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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Watches: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicWatches

  • 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 wear a watch?

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 wear one most days, Whymainly because I like to keep an eye on the time without checking my phone. ExampleI work in an office, and my watch is useful during meeting. It has a nice, simple face, which I find easy to read in busy mornings.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. keep an eye on the time This natural phrase shows good everyday collocation.
  2. during meeting A common spoken slip: during a meeting is correct.
  3. a nice, simple face Nice is vague here; clear would be more precise.
  4. in busy mornings A preposition slip: on busy mornings is correct.

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

Question 2: Have you ever been given a watch as a gift?

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 was given one by my older brother for my eighteen birthday. ExampleI mean, it was a fairly simple silver watch, but it came in handy when I started commuting to work. I still wear it on important days, although the strap is a bit worn now.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. came in handy This useful phrasal expression shows flexible vocabulary.
  2. I mean This filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.
  3. important days Important is broad; formal workdays would be more precise.
  4. my eighteen birthday A small slip: my eighteenth birthday is correct.

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

Question 3: Why do some people wear expensive watches?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerSome people wear expensive watches Whybecause they want to show success, or they see them as a long-term purchase. I wouldn't fork out for one myself, since I don't like spending a lot of money on accessories. ExampleIn Jeddah, I once noticed a very flashy one on a business dinner.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. fork out for This informal phrase shows natural control of spending vocabulary.
  2. a lot of money This amount is vague; a specific price would be more precise.
  3. on a business dinner A common spoken slip: at a business dinner is correct.

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

Question 4: Is a watch essential for you?

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

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

AnswerNo, I can get by without a watch Whybecause my phone shows the time. Still, I prefer having a watch at work, especially when I’m speaking to customer and don’t want to look down at my screen. ExampleLast month, I left mine at home and felt a bit not organised.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. get by without This phrase clearly expresses managing without something.
  2. watch at work, especially The repeated word watch is a simple spoken limit.
  3. speaking to customer A missing article: speaking to a customer is correct.
  4. a bit not organised Awkward: a bit disorganised is the natural word.

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

Phrases to borrow

keep an eye on something

/kiːp ən aɪ ɒn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

check something regularly

I keep an eye on my bag in crowded places.

come in handy

/kʌm ɪn ˈhændi/

be useful when needed

This small torch may come in handy tonight.

fork out for something

/fɔːk aʊt fə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

pay a lot for something

I had to fork out for a replacement passport.

get by without something

/ɡet baɪ wɪˈðaʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

manage without something

I can get by without a car in the city.

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 wear a watch?

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