IELTS Speaking Part 1: Mobile Phones Questions

Prepare for IELTS Speaking Part 1 mobile-phone questions with natural sample answers, useful technology vocabulary and extra practice.

Back to IELTS Speaking

Introduction to Mobile Phones Questions in IELTS Speaking Part 1

Mobile phones are a very common IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic because they are part of everyday life and give you plenty of opportunities to talk about habits, communication, apps and technology.

You may be asked about:

  • how often you use your phone
  • what you use it for
  • your favourite apps
  • how important your phone is
  • whether you use it too much
  • how your phone habits have changed
  • whether mobile phones are useful for study or work

For Part 1, you do not need long or technical answers. A good response usually gives a direct answer and then adds a reason, example or small detail.

For example:

How often do you use your mobile phone?

Pretty much all day, to be honest. I use it for messages, work, maps and listening to music, so I probably check it more often than I should.

This works well because it sounds natural and gives the examiner enough language to assess.

Common mobile-phone questions

Here are some typical mobile phone IELTS speaking questions you could be asked.

How often do you use your mobile phone?

You might say:

several times an hour
throughout the day
mainly for work
mostly in the evening

What do you usually use your phone for?

Possible ideas include:

  • messaging
  • phone calls
  • social media
  • maps
  • banking
  • taking photos
  • watching videos
  • studying
  • listening to podcasts
  • work

What is your favourite app?

You could mention:

  • what the app is
  • how often you use it
  • why you find it useful

Could you live without your phone?

You do not need to take an extreme position.

For example:

I could probably manage without it for a short time, but everyday life would definitely be less convenient because I use it for so many practical things.

Do you think you use your phone too much?

Possible answers include:

probably
sometimes
not really

Then explain why.

When did you get your first mobile phone?

This gives you a chance to use past tense naturally.

Has the way you use your phone changed?

You could compare:

mainly calling and texting in the past

with:

apps, payments, maps and entertainment now

Mobile phones are part of the wider technology topic, so also practise our IELTS Speaking Part 1 technology questions and sample answers.

Band 7+ sample answers

These answers show how you can respond naturally without making your answer too long.

How often do you use your mobile phone?

Very often. I use it throughout the day for messages, emails, maps and a few work-related apps, so it’s probably the device I use most.

What do you usually use your phone for?

Mostly communication and practical things. I use messaging apps a lot, but I also use my phone for banking, checking directions and listening to podcasts when I’m travelling.

What is your favourite app?

Probably Google Maps because I use it all the time when I’m going somewhere unfamiliar. It saves a lot of time, especially when I’m travelling.

Could you live without your phone?

Yes, technically, but it would be quite inconvenient. So many everyday things are connected to my phone now, from messaging people to paying for things and checking my schedule.

Do you think you use your phone too much?

Sometimes, yes. I have a habit of checking it whenever I have a spare minute, even when there’s nothing particularly important to look at.

When did you get your first mobile phone?

I got my first one when I was a teenager. It was much more basic than the phones we have now, so I mainly used it for calls and text messages.

Has the way you use your phone changed?

Definitely. I used to use my phone mainly for communication, whereas now it’s almost like a small computer. I use it for work, entertainment, navigation and even payments.

Notice that the answers:

  • answer immediately
  • add one or two useful details
  • sound conversational
  • use varied vocabulary
  • stay suitable for Part 1

‍

Useful phone and app vocabulary

These expressions can help you talk about phones more naturally.

Useful mobile phone and app vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
Word / expression Meaning / use Example
1 smartphone mobile phone with internet and apps I’ve had a smartphone for years.
2 messaging app app used to send messages I use messaging apps every day.
3 screen time amount of time spent using a screen I’m trying to reduce my screen time.
4 notification alert from an app or phone I get too many notifications.
5 battery life how long a battery lasts The battery life is quite good.
6 mobile data internet connection through a phone network I use mobile data when I’m outside.
7 Wi-Fi wireless internet connection I usually connect to Wi-Fi at home.
8 scroll through move through content on a screen I sometimes scroll through social media before bed.
9 download an app install an app on your phone I downloaded a new language app.
10 video call call using live video I often video call my family.
11 phone charger device used to charge a phone I always carry a phone charger.
12 run out of battery have no battery power left My phone ran out of battery yesterday.

Try to learn complete phrases rather than isolated words.

For example:

My phone has no energy.

is understandable, but more natural English is:

My phone has run out of battery.

or:

My battery is almost dead.

For more advanced words related to devices, apps and digital change, study our IELTS Technology Vocabulary.

Talking about habits and dependence

Mobile-phone questions often lead naturally into habits.

Useful expressions include:

check my phone
spend time on my phone
be on my phone
scroll through social media
reply to messages
check notifications
use my phone out of habit
rely on my phone
be dependent on technology
reduce my screen time

For example:

I probably check my phone more often than I need to.
I sometimes scroll through social media when I’m bored.
I’ve become quite dependent on my phone for everyday tasks.

Talking about frequency

Useful phrases include:

constantly
throughout the day
every few hours
quite regularly
several times a day
from time to time
hardly ever

For example:

I check my messages throughout the day.

Talking about dependence naturally

Avoid sounding too dramatic unless it is genuinely true.

Instead of:

I cannot live without my phone.

you could say:

I rely on my phone quite heavily because I use it for work, communication and navigation.

Or:

I’d find it difficult to go without it for a long time.

Talking about reducing phone use

Useful expressions include:

switch off notifications
put my phone away
limit screen time
take a break from social media
avoid using my phone before bed

For example:

I’ve started switching off some notifications because they can be distracting.

If social apps make up a large part of your screen time, continue with our IELTS Speaking Part 1 social media questions.

‍

Common mistakes

Saying use phone without an article or possessive

Incorrect:

I use phone every day.

Correct:

I use my phone every day.

Saying play my phone

Incorrect:

I play my phone before bed.

Correct:

I use my phone before bed.

You can play games on your phone, but you do not normally play your phone.

Saying open the phone

If you mean begin using the device:

Less natural:

I open my phone.

Better:

I unlock my phone.

If you mean use an app:

I open the app.

Confusing app and application

Both are correct, but app is much more common in everyday speaking.

Natural:

I downloaded a new app.

More formal:

I downloaded a new application.

Saying battery is finished

Understandable:

My battery is finished.

More natural:

My battery is dead.

or:

My phone has run out of battery.

Giving technical answers unnecessarily

You do not need to discuss processors, operating systems or technical specifications unless they genuinely relate to your answer.

Question:

Do you like your phone?

A natural answer:

Yes, mainly because it’s reliable and the camera is good.

is better than trying to give a technical product review.

‍

Extra practice questions

Practise answering each question in about two or three sentences.

  1. What kind of mobile phone do you use?
  2. How long have you had your current phone?
  3. Do you often change your phone?
  4. What apps do you use most?
  5. Do you use your phone for work or study?
  6. Do you make many phone calls?
  7. Do you prefer calling or messaging?
  8. Do you often take photos with your phone?
  9. Do you use your phone before going to bed?
  10. Do you ever turn your phone off?
  11. What would you do if you lost your phone?
  12. Do you think phones can be distracting?
  13. Have mobile phones changed the way people communicate?
  14. Do you think children should have smartphones?
  15. Would you like to reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone?

For IELTS Speaking Part 1 mobile phones questions, focus on your real habits and give one useful detail after your answer. Expressions such as screen time, check notifications, scroll through social media, run out of battery, rely on my phone and video call can make your answers more precise without sounding unnatural.

More IELTS Technology and speaking practice

  • IELTS Speaking Part 1: Technology Questions
  • IELTS Speaking Part 1: Social Media Questions
  • IELTS Technology Vocabulary

    • ‍