On this page
What usually happens at the start
The examiner often says hello and asks your name. Then they ask a few short questions about your life. The questions are simple, like "Do you work or study?" or "What do you like to do at weekends?" Each answer can be two or three sentences. The examiner may move on quickly. This is normal. It does not mean your answer was bad. Try to stay calm, smile and speak at a comfortable speed.
Good morning. Nice to meet you.
My name is Amira, but my friends call me Mira.
Sure, I'm happy to talk about that.
Give a short answer, then add one detail
A good pattern is simple. First, answer the question. Then add a reason or an example. For example: "Yes, I like cooking. I usually cook at the weekend because I have more time." One-word answers like "Yes" or "No" are too short. Very long stories are not needed either. Think: answer, reason, example. This helps you sound natural and shows you can build sentences.
Yes, I do. I really enjoy it because it helps me relax.
Not really. I prefer staying at home, to be honest.
For example, last Sunday I went for a long walk in the park.
Common topics to prepare
The questions often come from everyday life. Common topics are work or study, your home, your town, food, free time, travel and technology. You do not need to learn answers by heart. Memorised answers can sound strange. Instead, think about each topic before the day. What do you do? What do you like? What would you like to change? Say a few ideas out loud each day.
I work in a warehouse, and I usually start early in the morning.
I live in a small flat near the city centre.
In my free time, I like watching films and meeting friends.
Talking about past, present and future
Short questions can use different times. "What do you do?" asks about now. "Did you like school?" asks about the past. "Would you like to travel more?" asks about the future or a wish. Listen to the question carefully and use the same time in your answer. If you make a small mistake, you can correct yourself and continue. Examiners are used to this.
When I was a child, I lived in a village by the sea.
These days, I'm studying English in the evenings.
In the future, I'd like to visit more countries.
If you don't understand or need time
It is fine to ask the examiner to repeat a question. You can also use short phrases to give yourself a few seconds to think. This sounds much better than silence. If you don't know a word, explain it in a simple way. For example, "the place where you wash clothes" instead of a difficult word. Keep talking in a calm way.
Sorry, could you repeat the question, please?
That's an interesting question. Let me think for a moment.
I'm not sure of the word, but it's a kind of small shop.
Common questions
How long should my answers be?
Usually two or three sentences is good. Answer the question, then add a reason or an example. Don't stop after one word, but you don't need a long story either.
Can I learn my answers by heart?
It's better not to. Memorised answers often sound unnatural. Prepare ideas and words for each topic instead, and practise saying them in different ways.
What if my answer is not true?
Usually, the examiner wants to hear your English, not check facts. If you have no answer, you can say something simple and honest, like "I don't do that often, but…"