IELTS Speaking Part 1 Question Bank 2026

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Question Bank — Jan to Apr 2026

Browse the complete collection of IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics for the January to April 2026 test season. Questions are categorised as Core (always tested), New (introduced this season), or Retained (carried over from the previous season). Use the filters to focus your practice.

Showing 40 topics

CoreName

1.What's your full name?

Key vocabulary

Family name / surname / last nameFirst name / forename / given name

CoreStudy & Work

1.Are you studying or working?
2.Why did you choose this job?
3.Why did you choose to study your major?
4.Is your major difficult to study at first?
5.Who helps you when you have difficulties?
6.Why do you think your university major is interesting?
7.What technology do you use when you study?

Key vocabulary

Freshman / Sophomore / Junior / Seniorhave great career prospectsstand a good chance of doing somethingfulfill one's potential

CoreHometown

1.Where's your hometown?
2.How long have you lived there?
3.Do you like living there?

CoreAccommodation / House or Flat

1.Do you live in a house or a flat?
2.How long have you lived there?
3.Which room of your home do you like best?
4.Can you say something about that room?
5.Which room do you spend most time with your family in?

Key vocabulary

high-rise buildingthriving greeneryabundant waternewly constructedvintage marketchaotic and congestedFrench windowbedroomkitchenstudyliving roomdining roomrestroomspaciousdorm

CoreThe Area You Live In

1.Do you like the area where you live?
2.What are some changes in the area recently?
3.Do you know any famous people in your area?
4.Where do you like to go in that area?
5.What do you find interesting about the place where you live?
6.Do you plan to live there in the future?

NewFood

1.What's your favorite food?
2.What kind of food did you like when you were young?
3.Do you eat different foods at different times of the year?
4.Has your favorite food changed since you were a child?

NewPets and Animals

1.What's your favorite animal? Why?
2.Where do you prefer to keep your pet, indoors or outdoors?
3.Have you ever had a pet before?
4.What is the most popular animal in China?

NewSports Team

1.Have you ever been part of a sports team?
2.Is team sports popular in your culture?
3.Do you like watching team games? Why?
4.What are the differences between team sports and individual sports?

NewWalking

1.Do you walk a lot?
2.Did you often go outside to have a walk when you were a child?
3.Why do people like to walk in parks?
4.Where would you like to take a long walk if you had the chance?
5.Where did you go for a walk lately?

NewReading

1.Do you like reading?
2.Do you prefer to read on paper or on a screen?
3.When do you need to read carefully, and when not?
4.Do you prefer scanning or detailed reading?

NewMorning Time

1.Do you like getting up early in the morning?
2.What do you usually do in the morning?
3.What did you do in the morning when you were little? Why?
4.Are there any differences between what you do in the morning now and what you did in the past?
5.Do you spend your mornings doing the same things on both weekends and weekdays? Why?

NewGifts

1.Have you ever sent handmade gifts to others?
2.Have you ever received a great gift?
3.What do you consider when choosing a gift?
4.Do you think you are good at choosing gifts?
5.What gift have you received recently?

NewHobby

1.Do you have any hobbies?
2.Did you have any hobbies when you were a child?
3.Do you have a hobby that you've had since childhood?
4.Do you have the same hobbies as your family members?

NewTyping

1.Do you prefer typing or handwriting?
2.Do you type on a desktop or laptop keyboard every day?
3.When did you learn how to type on a keyboard?
4.How do you improve your typing?

NewChildhood Activities

1.What are your favorite activities?
2.What were your favorite activities when you were a child?
3.Did you prefer to do activities alone or with a group of people when you were a child?

NewBuildings

1.Are there tall buildings near your home?
2.Do you take photos of buildings?
3.Is there a building that you would like to visit?
4.Do you want to live in a tall building?

NewScenery

1.Do you look out the window at the scenery when travelling by bus or car?
2.Do you prefer the mountains or the sea?
3.Do you like to take scenery pictures?
4.What are the most beautiful sights you have seen while traveling?

NewViews

1.Do you like taking pictures of different views?
2.Do you prefer views in urban areas or rural areas?
3.Do you prefer views in your own country or in other countries?

NewLife Stages

1.What did you often do with your friends in your childhood?
2.What do you think is the most important at the moment?
3.Do you have any plans for the next five years?
4.How do people remember each stage of their lives?
5.Do you enjoy being the age you are now?
6.At what age do you think people are the happiest?

NewDaily Routine

1.What is your daily study routine?
2.Have you ever changed your routine?
3.Do you think it is important to have a daily routine for your study?
4.What part of your day do you like best?
5.Do you often go to bed late or early?

RetainedPlants

1.Do you keep plants at home?
2.What plant did you grow when you were young?
3.Do you know anything about growing a plant?
4.Do Chinese people send plants as gifts?

RetainedShoes

1.Do you like buying shoes? How often?
2.Have you ever bought shoes online?
3.How much money do you usually spend on shoes?
4.Which do you prefer, fashionable shoes or comfortable shoes?

RetainedRules

1.Are there any rules for students at your school?
2.Do you think students would benefit from more rules?
3.Have you ever had a really dedicated teacher?
4.Do you prefer to have more or fewer rules at school?

RetainedPublic Places

1.Have you ever talked with someone you don't know in public places?
2.Do you wear headphones in public places?
3.Would you like to see more public places near where you live?
4.Do you often go to public places with your friends?

RetainedCrowded Places

1.Is the city where you live crowded?
2.Is there a crowded place near where you live?
3.Do you like crowded places?
4.Do most people like crowded places?
5.When was the last time you were in a crowded place?

RetainedGoing Out

1.Do you bring food or snacks with you when going out?
2.Do you always take your mobile phone with you when going out?
3.Do you often bring cash with you?
4.How often do you use cash?

RetainedStaying With Old People

1.Have you ever worked with old people?
2.Are you happy to work with people who are older than you?
3.What are the benefits of being friends or working with old people?
4.Do you enjoy spending time with old people?

RetainedDoing Something Well

1.Do you have an experience when you did something well?
2.Do you have an experience when your teacher thought you did a good job?
3.Do you often tell your friends when they do something well?

RetainedGrowing Vegetables / Fruits

1.Are you interested in growing vegetables and fruits?
2.Is growing vegetables popular in your country?
3.Do many people grow vegetables in your city?
4.Do you think it's easy to grow vegetables?
5.Should schools teach students how to grow vegetables?

RetainedChatting

1.Do you like chatting with friends?
2.What do you usually chat about with friends?
3.Do you prefer to chat with a group of people or with only one friend?
4.Do you prefer to communicate face-to-face or via social media?
5.Do you argue with friends?
6.When was the last time you had a long chat with someone?
7.What do you think of a person who talks too much?

RetainedBorrowing / Lending

1.Have you ever borrowed money from others?
2.Have you borrowed books from others?
3.Do you like to lend things to others?
4.How do you feel when people don't return things they borrowed from you?

RetainedAdvertisement

1.Is there an advertisement that made an impression on you when you were a child?
2.Do you see a lot of advertising on trains or other transport?
3.Do you like advertisements?
4.What kind of advertising do you like?

RetainedMuseum

1.Do you think museums are important?
2.Are there many museums in your hometown?
3.Do you often visit a museum?
4.When was the last time you visited a museum?

RetainedHappy Things

1.Is there anything that has made you feel happy lately?
2.What made you happy when you were little?
3.What do you think will make you feel happy in the future?
4.When do you feel happy at work? Why?
5.Do you feel happy when buying new things?
6.Do you think people are happy when buying new things?
7.Do you prefer to watch happy or sad movies?

RetainedHaving a Break

1.How often do you take a rest or a break?
2.What do you usually do when you are resting?
3.Do you take a nap when you are taking your rest?
4.How do you feel after taking a nap?

RetainedSharing

1.Did your parents teach you to share when you were a child?
2.What kind of things do you like to share with others?
3.What kind of things are not suitable for sharing?
4.Do you have anything to share with others recently?
5.Who is the first person you would like to share good news with?
6.What kind of news do you share with your friends?

RetainedFriends

1.Do you have a friend you have known for a long time?
2.What do you usually do with your friends?
3.Where do you often meet each other?
4.Do you often go out with your friends?
5.How important are friends to you?
6.Do you prefer to spend time with one friend or with a group of friends?
7.Would you invite friends to your home?
8.Is there a difference between where you meet friends now and where you used to meet them in the past?
9.Why are some places suitable for meeting while others are not?

RetainedWeekends

1.Do you like weekends?
2.What do you usually do on weekends?
3.Do you study or work?
4.What did you do last weekend?
5.Do you have plans for your weekends?

RetainedMemory

1.Are you good at memorizing things?
2.Have you ever forgotten something important?
3.What do you need to remember in your daily life?
4.How do you remember important things?

RetainedText Messages

1.How often do you send text messages?
2.Is sending messages popular in your country?
3.Did you send more messages when you were younger?
4.Do you reply to messages as soon as you receive them?

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Part 1 topics are there in the Jan-Apr 2026 season?

The January to April 2026 IELTS Speaking Part 1 pool contains approximately 40 topics, divided into Core topics (always tested, such as Name, Study/Work, Hometown, and Accommodation), New topics (introduced this season), and Retained topics (carried over from the previous testing period). Cambridge Assessment English rotates the question pool roughly every four months (IELTS Official, 2025).

What is the difference between Core, New, and Retained topics?

Core topics appear in every testing period and cover universal subjects like your name, work/study, and accommodation. New topics are introduced at the start of each season and have not appeared before. Retained topics were in the previous season and continue into the current one. Approximately 30-40% of topics are replaced each cycle (British Council Speaking Test Updates, 2025).

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Question Bank — Jan to Apr 2026

Showing 40 topics

CoreName

1.What's your full name?

Key vocabulary

Family name / surname / last nameFirst name / forename / given name

CoreStudy & Work

1.Are you studying or working?
2.Why did you choose this job?
3.Why did you choose to study your major?
4.Is your major difficult to study at first?
5.Who helps you when you have difficulties?
6.Why do you think your university major is interesting?
7.What technology do you use when you study?

Key vocabulary

Freshman / Sophomore / Junior / Seniorhave great career prospectsstand a good chance of doing somethingfulfill one's potential

CoreHometown

1.Where's your hometown?
2.How long have you lived there?
3.Do you like living there?

CoreAccommodation / House or Flat

1.Do you live in a house or a flat?
2.How long have you lived there?
3.Which room of your home do you like best?
4.Can you say something about that room?
5.Which room do you spend most time with your family in?

Key vocabulary

high-rise buildingthriving greeneryabundant waternewly constructedvintage marketchaotic and congestedFrench windowbedroomkitchenstudyliving roomdining roomrestroomspaciousdorm

CoreThe Area You Live In

1.Do you like the area where you live?
2.What are some changes in the area recently?
3.Do you know any famous people in your area?
4.Where do you like to go in that area?
5.What do you find interesting about the place where you live?
6.Do you plan to live there in the future?

NewFood

1.What's your favorite food?
2.What kind of food did you like when you were young?
3.Do you eat different foods at different times of the year?
4.Has your favorite food changed since you were a child?

NewPets and Animals

1.What's your favorite animal? Why?
2.Where do you prefer to keep your pet, indoors or outdoors?
3.Have you ever had a pet before?
4.What is the most popular animal in China?

NewSports Team

1.Have you ever been part of a sports team?
2.Is team sports popular in your culture?
3.Do you like watching team games? Why?
4.What are the differences between team sports and individual sports?

NewWalking

1.Do you walk a lot?
2.Did you often go outside to have a walk when you were a child?
3.Why do people like to walk in parks?
4.Where would you like to take a long walk if you had the chance?
5.Where did you go for a walk lately?

NewReading

1.Do you like reading?
2.Do you prefer to read on paper or on a screen?
3.When do you need to read carefully, and when not?
4.Do you prefer scanning or detailed reading?

NewMorning Time

1.Do you like getting up early in the morning?
2.What do you usually do in the morning?
3.What did you do in the morning when you were little? Why?
4.Are there any differences between what you do in the morning now and what you did in the past?
5.Do you spend your mornings doing the same things on both weekends and weekdays? Why?

NewGifts

1.Have you ever sent handmade gifts to others?
2.Have you ever received a great gift?
3.What do you consider when choosing a gift?
4.Do you think you are good at choosing gifts?
5.What gift have you received recently?

NewHobby

1.Do you have any hobbies?
2.Did you have any hobbies when you were a child?
3.Do you have a hobby that you've had since childhood?
4.Do you have the same hobbies as your family members?

NewTyping

1.Do you prefer typing or handwriting?
2.Do you type on a desktop or laptop keyboard every day?
3.When did you learn how to type on a keyboard?
4.How do you improve your typing?

NewChildhood Activities

1.What are your favorite activities?
2.What were your favorite activities when you were a child?
3.Did you prefer to do activities alone or with a group of people when you were a child?

NewBuildings

1.Are there tall buildings near your home?
2.Do you take photos of buildings?
3.Is there a building that you would like to visit?
4.Do you want to live in a tall building?

NewScenery

1.Do you look out the window at the scenery when travelling by bus or car?
2.Do you prefer the mountains or the sea?
3.Do you like to take scenery pictures?
4.What are the most beautiful sights you have seen while traveling?

NewViews

1.Do you like taking pictures of different views?
2.Do you prefer views in urban areas or rural areas?
3.Do you prefer views in your own country or in other countries?

NewLife Stages

1.What did you often do with your friends in your childhood?
2.What do you think is the most important at the moment?
3.Do you have any plans for the next five years?
4.How do people remember each stage of their lives?
5.Do you enjoy being the age you are now?
6.At what age do you think people are the happiest?

NewDaily Routine

1.What is your daily study routine?
2.Have you ever changed your routine?
3.Do you think it is important to have a daily routine for your study?
4.What part of your day do you like best?
5.Do you often go to bed late or early?

RetainedPlants

1.Do you keep plants at home?
2.What plant did you grow when you were young?
3.Do you know anything about growing a plant?
4.Do Chinese people send plants as gifts?

RetainedShoes

1.Do you like buying shoes? How often?
2.Have you ever bought shoes online?
3.How much money do you usually spend on shoes?
4.Which do you prefer, fashionable shoes or comfortable shoes?

RetainedRules

1.Are there any rules for students at your school?
2.Do you think students would benefit from more rules?
3.Have you ever had a really dedicated teacher?
4.Do you prefer to have more or fewer rules at school?

RetainedPublic Places

1.Have you ever talked with someone you don't know in public places?
2.Do you wear headphones in public places?
3.Would you like to see more public places near where you live?
4.Do you often go to public places with your friends?

RetainedCrowded Places

1.Is the city where you live crowded?
2.Is there a crowded place near where you live?
3.Do you like crowded places?
4.Do most people like crowded places?
5.When was the last time you were in a crowded place?

RetainedGoing Out

1.Do you bring food or snacks with you when going out?
2.Do you always take your mobile phone with you when going out?
3.Do you often bring cash with you?
4.How often do you use cash?

RetainedStaying With Old People

1.Have you ever worked with old people?
2.Are you happy to work with people who are older than you?
3.What are the benefits of being friends or working with old people?
4.Do you enjoy spending time with old people?

RetainedDoing Something Well

1.Do you have an experience when you did something well?
2.Do you have an experience when your teacher thought you did a good job?
3.Do you often tell your friends when they do something well?

RetainedGrowing Vegetables / Fruits

1.Are you interested in growing vegetables and fruits?
2.Is growing vegetables popular in your country?
3.Do many people grow vegetables in your city?
4.Do you think it's easy to grow vegetables?
5.Should schools teach students how to grow vegetables?

RetainedChatting

1.Do you like chatting with friends?
2.What do you usually chat about with friends?
3.Do you prefer to chat with a group of people or with only one friend?
4.Do you prefer to communicate face-to-face or via social media?
5.Do you argue with friends?
6.When was the last time you had a long chat with someone?
7.What do you think of a person who talks too much?

RetainedBorrowing / Lending

1.Have you ever borrowed money from others?
2.Have you borrowed books from others?
3.Do you like to lend things to others?
4.How do you feel when people don't return things they borrowed from you?

RetainedAdvertisement

1.Is there an advertisement that made an impression on you when you were a child?
2.Do you see a lot of advertising on trains or other transport?
3.Do you like advertisements?
4.What kind of advertising do you like?

RetainedMuseum

1.Do you think museums are important?
2.Are there many museums in your hometown?
3.Do you often visit a museum?
4.When was the last time you visited a museum?

RetainedHappy Things

1.Is there anything that has made you feel happy lately?
2.What made you happy when you were little?
3.What do you think will make you feel happy in the future?
4.When do you feel happy at work? Why?
5.Do you feel happy when buying new things?
6.Do you think people are happy when buying new things?
7.Do you prefer to watch happy or sad movies?

RetainedHaving a Break

1.How often do you take a rest or a break?
2.What do you usually do when you are resting?
3.Do you take a nap when you are taking your rest?
4.How do you feel after taking a nap?

RetainedSharing

1.Did your parents teach you to share when you were a child?
2.What kind of things do you like to share with others?
3.What kind of things are not suitable for sharing?
4.Do you have anything to share with others recently?
5.Who is the first person you would like to share good news with?
6.What kind of news do you share with your friends?

RetainedFriends

1.Do you have a friend you have known for a long time?
2.What do you usually do with your friends?
3.Where do you often meet each other?
4.Do you often go out with your friends?
5.How important are friends to you?
6.Do you prefer to spend time with one friend or with a group of friends?
7.Would you invite friends to your home?
8.Is there a difference between where you meet friends now and where you used to meet them in the past?
9.Why are some places suitable for meeting while others are not?

RetainedWeekends

1.Do you like weekends?
2.What do you usually do on weekends?
3.Do you study or work?
4.What did you do last weekend?
5.Do you have plans for your weekends?

RetainedMemory

1.Are you good at memorizing things?
2.Have you ever forgotten something important?
3.What do you need to remember in your daily life?
4.How do you remember important things?

RetainedText Messages

1.How often do you send text messages?
2.Is sending messages popular in your country?
3.Did you send more messages when you were younger?
4.Do you reply to messages as soon as you receive them?

Frequently Asked Questions

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Question Bank 2026

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Question Bank — Jan to Apr 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Part 1 topics are there in the Jan-Apr 2026 season?

What is the difference between Core, New, and Retained topics?

Related Articles

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions

Explore Other IELTS Sections

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Question Bank 2026

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Question Bank — Jan to Apr 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Part 1 topics are there in the Jan-Apr 2026 season?

What is the difference between Core, New, and Retained topics?

Related Articles

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions

Explore Other IELTS Sections