These are high-scoring sample answers for the C1 Advanced Speaking Part 1 question: Where do you live? There are three versions of the answer, each using a method from ‘C1 Speaking Part 1: How to vary Your Answers‘. Read them to understand what you need to talk about and the kind of answers you need to start your C1 advanced speaking test well. For practice questions and other tips, go here and here.
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C1 Advanced Speaking Part 1: Do You Know Enough?

C1 Advanced Speaking Part 1
3 Sample Answers for the Question
Where Do You Live?
Giving a reason
I live on the outskirts of the city. We moved there for a couple of reasons. First of all, because it was easy for all of us to get to work or for me to get to school and so on. But also, because it was easier to go out to the suburbs to see the rest of our family who still live out there.
Adding information
I live on the outskirts of the city, and it’s great out there. There are lots of facilities, such as shopping malls, cinemas and so on. There’s a wonderful park out there where I can take the dog for a walk, or I can go and do some exercises or maybe play some games with my friends.
Comparing to the past
I live in the outskirts of the city in, in a lovely, detached house with a garden, which is so much better than our previous house, which was a tiny, cramped flat in, in one of the inner cities in quite a poor area, really.
Speaking Analysis
This is my opinion of the above answers. The answer was given as in a test, with minimal preparation time.
Answer 1 – Good. I answer the question then give a couple of reasons why we live there.
Answer 2 – Good. I answer the question, then add more information about the area where we live..
Answer 3 – Good. I answer the question and compare the current house with our previous flat.
Less Common and Idiomatic Vocabulary
- outskirts – the outer parts of a town or city
- suburbs – an outlying district of a city, especially a residential one
- facilities – (here) a place, amenity, provided for a particular purpose, such as a cinema or swimming pool.
- take the dog for a walk – to take a pet dog outside for exercise and so they can do the toilet
- detached house – a house that is not joined with any other house
- cramped – uncomfortably small or restricted
- inner city – the area near the centre of a city, especially when associated with social and economic problems
Let me know if you think the sample answer is useful or not in the comments below. Good luck with your IELTS Speaking test!
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