Part 1 Questions
- Can you remember the dreams you had?
- Do you share your dreams with others? (or are you interested in others' dreams?)
- Do you think dreams have special meanings?
- Do you want to make your dreams come true?
Read the complete transcript
Quite often I can recall my dreams, especially when they’re vivid or emotional. For example, after a stressful day I’ll sometimes have a recurring dream about being late for an exam, and that one stays with me. I’ve noticed my dream recall improves if I wake up naturally without an alarm or if I lie still for a minute thinking about it, which helps the images come back into focus.
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.
Can you remember the dreams you had?
Yes, sometimes I can. Often I only remember bits and pieces, like a strange image or feeling. Occasionally I have a really clear dream and I remember it for a few hours after waking, but most nights the details just slip away.
Quite often I can recall my dreams, especially when they’re vivid or emotional. For example, after a stressful day I’ll sometimes have a recurring dream about being late for an exam, and that one stays with me. I’ve noticed my dream recall improves if I wake up naturally without an alarm or if I lie still for a minute thinking about it, which helps the images come back into focus.
Do you share your dreams with others? (or are you interested in others' dreams?)
I only tell my close friends or family about dreams if they’re interesting or funny. I don’t usually talk about them with people I don’t know because they can be a bit personal. I do like hearing other people’s weird dreams though.
I tend to share dreams with people I’m close to, especially if the dream is odd or revealing, because it can spark a useful conversation about feelings or worries. I’m also genuinely curious about other people’s dreams — they’re often amusing and sometimes give you a glimpse into what someone’s been thinking about lately — but I wouldn’t post them publicly unless they were really entertaining.
Do you think dreams have special meanings?
I’m not sure. Sometimes they seem to mean something, like when a dream reflects how I feel. But other times I think they’re just random and don’t have special meaning. I guess it depends.
I think it depends. Some dreams seem to reflect our feelings or unresolved issues, so they can have a sort of personal meaning. On the other hand, science suggests dreams can be the brain sorting memories, so they’re not always symbolic. Personally I’d be cautious about reading too much into every dream, but if one keeps recurring it’s probably worth paying attention to.
Do you want to make your dreams come true?
Yes, I do want to make my dreams come true. For example I want to travel more, so I save money and plan trips. I know it takes time and effort, but I try to do small things every month to get there.
Absolutely — though I separate night-time dreams from real-life ambitions. For ambitions, I’m quite proactive: I set short-term goals, save money and make a plan with deadlines. For instance, I want to live and work abroad for a year, so I’m learning the language and building a portfolio to make that realistic. I think having a clear plan and being prepared to compromise makes it far more likely dreams will become reality.
How to answer Dreams IELTS Speaking questions
This Dreams 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 |
|---|---|
| Can you remember the dreams you had? | Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail. |
| Do you share your dreams with others? (or are you interested in others' dreams?) | Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail. |
| Do you think dreams have special meanings? | State a likely view, explain the reason and add one condition or example. |
| Do you want to make your dreams come true? | 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.
Dreams practice FAQ
How long should my answer be for Dreams 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 Dreams 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.