IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Slippers 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 slippers 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

Slippers questions with sample answers

1

Do you often wear slippers at home?

Yes, practically all the time. As soon as I walk through the front door, I kick off my outdoor shoes and slide into a pair of cosy fleece slippers. It keeps the flat clean and makes me feel instantly relaxed after a long day at work.

2

What kind of slippers do you prefer?

I usually go for slip-ons with sturdy rubber soles. They need to be warm, but I also like being able to pop out to the garden or take the bins out without having to switch into proper shoes every single time.

3

Did you wear slippers when you were a child?

Not really, to be honest. My parents always tried to get me to wear them, especially in winter, but I hated feeling restricted. I much preferred running around in thick woolly socks or even barefoot on the carpet.

4

Do people in your country usually wear slippers indoors?

Definitely. It's quite customary to take off outdoor footwear at the entrance to avoid trailing dirt inside. Most households will offer guests a spare pair of lightweight indoor slippers, or people just pad around in their socks.

5

Have you ever bought slippers as a present for someone?

Yes, I actually bought a pair of memory foam moccasin slippers for my grandfather last Christmas. He is always complaining about having cold feet, and he told me recently that he wears them every morning while reading the newspaper.

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

Answer out loud and get a band

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8 words

Useful vocabulary and tips

  • kick off

    to quickly remove footwear from your feet

  • sturdy

    strong and not easily damaged

  • pop out

    to leave a place for a short time

  • restricted

    limited in movement or comfort

  • barefoot

    without any shoes or socks on

  • customary

    usual or traditional in a culture

  • trail dirt

    to bring mud or mess inside accidentally

  • pad around

    to walk quietly and comfortably indoors

  • →Use natural phrasal verbs for footwear like 'kick off', 'slip into', or 'pad around'.
  • →Contrast your indoor and outdoor shoe habits to naturally extend your answers.
  • →Be honest if you dislike slippers, explaining why you prefer socks or bare feet is completely fine.

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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