Do You Living in a House or an Apartment IELTS Speaking Sample
Prepared by Svarna Training Institute Academic Team
The following is a comprehensive IELTS Speaking Test developed by the Svarna Academic Team. It covers the popular topic 'Do you living in a house or an appartment?' and includes 10 examiner questions along with two example answers demonstrating Band 7 and Band 9 levels. This version is ideal for continuous practice, as it is original and follows IELTS style criteria.
Speaking Test (10 Questions)
British Examiner – Question 01
“Can you tell me what kind of place you currently live in?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
I currently live in an apartment in the city. It’s a medium sized place with two bedrooms and a living room. It’s quite comfortable and close to my workplace, which makes daily travel easier.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
At the moment, I live in a mid rise apartment located in a busy urban area. It’s a fairly spacious two bedroom flat with plenty of natural light, and one of the main advantages is its proximity to my workplace, which saves me a lot of commuting time.
Why Band 7
✅ Clear and relevant answer
⚠️ Good vocabulary but mostly basic and predictable
⚠️ Limited sentence variation
Why Band 9
✅ Uses precise descriptors (“mid rise,” “urban,” “natural light”)
✅ Better lexical range and fluency
✅ Ideas are expanded naturally and smoothly
British Examiner – Question 02
“Do you personally prefer living in a house or in an apartment?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
I prefer living in an apartment because it is easier to maintain and usually safer. Also, apartments are closer to shops and public transport, which is very convenient.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
Personally, I lean towards apartment living because it offers convenience and security. Compared to houses, apartments require less maintenance, and being close to public transport and essential facilities makes everyday life far more practical.
Why Band 7
✅ Relevant opinion with reasons
⚠️ Vocabulary is accurate but repetitive
Why Band 9
✅ Uses comparative structures effectively
✅ More refined phrasing and cohesive flow
✅ Sounds confident and natural
British Examiner – Question 03
“What kinds of activities do you usually do when you are at home?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
At home, I usually relax, watch TV, and spend time on my phone. I also help with some household chores and sometimes study in my room.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
When I’m at home, I mostly use the time to unwind by watching documentaries or reading. I also handle basic household responsibilities and set aside quiet time for studying or personal reflection.
Why Band 7
✅ Simple and understandable
⚠️ Limited vocabulary range
Why Band 9
✅ Uses topic specific vocabulary (“unwind,” “personal reflection”)
✅ Better sentence control and nuance
British Examiner – Question 04
“How long have you been living in your current home?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
I have been living there for about three years. I moved in after I started my job in this city.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
I’ve been living there for nearly three years now, ever since I relocated to the city for work. Over time, it has started to feel very familiar and comfortable.
Why Band 7
✅ Correct tense usage
⚠️ Minimal development
Why Band 9
✅ Adds emotional depth and context
✅ More natural pacing and cohesion
British Examiner – Question 05
“Do you see yourself staying in this place for a long period of time?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
Yes, I think I will stay there for a few more years because it is convenient and suits my current lifestyle.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
For the foreseeable future, yes. The place fits my current lifestyle perfectly, especially in terms of location and comfort, although I might consider moving once my circumstances change.
Why Band 7
✅ Direct Answer
⚠️ But slightly short
Why Band 9
✅ Shows flexibility of thought
✅ Uses advanced expressions (“for the foreseeable future”)
British Examiner – Question 06
“Could you describe the room or space where you spend most of your time at home?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
My room is not very big, but it is comfortable. It has a bed, a desk, and a small window. I usually study there.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
The room I spend most of my time in is fairly compact but well organised. It has a study desk near the window, which allows plenty of daylight, making it an ideal space for both studying and relaxing.
Why Band 7
✅ Descriptive
⚠️ But slightly basic
Why Band 9
✅ Strong adjective control
✅ Better spatial description
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British Examiner – Question 07
“How is your current home different from places you lived in before?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
My current home is more modern than my previous one. It is also closer to the city and more convenient.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
Compared to my previous homes, my current place is far more modern and centrally located. It offers better facilities and a lifestyle that is more suited to my daily routine.
Why Band 7
✅ Simple comparison
⚠️ Very narrow details
Why Band 9
✅ Uses abstract comparison and broader perspective
British Examiner – Question 08
“Which area of your home do you enjoy the most, and why?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
I like the living room the most because my family gathers there and we relax together.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
The living room is definitely my favourite space because it’s where my family comes together to unwind, have conversations, and spend meaningful time with one another.
Why Band 7
✅ Clear communication
⚠️ But repetitive vocabulary
Why Band 9
✅ Emotionally engaging and fluent
British Examiner – Question 09
“In your opinion, is it better to live in a house or in an apartment?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
I think both have advantages, but apartments are better for people who live in cities because they are more practical.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
I believe the choice depends largely on lifestyle. While houses offer privacy and space, apartments are far more practical for city living due to accessibility, security, and convenience.
Why Band 7
✅ Opinion is clear
⚠️ Underdeveloped content
Why Band 9
✅ Balanced argument
✅ Uses contrast and evaluation
British Examiner – Question 10
“Why do you think many people spend large amounts of money on buying property?”
Band 7 Candidate Answer
People buy houses because they want security and a stable future. It is also seen as a good investment.
Band 9 Candidate Answer
Many people invest heavily in property because it represents long term financial security. Owning a home also provides emotional stability and is often viewed as a symbol of success and independence.
Why Band 7
✅ Correct ideas
⚠️ Limited expansion
Why Band 9
✅ Abstract reasoning
✅ Strong topic specific vocabulary