Speaking Part 1: short answers done well
Speaking Part 1: answer familiar questions naturally with the right length — not one word, not a speech.
In this lesson you will
- Know what Part 1 involves
- Give answers of the right length (2–4 sentences)
- Sound natural, not memorised
Learn
Part 1 lasts about 4–5 minutes. The examiner asks questions about familiar topics: your home, work or studies, and everyday subjects (weather, food, music, transport, hobbies).
Right length: answer directly, then add a reason or detail — about 2–4 sentences. Do you like cooking? — Yes, quite a lot. I find it relaxing after work, and I enjoy trying recipes from different countries — last week I made a Thai curry.
Sound natural: use contractions, natural fillers (Well, Actually, To be honest), and vary tenses where it fits (I used to…, I’ve recently started…, I’d like to…). Memorised answers are easy to notice and don’t help.
If you don’t understand: Sorry, could you repeat the question? is fine. The examiner can repeat it but can’t explain it in Part 1.
Examples
- Q: Do you work or study? — A: I’m studying engineering at university. I’m in my second year, and I’m particularly enjoying the practical projects.
- Q: Do you like rainy days? — A: Not really, to be honest. They make me feel a bit sleepy, although I do like listening to the rain when I’m at home.
- Q: How often do you use public transport? — A: Almost every day. I take the metro to work because driving in the city centre is a nightmare.
Vocabulary
familiar topic
an everyday subject you know well
filler
a word used while thinking (well, actually)
memorised
learned by heart
extend
make longer
nightmare
a very unpleasant experience (informal)
Practice
How long is Part 1?
Speaking
Answer these Part 1 questions (20–30 seconds each): Where do you live? What do you like about it? Do you prefer mornings or evenings? What kind of food do you enjoy? How do you usually spend weekends?
Lesson quiz
A good Part 1 answer is about…
Review
Key points
- 4–5 minutes on familiar topics.
- Answer + reason/detail (2–4 sentences).
- Natural language, not memorised.
- Ask for repetition if needed.
What you learned
- ✓ I know what Part 1 involves.
- ✓ I give natural answers of the right length.
- ✓ I can ask for repetition.