IELTS Speaking Part 1

Singing: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicSinging

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: Do you enjoy singing?

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

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

AnswerDefinitely, I enjoy singing, especially when I’m cooking, and singing helps me let off steam after long day. WhyI mean, I’m not exactly talented, but I usually record myself for fun. ExampleMy flatmate says the recordings are a bit bad, but I keep doing it.

Why it's a Band 7

let off steam This useful phrase shows natural Band 7 vocabulary.
cooking, and singing helps me Repeating singing makes the answer slightly less polished.
I mean, I’m not exactly talented This filler makes the answer sound spontaneous.
a bit bad A plain choice; a bit rough would be more precise.
after long day A missing article: after a long day is correct.

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

Question 2: When do you usually sing?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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AnswerUsually, I sing on my bus ride home, quietly under my breath because I don’t want to disturb anyone. WhyIt makes the journey feel nice, and I get carried away and sing and forget the time when a familiar chorus comes on. ExampleLast Tuesday, I missed my stop by one station.

Why it's a Band 7

get carried away This natural phrase shows precise, flexible vocabulary.
feel nice Nice is vague here; enjoyable would be more precise.
carried away and sing and forget Repeating and makes the sentence less polished.

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

Take it further: Do you ever sing or hum to yourself when no one's around?

Question 3: Have you ever learned how to sing?

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

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AnswerYes, I’ve learned a little, mainly through a university choir rather than formal lessons. WhyOur conductor showed me how to warm up properly, but still I sing too loudly sometimes. ExampleIn my first rehearsal in 2023, I came in at the wrong moment and had to start again.

Why it's a Band 7

warm up This phrasal verb shows natural topic vocabulary.
learned a little A little is general; basic vocal training would be more precise.
but still I sing This unusual word order is clear but less polished.

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

Question 4: Who would you like to sing for?

Plans and wishesUse would, I'd like to or I'm planning to.

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AnswerI’d like to sing for my younger sister, because she’s the person who encouraged me at the beginning. WhyShe’s studying nursing and we don’t meet very often, and I’d love to put on a small show for her in my parents’ garden. ExampleI mean, I’d probably do it on her birthday on July.

Why it's a Band 7

put on a small show This everyday collocation shows natural Band 7 vocabulary.
nursing and we don’t meet very often, and Repeating and makes the answer slightly less polished.
I mean, I’d probably do it This restart is a natural spoken hesitation.
do it on her birthday A plain choice; sing for her on her birthday would be more precise.
on July A preposition slip: in July is correct.

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

Question 5: Do you use technology when you sing?

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 use my phone when I sing, mostly to play backing tracks and check my pitch. WhyI sing along with a few saved recordings, and then I listen back and spot things that sound odd. ExampleLast month, I noticed I was rushing the first verse, so I practised it more slow.

Why it's a Band 7

sing along with This phrasal verb is natural and useful for the topic.
spot things that sound odd Things is vague; wrong notes would be more precise.
and then I listen back and spot things Repeating and makes the sentence less polished.
practised it more slow A small slip: more slowly is correct.

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

Question 6: Do you think singing can bring people happiness?

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 think singing can make people happier, mainly because it gives them a way to release tension together. WhyI’ve seen this in our student choir, where singing together and singing loudly leave everyone smiling. ExampleAfter exams in June, for nearly an hour we sang, and I felt much better afterwards.

Why it's a Band 7

release tension This collocation shows accurate, less common vocabulary.
singing together and singing loudly Repeating singing makes the answer slightly less polished.
for nearly an hour we sang This unusual word order is clear but less polished.
felt much better A plain choice; felt noticeably lighter would be more precise.

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

Phrases to borrow

let off steam

/ˌlet ɒf ˈstiːm/

release stress through an activity

I go for a run to let off steam.

get carried away

/ˌɡet ˌkærid əˈweɪ/

become very involved or excited

I got carried away while decorating my room.

warm up

/ˌwɔːm ˈʌp/

prepare your voice or body

I always warm up before playing basketball.

put on a show

/ˌpʊt ɒn ə ˈʃəʊ/

perform for an audience

The children put on a show for their grandparents.

sing along with someone/something

/ˌsɪŋ əˈlɒŋ wɪð ˈsʌmwʌn/

sing while another person or recording sings

I like to sing along with the radio.

release tension

/rɪˌliːs ˈtenʃən/

reduce stress or nervous energy

Stretching can release tension in your shoulders.

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 use technology when you sing?

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

Question 1: Do you enjoy singing?

Question 2: When do you usually sing?

Question 3: Have you ever learned how to sing?

Question 4: Who would you like to sing for?

Question 5: Do you use technology when you sing?

Question 6: Do you think singing can bring people happiness?

Which phrase fits?

More Part 1 topics