How to use this page
There is no official list of Grade 5 questions. The examiner asks what fits the conversation. But the kinds of question are fixed by the Grade 5 language list, so the questions below are what you will hear in one form or another. Each has a model answer at a B (merit) level: simple words, two or three sentences, one reason, and the Grade 5 grammar underlined by use rather than by effort. Read the answer aloud, then say your own version about your own life. Do not memorise the model: the examiner follows up, and a memorised answer breaks on the first follow-up question.
Topic phase questions
The examiner reads your Topic Form and asks about the points on it. Expect these shapes:
Q Tell me about your topic.
A My topic is my allotment in Bradford. I've had it for three years. I grow vegetables from my country, like bitter gourd and coriander, and some English ones, like potatoes. I chose it because it's the only place where I'm never busy.
Q Why did you choose this topic?
A Because it's important to me and I know a lot about it. Also my friends always ask me about it, so I've talked about it many times.
Q How long have you been doing this?
A Since 2023. I started after my neighbour gave me some seeds. Before that I had never grown anything in England.
Q What will you do next with it?
A Next year I'll try to grow tomatoes in a small greenhouse. My son will help me build it. I'm not sure it will work, because it's cold here, but we'll see.
Q (Your question to the examiner. It is required.)
A Have you ever grown vegetables yourself? / Do you prefer to buy vegetables or grow them?
Festivals
Q Which festival is the most important in your country?
A Eid is the most important. We have two Eids every year. In the morning we go to the mosque, then we visit family all day and eat a lot of food. The children get money and new clothes.
Q Have you ever been to a festival in the UK?
A Yes, I have. I've been to the Christmas market in Manchester twice. I liked the lights and the hot chocolate, but it was very crowded. I haven't been to Bonfire Night yet.
Q Do you prefer festivals here or at home?
A I prefer festivals at home, because the whole street celebrates together. Here we celebrate in the house with a few families. But my children prefer here, because they get presents at Christmas too!
Q Will you celebrate it this year?
A Yes, of course. This year Eid will be in the spring, so I'll take two days off work and we'll go to my brother in Birmingham.
Means of transport
Q How do you usually travel around?
A Usually by bus. I don't have a car. The bus to town takes twenty minutes and it comes every ten minutes, so it's not a problem. For long trips I take the train.
Q Do you prefer the bus or the train?
A I'd rather take the train, because it's faster and I can sit and read. But the train is much more expensive, so most of the time I take the bus.
Q Have you ever travelled by plane?
A Yes, many times, between London and Lagos. The last time was two years ago. The flight is six hours and I never sleep on a plane.
Q How long does it take you to get to work?
A About half an hour. I walk ten minutes to the bus stop and the bus takes fifteen or twenty minutes. In the winter it takes longer because of the traffic.
Q Do you think people will use cars less in the future?
A Maybe in big cities, because the parking is very expensive and there are many buses. But in small towns, no. People will still need cars.
Special occasions
Q How do you celebrate birthdays in your family?
A For the children we have a cake and a small party at home with their friends from school. For adults we don't do very much, maybe a dinner. In my country birthdays were not important, but here my children have learned them from school.
Q What was the last special occasion you went to?
A My cousin's wedding in June. It was in a big hall in Luton with about three hundred people. We danced until two in the morning. I've never seen so much food.
Q Have you been to a wedding in the UK? Was it different?
A Yes, my colleague's wedding last year. It was very different. It was small, about fifty people, and it finished at eleven. Our weddings last three days. But I liked the speeches, we don't have speeches.
Q What will you do for your next birthday?
A Nothing special. I'll probably have dinner with my wife. If the weather is good, we'll go to the seaside for the day.
Entertainment
Q What do you like to watch on television?
A Mostly football and the news. I've watched Match of the Day every week since I came here. My wife prefers dramas, so in the evening we have a small argument about the remote.
Q Have you been to the cinema recently?
A Not recently. The last time was six months ago, a children's film with my daughter. I prefer to watch films at home because the cinema is expensive, about twelve pounds for one ticket.
Q How often do you go out in the evening?
A Not very often, maybe once a month. I work in the evenings. When I go out, I go to a restaurant with friends or to a football match.
Q Do you prefer going out or staying at home?
A It depends. In the summer I'd rather go out, because it's light until ten. In the winter I prefer staying at home with tea and a film.
Music
Q What kind of music do you like?
A I like old Bollywood songs, from the eighties and nineties. My father used to play them in the car. I also like some English music, but I don't know many names.
Q Have you ever been to a concert?
A Yes, once, in Birmingham three years ago. It was a famous singer from Pakistan. The tickets were sixty pounds, so I haven't been to another one since then!
Q Do you prefer music from your country or British music?
A I prefer music from my country, because I understand the words and it reminds me of my family. But my children prefer British music, so I'm learning.
Q Will you learn to play an instrument one day?
A I don't think so. I've tried the guitar for two months and it was very difficult. But my daughter will start piano lessons at school in September.
Recent personal experiences
Q Have you done anything interesting recently?
A Yes. Last month I passed my driving test. I've wanted to drive since I came here, four years ago. Now I can take my mother to the hospital myself.
Q Tell me about something good that has happened to you this year.
A My son started secondary school. He was very nervous, but he has made good friends and his teacher says his English is better than mine. I'm very proud.
Q Have you just started anything new?
A I've just started a new job at a warehouse. It's only been two weeks. The hours are better than my old job, because I finish at four and I can pick up the children.
Q How long have you lived in this town?
A For five years, since 2021. Before that we lived in London for one year, but it was too expensive.
Q What will you do next weekend?
A On Saturday I'll work. On Sunday, if it doesn't rain, we'll go to the park and have a barbecue. My brother is coming from Leeds.
The grammar hiding in the answers
Each answer uses two or three of these, which is exactly what the examiner is listening for:
| Grade 5 item | Example from above |
|---|---|
| Present perfect with ever, never, just, yet | Have you ever… I've never seen… I've just started… I haven't been yet |
| Present perfect with for, since | I've had it for three years. I've wanted to drive since I came here. |
| Will for plans and predictions | I'll take two days off. People will still need cars. |
| Because for reasons | I prefer the train, because it's faster. |
| Preference: I prefer, I'd rather | I'd rather take the train. I prefer staying at home. |
| Quantity: a lot of, not very much, many | A lot of food. Not very often. Many times. |
| Time expressions | Two years ago. Last month. In September. Since 2021. |
Practise with the examiner asking
Read the questions here, then let the AI examiner ask them without the answers in front of you. Four minutes on one subject, graded straight after, with the Grade 5 items you used listed in the report.