IELTS Speaking Part 1: Sport
You don't need to love sport to answer well. Describe what's popular in your country, talk about school or television, and give an opinion about exercise habits today.
Sport questions
- What is the most popular type of sport in your country?
- Is there a lot of sport on television in your country?
- What sports do children normally do at school?
- Do you think people do enough sport these days?
Sample answers
What is the most popular type of sport in your country?
Football is by far the most popular sport. On match days, cafés are full of people watching on big screens, and almost every neighbourhood has a small pitch where kids play after school.
Do you think people do enough sport these days?
Honestly, I don't think so. Many people work long hours sitting at desks, and children spend more time on screens than playing outside. Gyms are popular in big cities, but a lot of people sign up and then hardly ever go.
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
- by far the most popular
- on match days
- a big following
- sign up and hardly ever go
- a sedentary lifestyle
- team sports
Common mistakes
- Saying "I don't like sport" and stopping; explain what you do instead.
- Confusing "play", "do" and "go": play football, do yoga, go swimming.
- Giving no reason for opinions about whether people do enough sport.
Practise it now
Answer each question above aloud in 20–30 seconds, or start a timed session that begins with sport 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 · Food · Weather · Public Transport · Books · Internet · Routine · Travel · Technology · Social Media
Moving on to Part 2? See cue cards with sample answers.