IELTS Speaking Part 1: Typing
5 common Part 1 questions on typing, each with a sample answer at the length Part 1 actually wants.
Do you type on a desktop or laptop keyboard every day?
Yes, daily – I’m a student, so I type notes, essays, and emails constantly. I use a laptop with a slightly raised mechanical keyboard because I prefer the tactile feedback. Without it, my fingers would probably forget how to hold a pen.
When did you learn how to type on a keyboard?
I learned formally around age 12 in a computer class, using a program that covered the keyboard with a cardboard box. Before that, I was a slow “hunt-and-peck” typer. Within a few months, I could type 40 words per minute.
How do you improve your typing?
I practice using online typing tests that focus on accuracy before speed. I also try to use proper finger placement even when typing casually. Occasionally, I force myself to type without looking at the keys to build muscle memory.
Do you think typing will replace handwriting completely? (added)
Not completely, but for most practical purposes, typing has already taken over. Handwriting remains important for personal notes, signatures, and certain learning processes – studies show writing by hand improves memory retention. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if future generations only type.
What is the biggest mistake people make when learning to type? (added)
Looking down at the keyboard constantly, which prevents muscle memory from developing. Another common error is prioritising speed over accuracy – sloppy habits are hard to unlearn. A slow, correct typist will eventually become fast, but a fast, incorrect one will stay error‑prone.
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.