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🎙️ IELTS Speaking Part 1: Band 5 vs Band 8 Answers — What’s the Difference?


This is the second post in our IELTS Speaking Part 1 series. In the first post, we looked at the types of questions you’ll be asked in Part 1. Now, it’s time to explore how to answer them well, and what separates a Band 5 answer from a Band 8.


Even though Part 1 feels like a warm-up, the examiner is already listening carefully to your fluency, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation — so it pays to start strong.


Let’s compare some answers side by side. For each question, you’ll see two versions:


  • A Band 5-style answer: short, limited vocabulary, grammar mistakes.

  • A Band 8-style answer: fluent, natural, well-developed ideas.


🔹 Topic: Free Time

Q: What do you usually do in your free time?


🎧 Band 5:"I watch TV. Sometimes I go out with my friends. I like music too."

🎙️ Band 8:"In my free time, I usually unwind by watching a good series on Netflix or listening to music — especially indie or acoustic playlists. I also like catching up with friends over coffee at the weekend. It’s a nice way to disconnect from work."


✅ Why Band 8 is better:

  • More developed ideas

  • Natural linking ("also", "especially", "a nice way to…")

  • Specific examples and variety of vocabulary ("unwind", "catching up", "disconnect from work")


🔹 Topic: Hometown

Q: What do you like about living there?


🎧 Band 5:"It’s nice. I have family there. The people are good."

🎙️ Band 8:"I really like the sense of community in my hometown. Everyone knows each other, and there’s a relaxed atmosphere. It’s also quite green — there are parks and lots of places to walk, which I enjoy."


✅ Why Band 8 is better:

  • Full sentences with clear structure

  • Descriptive language ("sense of community", "relaxed atmosphere")

  • Good use of linking words ("also", "which I enjoy")


🔹 Topic: Work or Studies

Q: Do you enjoy your work/studies?


🎧 Band 5:"Yes. It’s good. I learn many things."

🎙️ Band 8:"Yes, I do enjoy my studies — especially the practical parts, like group projects and presentations. I’m studying marketing, so it’s interesting to see how brands work in real life. Sometimes it’s challenging, but overall I find it rewarding."


✅ Why Band 8 is better:

  • Specific, relevant content

  • Natural tone

  • Range of tenses and expressions ("especially", "it’s interesting to see how…", "overall I find it…")


🔹 Topic: Food

Q: What kind of food do you like?


🎧 Band 5:"I like pizza and pasta. And also burgers. I eat them a lot."

🎙️ Band 8:"I’m a big fan of Italian food — things like fresh pasta and risotto. I also enjoy trying new cuisines when I travel. Lately, I’ve been getting into Thai food. The flavours are amazing."


✅ Why Band 8 is better:

  • Clear preference with examples

  • Variety of structures ("I’m a big fan of...", "Lately I’ve been getting into...")

  • Topic-relevant vocabulary ("cuisines", "flavours")


Final Thoughts: How to Sound Like Band 8


If you want to boost your IELTS Speaking score, focus on:

  • Extending your answers with details and examples

  • Varying your vocabulary (use collocations and natural phrases)

  • Staying relaxed and conversational — speak like you’re talking to a friend

  • Checking your grammar — especially tense and sentence structure


Practice makes progress. So, take some of the questions from Part 1 of this series, record yourself answering them, and then compare your responses to the Band 8 examples above.


📹 Want to see a Band 5 and Band 8 answer in action? Watch Tom’s video of this post below.

 
 
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