IELTS Speaking Part 1

Crying: questions and Band 8 answers

The examiner asks three to five short questions on two or three everyday topics in the first four to five minutes. Here are 5 questions about crying written by BandLadder in the examiner's style, each with a Band 8 sample answer. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.
  • 5 questions
  • 5 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

5 answers

Sample answers

1

Do you cry very often?

Not really, to be honest. I'm usually quite even-tempered, so I only shed a tear once in a blue moon. The last time was actually a few months ago when I watched a terribly sad drama series late at night in my flat.

2

What kind of things make you cry?

Mainly emotional films or touching moments rather than physical pain. For instance, whenever I see a really heartwarming reunion video online, it instantly tugs at my heartstrings and I end up getting quite teary-eyed.

3

Do you prefer to cry alone or in front of others?

I'd definitely rather be on my own. Crying in public feels a bit awkward for me, so I prefer having some privacy in my bedroom where I can just let it all out without worrying about someone trying to comfort me.

4

Did you cry often when you were a child?

I suppose so, yes. Like most kids, I was prone to throwing tantrums if I didn't get my way. My mother often reminds me that I used to burst into tears whenever I scraped my knee playing in the local park.

5

Do you think people cry more or less as they get older?

I'd say people generally cry less as they mature, simply because we learn to regulate our emotions better. However, older people might still get choked up over sentimental memories or milestones, like attending a close friend's wedding.

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.

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7 words

Useful vocabulary

  • shed a tear

    to cry, especially a small amount

  • once in a blue moon

    very rarely

  • tugs at my heartstrings

    makes you feel deep sympathy or sadness

  • teary-eyed

    having eyes filled with tears

  • let it all out

    to freely express strong pent-up emotions

  • burst into tears

    to suddenly start crying

  • get choked up

    to feel overcome with emotion, making speech difficult

  • →Treat crying as a standard conversational topic and answer directly without overthinking it.
  • →Use a range of emotional idioms and descriptive phrases instead of repeating the word 'cry'.
  • →Include a short, realistic example from everyday life to keep your response grounded and fluent.

Keep practising

More Part 1 topics

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