Part 1 · Band 4

– Which town or city do you live in now?

Source-reported band score · 19 words

Sample answer

I live in a town. Actually, it is a suburb of Hanoi. It is a small suburb of Hanoi.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

Because this is text only, fluency cannot be scored. The answer moves from the broad description “I live in a town” to the more specific “a suburb of Hanoi,” but “It is a small suburb of Hanoi” repeats that information instead of developing it. Practise a 20-second response using this answer: state where you live, clarify its relationship to Hanoi, then add one accurate detail if you have one.

Lexical Resource

The answer uses appropriate basic place vocabulary in “town,” “suburb,” and “Hanoi,” so the listener can understand the location. However, the small range and repeated phrase “suburb of Hanoi” make the response sound limited. To extend your vocabulary without forcing difficult words, practise alternatives such as “area” or “residential neighbourhood,” and use only a description that accurately fits where you live.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The three sentences use clear basic structures: “I live in a town” and “it is a suburb of Hanoi” are grammatically well formed. The answer shows little variety, however, and the short sentences could be joined to express the clarification more smoothly. Practise combining the first two ideas with a relative clause, for example, “I live in a town that is actually a suburb of Hanoi.”

Pronunciation

Pronunciation cannot be assessed from text, and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise the phrases “small suburb of Hanoi” and “Actually, it is” by stressing the key content words—“small,” “suburb,” and “Hanoi”—and grouping the words into meaningful thought groups. Record yourself saying the answer, then check the transcript for clear word endings and whether each phrase is 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 combining the town and suburb information into one sentence so the answer does not repeat its location.
  • Add one truthful detail about the area, such as a feature or activity you personally know, to develop the answer beyond its location.
  • Record a 20-second response and check whether each sentence adds new information rather than restating an earlier point.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Identify Munich and locate it in southern Germany and the state of Bavaria.
  • Mention one aspect of the city’s cultural heritage or historical significance.
  • Describe its economic and technological role, then give a brief personal summary of its mix of tradition and modernity.

Suggested structure

  1. Answer the location question directly by naming the city.
  2. Add one concise location detail about the region or state.
  3. Choose one or two relevant features of the city rather than giving a long list.
  4. Finish with a short personal impression that links the details together.
Useful vocabulary & examples
cultural heritage
The traditions, history and cultural features associated with a place.

Munich is known for its cultural heritage.

historical significance
The importance a place has because of its history.

The city has considerable historical significance.

economic and technological hub
A place where business activity and technology-related work are concentrated.

Munich is often described as an economic and technological hub.

a blend of tradition and modernity
A combination of older customs or features and contemporary life.

I associate Munich with a blend of tradition and modernity.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

I live in one of the major cities in Germany, Munich, located in the southern region of the country in the state of Bavaria. The city is widely recognized not only for its rich...

Band 8

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Band 7

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Band 6

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Band 5

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Band 9

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