IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Sports 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 sports 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

Sports questions with sample answers

1

Do you like sport?

I am a huge fan of keeping active, primarily because it helps me decompress after a long day at the office. Watching live football matches at the stadium is a particular passion of mine, as the electric atmosphere is absolutely infectious.

2

Do you play any sports?

Actually, I have been playing squash twice a week for the past few years. It is a brilliant way to burn off energy, and I find that the fast-paced nature of the game keeps me sharp and highly motivated.

3

How do people in your country keep fit?

Many individuals in my country seem to prefer going for long brisk walks in local parks or joining boutique fitness studios. There is also a growing trend towards cycling to work as a means of squeezing exercise into a busy schedule.

4

Do you enjoy sports?

To be honest, I find them incredibly refreshing. Whether I am participating or just observing, I appreciate how sports can bring people from all walks of life together to share a common interest or support a local team.

5

Do you enjoy swimming?

I absolutely love it, especially during the sweltering summer months. There is something incredibly therapeutic about gliding through the water, as it allows me to switch off completely and focus entirely on my breathing and physical movement.

6

What's the most popular sport in your country?

Football is undoubtedly the national obsession here. It dominates the media coverage, and you will find people of all ages gathering in pubs or living rooms to watch the major league matches every single weekend.

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

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6 questions

More sports questions to practise

  1. 1Do you prefer team sports or individual sports?
  2. 2Did you often play sports as a child?
  3. 3Do you think group activities (including team sports) can help give a child a sense of responsibility?
  4. 4Is sport popular in your country?
  5. 5What was your favorite sport while you were at school?
  6. 6What's your favorite sport?

6 words

Useful vocabulary and tips

  • decompress

    to relax and release stress after being busy

  • infectious

    a feeling that spreads quickly to other people

  • fast-paced

    happening very quickly with a lot of activity

  • boutique fitness studios

    small, specialised gyms offering specific types of exercise

  • therapeutic

    having a healing or calming effect on someone

  • national obsession

    a topic or activity that the whole country loves

  • →Use a mix of vocabulary related to both physical activity and your personal feelings.
  • →Keep your answers concise but always add a small detail to demonstrate 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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