heytardy
Log inGet started

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Wild animals: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicWild animals

  • 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: Are there any wild animals 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, there are wild animals in Nepal. WhyThey’re especially common in protected areas. ExampleI’m an office worker in Kathmandu, and I’ve heard about rhinos and Bengal tigers in Chitwan, although I haven’t visited yet. It sounds like a nice place for animals, but I only know it from photos.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. protected areas This useful phrase shows precise topic vocabulary.
  2. Kathmandu, and I’ve heard about rhinos and Bengal tigers Using and twice sounds natural but slightly less polished.
  3. a nice place for animals A vague word: suitable habitat would be more precise.

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

Question 2: Have you ever seen wild animals in real life?

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 have, but only briefly. ExampleI saw a monkey near forest road in 2022, when I was travelling with my cousin, and it suddenly ran off into the trees. I mean, it was a nice sight, but the moment was over very quickly.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. ran off into the trees This natural phrasal verb shows flexible everyday vocabulary.
  2. I mean, it was a nice sight This filler sounds natural but slightly less polished.
  3. a nice sight A vague word: brief glimpse would be more precise.
  4. near forest road A missing article: near a forest road is correct.

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

Take it further: Have you ever had a memorable encounter with a wild animal? What happened?

Question 3: Have you watched any TV programmes about wild animals?

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 have, mainly on nature channels online. ExampleI watched one about snow leopards in last winter, and the programme showed how they blend into rocky slopes, which was quite interesting. The programme was good, but I started it late because I was cooking dinner, so I missed the first few minutes.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. blend into rocky slopes This precise collocation shows good control of descriptive language.
  2. The programme was good A vague word: informative would be more precise.
  3. snow leopards in last winter A preposition slip: say last winter, with no in.

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

Question 4: Do you prefer seeing animals in zoos or in the wild?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI prefer seeing animals in the wild Whybecause their behaviour feels more natural there. In a zoo, I’d probably focus on things around the enclosure, so it wouldn’t be as exciting. ExampleLet me think, I once saw deer from viewing point in Shivapuri, and they kept their distance.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. kept their distance This everyday idiom is used naturally for animals.
  2. Let me think, I once saw This filler makes the answer sound spontaneous but less polished.
  3. things around the enclosure A vague word: fences or signs would be more precise.
  4. from viewing point A missing article: from a viewing point is correct.

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

Question 5: Why do you think people are interested in wild animals?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI think people are interested in wild animals Whybecause they show us things we don’t normally see. ExampleFor me, a short documentary about red pandas held my attention longer than most programmes, and I kept thinking about it at work the next day. It’s hard to explain, but that mystery make them interesting.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. held my attention This natural collocation shows precise control of everyday English.
  2. show us things we don’t normally see A vague word: unusual behaviour would be more precise.
  3. that mystery make them interesting A common spoken slip: that mystery makes them interesting is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

protected area

/prəˈtektɪd ˌeəriə/

A place where wildlife and nature are legally protected

The park is a protected area for rare birds.

run off

/ˌrʌn ˈɒf/

To leave quickly, often because of fear

The dog ran off when it heard the noise.

blend into

/ˈblend ɪntə/

To look similar to the surrounding background

The lizard can blend into the dry leaves.

keep your distance

/ˌkiːp jə ˈdɪstəns/

To stay far enough away from something

The horses kept their distance from the visitors.

hold someone's attention

/ˌhəʊld ˌsʌmwənz əˈtenʃən/

To keep someone interested in something

The story held my attention until the end.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

Why do you think people are interested in wild animals?

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