# Describe a home you would like to live in: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Home

Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in.

You should say:
- where it would be
- what it would look like
- who you would live there with
- and explain why you would like to live there

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 6 sample

I want to describe a house that I would like to live in the future. It would be in the countryside, maybe near the mountains, because I grew up in a big city and I am tired of the noise and pollution.

The house would not be very big, but it should be comfortable. I imagine a two-storey house made of wood and stone, with big windows so that a lot of sunlight can come inside. On the ground floor there would be a open kitchen and living room together, because I like cooking while I talk to my family. Upstairs there would be three bedrooms and one small room for my study. The most important thing for me is garden. I want to grow my own vegetables like tomatoes, chillies and spinach, and also keep some chickens.

I would live there with my wife and our children in the future, and maybe my parents also, because in my culture we usually take care of our parents when they are old. Also I want to have a dog, because I never had pet when I was a child.

There are some reasons why I want to live in this kind of house. Firstly, the air is fresh and it is quiet, so I think it is better for health. Secondly, I think children should grow up close to nature, not only playing with mobile phone all the time. And finally, I like the idea of a simple life, where I can wake up early, work in the garden and see the mountains from my window.

I know it is difficult to find job in the countryside, but maybe I can work online from home.

**Examiner notes.** This answer gives a clear picture of the house and uses "would" consistently for an imagined situation, which is a strength. Vocabulary is adequate ("two-storey house", "made of wood and stone") but often general, and reasons are listed with "Firstly", "Secondly" and "And finally". Article errors are frequent but don't block meaning: "a open kitchen", "is garden", "never had pet" and "find job". To reach Band 7, the speaker would fix articles, vary the linking, and use more vivid description, such as "flooded with natural light".

## Band 7 sample

Unlike a lot of people, I've never really dreamed of a big house in the countryside. The place I'd love to live in is a fairly small apartment right in the centre of a city, ideally somewhere like Lisbon, which I visited a couple of years ago and completely fell in love with.

I picture it on the top floor of an old building, the kind with high ceilings, wooden floors and tall windows that open onto a narrow balcony. It wouldn't need much space, just one bedroom, a decent-sized kitchen and a living room with enough shelves for all my books. The balcony is the part I care about most. I'd want it to face west, so I could sit out there in the evening with a cup of tea and watch the sun go down over the rooftops.

At least for the next few years, I'd probably live there on my own, or possibly with my partner. I quite like the idea of having a place that's small enough to look after easily and that I could decorate exactly how I wanted.

The main reason I'd choose this kind of place is the lifestyle that comes with it. I don't drive, and I'd much rather be able to walk to cafés, markets and museums than spend hours commuting. Living in a lively neighbourhood also means there's always something going on, which suits my personality. On top of that, I find old buildings far more characterful than modern ones; they feel as if they've got a history.

The only downside would be climbing all those stairs, but I'm sure I'd get used to it.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer opens with an engaging contrast ("Unlike a lot of people") and keeps the hypothetical frame accurate throughout with "I'd want", "I could" and "I'd much rather". Vocabulary is apt and natural ("decent-sized kitchen", "fell in love with", "characterful"), and the speaker even adds a balancing point about the stairs. For Band 8, the description would need more precise, less common language and a deeper explanation of the reasons, for example how the space would change daily routines, rather than a list of advantages.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-a-house-you-would-like-to-live-in).

## Part 3 follow-up questions

1. Is it better to rent a home or to buy one?
2. Why do many young people find it hard to buy a home these days?
3. What are the advantages of living in an apartment rather than a house?
4. How do you think the homes people live in will change in the future?
5. Should governments do more to provide affordable housing?

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.