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IELTS Speaking Part 1: Trains and buses

The examiner asks questions like these in Part 1. Answer each one aloud in 2–3 sentences, about 20–30 seconds.

  1. Do you often travel by train or bus?
  2. What do you do during a long journey?
  3. Do you prefer trains or buses? [Why?]
  4. Have you ever had a problem on a journey?
  5. Do you think train travel will become more popular?
Practice a full Part 1 set

How to answer Part 1 questions

  • Answer the question, then add one reason or a short example.
  • Do not learn answers by heart. Part 1 is about you, and memorised answers sound memorised.
  • If a question asks why, say why. Short one-word answers cost fluency marks.

Part 1: how long to answer

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