IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Contact lenses 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 5 questions about contact lenses 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.
  • 5 questions
  • 5 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

5 answers

Contact lenses questions with sample answers

1

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses?

Actually, I wear glasses most of the time because I am slightly short-sighted. I only switch to daily disposable lenses when I play five-a-side football at the weekend, as frames tend to slide down my nose and get in the way when I am running around.

2

Have you ever tried wearing contact lenses?

Yes, I have. I remember the first time I put a pair in at the optician's took me nearly half an hour because my eyes kept blinking instinctively. Once I got the hang of it, though, they felt completely weightless and gave me crystal-clear vision.

3

Do you think contact lenses are better than glasses?

It really depends on the situation, I suppose. Lenses give you an unobstructed field of vision, which is brilliant for driving and outdoor activities. On the other hand, glasses are far less hassle to put on when you are rushing out of the flat in the morning.

4

Are contact lenses popular in your country?

They are quite common, especially among young adults and professionals. A lot of people find them more aesthetically pleasing than traditional spectacles. Having said that, many of my colleagues still prefer glasses simply because staring at computer screens all day can make lenses feel rather dry and gritty.

5

Would you consider wearing coloured contact lenses in the future?

Probably not, to be honest. I am quite content with my natural eye colour, and I would be worried about irritating my eyes just for a cosmetic change. I might make a brief exception for a fancy-dress party, but definitely not for everyday wear.

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

Answer out loud and get a band

The AI examiner asks Part 1 questions like these, listens, and scores fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, with the words that cost you.

Log in to practise this with AI scoring — free →

7 words

Useful vocabulary and tips

  • short-sighted

    unable to see things clearly when they are far away

  • daily disposable

    intended to be worn once and then thrown away

  • got the hang of

    learnt how to do something properly through practice

  • field of vision

    the entire area someone can see without moving their eyes

  • hassle

    a situation that causes minor trouble or inconvenience

  • aesthetically pleasing

    attractive or beautiful in appearance

  • cosmetic

    done to improve appearance rather than serve a practical purpose

  • →If you have perfect eyesight, focus your answers on the habits of friends or the practical pros and cons.
  • →Incorporate specific vocabulary like 'disposable', 'frames', and 'field of vision' to demonstrate lexical range naturally.
  • →Weigh up practical trade-offs, such as convenience versus dryness, to give well-developed and balanced responses.

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

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Log in to practise free