IELTS Speaking — Practice Test 11

Band 9  ~2 minutes

The place I’d like to talk about is the small balcony attached to our living room. It’s on the fourth floor of our building, facing east, so it gets the morning sun but stays pleasantly cool in the evenings.

It’s not very big — perhaps two metres by three — but my mother has turned it into a little garden. There are pots of jasmine, mint and a couple of chilli plants along the railing, a small cane chair, and a low stool that I use as a table. From there, you can look down onto a small park with a pond, which is quite rare in our part of the city.

Most evenings, once I’ve finished studying, I take a cup of tea out there and just sit for twenty minutes or so. Sometimes I read, sometimes I listen to a podcast, and occasionally I just watch the children playing cricket in the park below. On weekends I also help my mother water the plants.

The reason I find it so relaxing is that it feels like a small escape from the rush of city life. Inside the flat there’s always something going on — the television, my sister on the phone, my parents discussing something — but out on the balcony it’s calm, and the smell of the jasmine is incredibly soothing. It also gives me a bit of green space, which I think everyone needs.

For me, it’s like pressing a reset button at the end of a long day. Whenever I feel stressed before an exam, that’s exactly where you’ll find me.

Band 7  ~1.5–2 minutes

The place I want to talk about is the small balcony next to our living room. It is on the fourth floor and faces east, so it gets the morning sun but is cool in the evenings.

It is not very big, but my mother has made it into a small garden. There are pots of jasmine, mint and chilli plants, a small cane chair and a stool that I use as a table. From there you can see a small park with a pond.

Most evenings, after I finish studying, I take a cup of tea there and sit for about twenty minutes. Sometimes I read or listen to a podcast, and sometimes I just watch children playing cricket in the park. At weekends I help my mother water the plants.

I find it relaxing because it is a break from busy city life. Inside the flat it is always noisy, with the TV and my family talking, but on the balcony it is calm, and the smell of jasmine is very nice. It also gives me some green space.

For me, it is the best way to relax after a long day. When I feel stressed before an exam, I always go there.

Band 5–6  ~1–1.5 minutes

The place i want to talk is small balcony near our living room. It is in fourth floor and face east so it get morning sun.

It is not big but my mother make it small garden. There is pot of jasmine, mint and chilli plant, small chair and a stool. You can see small park with pond from there.

In evening after study i take tea there and sit about twenty minute. Sometime i read or listen podcast or watch children play cricket in park.

I find it relaxing because it is break from busy city life. Inside flat is always noisy because TV and family talking, but balcony is calm and jasmine smell is very nice.

For me it is best way for relax after long day. When i feel stress before exam i always go there.

Band 9

1. Mainly because property prices have risen far faster than salaries, especially in big cities like Dhaka. A young graduate might need to save for decades just to afford a deposit, and borrowing is expensive, so for many people owning a home feels out of reach.

2. It depends on your situation. Buying gives you long-term security and an asset, but it ties you down and involves a huge commitment. Renting, on the other hand, offers flexibility, which suits young people who may need to move for work. Personally, I’d rent first and buy later.

3. For me, safety comes first, followed by convenient access to schools, shops and transport. But what really makes an area pleasant is a sense of community — green spaces where people meet, and neighbours who look out for one another.

4. I think so, particularly in cities. People move more often, work long hours and spend their free time online, so there are fewer chances to get to know the people next door. In villages, though, close relationships between neighbours are still very much alive.

5. I expect homes to become smaller but smarter. As cities grow, more people will live in high-rise flats, and technology will control things like lighting and security. Hopefully, homes will also be designed to use less energy, with solar panels becoming standard.

Band 7

1. Mainly because house prices have increased much faster than salaries, especially in big cities. Young people need many years to save money for a deposit, and loans are expensive, so buying a home is very difficult.

2. It depends on the situation. Buying gives security and you own something valuable, but it is a big commitment. Renting is more flexible, which is good for young people who may need to move for work. I would rent first and buy later.

3. Safety is the most important thing, and then easy access to schools, shops and transport. But a good neighbourhood also has a sense of community, with parks where people can meet and neighbours who help each other.

4. Yes, I think so, especially in cities. People move more often, work long hours and use the internet in their free time, so they do not meet their neighbours. But in villages, people still know their neighbours well.

5. I think homes will be smaller but smarter. As cities grow, more people will live in tall buildings, and technology will control lights and security. I hope homes will also use less energy, for example with solar panels.

Band 5–6

1. Because house price increase faster than salary, specially in big city. Young people need many year for save deposit and loan is expensive, so buy home is very difficult.

2. It depend. Buying give security and you own something, but it is big commitment. Renting is more flexible and good for young people who need to move for job. I will rent first and buy after.

3. Safety is most important and then easy to go school, shop and transport. Also good neighbourhood have community feeling, park for meet people and neighbour who help each other.

4. Yes i think specially in city. People move often, work long hour and use internet in free time so they not meet neighbour. But in village people still know neighbour well.

5. I think home will be small but more smart. City is growing so more people live in tall building and technology control light and security. Also home will use less energy like solar panel.