FCE Speaking Part 1 questions: 60 practice questions by topic
Here are 60 original FCE Speaking Part 1 questions, grouped by topic, with sample answers and tips for extending what you say. Answer each one aloud in two or three sentences. For the full strategy, see Speaking Part 1 in our B2 First Speaking guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
How to use these questions
Part 1 lasts about two minutes, and the examiner asks each candidate a few short questions about everyday life. The questions below are written in the same style, but they are our own, so you will not hear them word for word in the exam. That is fine: the topics repeat, and practising them makes you fast and confident.
Try this routine:
- Pick one topic group and set a timer for 30 seconds per question.
- Answer aloud, without writing anything down first.
- Record two or three answers and listen back. Did you answer the question directly? Did you add a reason and an example?
- Repeat the same questions a few days later. Your second answers should be smoother and more varied.
If you have a study partner, take turns being the examiner. Our partner practice guide explains how to run a full mock test.
How to extend your answers
- 1
Answer + reason
'I'd love to visit Japan, mainly because I'm really into Japanese food.' This is the minimum.
- 2
Answer + reason + example
Add a real detail from your life: 'There's a small ramen place near my flat, and I go there almost every week.'
- 3
Then and now
Compare the past and the present: 'I used to hate cooking, but since I moved out I've started to enjoy it.'
- 4
Contrast
Show a different side: 'I love my phone, although I try not to use it after ten at night.'
- 5
Hypothetical
Add a second conditional: 'If I had more time, I'd probably take up the guitar again.'
Part 1 questions by topic
Sixty original questions in the style of the Part 1 interview. Aim for 20 to 30 seconds per answer.
Home and where you live
- Can you tell us something about the area where you live?
- What do you like most about your home?
- Is there anything you would change about your neighbourhood?
- Have you always lived in the same place?
- Would you prefer to live in a flat or a house? Why?
- What is there for young people to do in your town?
- Do you think your town has changed much in recent years?
Free time and hobbies
- What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
- Is there a hobby you used to have but have given up?
- Do you prefer doing things alone or with other people?
- How much time do you spend on sport each week?
- Is there a new activity you would like to try?
- What did you do on your last day off?
- Do you like watching films at home or at the cinema?
Studies and work
- What are you studying at the moment, or what do you do for work?
- What do you enjoy most about your studies or your job?
- Is there a subject you found difficult at school?
- Do you prefer studying in the morning or in the evening?
- Who was your favourite teacher, and why?
- Would you like to work in another country one day?
- How do you usually prepare for an important exam?
Travel and holidays
- Where did you go on your last holiday?
- Do you prefer holidays by the sea or in the mountains?
- Is there a country you would really love to visit?
- Do you like planning trips in detail, or do you prefer to be spontaneous?
- What is the best way to see a new city, in your opinion?
- Have you ever had a problem while travelling?
- Would you rather travel with friends or with your family?
Food and eating
- What kind of food do you enjoy most?
- Can you cook? What is your best dish?
- Do you usually eat with your family?
- Is there a food you didn't like as a child but enjoy now?
- How often do you eat out?
- What would you recommend a visitor to try in your country?
Technology and media
- How much time do you spend on your phone each day?
- Which app could you not live without?
- Do you prefer reading on paper or on a screen?
- How do you usually find out what is happening in the world?
- Have you ever tried to spend a day without the internet?
- Do you play video games? Why, or why not?
- What kind of podcasts or videos do you enjoy?
Friends and family
- Do you have a large family?
- Who in your family are you most similar to?
- How did you meet your best friend?
- What do you usually do when you get together with friends?
- Do you prefer having a few close friends or lots of friends?
- How do you keep in touch with friends who live far away?
Future plans
- What are you planning to do after this exam?
- Where do you see yourself living in ten years?
- Is there something you would like to achieve this year?
- Would you like to go on studying after you finish your current course?
- What kind of job would you like to have in the future?
- Is learning English important for your future plans?
Daily life and routines
- Are you a morning person or a night person?
- What does a typical weekday look like for you?
- How do you usually relax after a busy day?
- Do you prefer to shop online or in shops?
- What is your favourite day of the week, and why?
- How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
- Do you enjoy the weather where you live?
Sample answer: home
Examiner: Is there anything you would change about your neighbourhood?
Yes, actually, I'd add more green spaces. I live in quite a busy part of the city, and the only park nearby is tiny and always full of people. If there were a bigger park, I think people would spend more time outside instead of staying at home in front of a screen.
Why it works
- Direct answer in the first few words.
- A real detail about the speaker's area makes the answer feel natural.
- The second conditional ('If there were…, people would…') shows B2 grammar without sounding forced.
Sample answer: free time
Examiner: Is there a hobby you used to have but have given up?
Yes, I used to play the piano when I was a kid. I had lessons for about six years, but when I started secondary school I just didn't have time to practise, so I gave up. I regret it a bit now, to be honest. I've been thinking about starting again, maybe with online lessons.
Why it works
- Uses 'used to' and the past simple correctly to talk about the past.
- Includes the phrasal verb 'give up', which matches the question.
- The present perfect continuous ('I've been thinking') links the past to now.
Sample answer: technology
Examiner: Do you prefer reading on paper or on a screen?
For studying, definitely on paper. I find it much easier to concentrate, and I like being able to write notes in the margins. For news or short articles, though, I just use my phone, because it's quicker and I always have it with me.
Why it works
- Splits the answer into two situations, which is a simple way to extend.
- Contrast with 'though' sounds natural in speech.
- Gives a reason for each preference.
Common mistakes with Part 1 questions
Trap: Answering 'What do you like about…?' with only a list: 'The food, the people, the weather.'
Fix: Choose one thing and explain it. Depth is better than a list.
Trap: Using the present simple for every answer.
Fix: Listen for the tense in the question and add a different tense when you extend ('I've lived here since…', 'I'm going to…').
Trap: Choosing a 'safe' answer you can't develop.
Fix: Pick the answer you can say most about, even if it is not 100% true. The exam tests language, not honesty.
Trap: Very long pauses before answering.
Fix: Use a short filler: 'Hmm, let me think…', 'That's a good question…'.
Phrases for extending Part 1 answers
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Adding detail |
|
| Past vs present |
|
| Preferences |
|
| Frequency |
|
Frequently asked questions
Are these the real FCE Speaking Part 1 questions?
No. They are original questions written by our teachers in the same style as the exam. The real exam uses its own questions, but the topics are very similar, so this practice transfers directly.
How many questions will I be asked in Part 1?
Only a few, because the part lasts about two minutes and the time is shared between both candidates.
Should I memorise answers to these questions?
No. Practise speaking about the topics so you have the vocabulary ready, but answer freshly each time. Memorised answers sound unnatural and often miss the exact question.
What topics come up most in Part 1?
Personal, everyday topics: where you live, free time, studies and work, travel, food, technology, friends and family, and your plans for the future.
How can I practise Part 1 alone?
Choose a topic group, set a timer for 30 seconds per question, answer aloud and record yourself. Listen back and check that each answer has a direct reply plus a reason or example.