IELTS Life Skills A1 topics with example answers

The topic areas IELTS lists

On its Life Skills test format page, IELTS says you take the test with an examiner and one other test taker, for about 20 minutes, and that it covers short discussions on everyday subjects including:

• personal details and experiences
• family and friends
• buying goods
• work
• health
• leisure
• education and training
• transport
• housing
• weather

The result is Pass or Fail. IELTS says Life Skills is not scored like its other tests. IELTS does not publish a list of the questions, and we do not guess them. Read the format on IELTS Life Skills A1.

Leisure and free time

From our free practice, "Free time":

Examiner: What do you do in your free time?
Example answer: I watch TV and I cook.

Examiner: Do you like football?
Example answer: Yes, I like football. I play on Sunday.

Examiner: What do you do at the weekend?
Example answer: I go to the market with my wife.

Family and friends

From our free practice, "Your best friend":

Examiner: Do you have a best friend?
Example answer: Yes, I do. His name is Imran.

Examiner: Where does your friend live?
Example answer: He lives in Bradford.

Examiner: How often do you see your friend?
Example answer: I see him every weekend.

Weather

From our free practice, "Weather in your city" and "Warm at home in winter":

Examiner: What is the weather like in your city?
Example answer: It is hot and dry.

Examiner: What is it like in winter?
Example answer: It is cool. It is not cold.

Examiner: Is your home cold in winter?
Example answer: Yes, it is cold in the morning.

Examiner: What is best?
Example answer: I think a jumper and a hot drink.

Other topic areas: sample answers we wrote for this page

These examples are original, at A1: short sentences, simple present tense, and a true detail.

Health

Examiner: What do you do when you are ill?
Example answer: I go to the doctor. I take medicine and I stay at home.

Buying goods

Examiner: Where do you buy food?
Example answer: I buy food at the supermarket. I buy bread and milk.

Transport

Examiner: How do you go to the shops?
Example answer: I go by bus. It takes ten minutes.

Housing

Examiner: Do you live in a house or a flat?
Example answer: I live in a flat. It has two bedrooms and a small kitchen.

Work and education

Examiner: Do you work or study?
Example answer: I study English at college. I go on Monday and Wednesday.

Practise each phase

Our A1 practice follows the four phases: Phase 1a: getting to know you, Phase 1b: talk and discuss, Phase 2a: listening and Phase 2b: discussion. Because you talk with another candidate in the real test, listen to your partner and answer what they say, not only the examiner.

Take the free level check to see where to start, then practise out loud with the AI examiner. Results here are estimates.

Tips for A1 topics

• Answer in a full short sentence: "Yes, I like football" is better than "Yes".
• Use true answers about your life; they are easier to remember.
• If you do not know a word, say it in a simple way or ask the examiner to repeat.
• Do not memorise these answers. Change them to fit you.

Also see A1 sample questions and answers and the free A1 PDF. This is general information, not immigration advice; check GOV.UK.