IELTS Speaking Part 1: Shopping
Tests preference and comparison language (online vs in-store) and household routines. Specific items and reasons score better than "I like shopping".
Questions and sample answers
1. Do you enjoy shopping?
For some things. I enjoy browsing bookshops, but I find clothes shopping quite tiring, especially when it’s crowded.
2. Do you prefer shopping online or in shops?
Online for anything I already know, like electronics, because it’s quicker and usually cheaper. For clothes I prefer shops, so I can try things on.
3. Who does most of the shopping in your household?
My mother does the grocery shopping, but I usually buy anything technical, because I’m the one who reads the reviews.
4. Has the way people shop changed much in your country?
Hugely. Ten years ago almost nobody ordered online, and now even groceries and medicine get delivered within an hour.
Each sample is two to four sentences: the answer, a reason or example, then stop. Use them to hear the shape, not to memorise. Examiners are trained to spot a rehearsed answer, and it costs fluency marks.
Language this topic rewards
- browse / window-shop: Verbs for looking without buying.
- try something on: The phrasal verb for clothes.
- value for money: A collocation for judging a purchase.
- get it delivered: The causative "get", which examiners note.
- impulse buy: A useful noun for unplanned purchases.
The trap on this topic
Comparing online and in-store shopping with only "online is easy". Give one advantage of each; a contrast is what lifts the answer.
Answer these out loud and get marked
The Part 1 practice runs the interview the way the examiner does: your work or studies first, then two topic sets. It records you, transcribes what you said and marks it on the four official criteria.
Start Part 1 practiceMore Part 1 topics
Ready for the long turn? Browse the Part 2 cue cards.