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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Work or studies: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicWork or studies

  • 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 March 2026

Question 1: Do you work or are you a student?

This or thatPick one and say why.

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

AnswerI'm an office worker, a junior content coordinator for a small travel company in Pune. ExampleI handle quite a few website tasks, mainly updating travel pages and checking short posts. ExampleI have started this job just after graduating last year, and I'm still getting used to the deadlines.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. junior content coordinator This precise job title shows useful topic vocabulary.
  2. I have started this job just after graduating last year A tense slip: with last year, I started is correct.
  3. getting used to the deadlines This natural phrase shows adjusting to a new job.

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

Question 2: Why did you choose this field of work or study?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI chose this field Whybecause I've always liked making complicated ideas sounding simple. ExampleI mean, at university, my cousin and I ran a study page, and that was when I got the hang of writing for real readers.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. making complicated ideas sounding simple A small slip: making ideas sound simple is correct.
  2. I mean, at university This small filler makes the answer sound spontaneous.
  3. got the hang of writing This natural phrase shows how a skill developed.

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

Question 3: What do you enjoy most about your job or studies?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerProbably the best part is the teamwork, Whybecause we can turn a good idea into something people actually use. ExampleLast Tuesday, I sat with our designer and we sorted out a hotel page before the lunch, which felt pretty good.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. sorted out a hotel page This phrasal verb sounds natural for finishing a task.
  2. a good idea Good is general; a strong campaign idea would be more precise.
  3. before the lunch A small slip: before lunch, with no the, is correct.

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

Question 4: Is there anything you find difficult about it?

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

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

AnswerYes, a little. WhyI find it difficult to judge how much detail is enough, because clients sometimes change their minds at the last minute. ExampleLast month, one brief changed twice in an afternoon, so I must rewrite the opening.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. judge how much detail is enough This precise phrase explains a specific work difficulty.
  2. so I must rewrite A tense slip: so I had to rewrite is correct for last month.
  3. one brief changed twice Changed repeats change from before, which sounds a little less varied.

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

Question 5: What would you like to change about your work or study environment?

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

AnswerWell, I'd like a change of scenery, Whymainly because our office is quite noisy, and the office noise make calls difficult. ExampleA quieter corner with natural light would help me concentrate, especially on rainy afternoons, when I lose focus a bit.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a change of scenery This natural phrase expresses a different working environment.
  2. the office noise make calls difficult A small slip: the office noise makes calls difficult is correct.
  3. lose focus a bit A bit is vague; lose focus after an hour would be more precise.

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

Question 6: What do you want to do in the future?

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

AnswerIn the future, I want to work towards a senior role in digital content, Whybecause I want more responsibility, and I want to lead bigger projects. I'm still figuring out which direction suit me best, Exampleso I'm taking an evening course in basic design.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. work towards a senior role This useful phrase expresses a realistic career goal.
  2. I want more responsibility, and I want Repeating want makes the answer sound less polished.
  3. which direction suit me best A small slip: which direction suits me best is correct.

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

Phrases to borrow

get used to something

/ɡet ˈjuːst tə ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

become familiar with something

I’m getting used to speaking English at work.

get the hang of something

/ɡet ðə ˈhæŋ əv ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

learn how to do something

She soon got the hang of using the new software.

sort something out

/sɔːt ˌsʌmθɪŋ ˈaʊt/

solve or organise something

We sorted out the booking problem before lunch.

at the last minute

/ət ðə ˌlɑːst ˈmɪnɪt/

just before something is due

He changed his travel plans at the last minute.

a change of scenery

/ə ˌtʃeɪndʒ əv ˈsiːnəri/

a different place or environment

A change of scenery helped me feel more energetic.

work towards something

/ˌwɜːk təˈwɔːdz ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

try to achieve something

I'm working towards a higher qualification.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

What would you like to change about your work or study environment?

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