Do you do any sport or exercise?
Yes, I run. I started a couple of years ago, mainly to get fit, but it's become a proper habit now. I also do a bit of stretching at home, because sitting at a desk all day plays havoc with my back.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Sport and exercise questions and answers
The examiner is listening for everyday vocabulary about fitness and routine, and for how well you compare what you did as a child with what you do now.
All Part 1 topics
The questions
Answer each one aloud before you read the model — two to four sentences, then stop.
- Do you do any sport or exercise?
- How often do you exercise?
- Did you play any sports at school?
- Do you prefer exercising indoors or outdoors?
- Do you like watching sport on TV?
- Is there a sport you'd like to try in the future?
- Do you think people in your country get enough exercise?
Model answers
Written to be spoken, at about band 8. Useful phrases are in bold. Borrow the structure and the phrases — never the whole answer.
How often do you exercise?
Three or four times a week, if things go to plan. I usually go for a run early in the morning, before work, because by the evening I've normally got no energy left and can easily talk myself out of it.
Did you play any sports at school?
Yes, football, mainly because everyone else did. I was never particularly skilful, so I spent most matches in defence, which suited me fine. What I really hated was cross-country running in winter, which is ironic, given that I now run by choice.
Do you prefer exercising indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors, definitely. Running on a treadmill feels like going nowhere, quite literally. Being outside means I get some fresh air and a change of scenery, and I actually quite enjoy running in the rain, as long as it's not freezing.
Do you like watching sport on TV?
Only the big tournaments, to be honest. I'll watch a final if friends are getting together for it, but I'm not someone who follows a league week in, week out. I'd much rather be out doing something than sitting on the sofa watching it.
Is there a sport you'd like to try in the future?
I'd love to learn to swim properly. I can keep myself afloat, but my technique is terrible and I'm out of breath after a couple of lengths. It'd be a good way to build fitness without putting so much strain on my knees.
Do you think people in your country get enough exercise?
On the whole, probably not. A lot of people have desk jobs and drive everywhere, so exercise has to be planned rather than just being part of daily life. Having said that, I've noticed more people out running and cycling in my area recently.
Useful vocabulary for sport and exercise
- get fit
- To become healthier and stronger through exercise.
- plays havoc with
- Causes serious problems for something, such as your back or your sleep.
- talk myself out of it
- To persuade yourself not to do something you'd planned.
- a change of scenery
- Being somewhere different from your usual surroundings.
- week in, week out
- Regularly, every single week, often for a long time.
- keep myself afloat
- To stay on the surface of the water without sinking.
- putting so much strain on
- Causing a lot of pressure or stress on part of your body.
Now answer them with the clock running.
Timed Part 1 practice with an AI band for each criterion.