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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Hometown: Part 1 questions and answers

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

Today's topicHometown

  • 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: Where is your hometown?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI’m from Izmir, a coastal city in western Turkey. WhyI grew up in a quiet area near the seafront, so it’s the place I know best. ExampleMy family has moved there when I was four, so I still call it home.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. a coastal city in western Turkey This gives a precise location in a natural way.
  2. quiet area Quiet is a general word; residential would be more precise.
  3. My family has moved there when I was four A tense slip: with when I was four, moved is correct, not has moved.

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

Question 2: What do you like most about your hometown?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI like the relaxed pace most, Whybecause the city feel nice and fairly easy to get around. ExampleI take pride in the way local people look after the beach, and I often cycle there on Sunday mornings before it gets busy.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. take pride in the way local people This natural phrase shows precise vocabulary for local identity.
  2. city feel nice A common spoken slip: city feels nice is correct.
  3. feel nice and fairly easy Nice is vague, and pleasant would be more precise.

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

Question 3: Is your hometown a good place for young people?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

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

AnswerProbably yes, especially for students, Whybecause there’s a lot to do around the university area, and it’s not too expensive. ExampleMy younger cousin hangs out near the riverfront after class, and he says it’s easy to meet friends there.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. hangs out near the riverfront This phrasal verb sounds natural for relaxed social time.
  2. a lot to do This is vague, and many low-cost activities would be more precise.
  3. and it’s not too expensive Using and several times is a simple spoken linking pattern.

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

Question 4: Has your hometown changed much over the years?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

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

AnswerWell, it’s changed quite a bit, Whymainly because the city has kept pace with its growing popularity. ExampleThe road near my old secondary school is much wider now, and the area feel more built-up than it did in 2015.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. kept pace with its growing popularity This is a useful collocation for describing development.
  2. changed quite a bit Quite a bit is a general amount rather than a precise one.
  3. area feel more built-up A common spoken slip: area feels more built-up is correct.

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

Question 5: What is one thing you would change about your hometown?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

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

AnswerI’d improve the roads, Whybecause there isn’t many room for bicycles during the evening rush. ExampleI’d make room for a protected cycle lane, so I could cycle to my aunt’s flat on Fridays.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. make room for a protected cycle lane This is a precise collocation for suggesting an improvement.
  2. improve the roads Roads is broad, and widen the main junctions would be more precise.
  3. there isn’t many room A common spoken slip: there isn’t much room is correct.

About 13 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 6: Would you like to live there in the future?

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 yes, Whybecause I’m comfortable in Izmir and my office are only a short commute from home. ExampleI might move to Istanbul for work first, but, I mean, my partner and I would like to settle back here in our thirties, maybe near the beach.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. my office are only A common spoken slip: my office is only is correct.
  2. I mean This brief filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.
  3. comfortable in Izmir Comfortable is general, and settled would be more precise here.

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

Phrases to borrow

grow up in something

/ɡrəʊ ʌp ɪn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

spend childhood living in a place

I grew up in a small town near Bristol.

take pride in something

/teɪk praɪd ɪn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

feel pleased about something you are connected with

They take pride in their community garden.

hang out

/hæŋ aʊt/

spend relaxed time somewhere or with someone

She hangs out at the library after work.

keep pace with something

/kiːp peɪs wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

develop or change as quickly as something else

The school has kept pace with new technology.

make room for something

/meɪk ruːm fə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

create space for something

The council should make room for more trees.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

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

Your turn: answer the examiner

What is one thing you would change about your hometown?

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