IELTS Speaking Part 1: Food Questions and Answers
Part 1 questions
Move one question at a time: listen, answer, compare and retry. The complete question text remains in the page HTML for accessibility and search.
- 01What is your favourite food?
- 02What kind of food did you like when you were young?
- 03Do you eat different foods at different times of the year?
- 04Has your favourite food changed since you were a child?
Read the complete transcript
I'd say my favourite food is pizza, especially a classic Margherita. I enjoy the balance of sweet tomato, melted mozzarella and fresh basil — it's simple but really satisfying. I have it both as a casual midweek meal and when I'm out with friends because it's easy to share.
Preparation status: Predicted topic cycle. This independent practice resource is not an official IELTS paper, and the questions in your test can be different. How topics are labelled.
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.
What is your favourite food?
My favourite food is pizza. I like simple Margherita with cheese and tomato. I usually have it when I go out or order it at home. It's comforting and easy to eat.
I'd say my favourite food is pizza, especially a classic Margherita. I enjoy the balance of sweet tomato, melted mozzarella and fresh basil — it's simple but really satisfying. I have it both as a casual midweek meal and when I'm out with friends because it's easy to share.
What kind of food did you like when you were young?
When I was young I liked simple foods like chicken nuggets, pasta and mashed potatoes. I also ate lots of sweets and biscuits. My mum often made these for me.
As a child I tended to favour plain, familiar dishes — plain pasta, roasted chicken and mashed potatoes were favourites. I wasn't keen on spicy or unusual foods then and usually stuck to what my parents cooked, though I became more adventurous as I grew older.
Do you eat different foods at different times of the year?
Yes. In winter I eat more hot food like soups and stews. In summer I eat salads and cold drinks. For festivals or holidays I sometimes eat special dishes too.
Definitely. My eating habits change with the seasons: in winter I tend to choose heartier meals such as stews and roasts, while in summer I favour lighter dishes — salads, grilled fish and lots of seasonal fruit. Also at certain festivals we have traditional foods that only appear at that time of year.
Has your favourite food changed since you were a child?
Yes, my favourite food has changed. As a child I liked plain pasta and chips, but now I prefer healthier things like grilled fish and vegetables. Still, I sometimes eat the foods I loved as a child.
Yes, it's changed quite a bit. I used to love simple comfort foods like chips and tomato pasta, but now I prefer more varied and healthier options — grilled salmon, salads and wholegrain dishes. That said, I do occasionally indulge a childhood craving; nostalgia plays a part.
How to answer Food IELTS Speaking questions
This Food 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 |
|---|---|
| What is your favourite food? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
| What kind of food did you like when you were young? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
| Do you eat different foods at different times of the year? | Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail. |
| Has your favourite food changed since you were a child? | Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script. |
Vocabulary focus
Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes comforting, balance of, midweek meal, favour, wasn't keen on, more adventurous, hearty, seasonal. 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.
Food practice FAQ
How long should my answer be for Food 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 Food 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.
