IELTS Speaking Vocabulary - Accommodation
In the IELTS test, they might ask you to talk about accommodation in the speaking section. This post will introduce you to lot of higher-level vocabulary related to the topic of accommodation. One of the four scoring categories that IELTS examiners use to acesss your speaking skills is lexical Resource, which means you will be assessed on your ability to use a wide range of vocabulary in the right context and with the correct meaning. So, if you can show the examiner that you are confident using this unique and interesting vocabulary, you will be more likely to get a 7 or higher band score.
Now, let's watch the video below to learn all interesting vocabulary and idioms about accommodation. You can find IELTS speaking questions and samples answers below the video.
Could you tell me about the type of accommodation you live in?
I live in an independent house, which has a proper fence and a secure entrance. It has a nice front and a lavish green lawn. And it also comes with 3 storeys.
I live in a detached house. It is about 1,500 square feet. At the backside of the house, there is a parking space for two cars. Overall, it is a well-planned building.
I live in a flat (or apartment) in a 25-storey block of flats with my family. The building has some nice amenities such as laundry rooms, a foyer, a swimming pool, and a gym.
I am renting a big and luxurious condo in a skyscraper. There are 3 bedrooms and one big living room in it.
I am renting a nice serviced apartment. It has some handy hotel-like amenities, namely room service and housekeeping.
I live in a rented room in a paying guest accommodation. It is a superb building equipped with nice facilities, such as round-the-clock security, free Wi-Fi, and a common room made available to guests.
I live in a nice loft apartment. It has high ceilings and large windows. I use it for both living and working. It also includes some cool features like fitness rooms, club rooms, patios, and firepits.
I live on campus in a single room in a hall of residence. Next year I plan to move into student digs in town.
Do you plan to live there for a long time?
My answer would be yes. I have nothing to complain about with regard to my current accommodation. Everything is up to par, from the neighbours to the vicinity to the amenities. That’s why I have no intention of leaving this wonderful neighbourhood.
What would be your dream house if you could live in any type of accommodation?
My dream house would be a high-rise luxury condo in a metropolitan area. It should be on high floors, such as 15th storey or above. There should be a huge living room, an open kitchen, two bedrooms, a huge bathroom, and one spacious balcony. Every room should be equipped with mod cons so it is convenient to live there.
What kind of accommodation do most people have in your country?
In cities, the majority of people live in apartment blocks. People who do not have enough money to buy a house normally live in rental accommodation. In the countryside, people live in terraced houses with back gardens. I feel more and more people prefer to live in the suburbs because the environment there is much fresher.
Apartment/Flat: “Flat” is used in British English, and “apartment” is used in North American English. In most of the rest of the U.S. and on the West Coast of Canada, the word apartment is reserved for a rented residence in a multi-unit building.
Condo: A condo is not much different from an apartment or flat. The structure itself is a private residence, but its key peculiarity is who owns it. A condo is a unit that is entirely owned by a single individual.
Serviced apartment: (also known as an extended stay apartment) is a fully furnished apartment available for short-term or long-term stay.
Loft/studio apartment: a large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use (a converted loft) from some other use.
In British usage, amenities means useful or pleasant facilities or services, and it is a plural noun. In American usage, “amenity” is preferred, and it is a countable noun.
Detached house/independent house: a house that is not physically connected to another property. The land on which the house is built belongs to the person who owns the house.
Terraced houses: a house built as part of a continuous row in a uniform style.
Townhouse: a narrow, tall house.
Apartment block: a large building made up of smaller units - apartments.
Rented accommodation: a property owned by someone else and for which a person pays a fixed amount to live in.
Suburb: a residential district located on the outskirts of a city.
A paying guest accommodation is generally popular with students. As the name indicates, this type of accommodation is related to feeling like a guest. Generally, in a P.G. accommodation a person is treated like a guest, but it does not imply that one does not have to pay for their stay.
Hall of residence: a college building where students live (a “dormitory” in American English).
High-rise buildings are modern buildings that are very tall and have many levels or floors. A high-rise is a high-rise building.
Mod cons: technology at home that makes certain jobs easier, such as a washing machine, a dishwasher, etc.
Cottage: a small house, usually in the countryside.
Skyscraper: a very tall building.
Is it better to own your own home or to rent?
I think both have their advantages. Living in rented accommodation isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For one thing, you don’t end up with a huge debt, like when you take out a mortgage. On the other hand, it requires you to pay rent in advance. As for owning your own home, I suppose settling down and getting on the property ladder gives people a sense of security. Likewise, buying a property may turn into a nice investment in your future. There is a good chance that the value of your home will increase over time, so it could be seen as a safe investment.
Why are smaller homes becoming popular these days?
It is because the housing affordability is at an all-time low these days, and smaller homes are seen as a much more practical option. Also, people are starting to see the benefits of living a simple frugal life. People can enjoy a lot more peace and quiet in a mini home, compared with living in a noisy suburb or an apartment in a city.
What are some of the reasons people renovate their homes?
It’s very common in my country because it increases the value of a home. Another reason people renovate is to upgrade a home that is old. For example, by doing up a property, they can organize and decorate their house in a way that suits their expectations. Some professional builders buy old homes, renovate them, and then sell them for a quick profit. It has become popular these days because of a home-renovation reality TV programme in my country.
Rented accommodation: property owned by someone else and for which a person pays a fixed amount to live in.
To take out a mortgage: to borrow a large amount of money, paid back over several years, in order to buy a house.
To pay rent in advance: to pay weekly or monthly rent at the beginning of the week or month.
To get on the property ladder: to buy a property with the aim of buying another bigger or more expensive one later in life.
The term ‘housing affordability’ usually refers to the relationship between expenditure on housing (prices, mortgage payments, or rents) and household income.
People who are frugal or who live frugal lives do not eat much or spend much money on themselves.
To do up a property: to repair an old building.
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