IELTS® Speaking 1 Practice 2

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.

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.