IELTS® Speaking 1 Practice 1

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.

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.

What is it like where you live?

Well, I live in Toronto, which is a quite cosmopolitan city in Canada. You can see people from different ethic backgrounds, from all over the world. It is also a very vibrant city. There are a lot of artists, art galleries, and museums.

Where I live is a very lively place. People are always excited on the street, and bars are always packed. But sometimes, I feel it is a bit too hectic on holidays.

I live in the suburbs. It is kind of a rural area. There are a lot of farms, and some of the buildings are run-down. But it is a close-knit community.

I live in a residential area, in a town, in India. It is kind of an old city, really. A lot of buildings are run-down, but we have got some quaint shops.

Could you tell me a bit more about your hometown?

My hometown is located in Italy. It is a sprawling city, so it takes a while to get around in it. But it has developed better public transport recently. 

My hometown, Tokyo, is a huge metropolitan city. People there are very urban, and there are a lot of contemporary stores. It is also a very touristic city. You can see tourists all the time.

What do you like about your hometown?

What I like about my hometown is that there are many orchards and vineyards. It is a truly picturesque place. Not many places in the world have that kind of view.

I like the convenience and modernness of my hometown. There are a lot of convenience stores,  pop-up stores, and futuristic shops. I also like the night view of my city. At night, the high-rise buildings with lights on make for a really beautiful scene.

I like how the people in my hometown are so friendly. It’s a really close-knit community and there are many mom and pop shops, which are hard to find in big cities. 

I like its cultural atmosphere. Within the city, you can see beautiful pavement cafes. On the outskirts of the city, there are some quaint stores that sell interesting handmade stuff.

What do you not like about your hometown?

I suppose my least favorite thing about it is the lack of fun things to do or see. Most shops are boarded-up. It’s not the most exciting place, so sometimes I feel a little bored.

What I dislike about my hometown is how expensive it is to live in. The cost of living there is too high. You can hardly find an affordable shop. Upmarket shops are all over the place.

How has your hometown changed over the years?

It has developed much better public transport, especially the metro, which has really improved the overall accessibility of the city. In the suburb, there have been a few improvements as well: several new chain stores and out-of-town supermarkets have appeared, which we didn’t have before.