

be a hassle

/biː ə ˈhæsəl/

be difficult or annoying to deal with

Changing the booking was a real hassle.

make room for someone/something

/meɪk ruːm fə ˈsʌmwʌn ɔː ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

create enough space for someone or something

We moved the table to make room for the guests.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Why do some people have too many shoes?

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