Speaking vocabulary · Topic 45 of 46
Hometown
Model answers to every Part 1 question on this topic, with natural B2–C1 vocabulary and idiomatic phrasal verbs to help you answer in your own words.
In this lesson you will
- read and listen to model answers to 15 Part 1 questions about hometown
- learn 11 natural phrases, including idiomatic phrasal verbs
- practise them in a gap fill, drag-the-word, multiple-choice and crossword
- answer the questions yourself and record your answers
Step 1
Key vocabulary
- grow upgradually change from a child to an adult
- be famous forbe known by many people because of something
- sleepyquiet, with little activity
- bustlingfull of busy, noisy people
- develop rapidlygrow and change very quickly
- move awaygo to live in another place
- make a name for yourselfbecome well known or successful
- opportunitieschances to do something good
- landmarka famous building or place that is easy to recognise
- go backreturn to a place
- steeped in historyhaving a lot of history
Step 2
Model answers
Read and listen. The highlighted phrases are the vocabulary for this topic: hover over or tap them to see what they mean. Notice how each answer gives a reason or an example, not just “yes” or “no”.
Have you learned anything about the history of your hometown?
Yes, quite a lot, because my hometown is steeped in history. Parts of the old city wall, which you can still walk along today, were built more than six hundred years ago.
Did you learn about the culture of your hometown when you were a child?
Yes, mainly through festivals, which were a big part of my childhood. Every year we watched the dragon boat races, and my grandparents taught me the local songs while we made rice dumplings together.
Where is your hometown?
It's in Jiangsu province, which is in the east of China. It's about two hours from Shanghai by high-speed train, so it's easy to get to if you're visiting the region.
Is that a big city or a small place?
It's a medium-sized city, although it's growing all the time. It used to be quite sleepy, but it has developed rapidly since new factories opened there about twenty years ago.
Do you like your hometown?
Very much, because it's where I grew up. Even though I live somewhere else now, it'll always feel special to me.
What do you like most about your hometown?
The food, without a doubt, because the local noodles are the best I've ever had. I also love the canals, which look beautiful at night when the lanterns are lit.
Is there anything you dislike about it?
The traffic has become terrible since so many people bought cars. The city centre is now so bustling that it's hard to find a quiet spot where you can relax.
How long have you been living there?
I lived there until I was eighteen, when I moved away to go to university. Since then I've only gone home for the holidays, although I still think of it as home.
Do you like living there?
I did when I was younger, because I had all my friends nearby. Now I still enjoy going home for the holidays, since it's much more relaxing than the big city where I study.
Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?
Probably not right now, because there are more jobs in bigger cities. However, I'd like to go back when I'm older, so that I can be close to my parents.
Please describe your hometown a little.
It's a green city with lots of canals and parks, which make it feel quite peaceful. The old town has narrow streets and traditional white houses with black roofs, where many families have lived for generations.
What's your hometown famous for?
It is famous for silk and its classical gardens, which attract tourists from all over the world. The biggest landmark is an ancient pagoda that stands on a hill outside the city, where you can see the whole valley.
Did you learn about the history of your hometown at school?
A little, because we had a local history class once a week in primary school. We also visited the city museum, which had lots of objects that had been found in the old town.
Are there many young people in your hometown?
Fewer than before, because many young people have left for bigger cities. That's mainly where the best jobs are, which is why the population is getting older.
Is your hometown a good place for young people to pursue their careers?
It's getting better, because there are more opportunities in tech and tourism now. However, if you want to make a name for yourself in finance or the media, you probably still need to go to Shanghai.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- gradually change from a child to an adult
- become well known or successful
- a famous building or place that is easy to recognise
- having a lot of history
- return to a place
- grow and change very quickly
- full of busy, noisy people
- chances to do something good
- be known by many people because of something
- go to live in another place
- quiet, with little activity
Gap fill: use the right form
Complete the answers with phrases from the box. You may need to change the form (e.g. drag on → dragged on, struggle with → struggling with).
Have you learned anything about the history of your hometown?
Yes, quite a lot, because my hometown is . Parts of the old city wall, which you can still walk along today, were built more than six hundred years ago.
Do you like your hometown?
Very much, because it's where I . Even though I live somewhere else now, it'll always feel special to me.
How long have you been living there?
I lived there until I was eighteen, when I to go to university. Since then I've only gone home for the holidays, although I still think of it as home.
What's your hometown famous for?
It silk and its classical gardens, which attract tourists from all over the world. The biggest is an ancient pagoda that stands on a hill outside the city, where you can see the whole valley.
Drag the words
Drag each phrase into the right gap. On a phone, tap a phrase and then tap the gap. Tap a filled gap to empty it.
Is that a big city or a small place?
It's a medium-sized city, although it's growing all the time. It used to be quite , but it has since new factories opened there about twenty years ago.
Is there anything you dislike about it?
The traffic has become terrible since so many people bought cars. The city centre is now so that it's hard to find a quiet spot where you can relax.
Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?
Probably not right now, because there are more jobs in bigger cities. However, I'd like to when I'm older, so that I can be close to my parents.
Is your hometown a good place for young people to pursue their careers?
It's getting better, because there are more in tech and tourism now. However, if you want to in finance or the media, you probably still need to go to Shanghai.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Yes, quite a lot, because my hometown is ______.
- It used to be quite ______, but it has developed rapidly since new factories opened there about twenty years ago.
- Very much, because it's where I ______.
- The city centre is now so ______ that it's hard to find a quiet spot where you can relax.
- I lived there until I was eighteen, when I ______ to go to university.
- However, I'd like to ______ when I'm older, so that I can be close to my parents.
Crossword
Write the phrases without spaces or hyphens. The numbers in brackets show the length of each word, e.g. kill time (4,4) → KILLTIME.
| 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | |||||||||||||
| 4 | |||||||||||||
| 5 | 6 | ||||||||||||
| 7 | |||||||||||||
| 8 | |||||||||||||
Across
- 1 return to a place (2,4)
- 3 full of busy, noisy people (8)
- 5 a famous building or place that is easy to recognise (8)
- 8 grow and change very quickly (7,7)
Down
- 2 chances to do something good (13)
- 3 be known by many people because of something (2,6,3)
- 4 gradually change from a child to an adult (4,2)
- 6 go to live in another place (4,4)
- 7 quiet, with little activity (6)
Step 4
Now you answer
Pick a question, then answer it out loud in two or three sentences. Try to use at least two phrases from this lesson, and give a reason or an example. Record yourself and listen back: did you sound natural? Did you extend your answer?
Press Record, answer out loud, then listen back.
Questions: frequently reported IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics. Model answers and exercises written for Tips4IELTS.