IELTS Speaking Part 1: Home and accommodation
Answer home and accommodation questions with a direct statement, one reason, and a specific detail or example. Keep it to two or three sentences, use natural spoken language rather than memorised phrases, and personalise your answer with something only you would say, such as a room you like or a feature of your neighbourhood.
Common home and accommodation questions and sample answers
Q1.Do you live in a house or an apartment?
I live in an apartment on the eighth floor of a fairly new building. It's not huge, but it has a nice balcony where I can see most of the city. I actually prefer apartment living because there's less maintenance to worry about compared to a house.
Add a small personal detail, like the balcony, to make a simple factual answer more memorable.
Q2.How long have you lived there?
I've been in my current place for about three years now. Before that, I lived with my parents in a smaller flat across town. Three years feels long enough that I've really settled in and know all the neighbours.
Use present perfect naturally here since it links the past to now, which examiners listen for.
Q3.What's your favourite room in your home?
That would definitely be the kitchen, believe it or not. I love cooking, so I've made it quite personal with plants and some artwork on the walls. It's also where my friends and I end up chatting whenever they visit.
Explaining why a room is your favourite gives you an easy chance to add extra detail.
Q4.Would you like to move to a different home in the future?
Yes, eventually I'd like to move somewhere with a bit more outdoor space, maybe a small garden. My current flat is convenient because it's close to work, but I do miss having greenery around. So in a few years, once I've saved enough, I'll probably look for a house on the outskirts.
Talking about future plans lets you practise 'will' and 'going to' naturally.
Q5.What can you see from the window of your home?
Mostly rooftops and a busy street below, to be honest, since I'm in the city centre. On a clear day, though, I can just about make out some hills in the distance. It's not the most scenic view, but I like watching the street life in the evenings.
It's fine to admit the view isn't perfect; honesty makes the answer sound more genuine.
Q6.Is there anything you would like to change about your home?
Honestly, I'd love more natural light in the living room, since it faces north and stays quite dim. I've thought about adding a skylight, but that's a big renovation. For now, I just use bright lamps to make up for it.
Contrasting a problem with a possible solution shows you can develop an idea beyond one sentence.
Q7.Do you prefer living in a city or in the countryside?
I'd say I'm a city person through and through, mainly because of the convenience. Everything I need, shops, transport, my job, is within walking distance. That said, I do enjoy escaping to the countryside for weekends when things get too hectic.
Giving a clear preference first, then a small contrast, keeps the answer balanced and natural.
Q8.Who do you live with?
I share my flat with one flatmate, a friend I've known since university. We get along really well because we both like things tidy and quiet in the evenings. Before this, I actually lived alone for a year, which was fine but a bit lonely at times.
Mentioning past living arrangements briefly adds range without turning it into a long story.
Useful vocabulary for home and accommodation
| Phrase | Meaning & example |
|---|---|
| cosy | small and comfortable, often warm-feelinge.g. My bedroom is quite small, but it's really cosy in winter. |
| on the outskirts | on the edge of a city, away from the centree.g. My grandparents live on the outskirts, so it's much quieter there. |
| spacious | having a lot of room; not crampede.g. The living room is really spacious, so we can fit a big table in it. |
| settle in | to become comfortable in a new placee.g. It took me a few weeks to settle in after moving to the new flat. |
| renovation | the process of repairing or improving a buildinge.g. We're planning a small renovation of the bathroom next year. |
| within walking distance | close enough to reach on foote.g. The supermarket is within walking distance, so I rarely need a car. |
Tips for home and accommodation answers
- • Give a direct answer first, then add one reason and one example so you naturally reach three or four sentences.
- • Use a mix of tenses: present simple for facts about your home, present perfect for how long you've lived there, and future forms for any plans to move.
- • Avoid one-word answers like 'yes' or 'a flat'; examiners want to hear you speak, not just confirm.
- • Personalise answers with small, specific details, such as a room, a view, or a neighbour, rather than generic statements about houses in general.
Frequently asked questions
How long should Part 1 answers about home be?
Aim for two to four sentences, around 15 to 25 seconds of natural speech. Long enough to show range, short enough to stay appropriate for Part 1.
Can I say I live in a rented flat if that's true?
Yes, always answer honestly. Examiners assess your English, not your living situation, and honest answers usually sound more natural and detailed.
What if I don't know how to describe my home in English?
Focus on simple, useful vocabulary like 'spacious', 'cosy' or 'on the outskirts' rather than complex words you're unsure of, since accuracy matters more than complexity in Part 1.
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