Part 1 Questions
- Are there tall buildings near your home?
- Do you take photos of buildings?
- Is there a building that you would like to visit?
- Do you want to live in a tall building?
Read the complete transcript
Yes — within about a 10–15 minute walk there's a small cluster of high-rise blocks. They're mostly office and residential towers and they really change the skyline compared with the low houses in my neighbourhood. I don't mind them; they make the area feel more urban and they mean there are shops and cafés nearby.
See the topic before you speak
Use the images as idea prompts. Describe what you notice, connect it to your experience, then answer the real question.
Model answers, heard side by side
Start with the simpler answer, switch bands to hear how the same task can be developed, then record a personal response. These are teaching examples, not official answers or score guarantees.
Are there tall buildings near your home?
Yes. There are a few tall buildings not far from my home. A couple of office blocks and one apartment tower are about ten minutes' walk away. You can see them when you go to the main road. They make the area look a bit modern.
Yes — within about a 10–15 minute walk there's a small cluster of high-rise blocks. They're mostly office and residential towers and they really change the skyline compared with the low houses in my neighbourhood. I don't mind them; they make the area feel more urban and they mean there are shops and cafés nearby.
Do you take photos of buildings?
Sometimes I do. If I'm travelling or I see an old building I like, I take a quick photo on my phone. Mostly I do it so I can remember the place. I don't take photos of every building, just the interesting ones.
Yes, fairly often — especially when I'm travelling or walking in an interesting part of town. I tend to photograph façades, windows or unusual shapes that catch the light. It's a hobby now; I enjoy composing the shot and thinking about lines and textures rather than just snapping randomly.
Is there a building that you would like to visit?
Yes. I'd like to visit the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. I have seen pictures and it looks amazing. I've heard the inside is beautiful with light coming through the windows. I hope to go there one day.
I'd love to visit the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. I've seen photos and documentaries about Gaudí's work and I'm fascinated by the organic shapes, the colourful stained-glass and the way light fills the interior. It's been under construction for so long that I'd also like to see how the different phases of building blend together.
Do you want to live in a tall building?
Not really. I prefer a house with a garden. Living in a tall building seems noisy and I worry about lifts breaking. But I can see the benefits, like good views and being closer to shops.
I'd be cautious about living in a very tall building. On the plus side you often get excellent views, better security and handy amenities, but on the downside there's less private outdoor space, more reliance on lifts and sometimes a sense of anonymity. If I had to choose, I'd prefer a mid-rise block with communal green space.
How to answer Building IELTS Speaking questions
This Building set contains 4 short interview questions. Start each answer with the information the examiner asked for, then extend it with one reason, example or contrast. The goal is spontaneous, connected speech—not a mini-essay.
- Answer the exact question in the first sentence.
- Add one reason or specific personal detail.
- Use an example or contrast only when it adds new information.
- Finish naturally and let the examiner ask the next question.
Question-by-question approach
| Practice question | Useful answer move |
|---|---|
| Are there tall buildings near your home? | Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script. |
| Do you take photos of buildings? | Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail. |
| Is there a building that you would like to visit? | Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script. |
| Do you want to live in a tall building? | Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail. |
Vocabulary focus
Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes use precise words from your own answer. Learn the meaning and a natural word partnership, then use each item in a different answer instead of copying a complete script.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving a memorised response that only partly answers the question.
- Adding difficult vocabulary without checking meaning or collocation.
- Restarting after every error instead of correcting briefly and continuing.
- Reading the model answer before recording your own first attempt.
Building practice FAQ
How long should my answer be for Building in Part 1?
Aim for a direct answer plus a reason or detail, usually two to four sentences. Stop when the idea is complete rather than forcing a fixed word count.
Should I memorise the Building model answers?
No. Use them to notice structure and language, then answer from your own experience. Memorised wording can fail when the examiner changes the question.
What if I have no experience of the topic?
Say that honestly, then explain a related preference, observation or hypothetical example. You are assessed on language, not specialist knowledge.
