IELTS Speaking Band 9 Part 1: What the examiner wants & how to think “Band 9”

Speaking Part 1: What the examiner wants & how to think “Band 9”

In the first part of the IELTS Speaking test (IELTS Speaking Band 9), the examiner is not looking for complicated ideas or memorized answers. What they really want to see is your ability to communicate naturally, confidently, and clearly in English. Every question is designed to check how easily you can talk about familiar topics such as your home, hobbies, studies, or daily routines.

A Band 9 speaker shows complete control of language. That doesn’t mean using long, fancy words; it means using the right words at the right time, with accuracy and ease. The conversation should sound smooth, logical, and spontaneous. Even small hesitations should sound natural, like they would in real life.

To think like a Band 9 candidate, you need to shift your focus from “What should I memorize?” to “How can I express my ideas clearly?” The examiner values fluency over perfection. They notice how you connect your thoughts, how you choose your words, and how confidently you handle small mistakes. Instead of freezing or restarting, a top-level speaker keeps going and rephrases smoothly.

The best answers are short stories in miniature: a direct response, a reason or opinion, and a quick detail that makes the idea personal. They include a mix of simple and complex sentences, natural linking phrases, and accurate pronunciation. Above all, they sound genuine.

In other words, a Band 9 mindset treats the Speaking test as a conversation, not an interview. You’re not performing; you’re sharing your thoughts in clear, flexible English. When you stop trying to impress and start communicating, that’s when you sound like a Band 9 speaker.

Speaking Part 1 is your warm-up with the examiner. The topics are familiar (your home, work, hobbies, hometown, etc.). The examiner is assessing you on:

• Fluency & coherence (can you speak smoothly and link ideas)

• Lexical resource (vocabulary variety)

• Grammatical range & accuracy

• Pronunciation

To aim for Band 9, your answers should:

• Be natural and spontaneous (not memorized).

• Expand beyond “yes/no” - give reasons, examples, small stories.

• Show a mix of grammatical structures (different tenses, complex sentences, conditionals, relative clauses).

• Use less common vocabulary appropriately (but don’t force weird words).

• Maintain clear articulation and natural intonation.

In Part 1 you don’t have to speak for 2 minutes like in Part 2 - your answer is normally 20–40 seconds, so you must be concise but rich.

Model Band 9 Answer: Hometown & Accommodation

Below is one polished answer set covering all your questions. (Pretend your hometown is “Taldykorgan” and your accommodation is a modern apartment- you can swap in your real details.)

Let’s talk about your hometown.

Where is your hometown?

My hometown is Taldykorgan, located in the southeastern part of Kazakhstan. It’s not very large by international standards, but it’s growing steadily.

What do you like about it?

What I like most is its natural scenery and relaxed pace. The city is surrounded by gentle hills and farmland, so even though it’s urban, you don’t feel trapped by concrete. The air tends to be cleaner than in bigger cities, and people are friendlier - you often run into familiar faces when walking around. Also, local markets, traditional food, and cultural events give it a warm character.

What do you not like about it?

One drawback is that public transport is limited in late evenings. If you work or stay out late, your options are quite restricted. Also, for major cultural events, you often need to travel to bigger cities. Some amenities-like specialized clinics or international entertainment-are fewer than you’d find in a metropolis.

How important is your hometown to you?

It’s very important. It’s where I grew up, where my family lives, where many of my childhood memories are rooted. It shapes who I am. I feel a strong emotional pull whenever I’m away for a long time, and returning always feels like “homecoming.”

Do you think you will continue to live in your hometown?

That depends on my future opportunities. Right now, I see myself possibly moving for career reasons or further education, but I’d like to retain a connection to my hometown - maybe live there part-time or return eventually. If good infrastructure and job options improve, I might decide to stay permanently.

Now let’s talk about accommodation.

Tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in.

I live in a two-bedroom apartment in a modern mid-rise building near the city center. The building is about six stories high, and my flat is on the third floor. It has a balcony with a view of the nearby park, and large windows make the rooms bright and airy.

Does the place you live in have many amenities?

Yes, quite a few. There’s a small gym and a communal garden in the building complex. Shops, cafés, a pharmacy, and a grocery store are just a few minutes’ walk away. The neighborhood has decent bus connections, and there’s a good internet connection and reliable utilities. So day-to-day life is convenient.

Is there anything you would like to change about the place you live in?

If I could make one change, I’d like better soundproofing. Occasionally I hear noise from neighbors or traffic, which is distracting when I’m studying or resting. Also, I’d love a little more storage space - maybe built-in closets or shelves - to keep the place tidier.

Do you plan to live there for a long time?

I’m comfortable here, so I might stay for a few more years. But as I advance in my life and career, I might move to a larger apartment or even a house, depending on where work takes me. So I see this place as a stepping stone rather than my forever home.

Why this answer aims for Band 9 (and what you can learn)

1. Balance of content & expansion

   Each question is answered fully, with reasons, small examples, or contrasts. You don’t just say “I like it,” you explain why.

2. Range of grammar & sentence variation

   I used simple sentences (“I live in …”) plus complex ones (“If good infrastructure … improve, I might decide to stay permanently”). Also conditionals and relative clauses appear.

3. Lexical richness

   Phrases like “relaxed pace,” “soundproofing,” “stepping stone,” “community garden,” “drawback,” “amenities” - not extremely rare, but above basic.

4. Coherence & flow

   Transitions help: “One drawback is … Also … That depends … If I could …” These little connectors help your speech stay smooth.

5. Tone & confidence

   The speaker sounds comfortable, natural, and reflective. No hesitation fillers (“uh,” “you know”) dominating.