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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Weather: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicWeather

  • 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 July 2026

Question 1: What's the weather like where you live?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerIt’s usually warm and bright where I live, although winter can feel surprisingly damp. WhyI mean, I notice heat more when I walk back from lunch at midday. ExampleIn last January, we had a damp spell that lasted nearly a week.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. damp spell This precise weather collocation shows good vocabulary.
  2. I mean, I notice heat more I mean sounds natural, but it is a small filler.
  3. notice heat more A small article slip: notice the heat more is correct.
  4. In last January An extra word: Last January is correct.

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

Question 2: Do you prefer cold or hot weather?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerProbably hot weather, although not extreme heat. WhyIt suits my routine because I can meet friends outside after work, and I get a nice feeling from being outdoors at evening. ExampleDuring a cold snap last February, I stayed indoors for two evenings and got very little done.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. cold snap This natural phrase gives a precise weather example.
  2. at evening A small preposition slip: in the evening is correct.
  3. a nice feeling Nice is a general word; relaxed feeling would be more precise.

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

Question 3: How often do you check the weather forecast?

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

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

AnswerI check it once or twice a day, mainly because my commute is on foot. WhyI look in the morning, and then I look again before I leave the office if the sky looks uncertain. ExampleLast Tuesday, forecast said rain, so I carried an umbrella for no reason.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. on foot This is a natural everyday collocation for travel.
  2. I look in the morning, and then I look again Repeating look sounds slightly less polished but remains clear.
  3. forecast said rain A missing article: the forecast said rain is correct.

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

Question 4: Do you think weather forecasts are usually accurate?

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

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

AnswerUsually, yes, but I wouldn’t trust them completely. WhyThey’re fairly reliable for the next day, although I take longer forecasts with a pinch of salt because the timing of rain can be off. ExampleLast month, it predicted showers at lunchtime, but the streets stayed dry, but I wasn’t surprised.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. take longer forecasts with a pinch of salt This idiomatic phrase shows a natural, precise opinion.
  2. but the streets stayed dry, but I wasn’t surprised Repeating but is a small spoken-linking limit.

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

Take it further: How much do you actually trust the weather forecast — and has it ever let you down?

Question 5: Would you like to visit places with a different climate from where you live?

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, definitely. WhyI mean, I’d love to spend a few days in a really cold place, mainly because I’ve never seen snow in real life. ExampleI’d choose the northern Japan in January, and I’d probably pack far too many layers and a few other things for the trip.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. pack far too many layers This practical phrase shows precise everyday vocabulary.
  2. I mean, I’d love to spend I mean is a natural filler, though slightly less polished.
  3. a few other things Things is vague; clothes or travel items would be more precise.
  4. the northern Japan An extra word: northern Japan is correct.
  5. a really cold place A plain choice; a genuinely cold place would be more precise.

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

Phrases to borrow

damp spell

/ˈdæmp spel/

a period of wet, unpleasant weather

We had a damp spell in early spring.

cold snap

/ˈkəʊld snæp/

a short period of unusually cold weather

The cold snap damaged several young plants.

on foot

/ən ˈfʊt/

walking rather than using transport

I usually explore the old town on foot.

take something with a pinch of salt

/teɪk ˌsʌmθɪŋ wɪð ə ˌpɪntʃ əv ˈsɔːlt/

not completely believe something

I take online reviews with a pinch of salt.

pack too many layers

/pæk tuː ˈmeni ˈleɪəz/

take excessive clothing for changing temperatures

I always pack too many layers for mountain trips.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Would you like to visit places with a different climate from where you live?

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