IELTS Speaking Part 1: Work and Study
IELTS Speaking Part 1 work and study questions with band 7–9 model answers, vocabulary, and examiner tips.
Overview
Work and study questions are among the first things an IELTS examiner will ask in Part 1. They serve as warm-up questions and should be answered naturally and conversationally. Be honest, specific, and show your range of vocabulary — avoid generic answers that could apply to anyone.
Sample Questions & Band 7–9 Answers
Do you work or are you a student?
I work full-time — I'm in digital marketing, primarily working on content strategy for a mid-sized software company. I've been doing it for about five years now. I'm also studying part-time in the evenings, so it's a fairly packed schedule at the moment, but I generally find the combination keeps me engaged.
What do you enjoy most about your work or studies?
What I genuinely enjoy most is the problem-solving aspect. Marketing involves trying to understand why people make the decisions they do and then figuring out how to communicate in ways that resonate. When something clicks — when a piece of content generates the kind of response you'd hoped for — there's a real sense of satisfaction in it. It's a field where the feedback is fairly immediate, which I find motivating.
Is there anything about your work or studies that you find challenging?
The hardest part is probably staying consistent when the work doesn't produce visible results for long stretches. Creative work often involves extended periods of effort with no clear indication of whether you're on the right track, and I find that ambiguity uncomfortable. I've learned to manage it better over time, but it remains genuinely challenging.
Would you like to change your career or field of study in the future?
I've thought about it, yes. I'm increasingly interested in the data and analytics side of what I do — the reason I'm studying on the side is partly to develop stronger quantitative skills. Whether that means staying in marketing with a different emphasis or moving into something more technical entirely, I'm not entirely sure yet. I think the next couple of years will clarify that.
Expert Tips
Be specific about what you do — "I work in an office" is less engaging than "I work in digital marketing".
Show complexity in your answers by mentioning both what you enjoy and what you find challenging.
Part 1 is not the time for long speeches — keep answers focused and let the examiner direct the conversation.
Vocabulary: "field", "sector", "challenging", "rewarding", "transferable skills".
Speak in the first person with natural contractions: "I've", "it's", "I'm" — this sounds more fluent.
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