Part 1 · Band 9

What do you like to do at home?

Source-reported band score · 50 words

Sample answer

At home, I enjoy reading books, especially novels, as they allow me to relax and escape into a different world. I also like cooking and experimenting with new recipes. It's something that brings me a lot of joy. Besides this, I spend time studying and improving my skills in English.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The ideas follow a clear, relevant sequence: reading and its relaxing effect, cooking and enjoyment, then studying English. The explanation gives the list some development rather than simply naming activities. Text alone cannot show spoken fluency, so no fluency band is assigned. Practise answering this question for 30 seconds, then repeat it in 25 seconds while keeping all three activities and one reason.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary is clear and well matched to the topic. Phrases such as “escape into a different world” and “experimenting with new recipes” add specificity, while “improving my skills in English” communicates a personal goal naturally. The range is appropriate, though several expressions are familiar and the answer could sound more individual with one precise detail about a book or type of cooking you enjoy.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The response uses accurate sentence structures, including the subordinate clause “as they allow me to relax” and the participial phrase “studying and improving my skills in English.” The simple sentence “It's something that brings me a lot of joy” also varies the rhythm. There is no clear grammatical error to correct; as an optional refinement, connect the cooking sentences to reduce repetition and make the relationship between the activity and your enjoyment more explicit.

Pronunciation

This is a text-only response, so pronunciation cannot be assessed; this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “experimenting with new recipes” and “improving my skills in English,” and group the answer into thought groups after “At home,” and “Besides this.” Record a spoken version, check that each phrase is easy to understand, then listen again while following the text.

A transcript shows language and organisation. Fluency, delivery and pronunciation require an audio recording; the synthetic voice demonstrates the text, not the original speaker.

  • Add one specific example of what you like to read or cook, such as a favourite kind of novel or recipe, if it is true for you.
  • Link the cooking activity directly to your enjoyment: explain briefly what you find satisfying about trying a new recipe.
  • Practise a 25–30-second version and keep the sequence of reading, cooking, and studying English, with one short reason for each.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain how reading novels helps you relax or imagine a different world.
  • Describe what you enjoy about cooking and trying unfamiliar recipes.
  • Mention studying English as another activity you make time for at home.

Suggested structure

  1. Name the activities you enjoy at home.
  2. Develop the first activity with a reason or feeling.
  3. Add another activity and explain what you like about it.
  4. Finish with studying English as an additional activity.
Useful vocabulary & examples
escape into a different world
Become absorbed in a book or story and temporarily forget everyday concerns.

Reading a novel helps me escape into a different world.

experiment with new recipes
Try different ways of preparing food.

I enjoy experimenting with new recipes when I cook at home.

work on my English skills
Spend time practising and improving your ability in English.

I work on my English skills by studying at home.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

At home, I enjoy reading books, especially novels, as they allow me to relax and escape into a different world. I also like cooking and experimenting with new recipes, which bri...

Band 8

Actually, I love doing a variety of tasks at home, like baking for my lovely family and working in my small garden. It's the weekend, and I really enjoy cleaning my house whenev...

Band 7

The time I spend at home is probably the most comfortable and relaxing I can enjoy. It's my own habitat, where I can relax without interruption. For example, I love reading book...

Band 6

There are a lot of activities I enjoy doing at home. First, I clean my room and take care of my plants. Then, I might cook something or bake a sweet treat for my family. When I...

Band 5

I love spending time at home. It's a place where I can relax and enjoy myself. For example, I can read a book without any distractions. It's much more comfortable than reading i...

Band 4

Generally, I spend time relaxing at home, such as sleeping, browsing the internet, and reading.