IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Rain 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 4 questions about rain 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.
  • 4 questions
  • 4 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes
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4 answers

Rain questions with sample answers

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1

Do you prefer sunny days or rainy days?

I definitely lean towards sunny days because they boost my mood and allow for outdoor activities. Rain often makes me feel a bit lethargic and confined, whereas sunshine encourages me to head out to the park or meet friends for a coffee in the fresh air.

2

Do you like rainy days?

Actually, I quite enjoy them, provided I have no pressing commitments. There is something incredibly soothing about the pitter-patter of raindrops against the windowpane, especially when I can just curl up on the sofa with a gripping novel and a hot cup of tea.

3

What do you often do on rainy days?

When the weather turns gloomy, I usually catch up on household chores or dive into some creative projects. It is the perfect excuse to stay indoors, avoid the busy city streets, and spend a few hours productively without feeling guilty about missing out on sunshine.

4

What do you do on rainy days?

Lately, I have been using that time to work on my culinary skills. Since I cannot go out for a jog, I spend my rainy afternoons experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, which is a therapeutic way to turn a dreary day into something quite rewarding.

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

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6 words

Useful vocabulary and tips

  • lethargic

    feeling a lack of energy and enthusiasm

  • pitter-patter

    a light, repeated tapping sound of rain

  • windowpane

    a single sheet of glass in a window

  • gloomy

    dark or poorly lit, especially so as to appear depressing

  • culinary

    relating to cooking or the kitchen

  • dreary

    dull, bleak, and making one feel depressed

  • →Use descriptive adjectives to make your answers more vivid and interesting to the examiner.
  • →Provide a personal reason or specific example to extend your answers naturally beyond one sentence.

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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