Sample answer
I'm originally from Jordan, but I currently live in Qatar. I've been residing there for the past ten years, but I still make it a point to visit Jordan on vacation.
Part 1 · Band 8
Where are you from?
Source-reported band score · 31 words
Answer analysis
Fluency & Coherence
The answer follows a clear sequence: it names your country of origin, contrasts it with where you live now, then adds how long you have lived there and your continued visits. This develops the response beyond a bare place name while staying focused. A useful practice is to answer this same prompt in 20 seconds, keeping the same sequence and adding no more than one relevant detail. Fluency cannot be scored from text alone.
Lexical Resource
The wording is precise and includes the natural expression “make it a point to visit,” which communicates that the visits are intentional. “Residing” is accurate, though somewhat formal for a conversational Part 1 answer, and “there” relies on the previous sentence for its reference. For a more natural spoken style, try “living” and use “Qatar” once more if you want the location to be unmistakable.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
The answer uses a well-controlled contrast in “I'm originally from Jordan, but I currently live in Qatar” and accurately forms the present perfect continuous in “I've been residing there for the past ten years.” The final clause also connects the ongoing habit of visiting Jordan clearly. There is no clear grammatical error to correct; as an optional refinement, combine the current residence and duration into one sentence to reduce repetition.
Pronunciation
This is a practice guide, not an assessment of a recording; pronunciation cannot be judged from the text. Practise the word stress in “originally” and “vacation,” and group the answer into thought units: “I'm originally from Jordan / but I currently live in Qatar / I've been residing there for the past ten years.” Record yourself saying it, then check whether the stressed syllables and short pauses make each contrast and detail easy to follow.
A transcript shows language and organisation. Fluency, delivery and pronunciation require an audio recording; the synthetic voice demonstrates the text, not the original speaker.
- Practise saying the answer in about 20 seconds, keeping the order: origin, current home, length of residence, and visits.
- Try replacing “residing” with “living” when speaking to make the register more conversational.
- Record one version with a short pause after “Jordan” and another after “Qatar”; check which grouping makes the contrast and timeline easiest to understand.
Plan your answer
Try your own response before reading the samples.
Ideas to explore
- Identify your hometown and its country.
- Add a clear geographical detail, such as its location on the Caspian Sea.
- Describe a feature that gives the city character, such as the contrast between historic buildings and new development.
Suggested structure
- Name your city.
- Give its country or another brief identifying detail.
- Describe its geographical setting.
- Add one distinctive feature or contrast.
Useful vocabulary & examples
- on the coast of
- located beside the sea
Baku is on the coast of the Caspian Sea.
- a distinctive blend of
- a noticeable combination of different qualities
The city has a distinctive blend of historic architecture and new developments.
- historic architecture
- buildings with historical significance or an older architectural character
Baku is known for its mix of historic architecture and modern development.
Compare answers on this topic
Band 9
I am from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It's a modern city located on the coast of the Caspian Sea, with a unique mix of historical architecture and new developments.
Band 8
To be honest, I am originally from Tashkent, but I have been living in Fergana for the past few years. I love Fergana, but I still miss my hometown sometimes. There is just some...
Band 7
I'm originally from Bharatpur in Mahottari district, but my family resettled in Janakpur, which is one of the historical cities of the Mithila region. It's an important spot in...
Band 6
I'm from Oman. It's in the Asian continent, especially I'm from Barka, which is not far away from the capital city of Oman, Muscat.
Band 5
Originally, I'm from Jamuar, which is near Manning and Tangail district. It's a very beautiful city.
Band 4
My name is Jazak Holm Rodov, but you can call me Jazak. I'm from Hawaii, which is not located in Northwestern Uzbekistan, because Hawaii is actually an island in the Pacific Oce...