IELTS Speaking Part 1: How to Answer 'Favourite', 'Dislike', and 'Prefer' Questions
Quick answer: IELTS Speaking Part 1 preference questions ask about likes, dislikes, and choices. Use the 4-step template: state preference + give one main reason + provide one specific example + add a personal touch. This produces 50–60 word answers in 30 seconds with clear opinion vocabulary.
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Preference questions in Part 1
Common forms: "What's your favourite [X]?" / "Do you prefer [A] or [B]?" / "What kind of [X] do you like?" / "Is there anything you don't like about [X]?"
Topics: food, music, films, weather, sports, books, holidays, hobbies.
Each Part 1 set includes 2–3 preference questions across the 12 questions.
The 4-step template
Step 1: state your preference. "My favourite [X] is [Y]." or "I tend to prefer [A] over [B]."
Step 2: main reason. "The main reason is that…"
Step 3: specific example. "For instance, last week I…"
Step 4: personal touch. "I find that this fits my [personality / lifestyle / mood]."
Total: 50–60 words, 30 seconds.
Vocabulary upgrades for preferences
Replace "like" with: enjoy, appreciate, find appealing, am fond of, gravitate toward.
Replace "don't like" with: am not particularly keen on, find tedious, struggle to enjoy.
Replace "favourite" with: top choice, go-to, the one I keep coming back to.
Replace "prefer" with: lean toward, opt for, tend to choose.
- Add intensifiers: absolutely, particularly, especially, genuinely
- Add hedging for honest answers: somewhat, fairly, reasonably
- Add comparative phrases: "more than anything else", "by a wide margin"
Worked Band 8 examples
Q: "What kind of music do you enjoy?" A: "I gravitate toward acoustic and folk music — anything with strong storytelling. The main reason is that the lyrics tend to be more thoughtful than in mainstream pop. For example, I've been listening to a lot of Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers recently. I find that this kind of music suits my preference for slower, more reflective evenings rather than energetic dance music."
Q: "Do you prefer reading books or watching films?" A: "I lean toward reading, especially fiction. The main reason is that books require my imagination, which I find more engaging than passive watching. For instance, I just finished a 600-page novel that I couldn't put down. That said, I do enjoy films when I want to relax — they're less mentally demanding after a long day."
Common Part 1 preference mistakes
Mistake 1: too short ("Yes, I like pizza"). The 4-step template fills the answer naturally.
Mistake 2: not giving a reason. "Why" is implicit in every preference question.
Mistake 3: being too vague ("I like various things"). Specificity scores higher.
Mistake 4: claiming you like something you don't. Examiners may probe — fake preferences fall apart.
Always have a specific example ready. "Just last week" or "the last time I" anchors abstract preferences in concrete experience.
Practice plan
Make a list of your real top 5 preferences in 5 categories: music, films, food, sports, hobbies.
For each, write a 4-step template answer using rich vocabulary.
Practise in front of a mirror or with a partner. Aim for 30 seconds per answer.
By week 3 you should be able to handle any Part 1 preference question on autopilot.
Practice this with WitPrep
Reading about IELTS only gets you so far — band gains come from rubric-graded practice. Open the AI IELTS Speaking coach to drill this exact skill with band-by-band feedback. If you have not yet baselined your level, start with the free IELTS diagnostic (free, ~10 min).
Related WitPrep reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I say 'I don't have a favourite'?
Yes — but extend it. "I don't have one favourite. I tend to enjoy whatever fits my mood — for instance…"
Should I always be enthusiastic in Part 1?
No. Honest answers including dislikes are scored equally. Don't fake enthusiasm.
How long should preference answers be?
30 seconds. About 50–60 words. The 4-step template hits this naturally.
Can I prepare answers in advance?
Prepare frameworks, not full answers. Memorised answers sound rehearsed and lose Fluency marks.
What if I genuinely don't like the topic?
Say so honestly. "To be honest, I don't follow sports much. The main reason is…" is acceptable.
Do I need to back up every preference with a reason?
Yes. "Because" is implicit in every preference question. No reason = lower Task Response.
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