IELTS® Speaking 1 Practice 11

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 the climate like in your country?

The climate is fairly hot and humid most of the year, with a very mild winter and a rainy season. There are also typhoons that tend to come around at the beginning of summer.

It’s quite changeable, really. We have periods of time with clear blue skies, then all of a sudden we’ll have a torrential rain.

In my country, we generally have a very mild climate. During summer, we occasionally have torrential rains and flash floods.

What is the weather like in your country during summer?

Most of the time, it is warm, but when there is a heatwave, it is boiling hot (sweltering hot). We may have plenty of scorchers.

What is the weather like in your country during winter?

As a rule, it’s freezing cold in the winter. I can literally see my breath in my room. But we still get a few sunny spells, occasionally.

It is chilly during winter in my country. It is quite comfortable, but it can get frosty when it hails.

Well, it typically snows. Usually, we have snow flurries, but sometimes we may have a big snow blizzard. If you walk outside, you will just see sleet on the road and

slush on the pavement (AE sidewalk). You can even see icicles hanging from the roof.

What’s your favourite kind of weather?

I love cool, overcast weather. I like when I can wear a light jacket and not feel hot at all.

I like mild and windy weather, to some extent. I enjoy it when the weather is a little bit hot but when there is a breeze that can take away the heat from me.

Is there any type of weather you really don’t like?

Yes, I loathe hot and humid weather. It makes me feel sick and tired when I get too sweaty and hot. Besides, such weather can ruin my clothes.

I’m not fond of the heatwaves that we often get during the summer. It becomes super hot and dry. And I end up feeling thirsty and sweaty all the time.

I dislike gloomy weather. It makes me feel depressed. I also hate the weather with big gales. It turns my hair into a mess. Who could possibly like that?

Does it bother you much when it rains?

It depends. If it is just a drizzle, then it doesn’t bother me. But if it is a downpour, it bothers me a lot because I get so soaked.

Well! If it is just a gentle (light) rain, then I am okay with it. But if I get caught in a torrential rain and get drenched, that I really hate.