# What is your favourite colour? IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 1 - Hobbies

What is your favourite colour?

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 6 sample

My favourite colour is blue, especially the light blue like the sky. I think it is very calm colour and when I look at it, I feel peaceful. Most of my clothes are blue or white, and my bag and phone cover is also blue, so my friends always make jokes that I am a blue person. When I was small my favourite colour was red, but I changed my mind when I become a teenager. I think blue is suitable for everything, for example for clothes, for the room and for the car also. So I will choose blue if someone ask me.

**Examiner notes.** This answer gives a direct choice, a reason ("I feel peaceful"), a personal example about clothes and a contrast with childhood, so it is well extended for Part 1. The structure is clear but mechanical, with "I think" used twice and a list of "for clothes, for the room and for the car also". Errors such as "very calm colour", "when I become a teenager" and "if someone ask me" are noticeable. For Band 7, the speaker would describe the shade more precisely and keep tenses and agreement accurate.

## Band 7 sample

I'd say green, and more specifically the deep, earthy greens you see in forests rather than bright neon shades. I grew up in a small town surrounded by hills, so I think it reminds me of home in a way. These days I live in a fairly crowded city, and I've noticed I'm naturally drawn to anything green, whether it's houseplants, a dark green jacket or even the cover of a notebook. I've read that green is supposed to reduce stress, and while I'm not sure how scientific that is, it certainly has a calming effect on me. If I ever repaint my bedroom, it'll probably be a muted olive colour.

**Examiner notes.** This answer narrows the choice to a specific shade ("deep, earthy greens") and links it to the speaker's background and current life in a crowded city. Hedging such as "I'm not sure how scientific that is" sounds natural, and the conditional at the end is accurate. Some phrasing is fairly common, for example "reminds me of home" and "calming effect". For Band 8, the speaker would use more precise and less predictable expressions and connect the color to a more specific memory or feeling.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/what-is-your-favourite-colour).

## More Part 1 questions on this topic

1. Have you always liked the same colour?
2. What colours do you usually wear?
3. What colour would you paint your bedroom?
4. Do colours have special meanings in your country?

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.