7-minute read

IELTS Speaking – Common Topic – Your Home

Francis, IELTS Examiner

Did you know – 33% of all IELTS Speaking tests include questions about Your Home – it’s one of the most common topics in IELTS Speaking Part 1!

So what does that mean? You have to be ready to talk about Your Home in the IELTS Speaking Test.

In this post, we will:

Let’s get started!

Category 1: Inside the home

Do you live in a house or an apartment? (Note – can be a long or short answer but better long – if long, give details of where it is, how many rooms, who you live with).
What do you like the most about your house/apartment? (or) Which is your favorite room in your house/apartment? (or) Are there any special features in your house/apartment?
Is there anything you don’t like about your house/apartment? (or) What is your least favorite thing in your house apartment? (or) What changes would you like to make to your apartment
Is there any area in your apartment where you feel very relaxed?

I’d say the thing I like best about my home is definitely + room/thing. That’s where I go when I’m feeling stressed or when I feel like I’ve really earned a nice rest and a bit of relaxation.
- I’d say the thing I like best about my home is definitely the sofa. That’s where I go when I’m feeling stressed or when I feel like I’ve really earned a nice rest and a bit of relaxation.

I’m mostly very happy with the apartment because + person + and I have designed it just the way we like it. It’s taken a lot of elbow grease over the past + number + years, but I feel like you can really notice the attention to detail that’s gone into it.
- I’m mostly very happy with the apartment because my parents and I have designed it just the way we like it. It’s taken a lot of elbow grease over the past 5 years, but I feel like you can really notice the attention to detail that’s gone into it.

If I had to choose something that I don’t like about my home, it’d have to be the + thing/area. I feel like it’s kind of + negative aspect + and it stresses me out when I think about it, but I just don’t have the time or energy to fix it!
- If I had to choose something that I don’t like about my home, it’d have to be the old wallpaper in the living room. I feel like it’s kind of out of place and it stresses me out when I think about it, but I just don’t have the time or energy to fix it!

What is your least favorite thing in your house/apartment?
Well, I’m mostly very happy with the apartment because my roommates and I have designed it just the way we like it. It’s taken a lot of elbow grease over the past 2 years, but I feel like you can really notice the attention to detail that’s gone into it. But if I had to choose something that I don’t like about my home, it’d have to be the bathroom. I feel like it’s kind of falling apart and it stresses me out when I think about it, but I just don’t have the time or energy to fix it!

Well, the neighborhood I live in has got a lot going for it. It’s a pretty + adjective + kind of place, and it’s very much a + type of person + paradise.
- Well, the neighborhood I live in has got a lot going for it. It’s a pretty affluent kind of place, and it’s very much a shopper’s paradise.

One of the most noticeable things about my area is how much there is to do. Everything is just a stone’s throw away, including + useful/interesting places.
- One of the most noticeable things about my area is how much there is to do. Everything is just a stone’s throw away, including a fancy mall, a supermarket and even a subway station.

There’s also a huge + place + just across the street, which is really handy to have nearby, because anytime you want to + activity, it’s right there on your doorstep.
- There’s also a huge park just across the street, which is really handy to have nearby, because anytime you want to go for a run, it’s right there on your doorstep.

Well, my area is a bit + negative adjective + to be honest, so when you look out of the window, you mostly notice how + negative adjective + everything is.
- Well, my area is a bit run-down to be honest, so when you look out of the window, you mostly notice how dilapidated everything is.

One of the issues with where I live is that it’s not very well-connected. It’s a bit of a trek to the nearest + place, and it’s just generally a bit of a + positive thing + desert.
- One of the issues with where I live is that it’s not very well-connected. It’s a bit of a trek to the nearest supermarket, and it’s just generally a bit of a culinary desert.

Are there many amenities near your home?
On the whole, there are. One of the most noticeable things about my area is how much there is to do. Everything is just a stone’s throw away, including a big mall and some great restaurants. There’s also a huge library just across the street, which is really handy to have nearby, because anytime you want to go somewhere quiet, it’s right there on your doorstep. However, one of the issues with where I live is that it’s not very well-connected. It’s a bit of a trek to the nearest subway station. So, it’s got its good points and bad points.

How long have you been living there? (or) Have you lived there for a long time?
Do you plan to move to a different house/apartment in the future? (or) Do you think you’ll stay in that house for a long time?

I’ve lived in this house ever since I was + age/details
- I’ve lived in this house ever since I was a little boy / born / 5 years old.

My family and I moved to our current apartment about + number + years ago. Prior to that, we lived in + details, but we had to move as a result of + reason.
- My family and I moved to our current apartment about 3 years ago. Prior to that, we lived in a smaller apartment in a different city, but we had to move as a result of my mum’s job.

I don’t have any immediate plans to move out, but you never know what the future might hold, so I’m not ruling anything out.

Well, I’m actually taking the IELTS exam because I’m planning to + details, so if all goes well, this time next + time + I’ll be packing my bags and saying my goodbyes.
- Well, I’m actually taking the IELTS exam because I’m planning to study abroad, so if all goes well, this time next month I’ll be packing my bags and saying my goodbyes.

Do you think you’ll stay in that apartment for a long time?
Well, my family and I moved to our current apartment about 2 years ago. Prior to that, we lived in a house in another part of town, but we had to move as a result of the economic downturn. We don’t have any immediate plans to move out, but you never know what the future might hold, so I’m not ruling anything out. I’d love to be able to buy back our old house – I’ve got so many memories of that place!

(ssssh… and even have fun along the way!)

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