IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Picnics questions and answers

IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions are short and personal: the examiner asks three to five on two or three everyday topics in the first four to five minutes. Here are 6 questions about picnics written by BandLadder in the examiner's style, each with a Band 8 sample answer and useful vocabulary. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.
  • 6 questions
  • 6 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

6 answers

Picnics questions with sample answers

1

Do you like going on picnics?

Yes, I really enjoy them, especially when the weather is warm and sunny. It is just a lovely way to unwind outdoors without any rush. Last month, my flatmate and I sat by the river with some snacks, and it was wonderfully relaxing.

2

How often do you have a picnic?

To be honest, not as often as I would like. It only tends to happen maybe three or four times during the summer months. Because our weather can be so unpredictable, we have to make the most of dry weekends whenever they come along.

3

What kind of food do you usually take on a picnic?

I usually keep things fairly simple, so things like crusty bread, some cheese, and fresh fruit. Finger food works best because you do not have to carry heavy cutlery. I also love taking homemade sandwiches and a flask of chilled lemonade.

4

Did you go on picnics often when you were a child?

I did, actually. During the school holidays, my parents would pack a cooler bag and drive us out to a nature reserve nearby. My brother and I would play frisbee on the grass for hours while my mum read a book.

5

Where is the best place for a picnic in your area?

There is a botanical garden about twenty minutes from my flat that is ideal. It has shaded lawns and plenty of colourful flowerbeds, so you get a bit of peace away from the traffic. It gets quite lively on Sunday afternoons.

6

Do you think you will go on more picnics in the future?

I hope so, yes. Once I finish my current study schedule, I will definitely have more free time at weekends. I would love to explore some coastal spots nearby and have picnics overlooking the sea.

Details are invented. Use the shape, not the sentences: examiners mark memorised answers down.

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7 words

Useful vocabulary and tips

  • unwind outdoors

    to relax in an open-air setting

  • unpredictable

    likely to change suddenly without warning

  • finger food

    food eaten directly with hands rather than cutlery

  • cooler bag

    an insulated container designed to keep food cold

  • nature reserve

    a protected natural area set aside for wildlife

  • shaded lawns

    patches of grass sheltered from direct sunlight

  • coastal spots

    locations situated near or beside the sea

  • →Use natural outdoor and catering vocabulary like 'cooler bag' or 'finger food' to demonstrate range.
  • →Refer to local weather or seasons to expand naturally on why your picnic habits change throughout the year.
  • →Keep answers concise by directly stating your preference before adding a concrete personal example.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are in IELTS Speaking Part 1?+

Usually about ten to twelve, over four to five minutes: a few on your work, study or home, then three or four short questions on each of two everyday topics.

How long should a Part 1 answer be?+

Two or three sentences, about 15 to 20 seconds: a direct answer, a reason and one detail. One-word answers cost fluency marks, and long speeches eat into the examiner's time.

Keep practising

More Part 1 topics

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