Hometown is one of the most common Part 1 topics, and the test often opens with it. The examiner asks three or four questions about the place you come from or live in. The aim is to describe it briefly, precisely and with some life.
What the examiner asks on this topic
Where is your hometown?
What do you like most about your hometown?
Is your hometown a good place for young people?
Has your hometown changed much since you were a child?
What is your hometown famous for?
Would you like to live there in the future?
Model answers (aimed at band 7+)
Where is your hometown?
I'm from Samarkand, in the centre of Uzbekistan. It's one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, about three hours from Tashkent by the high-speed train, so it's quite easy to get to.
What do you like most about your hometown?
Honestly, the atmosphere in the old part of the city. You can walk past buildings that are hundreds of years old and then sit in a modern café five minutes later. That mix of old and new never gets boring.
Has your hometown changed much since you were a child?
Yes, a lot. When I was little there were hardly any big shopping centres, and now there are several. The roads are wider too. Some people miss the quieter days, but on the whole I think the changes have made life more convenient.
Would you like to live there in the future?
Probably not straight away. I'd like to study and work in a bigger city for a few years to get some experience, but in the long run I can definitely see myself moving back, mainly because my family is there.
Useful words and phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| the old part of the city | the old part of the city |
| a mix of old and new | a mix of old and new |
| easy to get to | easy to get to |
| on the whole | on the whole |
| more convenient | more convenient |
| in the long run | in the long run |
| I can see myself... | I can see myself... |
| hardly any | hardly any |
How to answer
- Answer the question directly in your first sentence, then add one reason or example.
- Describe the place with a concrete detail, not just "beautiful": what is there and what makes it different.
- For "Has it changed?", use the present perfect and a comparison with the past: "When I was a child... now...".
- Keep each answer to 20-30 seconds: Part 1 does not need a long speech.
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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.
