Work in pairs. Talk about your apartment or house, describing each room and what is in it. As your partner listens, he or she draws a picture or plan of your home. When you…

Great activity for practicing describing and listening. Here’s a ready-to-use guide you can follow, plus sample dialogues and a checklist you can use to compare diagrams.

1. Quick prep: useful phrases and vocabulary

• Rooms to name: living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, hall/corridor, study/office, balcony/patio, laundry room.
• Common furniture/items:
  • Living room: sofa/sofas, armchairs, coffee table, TV/television, rug, shelves, lamp, plant.
  • Dining: dining table, chairs, sideboard.
  • Kitchen: fridge, stove, oven, sink, counters, dishwasher, microwave.
  • Bedroom: bed, nightstands, wardrobe/wardrobe closet, dresser, mirror, lamps.
  • Bathroom: sink, toilet, shower, bathtub, mirror.
  • Misc.: window, door, balcony, radiator.
• Helpful prepositions and phrases:
  • Locations: in, on, under, behind, in front of, beside/next to, between, opposite, near.
  • Relative positions: to the left of / to the right of, behind, in the corner.
  • Describing size and condition: big/large, small, spacious, cozy, modern, old-fashioned; new/old.
  • Agreement: There is/There are (singular vs. plural).

2. How to run the activity (step-by-step with timings)

• Step 1 (2–3 minutes): Person A describes their home room by room, from entry to other areas. Speak in complete sentences, using present simple and the prepositions above.
• Step 2 (3–5 minutes): Person B listens and draws a picture or a floor plan as accurately as possible.
• Step 3 (2–3 minutes): Compare diagrams. Person A checks: Are the main rooms and objects in the right places? Are there any mistakes or missing items? Explain or suggest corrections.
• Step 4: Switch roles and repeat with Person B describing their home.
• Optional timing: 10–12 minutes total per pair, plus 2–3 minutes for self-checks.

3. Sample dialogue: A describes, B draws (you can adapt to your home)

• A: “Let me describe my apartment. It’s a two-bedroom flat on the third floor. When you come in, you’re in a small hallway.”

• A: “To the left is the living room. There’s a gray sofa along the left wall, a wooden coffee table in front of it, and a flat-screen TV on a stand opposite the sofa. A large rug is under the coffee table, and there are two beige armchairs near the window.”

• A: “Next to the living room is the dining area with a round wooden table for four and a small sideboard against the wall.”

• A: “The kitchen is to the right of the dining area. It has a fridge near the door, a stove, a sink, and overhead cabinets. There’s a small window above the sink.”

• A: “The hallway leads to my bedroom and the bathroom. The bedroom has a double bed in the center, two nightstands, and a wardrobe along the far wall. There’s a mirror on the dresser.”

• A: “The bathroom has a shower, a toilet, and a sink with a mirror above it. There’s a towel rack next to the shower.”

• A: “Finally, there’s a small balcony with one chair and a plant near the door.”

• B: (listens and draws as A describes)

• After A finishes: B shows the drawn plan and you both check for accuracy.

4. Diagram-checking questions (to use when you review)

• Where is the sofa located? What color is it?
• Is the TV opposite the sofa or near a wall?
• What items are on the coffee table or nearby?
• Where is the dining table relative to the living room?
• What is in the kitchen (fridge, stove, sink) and where are they located?
• Where is the bed in the bedroom? What else is there (nightstands, wardrobe)?
• Are there any windows mentioned? Where are they?
• Do you see any items that might be missing or placed differently from the description?
• Is the bathroom equipped with a bath/shower, sink, and toilet? Where are they relative to the door?

5. Tips for success (exam-ready)

• Speak in clear, complete sentences; use present simple consistently.
• Use prepositions accurately to place items (e.g., “on the left wall,” “next to the window,” “opposite the sofa”).
• Details matter: color, number of items, and approximate size help accuracy.
• If you’re unsure about a detail, describe what you know and skip uncertain items, or ask a clarifying question.
• When checking the diagram, point out at least three accurate placements and one or two corrections you think are necessary.

6. Variations and tips

• If you have more time, include approximate measurements (e.g., “the living room is about 5 meters by 4 meters”).
• For more advanced learners, add features like “There’s a bookshelf against the wall” or “There’s a ceiling lamp in the dining area.”
• If you’re short on time, you can describe only 3–4 rooms in detail and sketch a simple plan focusing on those rooms.

7. Quick vocabulary list (repeatable)

• Rooms: hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, balcony, study
• Furniture/items: sofa, armchair, coffee table, rug, TV/television, bookshelf, dining table, chairs, fridge, stove, sink, bed, nightstand, wardrobe, dresser, mirror, shower, bathtub, toilet
• Prepositions: in, on, under, behind, in front of, next to, beside, near, between, opposite
• Descriptive words: big, small, spacious, cozy, modern, old-fashioned, colorful, bright

If you’d like, I can tailor a short description for you to practice with (e.g., a two-bedroom apartment, or a studio) or create a ready-made partner-drawing sheet you can print. Tell me the setting you want to use (number of rooms, approximate sizes, and items you’d like included).