IELTS Life Skills A1 Speaking and Listening Topics
Practise IELTS Life Skills A1 with four short questions about family, home, food and the bus, plus one listening check.
Four questions to say out loud
Are you new to English, or helping your spouse practise? The helper asks. The learner answers in English, then asks one question back.
- Who do you live with?
- What is your home like?
- Where do you buy food?
- How do you get to town?
Play the questions
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| Question | Sample answer |
|---|---|
| Who do you live with? | I live with my sister. |
| What is your home like? | It is a small flat. |
| Where do you buy food? | At the market. |
| How do you get to town? | I take the bus. |
The next question has to fit
"Which bus?" fits "I take the bus." If they say "I walk," ask who they walk with.
Listen for the new time
A time can change.
- What time can you meet?
If you are not sure, ask "Did you say five?"
The real tasks are on the official A1 samples. A full practice talk is on the A1 practice page. If speaking to a new person feels too hard, ask about A1 lessons.
Play the line
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Show the line after listening
We can meet at five, not four.
| Question | Sample answer |
|---|---|
| What time can you meet? | Five. |
Frequently asked questions
What topics come up in IELTS Life Skills A1?
A1 uses everyday subjects such as your home, family, work or study, food, shopping, travel and free time. You answer simple questions about yourself, then ask the other test taker similar questions about their life.
How long is IELTS Life Skills A1?
IELTS Life Skills A1 lasts 16 to 18 minutes. It runs in four phases: answer questions about yourself, ask the other test taker questions, listen to two recordings, then talk together with the examiner present.
Do I need reading and writing for IELTS Life Skills A1?
No. IELTS Life Skills A1 tests speaking and listening only. You listen to recordings, answer aloud and talk with the other test taker. There is no reading paper, no writing paper and no written answer sheet.
How many questions should I ask in A1?
You take turns, so you ask as well as answer. Prepare short questions that fit the previous answer, such as "Which bus?" after "I take the bus." The examiner listens for a relevant follow-up question.
Can I prepare for A1 at home?
Yes. Ask a spouse or friend to read the four practice questions aloud while you answer in full sentences, then swap roles. Use the official IELTS sample papers to hear the real format before test day.
How is IELTS Life Skills A1 scored?
IELTS Life Skills A1 reports Pass or Fail, not a band score. Speaking and listening are assessed together. You need a Pass for a first UK family visa application at A1 level.
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