How often do you see your friends?

My close friends maybe once a week, usually at the weekend. During exams it's more like once a month, and we mostly just complain to each other about how much we have to study.

Do you prefer to have a lot of friends or a few close friends?

A few close ones. I know a lot of people, but there are only three or four I'd call at two in the morning if something went wrong.

Is it easy to stay in touch with old friends?

Technically it's easy, with messaging apps. Actually doing it is harder, because everyone's busy. The friendships that last are the ones where nobody keeps score of who called last.

Have you ever had an argument with a friend?

Of course. My best friend and I once didn't speak for a month over something so silly that neither of us can remember what it was.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 · Best friend

Tell me about your best friend.

The examiner wants three things: who they are, how you know them, and why you're close. Past simple for how you met, present for what they're like, and maybe present perfect for how long you've been friends.

One story or habit is worth more than five adjectives. What do you two always do together?

Answer it out loud with the AI examiner

Sample answers at 3 bands

Same question, three answers. Read them out loud and notice what changes: not longer words, but more detail, better linking and a bit of you in it.

Band 5.5 answer

My best friend is Ali. We are friends since primary school. He is very funny and kind. We play games together and we talk every day.

Why it scores Band 5.5: "We are friends since" should be "we've been friends since", which is the key grammar point in this question. The description is general.

Band 7 answer

My best friend's called Minh. We've known each other since we were about seven, when we sat next to each other on the first day of school and immediately got into trouble for talking. He lives in another city now, but we still call each other most weekends, and it always feels like no time has passed.

Why it scores Band 7: Correct present perfect, a vivid detail about how they met, and a natural observation about the friendship today.

Band 8 answer

That would be Sara, who I met at university, so we've only been friends for about four years, but it feels much longer. She's the most organised person I know and I'm the least, so she plans our trips and I make sure we don't stick to the plan. It works surprisingly well.

Why it scores Band 8: A funny contrast that shows personality, accurate present perfect, and natural, rhythmic sentences. The ending is short and confident.

Bands are our estimate against the public IELTS Speaking band descriptors. In the real test your band comes from all three parts, not one answer.

The follow-up questions

Part 1 stays on one topic for three or four questions. These are the ones that usually come next.

How often do you see your friends?: My close friends maybe once a week, usually at the weekend. During exams it's more like once a month, and we mostly just complain to each other about how much we have to study.
Do you prefer to have a lot of friends or a few close friends?: A few close ones. I know a lot of people, but there are only three or four I'd call at two in the morning if something went wrong.
Is it easy to stay in touch with old friends?: Technically it's easy, with messaging apps. Actually doing it is harder, because everyone's busy. The friendships that last are the ones where nobody keeps score of who called last.
Have you ever had an argument with a friend?: Of course. My best friend and I once didn't speak for a month over something so silly that neither of us can remember what it was.

Words that lift this answer

we've been friends since / for: The present perfect this question is really testing.
hit it off: Like each other immediately.
lose touch / keep in touch: Stop or continue being in contact.
have a lot in common: Share interests or opinions.
a lifelong friend: A friend you've had for your whole life.
pick up where we left off: Talk easily even after a long time apart.

Mistakes that cost marks here

"We are friends since 2015". Say "We've been friends since 2015".
Only listing adjectives (funny, kind, helpful). Add one habit or memory.
"My best friend name is…". Say "My best friend's name is…" or "My best friend is called…".

Reading answers won't move your band. Saying them will.

Take a full Cambridge Speaking test: the examiner's questions are played out loud, you answer, and you get a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. 10 free corrections a day.

Start a speaking test