Focus
This is nearly always the first Part 1 topic. It appears in every exam session. Prepare once, then adapt on the day.
SPEAKING · Theory
Part 1 Topic: Home, Hometown & Where You Live
Theory lesson in Part 1: Interview
Lesson notes
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# Part 1: Home, Hometown & Where You Live
01
Section
Common Questions
- Do you live in a house or a flat?
- Can you describe the place where you live?
- How long have you lived there?
- What do you like most about your home?
- Is your hometown a good place to live?
- What is your hometown famous for?
- Would you like to live somewhere else in the future?
02
Section
Model Answers
Question: "Can you describe your hometown?"
Band 6 answer (basic, accurate): > My hometown is called Kathmandu. It's the capital of Nepal. It's quite a big city with a lot of people. There are many temples and the food is really good. I like living there.
Band 7 answer (more range, clearer structure): > I'm from Kathmandu, which is the capital city of Nepal. It's a busy, historic place with a population of over a million. What I love about it is the mix of ancient temples and modern life — you can have a great coffee and then visit a 500-year-old square. The only downside is the traffic, which has become quite bad in recent years.
Band 8 answer (precise vocabulary, natural phrasing): > I'm from Kathmandu — the capital of Nepal, and a place I have a real soft spot for despite its flaws. It's a city where ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples sit alongside new cafés and co-working spaces, which creates a distinctive atmosphere. That said, it has grown much too quickly over the last decade, so air quality and traffic have become serious problems. Still, I would rather be from there than anywhere else.
03
Section
Vocabulary That Lifts Your Answer
| Basic | Better |
|---|---|
| big city | sprawling / a major metropolis |
| small town | a close-knit community / a sleepy town |
| many people | densely populated / bustling |
| beautiful | picturesque / scenic |
| lots of things to do | a wide range of amenities |
| the traffic is bad | traffic congestion is a real issue |
04
Section
Watch Out For
- Do not memorise a full answer. Examiners spot recitation instantly. Prepare ideas and vocabulary; deliver fresh.
- Give a real opinion. "It's okay" or "I don't know" shuts down the interaction. Even if your answer is short, commit to a position.
- Extend naturally. Part 1 answers should be 2–3 sentences. One-sentence answers block you from showing range; five-sentence answers sound rehearsed.
05
Section
Quick Practice
Record yourself answering each of the 7 questions above. Aim for 15–25 seconds per answer. Listen back and ask:
- Did I answer the exact question?
- Did I use at least one band-7+ phrase?
- Did I sound natural or rehearsed?