UKVI A1 Life Skills Test: Complete Guide for Sumitra Sharma
Exam
Overview
The IELTS Life Skills A1 test
is a UK government-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for "family
of a settled person" visa applications. It assesses only speaking
and listening skills—no reading or writing.
Key
details:
- Total test duration: 16–18 minutes
- Format: Face-to-face test with an examiner and one other
candidate (you are not tested alone)
- Result: Pass or Fail (no band score)
Test Format & Structure
The test has four phases:
|
Phase |
Duration |
Activity |
|
Phase 1a |
4–5 minutes |
Examiner asks you and your partner
simple personal questions (name, spelling, where you're from, and familiar
topics like food or friends) |
|
Phase 1b |
5 minutes |
You and your partner ask each
other questions on different topics. You get 1½ minutes to prepare your
questions before asking |
|
Phase 2a |
4 minutes |
You listen to two short audio
recordings. The examiner asks questions about them—a combined listening and
speaking task |
|
Phase 2b |
3–4 minutes |
You have a conversation with your
partner on a topic related to the listening task |
Topics Covered
The test focuses on everyday
communication topics, including:
- Personal details and experiences
- Family and friends
- Work and education
- Shopping and buying goods
- Health
- Transport and travel
- Housing and home
- Weather
- Free time and leisure
Types of Questions You May Be Asked
At A1 level, tasks may include:
- Describing things
- Giving opinions
- Giving personal information
- Stating preferences
- Commenting
- Asking for information or descriptions
- Agreeing and disagreeing
- Explaining, giving reasons, or justifying
- Deciding, suggesting, or selecting
Key Tips for Success
|
Tip |
Explanation |
|
Practice speaking regularly |
Daily English practice builds
fluency and confidence |
|
Listen to English daily |
Improves comprehension and
response time during the test |
|
Take mock tests |
Familiarize yourself with the
format and build confidence |
|
Stay calm |
A calm mind helps you think
clearly and respond confidently |
|
Don't worry if your partner
struggles |
You are assessed individually. Try
to engage them—this can actually be a plus |
|
You don't need complex grammar |
Simple, clear sentences that are
easy to understand are perfectly adequate at A1 level |
25 Sample Question Sets for Susmita Sharma
The following sample sets cover all
phases of the test and are tailored to Sumitra's profile: Bardghat,
Nawalparasi, Nepal.
Set 1: Personal Information (Phase 1a)
Examiner
questions:
What is your full name?
My name is Sumitra Sharma.
Can you spell your first name,
please?
S-U-S-M-I-T-A.
Where are you from?
I am from Bardghat, Nawalparasi,
Nepal.
Can you tell me about your family?
I live with my husband and children.
I also have parents.
What do you do for work?
I am a [your occupation].
Set 2: Where You Live (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
Where do you live now?
I live in Bardghat, Nepal.
Tell me about your home.
My home has three bedrooms and a
kitchen. It is not big, but it is comfortable.
Who do you live with?
I live with my family.
What is your favourite room at home?
I love the kitchen because I enjoy
cooking.
Do you like your neighbourhood?
Yes, it is very peaceful.
Set 3: Food & Meals (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
What do you eat for breakfast?
I drink tea and eat bread.
What is your favourite food?
My favourite food is curry and rice.
Do you like cooking?
Yes, I like cooking very much.
What is a special meal in Nepal?
Dal bhat is a special meal in Nepal.
What did you eat for dinner
yesterday?
I ate vegetables and rice.
Set 4: Free Time Activities (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
What do you do in your free time?
I watch TV and talk with my friends
and family.
Do you like to read books?
Yes, I like reading books.
What did you do last weekend?
I visited my sister.
Who do you enjoy meeting in your
free time?
I enjoy meeting my friends.
Where are you going this weekend?
I am going to visit my family in
Bardghat.
Set 5: Work & Job (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
Do you work?
Yes, I work as a [your occupation].
Where do you work?
I work in Bardghat.
Do you like your job?
Yes, I like my job.
What time do you start and finish
work?
I start at 9 am and finish at 5 pm.
What do you do at work?
I [explain your main task, e.g.,
cook, clean, help people].
Set 6: Weather (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
What is the weather like today?
Today is hot and sunny.
What is the weather like in Nepal?
Nepal has summer and winter.
Do you like hot weather?
Yes, I like hot weather.
What do you wear in winter?
I wear a coat and sweater.
How is the weather in July?
It rains a lot in July.
Set 7: Neighbours (Phase 1b - Asking Questions)
Your topic: Ask your partner about their
neighbours.
Sample
questions you can ask:
- Do you know your neighbours well?
- Are your neighbours friendly?
- Do you help your neighbours?
- Where do your neighbours live?
- Do you enjoy meeting your neighbours?
Set 8: Favourite Time of Year (Phase 1b - Asking
Questions)
Your topic: Ask your partner about their
favourite time of year.
Sample
questions:
- What is your favourite time of year?
- Why do you like it?
- What do you do at that time?
- Do you like summer?
- Is it hot in Nepal in summer?
Set 9: Friends (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
Do you have friends?
Yes, I have many friends.
Where do you meet your friends?
We meet at the market or at each
other's homes.
What do you do with your friends?
We talk and share stories.
Do you have a best friend?
Yes, my best friend is [name].
When did you last see your friends?
I saw them yesterday.
Set 10: Holidays & Celebrations (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
What celebrations do you like?
I like Dashain festival.
What do you do at celebrations?
I visit family and eat special food.
Do you celebrate birthdays?
Yes, we celebrate birthdays.
What did you do last celebration?
I had dinner with my family.
Do you give gifts?
Yes, I give gifts.
Set 11: Housework (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
What housework do you do?
I clean the house and cook.
Who helps you at home?
My family helps me.
What did you do yesterday?
I cleaned my home.
How often do you clean?
I clean every day.
Do you like doing housework?
Yes, I like keeping my home clean.
Set 12: Shopping (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
Where do you do your shopping?
I shop at the market in Bardghat.
How often do you go shopping?
I go shopping once a week.
What do you buy?
I buy vegetables and rice.
Do you like shopping?
Yes, I like shopping.
What did you buy yesterday?
I bought some vegetables.
Set 13: Transport (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
How do you travel?
I travel by bus.
How do you go to work?
I go to work by bus.
Is the bus cheap?
Yes, the bus is cheap.
Do you have a car?
No, I don't have a car.
What is your favourite way to
travel?
I like to travel by bus.
Set 14: Health (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
How do you feel today?
I feel fine today.
What do you do when you are sick?
I visit the doctor.
What do you eat to stay healthy?
I eat fruit and vegetables.
Do you exercise?
Yes, I walk every day.
Did you see a doctor recently?
No, I didn't see a doctor recently.
Set 15: Education (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
Did you go to school?
Yes, I went to school.
What did you study?
I studied in Nepali.
Do you like English?
Yes, I like English.
Are you studying now?
Yes, I am studying for this test.
Where did you go to school?
I went to school in Bardghat.
Set 16: Your Village (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
Can you tell me about your village?
My village is called Bardghat. It is
in Nawalparasi.
Is your village big or small?
It is a small village.
Are the people friendly?
Yes, the people are very friendly.
What is special about your village?
It is peaceful and green.
Do you like living there?
Yes, I love living in Bardghat.
Set 17: Country (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
Where is Nepal?
Nepal is between India and China.
Is Nepal big or small?
Nepal is a small country.
What is special about Nepal?
Nepal has beautiful mountains.
What is the capital?
The capital is Kathmandu.
Do you like your country?
Yes, I love my country.
Set 18: Hobbies (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
What is your hobby?
I like cooking and reading.
Do you like music?
Yes, I like music.
What did you do yesterday?
I watched TV.
What do you like to do with your
family?
I play and talk with them.
How often do you do your hobby?
I cook every day.
Set 19: Future Plans (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
What are your plans for the future?
I want to go to the UK.
Where do you want to live?
I want to live in the UK with my
family.
What will you do there?
I will work there.
When are you going?
I am going next year.
Are you excited?
Yes, I am very excited.
Set 20: General Questions (Phase 1a/1b)
Examiner
questions:
What is your favourite colour?
My favourite colour is red.
What is your favourite season?
I like spring because it is not too
hot or cold.
Do you like watching TV?
Yes, I like watching news and
movies.
What is your favourite drink?
I like tea.
What is your favourite place?
I like my home.
Set 21: Role Play - Buying a Ticket (Phase 2b -
Conversation with Partner)
Topic: You and your partner are buying bus
tickets.
Where does the bus go? > I want a ticket to Kathmandu.
How much is the ticket? > How much is it?
What time does the bus leave? > What time does the bus leave?
How many tickets do you need? > I want two tickets, please.
Thank you. > Thank you.
Set 22: Role Play - At a Café (Phase 2b - Conversation
with Partner)
Topic: You and your partner are ordering
lunch at a café.
Can I see the menu, please?
What do you want to eat? > I want chicken and rice,
please.
What drink do you like? > I would like a glass of water.
How much is the meal? > How much is the meal?
Is the service good? > The service is good. Thank
you.
Set 23: Listening & Discussion (Phase 2a - Answer
Questions on Audio)
You will hear a recording like this:
"Hello, this is Ramesh. The
party is at 8 pm on Saturday at my house. Please bring some food."
Questions:
1. What time is the party? > The party is at 8 pm.
2. Where is the party? > It is at Ramesh's house.
Set 24: Listening & Discussion (Phase 2b - Discuss
Theme)
You will hear a recording about
travel. Then discuss with your partner.
Suggested
discussion:
1. Do you like to travel? > Yes, I like to travel.
2. Where do you like to go? > I like to visit my family.
3. How do you travel? > I travel by bus.
4. What do you do on your trips? > I talk with people and enjoy
the scenery.
5. What did you do on your last trip? > I visited my sister in
Chitwan.
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