Part 1 · Band 6

where is your hometown

Source-reported band score · 38 words

Sample answer

I am originally from Argentina, but I have lived in for the past 9 months. I love Nam and Young, but I still miss my hometown. Sometimes there is something special about my city that I really appreciate.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The ideas move from your origin to what you miss and then to what you appreciate, so the answer has a clear basic sequence. However, “Sometimes there is something special about my city” does not explain what that quality is, and the answer does not name the hometown more specifically than Argentina. Practise giving this answer in 20 seconds, adding one brief detail about what makes your hometown special.

Lexical Resource

You use relevant words and phrases such as “originally from Argentina,” “miss my hometown” and “something special.” These communicate your main feelings, but the vocabulary is quite general, especially “something special,” and gives little picture of the place. For a more descriptive answer, replace that phrase with one accurate feature you can genuinely mention, such as its atmosphere, food or landscape.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The sentences “I love Nam and Young” and “I still miss my hometown” are straightforward and understandable. The main grammatical problem is “I have lived in for the past 9 months,” which is incomplete because “in” needs an object. Add the place if you want to name it, or rephrase the sentence around the idea of being away from your hometown. Check prepositions for a following noun or location.

Pronunciation

This is text only, so pronunciation cannot be assessed; this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “Argentina” and “hometown,” and group the answer into thought units: “I am originally from Argentina / but I still miss my hometown.” Record yourself reading it, then check that each phrase is clear and not rushed, paying attention to the stressed syllables.

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

  • Complete “I have lived in…” with the actual place, if you want to name it; otherwise use a complete alternative such as “I have lived away from my hometown.”
  • Add one truthful, specific detail about your hometown to explain what you appreciate about it.
  • Practise a 20-second version that answers where you are from, mentions the nine-month period and gives one reason you miss your hometown.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Give the hometown’s name and country, then mention a personal connection such as being born and raised there.
  • Describe one or two features of the place, such as its architecture and parks, rather than listing many attractions.
  • Finish with a personal activity and feeling, such as enjoying walks because they are relaxing.

Suggested structure

  1. Name the hometown and country.
  2. Add a brief personal detail about your connection to the place.
  3. Describe a distinctive feature or two.
  4. End with an activity you enjoy and explain how it makes you feel.
Useful vocabulary & examples
a distinctive mix of
a noticeable combination of different features

Baku has a distinctive mix of modern buildings and striking architecture.

born and raised
born and brought up in a particular place

I was born and raised in Baku.

across the city
in different parts of the city

There are beautiful parks across the city.

I find it relaxing
I feel calm when I do it

I enjoy walking around my hometown because I find it relaxing.

Practise your answer →

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