IELTS Speaking Part 1

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Television 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 8 questions about television 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.
  • 8 questions
  • 6 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

6 answers

Television questions with sample answers

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Pick any question below and answer it out loud in about 20 to 30 seconds, then compare with its Band 8 answer.

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1

Do you have a television?

Yes, I have a large smart TV in my living room, though I rarely use it for traditional broadcasting. I primarily use it as a display for my streaming subscriptions because it offers a much more immersive cinematic experience than a laptop screen.

2

How often do you watch television?

Well, I tend to catch up on my favourite shows about three or four times a week. Usually, I find myself unwinding in front of the screen on weekday evenings after finishing my work, as it is a great way to decompress.

3

Do you like watching TV?

Actually, I am quite a fan of television, provided the content is high quality. I particularly enjoy binge-watching gripping historical dramas or insightful documentaries, as they are both entertaining and informative enough to justify the time spent sitting on the sofa.

4

Which television channel do you usually watch?

To be honest, I rarely tune into traditional channels nowadays. Instead, I gravitate towards on-demand platforms like Netflix or YouTube, where I can curate my own viewing schedule rather than being restricted by a rigid, pre-determined broadcast timetable.

5

How much TV do you (usually) watch?

On average, I probably spend about five to seven hours a week watching programmes. I try to limit my screen time to avoid becoming too sedentary, so I mostly reserve my viewing for late evenings or the occasional rainy Sunday afternoon.

6

Do you enjoy the advertisements on television?

Not particularly, as I find them incredibly disruptive to the flow of the narrative. Most commercials feel repetitive and intrusive, which is exactly why I prefer paying for premium subscriptions that allow me to bypass these interruptions entirely.

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

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2 questions

More television questions to practise

  1. 1Do you think most programmes on television are good?
  2. 2Where do you usually watch TV programs?

6 words

Useful vocabulary and tips

  • Immersive

    Creating a feeling of being completely surrounded by something

  • Decompress

    To relax and reduce your stress after working hard

  • Binge-watching

    Watching multiple episodes of a show in one sitting

  • Curate

    To select, organise and look after items or content

  • Sedentary

    Involving little physical activity or sitting down frequently

  • Intrusive

    Affecting someone in a way that is annoying or unwanted

  • →Focus on your personal viewing habits rather than just stating general facts about television.
  • →Use a range of frequency adverbs and time expressions to make your answers sound more natural.

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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