Family is a comfortable topic: there is a lot to say about big families, hospitality and traditions. Tell it as a story, though, not a list of relatives.
What the examiner asks on this topic
Do you have a big family?
Who are you closest to in your family?
How much time do you spend with your family?
What do you usually do together?
Are families in your country getting smaller?
Model answers (aimed at band 7+)
Do you have a big family?
Fairly big, yes. I've got two brothers and a sister, and if you count all my cousins, aunts and uncles, there are more than fifty of us. When we all get together for a holiday, the house is completely packed.
Who are you closest to in your family?
Probably my older sister. She's only three years older than me, so we went through school at more or less the same time, and she's the first person I call when I need advice about anything.
What do you usually do together?
Mostly we eat together, which sounds simple, but in our family it's a big deal. Every Friday evening everyone comes to my parents' house for dinner, and we end up talking for hours over tea.
Are families in your country getting smaller?
In the cities, I think so. My grandparents had seven children, my parents had four, and most of my friends say they want two at most. Housing is expensive, and people tend to marry later than they used to.
Useful words and phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| get together | get together |
| completely packed | completely packed |
| more or less | more or less |
| a big deal | a big deal |
| end up doing | end up doing |
| at most | at most |
| marry later | marry later |
| close to someone | close to someone |
How to answer
- Do not list your relatives: one interesting detail or habit is enough.
- Answer "Who are you closest to?" with a reason and an example.
- Comparing generations (grandparents, parents, you) is useful for Part 3 too.
- Words: "siblings", "cousins", "relatives", "extended family".
Practise this topic now
The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
Everything about Part 1: the Part 1 guide. More topics: all articles.
Practise this topic now
The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
