Describe a house/apartment that someone you know lives in

Describe a house/apartment that someone you know lives in.

You should say:

• whose house/apartment this is
• where the house/apartment is
• what it looks like inside

and explain what you like or dislike about this person’s house/apartment.

Sample Answer 1

Since settling down in one of the affluent suburbs of my city, my cousin Eric has invited me many times to visit his place. Still, because of a rather busy schedule on my side, I just couldn’t entertain his request until very recently. I managed to visit his place only a few weeks ago, and I would like to take this opportunity to describe his house here.

Anyway, even though I am calling it a “house”, it looks and feels more like a “luxury villa”, as far as I am concerned. The single building structure, or the actual residence, could be found there, standing only on an area of 2000 square feet. Still, the space surrounding the building is probably as ample as an average football stadium.

By the way, the whole area is surrounded by a 6 feet tall boundary with two entrances – one in the front and the other at the back. There is a swimming pool just in front of the villa, a bit farther away from it, and a beautiful garden can also be seen. I could also see at least 6 bay widows to ensure maximum light entering the house and 4 sculpted balconies, offering the villa a somewhat classy and elegant look. Inside the building are 4 large bedrooms, one kitchen and a vast living area, and all have a wooden floor on them. However, I didn’t see much furniture inside the rooms, which are conveniently located at a fair distance from each other to ensure maximum privacy. Still, the colour of its interior painting was simply stunningly beautiful.  

Well, I liked the villa, mainly because it was very spacious and had all the luxury elements. Besides, the villa is located safe from the main roads, so no vehicle noise can be heard. Finally, I also like that the villa was made with an amiable and uncommon design in an octagon shape.

Sample Answer 2

Well, at first, I was a bit flummoxed by this topic. I suppose that’s because it is easy to take for granted the sorts of accommodation people live in and not pause to think about it all that much. I have moved around a lot for work, so try not to get too attached to houses or flats I’ve rented, as I am never sure how long I might be in them. The accommodation location is usually the most important thing for me when choosing where I live. So I don’t tend to judge other people’s living situations as they too can be precarious. However, now that you have given me the topic, I can think of one example of where a friend lives that immediately comes to mind. I’m going to tell you all about her house, where it is, what it’s like (as best I can) and the pros and cons of her choice of home.

So, this friend of mine is someone who I’ve known for years. She is married and shares her home with her husband and two almost grown-up children. They are quite a sporty household, interested in lots of activities like walking, cycling, running and music. Both her sons play in student bands. My friend also runs her own business (mail-order cookies) from the basement of her home, so it’s quite a busy household!

The house is in Nether Edge, which is an established residential suburb in the southwest of the City of Sheffield, England. This is in colloquial terms, quite a ‘posh’ area of Sheffield! It is a relatively affluent area with wide tree-lined streets, lots of little boutique shops, delicatessens, and even its well-established amateur theatre. It has a natural community feel; everyone there seems to know their neighbours and take an interest in what is going on on their doorstep. The houses tend to be Victorian, built of solid stone. The grandest houses have walled gardens packed with ‘original features’ like large windows, beautiful old fireplaces, picture rails and wooden floorboards. Some of the houses have now been subdivided into flats, and a few newer properties are tucked away within the region. Generally, though, it’s a beautiful city area, with a mix of attractive terraced houses and larger detached properties. It is undoubtedly a desirable place to live, particularly for people with families, as it is safe, with a community feel and properties large enough to accommodate the biggest of families.

The house my friend lives in is a beautiful rambling Victorian home. It has many original fireplaces with black hearthstones and attractive tiles along the sides of the open fire grates. There are wooden floors a-plenty, high ceilings, and the house goes up three floors high and down into the basement. She has converted this area into a lovely kitchen for her business on one side of the basement, and the other has racks of bikes carefully stored away in the dry. In the walled garden, she can keep a few chickens – which is a relatively rare privilege in what is almost a city location. Because the house is usually a hive of activity, the kitchen is always a warm and friendly place where you can sit at the large kitchen table and catch up on gossip over a cup of coffee. From the hallway is a large reception room where you can snuggle up in winter in front of a roaring open fire on one of the two squidgy sofas for guests. The house has great character and a little faded grandeur, but it is imposing.

What do I like about the property? Well, it’s gorgeous; I love the quirkiness of the Victorian property, the luxury of a real fire and the original features are stunning. It is a busy household where there is always something going on and a warm welcome, too, it isn’t just the architecture of the building and the possessions within it that make it an attractive property; it is the family within it! In my dreams, I’d love to live in a property like this. However, the reality could be a bit different. The tall ceilings and large rooms are gorgeous, but they aren’t efficient in an English winter. The property is hard to heat, and the electricity bills must be enormous. All those open fires and so many stairs and rooms make it hard to keep clean. Old houses don’t tend to have much storage, so there is a constant battle to find ‘homes’ for the clutter of living. Still, I reckon that would be a small price to pay for such a lovely home, one day perhaps… In the meantime, I feel fortunate that my friend is so willing to welcome me and others to come and visit her there and enjoy it too. I’ve had some good times in that lovely home, but you know what, if she had to move, I’m sure as she is so hospitable, I’d find I quickly became just as attached to her new home even if it was a complete contrast and a small, modern flat in a high rise block. People make a home, not the bricks used to construct the surrounding walls!

Sample Answer 3

My younger sister, who is married to a doctor, lives in a large apartment, and this is quite an elegant apartment, in my opinion. For this cue card topic, I would like to talk about this apartment located in the northern part of the (…say the city name here…).

My sister’s name is Emmy, and his husband is a renowned doctor. They bought this apartment 2 years ago and lived there with their only son Christopher. The apartment is on the 3rd floor of a six-storied building located in the 2nd lane of the (… say the area name here…). It is only 20 minutes’ walking distance from my house. On average, I visit my nephew and sister twice a month.

The apartment is more than 2600 square feet and has 4 bedrooms and one dining room. The verandahs are pretty large, and my sister had put several flower pots there, enhancing the whole apartment’s beauty. The apartment is comparatively spacious, and the white-coloured indoors look new to me. The rooms have attached bathrooms; most furniture was bought from the most renowned and branded shops. My sister has an interior design diploma and has put every effort into making her house look beautiful. From a neutral point of view, I would say she is a talented interior designer as she has successfully made the interior of her own house impressive. The large wooden furniture, the modern and sophisticated design of most of the furniture and handpicked wall frames gives a rich impression to a guest who visits this apartment.

I like this apartment because it has ample space, unlike many other apartments I have visited. The rooms give complete privacy to the house members as they are not adjacent. The interior of the apartment is quite attractive. Moreover, my sister, as an interior designer, has designed it perfectly. The apartment gives me the impression of beauty and comfort. For these reasons, I love this apartment. 

Sample Answer 4

In the Indian city of Noida, my maternal uncle resides in a sizable home. The house is regarded as one of his neighbourhood’s most beautiful examples of modern architecture.

My maternal uncle, Mr Gautam Sudhir, is a senior naval officer in the Indian Navy. He has a bit of a luxurious disposition and enjoys living in a lovely setting. He took tremendous care when building the house. The house is a prominent, one-story structure that occupies much space. In front of the house is a sizable garden filled with a variety of lovely flower and fruit species. Several plants are not available in the nation. The little pool has improved the appearance of the home. It also has a roomy roof, which my uncle divided into two halves. He studies in one area, and in the other, he has a garden with flowering plants that he carried with him when he travelled to many nations. The house has a regal appearance, and my uncle is pleased with it.

In India, New Okhla Industrial Development Authority, also known as Noida, is where my uncle resides. Uttar Pradesh is where it is situated. Although this is an industrial city, wealthy and abundant housing is currently its most prominent feature. Most of the city’s homes are lovely and equipped with all the latest amenities. The city has developed due to the influx of residents working in industrial activities, primarily in the IT sector. In addition, the city is adorned with flora, and the roads are the smoothest in the nation. The house is situated in a particular area of Noida, divided into various districts. Even though the property is situated in a city corner, communication is made easier because the connecting road to the house has been connected to the city’s primary route.

The house’s inside is exquisitely designed. The home features numerous rooms, including three spacious bedrooms and several additional smaller rooms that can be utilized for various other purposes. The living area is massive. Most of the furniture openly displays the homeowner’s taste and is constructed from the finest woods. The living room has a great mirror that is exceptionally huge and shows the shadows of the guests. A chandelier hangs from the living room ceiling. The master bedroom is exquisitely furnished with priceless luxuries. The master bedroom has a king-size bed and other basic furniture. The house’s central air conditioning system, which has made interior life pleasant, is its most significant feature.

I think the swimming pool inside the fence makes this house even cuter. The house’s design makes it unique in the most crucial ways. The house has an exact shape thanks to modern architectural styles. The house also has a lovely appearance, and with all the lights on at night, it appears much more lovely. On moonlit nights, the family members will chatter by the pool. I also enjoy playing cricket on the lawn, but we frequently need to watch out for the cricket balls to prevent harm to the tiny flower plants. I occasionally use the rooftop to study, watch television and read literature. A further significant aspect of the home is the electronic entrance. The guard electronically opens the gate whenever a vehicle tries to pass through it. The entire house is now protected thanks to the latest security system.

Sample Answer 5

My friend, John, lives in a little apartment here in Paris. He like living alone, and his flat is rather good. I appreciate your thoughtful question, and I will now describe the apartment.

This tiny apartment is owned by John. The area is roughly 600 square feet. Even though his parents reside on the building’s upper floor, he lives alone. The apartment was intended for commercial use, but he could secure it for himself after much negotiation with his parents. They did not want John to remain by himself. But John had to fight for it to get it.

The apartment building was designed to be a store or business space, and it is situated in the heart of Paris. In actuality, John’s father, a successful local businessman, designed the flat to rent or sell it. But John stopped that from happening. Being an extrovert, he enjoys interacting with others. He occasionally also works on playing a musical instrument. He required space of his own because his practice in his bedroom disturbs his family’s atmosphere. He subsequently claimed the apartment and is now content as a result.

The residence is lovely. John used a qualified interior designer to furnish that apartment. He’s created a modest, separate area for his instrument practice. Additionally, his bedroom is tastefully furnished. A little bed, a set of chairs, and a medium-sized table are all present in the bedroom. His cramped residence is also lovely. There are four seats, and a large bookcase is stocked with a wide selection of books and periodicals. Additionally, he painted a portion of the wall in the living area. The wall now appears different as a result. The little kitchen is well equipped with contemporary kitchenware. His bedroom contains a computer, and the living area has a giant television. Overall, John did a great job of exactly and attractively decorating the interior of his flat.

For several reasons, the flat is my favourite. It is, first and foremost, soundproof. The inside is devoid of the outside city noise. The interior decoration is of the highest calibre. You can see his aristocratic mindset everywhere. The apartment has all of the latest amenities and is ideal for a single person. Additionally, I enjoy the little area where John keeps his houseplants. Every time I go to John, it gets more challenging for me to return after leaving the apartment. In addition, the flat is reachable from any location in the city. It is simpler to communicate with the apartment. It has a contemporary telephone, intercom, and other communication devices. The flat is clean and well-organized, which is why I enjoy it the most.

Sample Answer 6

I really appreciate this topic card. In the northeastern region of my hometown, there is a very excellent apartment that I would like to discuss. Only a few days ago did I get the chance to go there. It was purchased by one of my cousins a year ago. It is a spacious and stylish apartment.

My cousin Julie and her husband Stephen both work as civil engineers. They were married while on their internship and afterwards met at their university. They began designing this apartment on their own after purchasing it. The flat is in a ten-story building on the fifth floor. My cousin’s house is within a 10-minute walk from my flat, so I can easily visit her.

The apartment has 3 bedrooms, a huge kitchen, 3 bathrooms, a storeroom, and around 2600 square feet of living space. It is quite kid-friendly, in my perspective, and pretty roomy. There are plenty of places for kids to play in this apartment. The interior’s light green tint is another thing I enjoy. My favourite colour is green. The balconies are relatively large, and my cousin placed numerous flower pots there to enhance the beauty of the entire property. Two of the rooms have bathrooms that are also attached, and the furniture is quite expensive and of the highest quality from well-known manufacturers. My cousin’s husband and I have put in a ton of work to make this apartment look beautiful because my cousin and her husband are both civil engineers. Any visitor to this location will leave with a majestic impression thanks to the substantial wood and steel furniture and the modern and fashionable design of most of the decorations.

I genuinely like this apartment and want to design my own using inspiration from my cousin. The size of this flat is quite remarkable. I’ve never had the opportunity to see such a large apartment. The apartment’s interior is pretty lovely. Furthermore, because they are not adjacent to one another, all of the rooms offer the house members complete seclusion. Despite being a civil engineer, my sister demonstrated her skill as an interior designer. I don’t simply like this apartment; I like it for all of these reasons.

More Ideas to talk about this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card topic:

Topic: Describe the most polite person you have come across in your life.

1. The house belongs to Mr Samuel, located in the northeast corner of the main street of the locality I live in Thailand. The house has a grandeur look. The furniture and interior are decorated with modern design. I was incredibly amazed at the inner look than the outer one. I like the house because it is beautiful and spacious. It has a lovely garden in front of the house, and all the rooms are spacious. He is also planning to build a small swimming pool inside the house to increase the attraction.

2. Richard took me to his apartment last month. I went there to get some music CDs. The apartment is located near the 7 central stations in Paris. It was a small apartment – around 700 square feet. And the inner environment was not so good. I felt suffocated after entering the apartment. And I also could not like the apartment because it was not well organized. My friend Richard is not an organized person at all. So, he kept the place untidy, which irritated me.

3. Living in a small apartment could be beneficial, and Patrick has proved it. He lives in the opposite apartment of mine here in Japan. He is a foreign businessman struggling to settle in Japan. He has nicely decorated his apartment. He is all set to get married to his fiancé, so he decorated his apartment. The furniture and other necessities are set in the right place. And I like the apartment for the outstanding colour combination. He has combined different shades, which makes it look fabulous.

4. Marry lives with her parents in a large house here in Germany. The house is located in a prime location in Munich. This is a great house that is not available in the present day. The inner part of the house is divided into separate sections, and the number of rooms is more than I imagined. The house was built a long ago by her forefathers and still bears the testimony of the past days. I like the house for several reasons, and the large and spacious corridors are one of them. There are ample spaces, too for recreation in large yards.

5. Majority of the houses in India are more minor now and when I went to meet Mr Arvind at his house, I was disappointed to see the house’s condition. The house was located on a corner of the new street in Mumbai. It did not have a good look. In line with the outer part, the inner side was almost ruined. It needed a renovation. The inner part of the house was almost ruined, and I could not stay there for longer times, fearing the fall of the roof. Actually, I did not like the house from the beginning because of its shabby and almost broken outlook.

Part 3: Discussion topics:

Different types of home:

Q. What kinds of home are most popular in your country? Why is this?
Q. What do you think are the advantages of living in a house rather than an apartment?
Q. Do you think that everyone would like to live in a larger home? Why is that?

Finding a place to live:

Q. How easy is it to find a place to live in your country?
Q. Do you think it’s better to rent or to buy a place to live in? Why?
Q. Do you agree that there is a right age for young adults to stop living with their parents? Why is that?