IELTS Speaking Part 1

Fishing: 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. These are the 4 questions about fishing in the BandLadder test bank, with sample answers for the most frequent ones. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.

Sample answers

Do you like eating fish?

I absolutely love it, particularly grilled sea bass with a squeeze of lemon. It is my go-to meal whenever I want something light and healthy, especially since it is so quick to prepare after a long day of work.

Is it easy to find fish in the place where you're living?

Actually, it is incredibly convenient because I live near a bustling local market that receives fresh catches daily. There is a wide variety of seafood available, from salmon fillets to shellfish, which makes sourcing fresh ingredients quite simple for me.

Is fishing popular in your country?

Fishing is a widespread pastime here, especially among those living in coastal towns or near the numerous lakes. Many people treat it as a relaxing weekend hobby to escape the urban grind and reconnect with nature in the countryside.

Have you ever gone fishing?

I have tried it a few times with my grandfather when I was younger. We spent hours sitting by the riverbank in complete silence waiting for a bite, which taught me the value of patience, though I never actually caught anything.

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

Useful vocabulary

go-to meal
a favourite choice that you regularly rely on
bustling
full of energetic and noisy activity
fresh catches
fish that have been caught very recently
widespread pastime
an activity that many people enjoy doing
urban grind
the exhausting routine of living in a city
waiting for a bite
expecting a fish to take the bait

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.

Practise Part 1 with the AI examiner

On your phone? Get the BandLadder app.

More Part 1 topics