IELTS Speaking Part 1: Colours (Band 9 Sample)
This IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic asks about colours — a light, familiar area that is easy to speak about naturally. A band-9 answer gives a clear preference and rounds it out with a reason or a small detail, then stops cleanly. Below are five common questions with band-9 model answers in a relaxed spoken register, plus why they score 9 and the collocations worth stealing.
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01 · Questions & Band 9 answers
Q: What is your favourite colour?
I've always been drawn to a deep sea green — there's something really calming about it. I think it reminds me of the ocean and being on holiday, so it puts me in a relaxed frame of mind. Most of my clothes and even the walls of my study are some shade of it, so it's fair to say I'm a bit obsessed.
name a colour, add whyQ: Are there any colours you dislike?
I'm not keen on bright orange, to be honest. I find it a little harsh on the eye, and it's just never suited me — whenever I've tried wearing it, I've felt like it washes me out. It's nothing against the colour itself; it just isn't one I'd ever choose for myself.
honest dislike, then soften itQ: Do you like to wear colourful clothes?
Not especially — I tend to stick to fairly neutral, muted tones like navy, grey and white. I find they're easy to mix and match and they never really go out of style. I'll add the odd splash of colour with an accessory now and then, but on the whole I keep things pretty understated.
take a side, give a reasonQ: What colours are common in your home?
My flat is mostly done in warm, earthy tones — creams, soft browns and a bit of terracotta — which make it feel cosy and welcoming. I deliberately steered away from anything too bold on the walls, because I wanted somewhere I could properly unwind after work. The colour really does set the mood of the whole place.
describe, then explain the choiceQ: Do you think colours affect people's moods?
Definitely, more than we probably realise. Cool colours like blue and green tend to feel soothing, whereas reds and yellows are much more energising and can even feel a bit overwhelming in large doses. That's presumably why hospitals often use soft, calming shades — it genuinely seems to have an effect on how people feel.
give an opinion, back it with an example02 · Why this scores Band 9
Each answer commits to a clear line and develops it with a reason or example, then stops. Relaxed signposts ("to be honest", "on the whole", "presumably") link ideas naturally, so the delivery never stalls or drifts.
Colour and preference vocabulary is idiomatic and precise — "drawn to", "muted tones", "mix and match", "a splash of colour", "earthy tones", "soothing" — used the way a confident speaker actually talks.
Structures vary well: a "whenever" clause ("whenever I've tried wearing it, I've felt..."), a contrast with "whereas" ("reds and yellows are much more energising"), and a purpose clause ("because I wanted somewhere I could properly unwind"). All accurate.
Short, speakable chunks with natural stress on the key words invite the easy, chatty intonation Part 1 rewards, with no tongue-twisting clusters to disrupt the flow.
03 · Useful phrases for this topic
Tap a phrase to see what it means and how to use it. Natural phrases like these lift your Lexical Resource score.
04 · Frequently asked questions
How do I extend a short answer about colours?
Add a reason, a preference or where the colour appears in your life. "I like green" becomes band-9 as "I love a deep sea green because it feels calming and reminds me of the ocean." The extension carries the marks.
Do I need specific colour vocabulary?
A little variety helps — "muted", "earthy", "navy", "terracotta" — but you do not need paint-chart names. Natural phrases like "a splash of colour" or "warm tones" score better than obscure terms used awkwardly.
Can I say I do not have a favourite colour?
Yes, but give it shape. Say "I don't have one favourite; it depends on my mood" and add an example, so the answer is still developed rather than a flat one-liner.
Is the "do colours affect mood" question harder?
It is slightly more open, but you only need a clear opinion and one example. Contrasting calming blues with energising reds, as this answer does, is plenty for a Part 1 response.
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