IELTS Speaking Part 1: Food
Food and cooking questions are a chance to use descriptive and cultural vocabulary. Talk about specific dishes, explain them briefly, and connect food to habits and social life in your country.
Food questions
- Do you enjoy cooking?
- What type of things can you cook?
- What kinds of food are popular in your country?
- Is it an important part of your culture to have dinner parties?
- Do you prefer to eat with other people or on your own?
Sample answers
Do you enjoy cooking?
I do, although I don't have much time for it on weekdays. At the weekend I really enjoy trying new recipes, and cooking a proper meal on a Sunday afternoon is one of the ways I relax.
What kinds of food are popular in your country?
Rice dishes are extremely popular; almost every family has its own version of a slow-cooked rice with meat and vegetables. Street food is also a big part of our culture, especially grilled kebabs and fresh flatbread sold from small stalls.
Original examples written for SpeakingIELTS. Notice the pattern—a direct answer, then a reason or detail—and use your own true information. Do not memorise them.
Useful words and phrases
- I'm not much of a cook
- a proper meal
- slow-cooked
- street food
- a staple dish
- it's an acquired taste
Common mistakes
- Naming dishes without describing them; the examiner may not know them.
- Overusing "delicious". Try "rich", "spicy", "light" or "filling".
- Saying "I eat alone" without explaining why you prefer it.
Practise it now
Answer each question above aloud in 20–30 seconds, or start a timed session that begins with food and adds two other random topics, just like the real test. Record yourself, listen once, and check your answers with the self-evaluation checklist.
Other Part 1 topics
Work · Studies · Hometown · Home · Family · Freetime · Weather · Public Transport · Sport · Books · Internet · Routine · Travel · Technology · Social Media
Moving on to Part 2? See cue cards with sample answers.