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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Travelling: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicTravelling

  • 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: Do you like travelling?

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 look forward to short trips because they break up my routine, and I normally choose somewhere with good food or a quiet beach. ExampleLast April, I spent three days in Bohol with my cousin, and it was really nice. I mean, I came back with a lot of memories.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. look forward to short trips This natural phrase shows enthusiasm about future travel.
  2. it was really nice A more precise word would be relaxing or enjoyable instead of nice.
  3. I mean, I came back This filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.

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

Question 2: Do you prefer to sit by the window when travelling?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerProbably yes. WhyI prefer to sit by the window on a long journey because watching the view change helps me feel less trapped on bus. ExampleI mean, on a six-hour trip last summer, I kept looking outside, and I missed some of the film playing on my phone.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. by the window on a long journey This gives a clear personal preference with a natural phrase.
  2. I mean, on a six-hour trip This filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.
  3. less trapped on bus A missing article: on a bus is correct.

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

Question 3: Did you go on long journeys with your family as a child?

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

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

AnswerYes, we did. WhyWe set off before sunrise for long drives to visit relatives, mainly because my parents wanted to avoid heavy traffic. ExampleI remember one journey to a farm when I was about ten, and there was two long stops, and I slept for most of the ride.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. set off before sunrise This phrasal verb gives a precise detail about starting.
  2. there was two long stops A common spoken slip: there were two long stops is correct.
  3. there was two long stops, and I slept Repeating and makes the speech slightly less polished.

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

Question 4: Do you take photos of the scenery from the window?

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

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

AnswerSometimes, yes. WhyI like to take in the scenery first, then I take a photo if the light look unusual. ExampleOn a ferry last year, I noticed the sea turning silver, but I only took one picture because my battery was nearly dead. I suppose I should've charged it.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. take in the scenery first, then I take This natural phrase shows careful enjoyment, with a little repetition of take.
  2. if the light look unusual A small grammar slip: if the light looks unusual is correct.

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

Question 5: Do you prefer the mountains or the sea?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer the sea. WhyThe sea helps me get away from the noise of work, and I find swimming more relaxing than walking on steep paths. ExampleWhen I have a free Sunday, I sometimes go to beach nearby, and it's nice to sit there for an hour. It clears my head.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. get away from the noise of work This natural phrase clearly explains the personal benefit.
  2. I prefer the sea. The sea Repeating sea is a small spoken limitation.
  3. it's nice to sit there A more precise word would be peaceful instead of nice.
  4. go to beach nearby A missing article: go to a beach nearby is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

look forward to something

/ˌlʊk ˈfɔːwəd tə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

feel excited about something that will happen

I look forward to visiting my sister next month.

sit by the window

/sɪt baɪ ðə ˈwɪndəʊ/

sit next to a window

I always try to sit by the window on trains.

set off

/set ˈɒf/

start a journey

We set off before breakfast to avoid traffic.

take in something

/teɪk ɪn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

look at and enjoy something carefully

We stopped to take in the beautiful view.

get away from something

/ɡet əˈweɪ frəm ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

escape from something unpleasant

I need a holiday to get away from work.

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 prefer the mountains or the sea?

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