IELTS Speaking Part 1: Work and Studies

Work and studies are undoubtedly common topics that candidates encounter during the IELTS Speaking test. So, how can you effectively answer the IELTS Speaking Part 1: Work and studies? Let's refer to the band 7.0+ sample IELTS Speaking Part 1 answers on work and studies, compiled by PREP's top-rated teachers, in the article below.

I. IELTS Speaking Part 1: Work and studies

Below, PREP has compiled a list of IELTS Speaking Part 1: Work and studies as follows:

• What subjects are you studying?
• Why did you choose to study that subject? Do you like your subject? Is it very interesting?
• Do you want to change your major?
• Do you prefer to study in the mornings or in the afternoons?
• How much time do you spend on your studies each week?
• What technology do you use when you study?
• Are you looking forward to working?
• What changes would you like to see in your school?
• What work do you do?
• Why did you choose to do that type of work/job? Is it interesting? Do you like your job?
• Do you want to change to another job?
• What technology do you use at work?
• Who helps you the most? And how?
• Do you miss being a student?

II. Sample IELTS Speaking Part 1: Work and studies

Refer to the following sample answers for the IELTS Speaking Part 1: Work and studies to effectively practice for your IELTS Speaking test at home.

1. What subjects are you studying?

Sample 1: I am currently a senior student at Viet Duc high school, a renowned educational institution located in the centre of my city, Hanoi. Like many other peers, our curriculum consists of about twelve subjects. We can choose some main fields in those subjects according to our preference. As for me, I major in social studies with a heavy focus on literature, language, and math.

• preference /ˈpref.ər.əns/ (n): a greater liking for one thing over another
• peer /pɪər/ (n): a person of the same age, status, or ability as another

Sample 2: Well, since I am majoring in English Teaching, most of the subjects deal with teaching methodology, linguistics and intercultural communication. One of the subjects that I am studying now is English for specific purposes syllabus design, which requires students to come up with a learning course for a specific target situation.

• methodology /ˌmeθ.əˈdɑː.lə.dʒi/ (n): the study and development of methods for teaching
• linguistics /lɪŋˈɡwɪs.tɪks/ (n): the scientific study of language and its structure
• intercultural communication /ˌɪn.t̬ɚt̬ ˈkʌl.tʃɚ.əl/ /kəˌmjuː.nəˈkeɪ.ʃən/ (n): the exchange of information and ideas between people from different cultural backgrounds
• syllabus /ˈsɪl.ə.bəs/ (n): a plan or outline of topics to be covered in a course or program of study

2. Why did you choose to study that subject? Do you like your subject? Is it very interesting?

Actually, it is one of the compulsory subjects in our course, but I still love it. The reason is that I can apply all the theoretical knowledge I have learned from other subjects into designing a syllabus. Moreover, the process of designing a course is really intriguing. The key stages include needs analysis, course design, material selection and production, teaching and learning, and finally evaluation. The chance to practice in a real-life situation offers me a lot of hands-on experience and several skills such as team-working, critical thinking and problem solving.

• compulsory /kəmˈpʌl.sɚ.i/ (adj): required or obligatory
• theoretical /ˌθiː.əˈret̬.t̬kəl/ (adj): related to or based on theory
• needs analysis /əˈnæl.ə.sɪs/ (education): the process of identifying and assessing the needs of learners
• evaluation /ɪˌvæl.juˈeɪ.ʃən/ (n): the act of assessing or judging something
• hands-on experience: practical experience gained by actively doing something
• critical thinking (n): the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue or situation in order to form a judgment

3. Do you want to change your major?

I’m not sure about this but technically I am quite happy with everything that I have now. My faculty is pretty awesome and there are a lot of activities to choose from besides studying. Furthermore, I have valuable opportunities to exchange ideas and knowledge with other students from different schools in town about my major, so I guess no, thanks.

4. Do you prefer to study in the mornings or in the afternoons?

To be honest, I am not a morning person. Most people experience an afternoon dip in energy level, but I study much more productively during the afternoon. Not being a bright-eyed early riser does not affect my studies since I have more energy to plan, execute my learning tasks and process information after having enough sleeping time.

• morning person: someone who prefers to wake up early
• bright-eyed early riser: a person who is alert and energetic in the morning after waking up early
• to execute (v): to carry out or perform a task
• afternoon dip in energy level: a state of feeling drowsy and fatigued in the early afternoon

5. How much time do you spend on your studies each week?

Well, as a typical Asian student, I must say that is quite a lot. Also, I am a senior in my high school and my preparation for the university entrance exam has just started, so there are many extra studying sessions to attend and loads of assignments to finish. I would say all weekdays are spent on school, some evenings are dedicated to extra classes.

6. What technology do you use when you study?

I would say that there are several ways in which technology is integrated into my studies. One tool that I use on a daily basis is reminder applications, which motivate me to complete my tasks and avoid procrastination. Google apps such as Gmail or Google Drive also greatly facilitate many of my team working projects and offer excellent data storage service.

• to integrate (v): to combine or incorporate different elements into a unified whole
• procrastination (n): the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions
• to facilitate (v): to make a process or task easier or smoother, to assist or enable

7. Are you looking forward to working?

The idea of joining the labor force can be quite intimidating, but also exciting. I guess the whole point of gaining specialised knowledge is to apply it into working. Entering the adult working life is such a huge milestone, which is expected to give me more independence and control of my life.

• labor force (n): the total number of people available for work in a particular area or country
• intimidating (adj): causing feelings of fear, awe, or apprehension
• specialized knowledge: expertise or understanding in a specific field or subject
• milestone (n): a significant or important event or achievement that marks a progress or turning point

8. What changes would you like to see in your school?

Well, my school is quite notorious for very complex administrative work and procedures, I just hope the school’s board of directors does something about it, simplifies all the current paperwork and extra requirements so that our students can feel more relieved whenever we have to file for a complaint or asking questions.

9. What work do you do?

I am currently working a part-time job in a local café, and I work as a waiter for pocket money. It is not as strenuous as it sounds, and I get to meet a lot of different customers.

• Strenuous /ˈstren.ju.əs/ (adj): requiring great physical or mental effort

10. Why did you choose to do that type of work/job? Is it interesting? Do you like your job?

I chose this because/ I think yes, because at least it is a new life experience for me. The job is excellent also because of my kind and generous boss. Although she pays attention to very little details and sometimes seems demanding, she actually cares for us immensely. She organizes parties and events for us to participate in and improve cooperation among staff. That’s what I find fascinating.

• Generous /ˈdʒen.ər.əs/ (adj): showing a willingness to give or share; characterized by a liberal or abundant nature
• Demanding /dɪˈmæn.dɪŋ/ (adj): requiring a lot of effort, time, or attention; challenging or exacting
• Immensely /ɪˈmens.li/ (adv): to a great extent; extremely or very much

11. Do you want to change to another job?

Same answer as question 3, but try to change the keywords of the question. 12. What technology do you use at work?

Same answer as question 6, but try to change the keywords of the question.13. Who helps you the most? And how?

I think most of my beloved colleagues support me not only during but also after office hours. Some parts of my job require smooth coordination with other departments of the company, such as logistics or student support service, and I often have to require them to provide me with a lot of documents and such. And they do so immaculately every time. When I feel stressed, some of the people I work closely with even invite me for a cup of coffee.

12. Do you miss being a student?

Completely yes. It is a very nostalgic feeling of a time when you were so naïve and did not have to worry about anything really, just enjoyed the life our family provided for us. Looking back, I just think how happy and fortunate I was because I had a chance to receive a proper education, socialize with friends, and attend parties. Of course, there were deadlines and examinations pressure but compared to the current condition now, as I have to make a living and support my family, it was pure heaven.

• Naïve /naɪˈiːv/ (adj): lacking experience, wisdom, or sophistication; innocent or gullible

III. Dedicate 5 months to climb from a low level to a 6.5 Speaking band with PREP

If you are:

• Unable to speak English fluently
• Limited to using basic vocabulary when speaking
• Running out of words and ideas after 1-2 sentences
• Feeling frustrated when the other person cannot understand you

Then, make a determination to follow the PREP learning pathway - online learning, proactive studying, and practicing speaking independently while still receiving detailed feedback from teachers. By following the PREP learning pathway, you will review all the fundamental knowledge of vocabulary, and grammar, and improve your pronunciation.

As you progress to a higher level, you will learn how to develop ideas and construct your speaking responses. Specifically, to quickly brainstorm ideas for all IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics, learn to think using the 6Ws formula (What, When, Where, Why, Who/Whom, How). To expand your answers for IELTS Speaking Part 3, apply the R (Reason) - C (Consequence) - E (Example) structure.

To effectively apply what you have learned, it is important to practice speaking diligently. Set a goal to practice 2 speaking tasks per week and submit them for assessment by teachers. In the final 2 months before the exam, while waiting for the assessment results, take advantage of the opportunity to practice speaking for 30 minutes each day in the Virtual Speaking Room. This is also a great chance to simulate a real exam experience as the topics in the Virtual Speaking Room are newly updated. During practice, use a timer and record your answers to create a sense of being in an actual exam. This will help you stay calm when facing the examiner in the real exam room.

The 2-month period is the best time to significantly improve your band score. Practicing speaking in the Virtual Speaking Room will help you learn a wide range of high-band vocabulary and collocations suggested by AI technology. Make an effort to take notes and learn from them to apply the vocabulary in your real exam.

If you are determined to study and prepare for 5 continuous months, a band score of 6.5 in Speaking is definitely within reach. So, if you need a clear learning pathway and direction to achieve the target band, don't hesitate to explore the courses offered by PREP!

This article has provided a sample of IELTS Speaking Part 1: Work and studies with a band score of 7.0+, prepared by PREP's top-tier teachers. Study it carefully to effectively practice for your IELTS Speaking test at home!