IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Walking 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 12 questions about walking 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.
  • 12 questions
  • 6 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

6 answers

Walking questions with sample answers

1

Do you like walking?

I absolutely love it. It is my favourite way to clear my head after a long day at the office. There is something incredibly therapeutic about strolling through my local park and listening to a podcast while getting some fresh air and exercise.

2

Do you like to walk on your own or with others?

Honestly, I prefer walking solo most of the time. It gives me a rare opportunity for some solitude and reflection, which I find difficult to achieve when I am chatting with a companion. Occasionally, though, it is nice to go for a brisk hike with a close friend.

3

Would you say that your city is a good place for walking?

Unfortunately, my city is not particularly pedestrian-friendly. While the historic centre is beautiful and walkable, the outer suburbs are dominated by heavy traffic and narrow pavements, making it quite hazardous to navigate on foot during the busy rush hour periods.

4

Do people in your country walk a lot?

Not as much as they used to, I am afraid. Modern lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary, and most people rely heavily on private cars or public transport for even the shortest journeys, which has led to a noticeable decline in daily physical activity levels.

5

How much walking do you do in your daily life?

I try to clock up at least ten thousand steps every single day. I make a conscious effort to walk to the nearest underground station instead of taking the bus, and I usually take a brisk walk during my lunch break to stay energised.

6

Do you think walking is important?

It is undeniably vital for maintaining physical and mental well-being. Regular walking is a low-impact exercise that helps manage stress and keeps your cardiovascular system in good shape without requiring a gym membership or any expensive equipment at all.

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

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6 questions

More walking questions to practise

  1. 1What could be done to improve the experience of walking in cities?
  2. 2Did you walk more when you were at school than now?
  3. 3What places are there to go for a walk near where you live?
  4. 4Do you think walking in the countryside is better than walking in the city?
  5. 5Would you ever like to go on a walking holiday?
  6. 6Do you think you will keep walking as a part of your routine in the future?

6 words

Useful vocabulary and tips

  • therapeutic

    having a healing or relaxing effect on the mind

  • solitude

    the state of being alone and enjoying the silence

  • pedestrian-friendly

    designed to be safe and convenient for people walking

  • sedentary

    tending to spend much time seated and inactive

  • clock up

    to reach a certain amount or number of something

  • low-impact

    putting little stress or strain on the body joints

  • →Use specific details to make your answers sound more personal and interesting to the examiner.
  • →Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary to demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency.

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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