What are typical Part 1 questions in the IELTS Speaking test?

Typical Part 1 asks about your daily life, where you live, your work or studies, hobbies, travel, family, and food.

During my first IELTS practice, the examiner asked about where I lived, my daily routine, and my favorite weekend activity. I froze a bit, then answered in the present simple: 'I live in a small city near the coast. I work as a graphic designer, and every morning I walk my dog before heading to the studio.' I learned to keep answers short, then ask the examiner to clarify if needed, but most importantly to show a bit of personality. My trick was to connect topics: if asked about travel, I’d mention a recent trip and a little detail, how a café in that city smelled like vanilla, or how the train ride was interrupted by rain, to buy time and add color. After several weeks, I could keep the pace steady, avoid long sentences, and still smile. Now I practice with a friend by simulating the Part 1 rhythm: two questions each on home, work or study, and hobbies, then a quick follow-up about a tiny preference. It built confidence and made the real test feel like a normal chat.

From a examiner’s lens, Part 1 is designed to ease you into the test with everyday topics. I tell students to prepare 6-8 topic areas (home, work/study, hobbies, travel, meals, family, technology) and practice tiny, natural answers in present simple. In my own prep, I started a 'question a day' routine and learned to vary vocabulary without sounding rehearsed.