In IELTS Speaking Part 1, to answer IELTS examiner’s questions in a natural and fluent way, you should focus on one idea only and then expand that idea into a long meaningful sentence using grammar patterns and vocabulary, which can help you get Band 8.0+ for IELTS Speaking.

Let’s practice it with some easy questions about an interesting topic: Names.

Speaking Part 1

1. Who gave you your name ? / What’s the origin of your name?

My name is named after a famous figure who my parents really admire and they really hope that I can turn out to be exactly like her in the future. So yeah, I guess both of them agreed upon the name.

2. Does your name have any special meaning?

Most Vietnamese names do, I suppose, and mine is not an exception. My name can be interpreted as a river in Autumn. In my country, anything related to Autumn is considered beautiful and calm, since this season is the most comfortable one out of the four. So, I assume my parents did have somewhat an expectation when they named me that.

3. Do you think your name is special?

Actually, the name [……] is fairly common in my country. You would be pretty surprised at how many girls here are named [….]. But, in a sense, this name is special to me because my parents gave it to me and it will stay with me for my whole life.

4. Do you like your name?

Definitely yes! It’s a simple, yet meaningful name to me. Say if you ask me whether I would like to change my name into another one, my answer would be a big no.

5. What do your friends call you?

It really depends. Most of my close friends prefer to call me by my nickname, “Pup”. Meanwhile, others just use my first name.

6. Did your family have a certain (nick) name that they called you when you were a child?

When I was born, I had been crying for more than 2 hours. Therefore, my parents decided to call me Crocodile, which turned out to be my nickname afterwards. It was such a funny name which still makes me embarrassed when my parents call my nickname in front of my friends.

7. How did your parents choose your name?

My parents named me after a famous freedom fighter in my country who is universally admired today. I hope I can achieve great things like she did.

Vocabulary

• Assume: supposed to be in a place without proof 
  Eg: He has assumed that it will not work
• Achieve: Successfully bring about or reach by effort, skill or courage . 
  Eg: He’s working hard to achieve his goals
• Admired: regard with respect and warm approval . 
  Eg: She was being admired.
• Embarrassed: to cause confusion and shame to
  Eg: He is very embarrassed to be in the same position for 2 yrs.