IELTS Speaking Part 1: Remembering names
The questions
Asked in this order, in one sitting.
- Is it easy for you to remember people's names?
- How do you usually remember new names?
- Do you think it is important to remember people's names?
- What would you do if someone cannot remember your name?
- Why do some people have a better memory than others?
- Which helps people remember things better: words or photos?
How to answer it
A six-question set, which means the examiner is moving fast and wants two sentences each, not five. The set also drifts upward: the last two are really Part 3 questions about memory in general, so keep something in reserve. The fourth question is a hypothetical and expects the conditional — answer it as a situation you have actually been in, because everyone has, and the graceful thing you say in that moment is more interesting than a rule.
What moves the band
- "What would you do if..." wants would — I'd probably just say it again and pretend I hadn't noticed.
- For the last two, one clear reason beats a survey of reasons. Attention rather than memory is a good line: people remember what they were actually listening to.
These are candidate recalls. These are questions reported by test-takers after their exams, not official or leaked IELTS material. Wording varies by test version, location and memory. Use them for timed practice — never as a prediction of what you will be asked.
Practise these next
Know the number. Now move it.
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