IELTS Speaking · Part 1

    Sport, health & the outdoors: IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions

    Last updated 2 September 2026

    In short

    Sport, health & the outdoors is one of the familiar-topic areas the examiner draws on in the first four to five minutes of IELTS Speaking. This page collects 16 real Part 1 questions across 4 topics in this area (sport, exercise, walking, the outdoors), each with the opener the examiner typically starts from.

    Sport

    The examiner usually opens with something like: "Do you play any sports?"

    • How did you first become interested in it?

    • Do you prefer playing sport or watching it?

    • Is a particular sport popular where you live?

    • Did you do much sport when you were younger?

    Exercise

    The examiner usually opens with something like: "Do you do any exercise to keep fit?"

    • Do you prefer exercising indoors or outdoors?

    • What time of day do you like to exercise?

    • Is it easy to stay motivated?

    • Do you think people in your country are active enough?

    Walking

    The examiner usually opens with something like: "Do you enjoy going for walks?"

    • Where do you like to walk?

    • Do you walk more for exercise or to get somewhere?

    • Do you prefer walking alone or with someone?

    • Is your area a good place for walking?

    The outdoors

    The examiner usually opens with something like: "Do you like spending time outdoors?"

    • What do you enjoy doing outside?

    • Is there much green space near where you live?

    • Do you spend more time outdoors in summer or winter?

    • How do you feel after being outdoors?

    Phrases for sport, health & the outdoors answers

    • I try to stay active by ...

      Introducing how you keep fit

    • I took it up because ...

      Explaining why you started a sport

    • It keeps me fit and, on top of that, ...

      Adding a second benefit

    • I'm not the sporty type, to be honest, but ...

      Admitting a limitation honestly

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