IELTS Speaking Part 1

Sports: 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 12 questions about sports 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

More sports questions to practise

Useful vocabulary

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

Answer out loud and get a band

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