IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Plastic and rubbish 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. These are the 8 questions about plastic and rubbish in the BandLadder test bank, with Band 8 sample answers for the most frequent ones and useful vocabulary. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.
  • 8 questions
  • 6 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

6 answers

Plastic and rubbish questions with sample answers

1

Do you think your city is clean or not?

Actually, my city is fairly well-maintained, though it certainly has its grimy pockets. The local council employs street cleaners who work around the clock, so the main thoroughfares are kept immaculate, even if the residential side streets occasionally suffer from overflowing bins.

2

Do you think it's important to keep the city clean?

It is absolutely vital because a pristine environment directly impacts the mental well-being and physical health of the residents. When streets are free from litter, it fosters a sense of civic pride and discourages antisocial behaviour, making the entire community feel much safer and more welcoming.

3

What do you do when you see rubbish on the street?

If it is something manageable like a discarded bottle or a piece of paper, I generally pick it up and deposit it in the nearest bin. I feel a personal responsibility to contribute to my surroundings, although I tend to leave larger items for the professional cleaners.

4

Are you a tidy person?

I would describe myself as reasonably organised, though I have my moments of clutter. I prefer keeping my workspace minimalist because it helps me focus, but I must admit that my wardrobe often ends up in a state of chaos by the end of a hectic week.

5

Have you ever done anything to help the environment?

I have been actively participating in a local beach clean-up initiative for the past year. We meet once a month to clear plastic debris from the shoreline, which has really opened my eyes to the sheer volume of waste that ends up in our natural ecosystems.

6

How do you recycle things like paper and plastic?

In my household, we are quite diligent about sorting our waste into separate colour-coded bins provided by the local authority. I make sure to rinse out plastic containers before placing them in the recycling, as I know that contamination can often prevent materials from being processed correctly.

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

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2 questions

More plastic and rubbish questions to practise

  1. 1Would you like to help other people to keep your town or city tidy?
  2. 2Do you think schools should educate children to protect the environment?

6 words

Useful vocabulary and tips

  • grimy pockets

    small areas that are dirty or covered in soot

  • thoroughfares

    main roads or public routes that people travel along

  • pristine

    in its original condition and perfectly clean or tidy

  • civic pride

    a feeling of care for one's own local community

  • minimalist

    favouring simplicity and a limited number of items

  • diligent

    showing care and conscientiousness in one's work duties

  • →Use personal examples to make your answers sound authentic and natural during the test.
  • →Avoid memorised lists; focus on providing one clear reason or detail for each response.

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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