APIEIELTS Speaking: Renting and Flatmates
Renting a flat and living with flatmates
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Module 1: Renting a Flat & Living with Flatmates (Build-up)
Get your core vocabulary, essential phrases, and key sentence structures ready for IELTS Speaking.
📌 How to use this lesson
Plan about 25 minutes for all three modules. Use 7–8 minutes for this first part.
You can check answers as a whole class or encourage learners to verify their answers instantly with the built-in feedback.
First, study the vocabulary words, collocation matches, and practical sentence structures below.
Next, test your knowledge with the quick practice questions and fun facts before speaking.
1. Key Word Check
Type the correct unit word to complete each sentence.
1. A person who pays rent to live in a room, flat, or house owned by someone else is called a [ ... ].
2. Before moving in, you usually pay an upfront sum of money called a [ ... ] to cover potential damage.
3. Both the landlord and the renter must sign a legal agreement known as a [ ... ].
4. A person who shares an apartment with you is your [ ... ].
5. When you have a pile of dirty clothes, it is time to do the [ ... ].
2. Match Collocations to Meanings
Choose the exact definition that describes each natural word pair.
1. pay a deposit
2. sign a lease
3. do the laundry
4. take out the rubbish
5. affordable rent
6. peaceful neighbourhood
3. Useful Sentence Patterns for Speaking
Use these conversational frames to express rules, routines, and personal preferences naturally.
We are supposed to + action
"We are supposed to wash our own plates right after dinner."
Why this works: Use this to talk about shared rules or expectations set by your flatmates or landlord.
You don't need to + action
"You don't need to buy a microwave because the kitchen already has one."
Why this works: Use this to clarify that something is optional or unnecessary in the flat.
It is common to + action
"It is common to set up a shared group chat for household chores."
Why this works: Use this to explain general habits and standard practices among renters.
I'd rather + action + than + action
"I'd rather live in an older flat with big windows than in a brand-new dark studio."
Why this works: Use this when the examiner asks you to compare living situations and explain your choice.
4. Fun Facts: Guess the Rental Numbers!
Guess the number first, then check the answer.
Fact 1: England & Wales
In England and Wales, what percentage of households rented privately in 2021?
Source: Office for National Statistics, 2021
Fact 2: London
In London, what percentage of households rented privately in 2021?
Source: Office for National Statistics, 2021
Module 2: Talking About Your Living Situation
Answer four short questions about your home and routines in spoken English.
Who do you live with at the moment?
Record your response. You will be graded on: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See a Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Open after recording)"Well, at the moment, I share a flat with two friendly flatmates. We get along well, and to be honest, it's great because we can split the rent and chat after class."
at the moment: right now; these days
share a flat with: live in the same rented apartment with others
get along well: have an easy, friendly relationship
to be honest: speaking truthfully; in my real opinion
What is your room like, and what is your favourite thing in it?
Record your response. You will be graded on: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See a Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Open after recording)"Actually, my room is quite small, but it's really cosy. My favourite thing is my wooden desk next to the window, because there's plenty of light when I study or read."
quite small: not very big, but manageable
really cosy: comfortable, warm, and inviting
next to the window: placed right beside where the light enters
plenty of light: lots of natural daytime brightness
Do you prefer to have your own room or to share one?
Record your response. You will be graded on: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See a Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Open after recording)"I'd definitely prefer to have my own room. You know, I need my own space to relax after a long day, and it's nice to have peace and quiet when I'm tired."
have my own room: have a bedroom just for me
need my own space: want time alone to feel good
after a long day: at the end of hard work or study
peace and quiet: a calm place with no noise
How do you decide who does the washing-up in your home?
Record your response. You will be graded on: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See a Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Open after recording)"Well, we usually take turns every day. For example, if someone cooks dinner, another person will wash the dishes. We don't have strict rules, but it works and keeps things fair."
take turns: do an action one after the other in rotation
wash the dishes: clean the plates and cups after a meal
strict rules: rules that you must always follow
keeps things fair: makes sure everyone shares the work equally
Module 3: Sharing a Home & Housing Choices
Discuss deeper housing topics by explaining reasons, giving everyday examples, and weighing different opinions.
Why do so many young people share a flat instead of living alone?
Record your response. You will be graded on: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See a Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Open after recording)"Well, to be honest, the main reason is clearly the cost. Renting an entire apartment alone is just too expensive nowadays, especially when you're starting your first job or studying. When you share, you can split the rent and the bills with others, which makes life much more affordable. You know, my cousin lives with three flatmates, and that helps him save a bit of money every month for groceries. Besides saving cash, it's also nice having people around so you don't feel lonely in the evenings."
the main reason: the biggest reason for something
split the rent: each person pays a part of the rent
much more affordable: a lot cheaper
having people around: other people in the home with you
What rules are important when several people live together?
Record your response. You will be graded on: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See a Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Open after recording)"I think the most important thing is having clear rules about cleaning up. For example, in my flat, we agree that everyone washes their pans right after cooking. If someone leaves dirty dishes in the sink, it quickly causes silly arguments. Another big rule is keeping the noise down late at night. You know, people have different schedules for work and university, so you have to be considerate. Basically, if everyone respects each other's sleep and does their fair share of chores, living together becomes pretty comfortable."
clear rules: rules that everyone understands
keeping the noise down: not making a lot of noise
be considerate: thinking about other people
fair share of chores: doing your part of the housework
Should people pay more for a flat that is close to the centre?
Record your response. You will be graded on: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See a Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Open after recording)"Well, it really depends on what you need most. In my view, paying extra to live near the centre can be worth every penny if you work there every single day. You don't waste hours on crowded buses, and you can easily walk to shops and cafes. But then again, city centre flats are often noisy and quite cramped. A colleague of mine pays a huge amount for a tiny central room, and he's always stressed about money. So, unless saving travel time is your top priority, I think living further out is usually a better idea."
it really depends on: the answer is not always the same
worth every penny: good enough to pay more for
waste hours on: lose a lot of time on the way
top priority: the most important thing for you
Is it better to share a home with friends or with people you do not know?
Record your response. You will be graded on: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See a Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Open after recording)"That's a tricky question, but I'd say sharing with friends usually sounds better at first. You already know their habits, so you can relax and feel comfortable together straight away. On the other hand, living with close mates can sometimes damage the friendship if small things go wrong, like arguing over unpaid bills or dirty dishes. But when you live with strangers, people usually follow the house rules more carefully, so there are fewer awkward moments. Personally, I'd still pick good friends, because sharing meals together after work is worth the risk."
sounds better at first: looks like the better choice at the start
straight away: right away
on the other hand: shows the other side of the idea
worth the risk: good enough to take a chance
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