Warm up your words
Start with the Vocabulary lab. You can't talk about your home without the language for it.
Train all four skills
Speak, read, listen and write — exactly like the real exam, in any order you like.
Check & learn
Press Check on any task for instant marking and a short reason for every answer.
Collect your receipt
Your scores add up into a final “receipt” at the bottom with a level estimate and advice.
House & home: the words you'll need
Match the key terms, then test yourself. These are the words examiners love to hear in the speaking exam — and the ones that come up in reading and listening texts.
Open the word bank (40+ home & housing words & phrases)
Types of home: flat (BrE) / apartment, house, detached / semi-detached / terraced house, bungalow, cottage, studio flat, block of flats.
Rooms & parts: hallway, living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, attic, basement / cellar, balcony, garage, garden / yard.
Renting & buying: rent, landlord / landlady, tenant, deposit, mortgage, estate agent, lease, bills / utilities, move in / out, furnished / unfurnished.
Describing: spacious, cramped, cosy, modern, comfortable, tidy, central heating, a great view, well-connected, do up / renovate, neighbourhood, suburb.
The speaking exam, part by part
The maturita oral exam has four parts. This trainer takes you through each one with real questions, model language and timers. Practise alone (record yourself) or with a partner who plays the examiner.
The examiner starts with easy questions to settle your nerves. Answer in full sentences — never just “yes” or “no”. Add a reason or example every time.
See warm-up questions to practise
- Can you tell me a little about yourself?
- What do you usually do at the weekend?
- Where do you live, and do you like it there?
- What are your plans after the maturita?
This is the heart of the exam. Draw a question, then speak for at least 30 seconds. Use the timer. Reveal the useful language only if you get stuck.
Useful language for housing answers
See all 10 topic questions
You get two photos on the same theme. First describe them, then compare them and give your opinion. Here are two very different homes — practise out loud.
Tick each step as you say it out loud:
- Say what each picture shows in general (“Both pictures show places where people live…”).
- Describe the place — city or countryside, modern or traditional.
- Describe the people and what they're doing.
- Describe the atmosphere (busy, relaxed, crowded…).
- Compare: one similarity and one difference.
- Give your opinion: which would you prefer, and why?
Language for describing & comparing pictures
In pairs, take a role each — A and B. Draw a card and act it out. Working alone? Read both roles, then reveal a model dialogue.
Read & understand: why young people leave home later
Read the text, then answer the questions — just like the didactic test. Press Check for instant marking and the line in the text that proves each answer.
Comprehension questions
Listen & answer
Two short recordings, just like the listening paper. Play each clip (twice if you need to), answer the questions, then check. Transcripts are hidden until you've tried.
Show transcript
Show transcript
Write it up
A maturita-style writing task. Plan it, write it, count your words, then compare with a model answer and mark your own work against the official-style criteria.
An English friend, Jamie, is coming to stay at your home for a week. Write an email to Jamie. In your email:
Plan before you write (paragraph map)
- Greeting: Hi Jamie, / Hey Jamie,
- Opening: react — “I'm so excited you're coming! Let me tell you about my place…”
- Para 1: your home + your neighbourhood.
- Para 2: how to get there + what you'll do together.
- Closing: sign off — “Can't wait! / See you soon, / Take care,”
Useful phrases for an informal email
Mark your own work (official-style criteria)
Tick each box honestly. In the real exam these four areas each score points.
- Task & content: I covered all four points clearly.
- Organisation: paragraphs, a greeting and a sign-off, with linking words.
- Vocabulary: varied, topic-specific housing words (not just “nice/good”).
- Grammar & accuracy: a range of tenses; I checked for slips.
- Register & length: friendly/informal tone, 120–150 words.
Reveal a model answer
Your cheat sheet
Print this or keep it open. These are the phrases and tactics that turn a B1 answer into a B2 one.
Describing your home
Opinion & comparison phrases
5 exam tips that actually help
- Never give one-word answers. Add a reason, an example, or a comparison every time.
- Buy yourself time with fillers: “That's a good question… / Let me think…”. Silence costs more marks than a pause word.
- Correct yourself naturally — “…he go— sorry, he goes…”. Self-correction shows control, not weakness.
- Use the picture's details. Don't list objects — talk about atmosphere, guesses (“they might be…”) and your reaction.
- Learn 6 “upgrade” phrases from this page by heart and force them into every answer.
Your score receipt
Complete the self-scoring activities above and your points print here. It's an estimate to guide your practice — not an official maturita grade.