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IELTS Speaking Part 1

T-shirts: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicT-shirts

  • 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 May 2026

Question 1: Do you like wearing T-shirts?

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 do. WhyI’m an office worker, and T-shirts are easy to throw on before my commute because they don’t need much thought. I mean, I usually choose a nice cotton one with a jeans, especially on Fridays when the office feels a bit relaxed.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. easy to throw on This natural phrase shows strong everyday clothing vocabulary.
  2. I mean, I usually choose This filler makes the answer sound spontaneous.
  3. a nice cotton one Nice is vague here. Soft cotton would be more precise.
  4. with a jeans An extra article: with jeans is correct.

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

Question 2: How often do you wear T-shirts?

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

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

AnswerUsually, four or five days a week, I wear T-shirts. WhyI work in an office with a fairly relaxed dress code, and I can dress down most days. ExampleLast Tuesday, I wore same grey one from morning until dinner, and I had no plans after work.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. dress down most days This is a natural phrasal verb used accurately.
  2. Usually, four or five days a week, I wear The unusual word order is understandable but less polished.
  3. and I can dress down most days The simple linker and is repeated in the answer.
  4. wore same grey one A missing article: wore the same grey one is correct.

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

Question 3: Do you prefer plain or printed T-shirts?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer plain T-shirts. WhyPrinted ones can be fun, but I don’t like logos that stand out too much when I’m at work and meeting friends. ExampleMy favourite is dark green one, although I sometimes buy a small design for weekends.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. stand out too much This precise phrase explains what the speaker dislikes.
  2. Printed ones can be fun Fun is general here. Eye-catching would be more precise.
  3. My favourite is dark green one A common spoken slip. The correct form is My favourite is a dark green one.

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

Question 4: Would you buy T-shirts as souvenirs on holiday?

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

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

AnswerProbably not. WhyI’d rather buy something that reminds me the place, because T-shirts often feel a bit boring. ExampleI mean, I did pick up a white one in Rome once, but I hardly wore it afterwards.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. pick up a white one This phrasal verb sounds natural for a casual purchase.
  2. I mean, I did pick up This filler and restart sound natural in speech.
  3. buy something that reminds me Something is vague here. A small local craft would be more precise.
  4. a bit boring A plain choice; predictable would be more precise.
  5. reminds me the place A missing word: reminds me of the place is correct.

About 14 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 5: Are T-shirts popular with people of all ages in your country?

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 they are. WhyIn Greece, children wear T-shirts for school sports, and older adult often choose T-shirts because they go with almost anything. ExampleMy aunt still wears one at home, and she’s in her sixties.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. go with almost anything This useful collocation gives a clear reason for their popularity.
  2. children wear T-shirts for school sports, and older adult often choose T-shirts Repeating T-shirts is natural but slightly less varied.
  3. In Greece, children wear T-shirts This concrete detail makes the answer personal.
  4. older adult often choose A small slip: older adults often choose is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

throw something on

/θrəʊ ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɒn/

put on clothes quickly and casually

I threw on a jumper before leaving.

dress down

/dres daʊn/

wear less formal clothes

We can dress down on Fridays.

stand out

/stænd aʊt/

be more noticeable than you want

That bright hat makes him stand out.

pick something up

/pɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ ʌp/

buy or get something casually

I picked up a postcard near the station.

go with something

/ɡəʊ wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

look suitable with many different things

These shoes go with something smart or casual.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Are T-shirts popular with people of all ages in your country?

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