IELTS Speaking Part 1: Street markets
7 common Part 1 questions on street markets, each with a sample answer at the length Part 1 actually wants.
What do street markets sell?
Street markets in my area mostly sell fresh produce like fruit and vegetables, but you'll also find clothes, household items, and sometimes secondhand goods. Some of the bigger ones even have stalls selling street food, which always draws a crowd. It's a real mix of everything, which is part of the appeal.
What do people usually buy at street markets?
I'd say most people go for fresh food, because it's usually cheaper and better quality than what you get in a supermarket. Fruit, vegetables, and herbs are the main draw for a lot of shoppers. Some people also go specifically for bargains on clothes or small household items.
Are there many street markets in your country?
Yes, they're actually quite common, especially in older neighbourhoods and smaller towns. Most cities have at least one well-known market that's been running for years. They tend to be busiest on weekends, when people have more free time to browse.
What is the difference between street markets and supermarkets?
The main difference is the atmosphere — street markets feel a lot more personal, since you're often buying directly from the person who grew or made the product. Supermarkets are more convenient and predictable, with fixed prices and everything under one roof. Markets also tend to have fresher produce, but you sometimes have to haggle a bit.
Do you prefer shopping in a shopping mall or at a street market?
Honestly, it depends on what I'm buying. For groceries, I lean towards street markets because the produce feels fresher and the prices are often better. But for clothes or electronics, I'd rather go to a mall, since there's more choice and everything's in one place.
Do many people go to street markets in your country?
Yes, they're still very popular, particularly among older generations who've been shopping that way their whole lives. Younger people go too, though maybe less regularly, often just for the food stalls or a weekend outing. Overall, they remain a big part of everyday life.
Do you like going to street markets?
I do, actually. There's something enjoyable about walking around, seeing all the different stalls, and chatting with the vendors, which you just don't get in a supermarket. It's a nice way to spend a slow morning, especially if the weather's good.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 1 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How long should Part 1 answers be?
Two or three sentences. Part 1 is a warm-up and one-word answers stall the conversation, but a ninety-second speech on your home town is the wrong length too — the examiner has a list of questions to get through.
How long does Part 1 last?
Four to five minutes, covering three familiar topics. Your identity is checked first, then the questions start.
Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question?
Yes, and it costs you nothing. Asking for a repeat is normal conversational English; guessing at a question you misheard and answering the wrong one is far more damaging.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.