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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Home: Part 1 questions and answers

Real Part 1 questions about home, as candidates reported them. Play each one, answer it out loud, then open a short Band 7 reply to compare.

Today's topicHome

  • 4–5 minthe whole part
  • ~12questions
  • ~20 seach answer

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop. The examiner moves on fast, so short and real wins.

Reported in September 2026

Question 1: Do you live in a house or a flat?

This or thatPick one and say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerI live in a flat, a fairly small one, in Nasr City in Cairo. WhyIt's within walking distance of my office, so I don't spend much time commuting. ExampleThere is two bedrooms, though, and the living room has a bright green sofa from the previous tenant.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a fairly small one Small is general; compact would be more precise.
  2. There is two bedrooms A common spoken slip; there are two bedrooms is correct.
  3. within walking distance of my office This precise phrase gives a clear reason for choosing the flat.

About 18 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 2: What is your favourite room in your home?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerMy favourite room is the kitchen, Whymostly because it helps me wind down after work. ExampleI usually make tea there and sit by the window for a while. The room's a bit plain, but it's nice enough for me.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. The room's a bit plain Room comes up again here, which is common in natural speech but less varied.
  2. it's nice enough for me Nice is vague; calm and comfortable would be more precise.
  3. wind down after work This natural phrase shows a strong way to describe relaxing.

About 16 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Take it further: Describe your favourite room in your home.

Question 3: What do you like most about your home?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerWhat I like most is the natural light, Whybecause the windows face east and the flat feel cheerful in the morning. ExampleI often sit on the balcony to catch up with my sister by phone before I leave for work. It gives me a nice little escape, although the view is nothing special.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. the flat feel cheerful A common spoken slip; the flat feels cheerful is correct.
  2. a nice little escape Nice is vague; peaceful would be more precise.
  3. catch up with my sister This everyday phrase clearly describes talking after time apart.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 4: Is there anything you would like to change about your home?

Plans and wishesUse would, I'd like to or I'm planning to.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerYes, I'd change the storage. WhyThere isn't enough shelves in the bedroom, so clothes end up on a chair, and I'd like to sort out that mess before it gets worse. ExampleI noticed the problem when I unpacked after moving in.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. There isn't enough shelves A common spoken slip; there aren't enough shelves is correct.
  2. that mess Mess is general; clothes on a chair is more precise.
  3. sort out that mess This phrasal verb is a strong way to describe solving a home problem.

About 16 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 5: How much time do you usually spend at home during the week?

How often, how muchGive a real number, then a reason.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerI usually spend most evenings at home during the week. WhyIt's mainly because I have a tiring day at the office, and I need some quiet time after dealing with emails. ExampleI get back around six and switch off by reading a book for an hour, which is a good way to rest.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a good way to rest Good is vague; calming would be more precise.
  2. and I need some quiet time The simple linker and appears twice, keeping the answer natural but less varied.
  3. switch off by reading a book This phrase naturally describes relaxing after work.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 6: Do you plan to live in this home for a long time?

Plans and wishesUse would, I'd like to or I'm planning to.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerProbably not. I might settle down somewhere quieter when my lease finish, Whybecause the flat feels cramped now that I'm working full-time. ExampleI mean, my partner and I are considering moving near Da Lat next summer, but it's still only an idea.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. settle down somewhere quieter This useful phrase clearly expresses a future housing plan.
  2. when my lease finish A small slip: when my lease finishes is correct.
  3. somewhere quieter Somewhere is vague; a specific neighbourhood would be more precise.

About 17 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Phrases to borrow

within walking distance of something

/wɪˈðɪn ˈwɔːkɪŋ ˈdɪstəns əv ˌsʌmθɪŋ/

close enough to reach by walking

The pharmacy is within walking distance of our building.

wind down

/waɪnd daʊn/

relax gradually after activity

I wind down by listening to music before bed.

catch up with someone

/kætʃ ʌp wɪð ˌsʌmwʌn/

talk to someone after time apart

I caught up with my cousin over the weekend.

sort something out

/sɔːt ˌsʌmθɪŋ ˈaʊt/

organise or solve something

I'll sort out the paperwork tomorrow morning.

switch off

/swɪtʃ ɒf/

stop thinking about work and relax

I switch off by walking around the park.

settle down

/ˈsetl daʊn/

start living calmly in one place

They want to settle down near the coast.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

Phrases from the answers above. Pick the one that belongs in the gap.

Your turn: answer the examiner

How much time do you usually spend at home during the week?

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop: about 20 seconds. Nothing is uploaded.

Want a band score?Sign in free, answer the examiner's Part 1 questions out loud and get one thing to fix.

Practise Part 1

More Part 1 topics

Each question with a short Band 7 reply.

How the IELTS Speaking test works