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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Vegetables: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicVegetables

  • 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 eating vegetables?

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, especially leafy greens. WhyThey're a nice way to improve meals when I get home late from work, and I add them to noodles, and I cut down on takeaway food because of them. ExampleFor example, spinach is my usual choice on Tuesday evenings.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. cut down on takeaway food This is a natural phrase for reducing takeaway meals.
  2. a nice way to improve meals Nice is general; healthier is more precise here.
  3. and I add them to noodles, and I Repeating and makes the answer sound less polished but natural.

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

Question 2: Did you dislike any vegetables when you were little?

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

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

AnswerYes, I did. WhyI didn't like bitter melon because taste seemed too strong, and I'd steer clear of it whenever my mother cooked it. ExampleI mean, by the time I was ten, I could eat almost anything else.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. steer clear of it This is a useful natural phrase meaning avoid it.
  2. I mean, by the time I mean is a natural spoken filler and restart.
  3. it whenever my mother cooked it Repeating it is a small spoken limitation.
  4. because taste seemed too strong A missing article: because the taste seemed too strong is correct.
  5. I didn't like bitter melon Plain; I couldn't stand bitter melon would be stronger.

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

Question 3: Would you like to grow your own vegetables one day?

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

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

AnswerYes, I would, probably on a balcony. WhyI like the idea of having something fresh for dinner, and growing herbs would help me make use of a small sunny space. ExampleFor example, if I move to bigger flat, I'd try tomatoes first. There's a few pots I'd need, too.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. make use of a small sunny space This phrase shows precise vocabulary in a natural collocation.
  2. having something fresh for dinner Something is vague; fresh vegetables is more precise.
  3. There's a few pots A common spoken slip; There are a few pots is correct.
  4. move to bigger flat A missing article: move to a bigger flat is correct.

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

Question 4: Do many people grow vegetables in your city?

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

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

AnswerYes, some do, but I wouldn't say most people. WhyThere's small gardens on the edge of Chengdu, and a few older residents look after plots near their homes. ExampleI noticed this last spring when I visited my aunt in a quieter suburb.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. look after plots near their homes This is a natural phrase for caring for gardens.
  2. Yes, some do Some is general; a few local residents is more precise.
  3. There's small gardens A common spoken slip; There are small gardens is correct.

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

Question 5: Where do people usually buy vegetables?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerMost people buy them at street markets, and I usually go to one near my office. WhyThe stuff looks fresher than in supermarket, and I mean, I can pick up just enough for two or three meals on my way home. ExampleFor example, last Friday I got aubergines and spring onions after work.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. pick up just enough This phrase naturally means buy a small amount quickly.
  2. The stuff looks fresher Stuff is general; vegetables or produce is more precise.
  3. I mean, I can pick up just enough I mean is a spoken filler that makes the answer less polished.
  4. fresher than in supermarket A missing article: than in the supermarket is correct.

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

Question 6: What vegetables are common in your country?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerLeafy greens are probably the most common, especially cabbage and spinach. WhyThey're affordable, easy to find, and they appear in lots of home-cooked dishes, so I put them on my shopping list every week. ExampleLast month, I bought a large cabbage for hotpot, and it was lasting for days.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. put them on my shopping list This is a useful phrase for adding items to a list.
  2. appear in lots of home-cooked dishes Lots is general; many is slightly more precise.
  3. They're affordable, easy to find, and they Repeating they makes the answer sound less polished but natural.
  4. it was lasting for days A tense slip: it lasted for days is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

cut down on something

/kʌt ˈdaʊn ɒn ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

reduce how much of something you use or consume

I'm trying to cut down on sugary drinks.

steer clear of something

/stɪə ˈklɪər əv ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

avoid something

I steer clear of crowded cafés at lunchtime.

make use of something

/meɪk ˈjuːs əv ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

use something effectively

We made use of the empty room as an office.

look after something

/lʊk ˈɑːftə ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

take care of something

My neighbour looks after my plants when I travel.

pick up something

/pɪk ˈʌp ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

buy or collect something quickly

I'll pick up some fruit on my way home.

put something on

/pʊt ˌsʌmθɪŋ ˈɒn/

add something to a list

I put fresh milk on my shopping list.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Where do people usually buy vegetables?

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