Part 1 · Band 5

What do you like to do at home?

Source-reported band score · 207 words

Sample answer

Well, there are a range of things I like to do at my home, uh, like cooking meals and sweets and listening to music or watching TV, and they can be really interesting and entertaining things, uh, which I really prefer to do, uh, in my home. Uh, and I can get some relaxation and enjoyment from these activities. Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies because I can try new recipes and experiment with different ingredients. I often make traditional dishes from my culture, which reminds me of family gatherings and celebrations. Listening to music is another thing I love; it helps me to unwind after a long day. I have a wide variety of genres in my playlist, from pop to classical, and I often play music while I cook or clean. Additionally, watching TV is a great way for me to relax. I enjoy a mix of shows, including dramas, comedies, and documentaries. Sometimes, I binge-watch series with my family, which makes it even more enjoyable. Overall, these activities not only help me to relax but also allow me to spend quality time with myself and my loved ones. My home is a place where I can express my creativity and recharge my energy.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer moves from a list of activities to details about cooking, music and television, then closes by summarising how home helps you relax. That sequence is easy to follow, but the opening repeats the same preference and the response is quite long for Part 1. Practise giving this answer in 30–40 seconds: make one brief opening statement, add two examples, and finish with one summary sentence.

Lexical Resource

You use relevant, varied vocabulary, including “experiment with different ingredients,” “a wide variety of genres” and “binge-watch series.” These details make your hobbies specific rather than general. A few expressions are less natural, such as “get some relaxation and enjoyment” and “spend quality time with myself.” Practise collocations such as “relax and enjoy myself” and “spend time on my own” to express the same ideas more idiomatically.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

You use a mix of simple and more developed sentences, including a reason clause (“because I can try new recipes”) and a relative clause about family gatherings. There are some agreement and phrasing issues: “there are a range” mismatches the singular noun, and “which reminds me” refers to plural “dishes.” Check subject–verb agreement and make sure pronouns clearly refer to the intended noun; these small edits would improve accuracy.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation cannot be assessed from text, and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise word stress in “traditional dishes” (TRAditional, DISHes) and “documentaries” (docuMENtaries). Say the ideas in thought groups, for example, “I enjoy a mix of shows / including dramas, comedies and documentaries.” Record yourself reading these phrases, then check that each group is clear and not rushed.

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

  • Replace the opening list of repeated preference phrases with one direct sentence naming your three activities.
  • For each activity, add just one personal detail, then move on so your Part 1 answer stays focused.
  • Review the answer for subject–verb agreement, especially with singular nouns such as “range” and plural nouns such as “dishes.”

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.