Seafood might be a part-one topic in your IELTS Speaking test. One question you could get is, “Do you like eating fish?”
Here are some tips on how to answer this question, with 10 good answers (go straight to the answers here).
If You Like Fish
You could talk about:
- Why you like fish
- What kind of fish you like
- How often you eat fish
- How long you’ve liked eating fish for
- If you liked fish when you were younger
- A time recently when you ate fish
- If you like other kinds of seafood
- A great seafood restaurant you like
- Anything else you think of
If You Don’t Like Fish
You can say that you don’t like it, and then talk about:
- Why you don’t like fish
- A bad experience you had with fish
- How long you haven’t liked fish for
- If you like any other kinds of seafood
- What food you prefer instead of fish
- Anything else that comes to mind
Keep Your Answer Short
Part-one answers should be short and simple.
Just say one or two sentences, then stop talking, and wait for the next question.
You can use the three-step YES Method for a Part 1 question about fish, food, or anything else. Say this:
- Your answer (say if you like fish or not)
- Explain your answer (say why)
- Stop talking (wait patiently for the next question)
Remember that your examiner has only four to five minutes in part one, and they have to ask you 10-12 questions.
That’s a lot of questions in a short amount of time.
If you talk too much you might annoy the examiner, and you’re more likely to make mistakes as well.
So keep it short and simple.
Focus on Fluency
Also in part one, try to speak quite smoothly and quickly, without hesitation. Just focus on fluency.
Don’t worry about using very clever vocabulary. Trying to think of clever words will probably distract you and slow you down.
You can show off some advanced vocabulary in part two when you have more time to think and prepare.
In part one, keep it short, simple, and fluent.
Here are some example answers to this question about fish:
‘Yes, I Do’ Answers
1. Yes, I do. I really like fresh fish with some kind of delicious sauce. I grew up close to the sea in Spain and I ate fresh fish almost every day. I loved it.
2. Yes, I really like all kinds of seafood. Fish is one of my favorite foods because fish is really healthy. It has lots of healthy fat and oil that my body needs, so I eat fish often.
3. Yes, I’m a big fan of sushi. I love Japanese sushi with fresh salmon and wasabi. My favorite restaurant is a small sushi place near my home.
4. Yes, I do. I am currently living in England, close to the sea. And one of the best local dishes is fish and chips. It’s very simple but also very delicious. The fish is called cod, I think, and it’s covered with batter. You eat it with salt and vinegar.
5. Yes, I’ve always liked fish since I was very little. My mother used to cook lots of seafood with interesting herbs and spices, and so fish always reminds me of childhood, and my mother’s cooking.
‘No, I Don’t’ Answers
6. No, I don’t. I can’t stand fish because it’s so smelly. I’d rather eat a good meat dish with pork or beef. I never eat seafood at all.
7. To be honest, I’ve never really liked eating fish and I rarely eat it. I went to a seafood restaurant with friends two weeks ago and they all ate fish but I didn’t. I just ordered a simple tomato soup.
8. I’m not a fan of fish. I don’t know why, it’s just my personal taste. I think when I was very young, I ate some rotten fish and got really sick. I haven’t liked it since.
‘Kind Of’ Answers
9. Well, I kind of like fish. To be honest, I can take it or leave it. Sometimes my husband cooks a nice fish dish and I enjoy it. But it’s not my favorite food.
10. I suppose I like fish, if it’s very fresh and very simple, just cooked for a short time with salt and lemon. I don’t like overcooked fish or fish with lots of rich sauces.
Your Turn to Try…
I hope these examples have given you some ideas.
Now, you have a go!
Set up a recorder on your phone, and ask aloud, “Do you like eating fish?”
Answer as quickly and simply as you can, using the YES Method to keep it quite short.
After you’ve finished, listen to your answer, and you can even write down what you said.
See how you might improve your answer.
Then… do it again!
Keep on doing this process. It’s a great way to get ready for a band-seven score in part one of your IELTS Speaking test.
