IELTS Speaking Part 1: Remembering names
The question
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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