A city, a park, a building, a quiet place where you relax: “describe a place” cue cards come up all the time in IELTS Speaking Part 2. They are a great chance to show descriptive vocabulary, but only if you go further than “it was beautiful”.
Help the examiner see the place: where it is, what it looks and sounds like, what you did there and how it made you feel. Below you will find four “describe a place” cue cards with band 7+ sample answers, useful vocabulary, and typical Part 1 and Part 3 questions about places.
You get a cue card and 1 minute to make notes. Then you speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Cover every point on the card, add a short example or story, and finish with the “explain” part.
“Describe a place” cue cards with sample answers
Describe a city you have visited that you liked.
You should say:
- where it is
- when you went there
- what you did there
and explain why you liked this city.
Sample Answer:
A city I really enjoyed visiting is Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. I went there two years ago with my sister for a long weekend in early spring.
Lisbon is built on several steep hills next to a wide river, so wherever you walk there is a view. We spent most of our time just wandering through the old district, Alfama, with its narrow streets and colourful tiled houses. We also rode the famous yellow tram, tried the custard tarts that the city is known for and watched the sunset from a viewpoint above the river.
I liked it because it felt relaxed and full of life at the same time. People were friendly, the food was cheap and delicious, and every corner seemed to have a small café or a musician playing. I would love to go back and stay longer next time.
Describe a park or garden you like to visit.
You should say:
- where it is
- what it looks like
- what people do there
and explain why you like going there.
Sample Answer:
The place I would like to describe is a large park about ten minutes’ walk from my flat. It is built around a small lake and has been there for more than a hundred years.
There is a path that goes all the way around the lake, with old oak trees on both sides, and in the middle of the park there is a rose garden and a playground. On weekday mornings it is fairly quiet, with joggers and people walking their dogs. At the weekend it is much busier: families have picnics, children feed the ducks and there is often someone playing the guitar near the café.
I like going there because it is the easiest way for me to relax after work. Even a twenty-minute walk around the lake clears my head. It also changes with every season, so it never feels the same twice.
Describe an interesting building in your town or city.
You should say:
- what the building is
- where it is
- what it looks like
and explain why you find it interesting.
Sample Answer:
An interesting building in my city is the old railway station, which has been turned into a modern art museum. It is right in the centre, next to the main square, so almost everyone passes it every day.
From the outside it still looks like a nineteenth-century station, with red bricks, tall arched windows and a big clock above the entrance. Inside, though, it is completely different: the old platforms have become bright white exhibition halls, and the glass roof lets in a lot of natural light.
I find it interesting because it mixes the old and the new so well. Instead of knocking down a building that was no longer used, the city gave it a second life. It has also brought people back to that area, because there are now cafés and small shops all around it.
Describe a place you would like to visit in the future.
You should say:
- where it is
- how you know about it
- what you would do there
and explain why you would like to visit this place.
Sample Answer:
A place I would really like to visit one day is Iceland. I first became interested in it a few years ago, when a colleague showed me photos from her trip there, and since then I have watched several documentaries about it.
If I went, I would rent a car and drive around the island. I would like to see the waterfalls and glaciers, swim in one of the natural hot springs and, if I am lucky, see the northern lights. I would also like to spend a couple of days in Reykjavik, which looks like a small but very lively city.
The main reason I want to go is that the landscape looks unlike anywhere else on Earth, with volcanoes, ice and black sand beaches all in one country. I live in a big city, so the idea of so much open space and silence is very attractive to me.
Useful vocabulary for describing places in IELTS
Try to replace basic words like “beautiful”, “big” and “nice” with more precise vocabulary:
| Topic | Words and phrases |
|---|---|
| Location | on the outskirts of, in the heart of the city, within walking distance, off the beaten track, on the coast |
| Cities and towns | a bustling city, a sleepy village, narrow cobbled streets, the old town, a historic district, a skyline |
| Nature | breathtaking scenery, rolling hills, a peaceful lake, a sandy beach, dense forest, a spectacular view |
| Buildings | a landmark, a modern skyscraper, a historic building, impressive architecture, to be renovated |
| Feelings | a relaxing atmosphere, a lively place, it took my breath away, to recharge my batteries, a hidden gem |
IELTS Speaking Part 1: questions about places
Part 1 questions are short and personal. Give a direct answer and add one reason or example.
1Do you live in a house or a flat?
I live in a two-bedroom flat on the fourth floor of an old building. It is not very big, but it is bright and close to the city centre.
2What do you like most about your hometown?
I like that it is small enough to walk everywhere but still has everything you need. And it is right next to the sea, which is lovely in summer.
3Do you prefer the city or the countryside?
For everyday life I prefer the city, because of work and transport. But at the weekend I love getting out into the countryside to relax.
4Is there a place where you go to relax?
Yes, there is a small café near my office with big windows. I often go there after work to read for half an hour.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: questions about cities, tourism and places
New to Part 3? See how to give band 7+ answers in Speaking Part 3, with simple and stronger answers compared.
In Part 3 the examiner asks about places and society in general. Give longer answers with reasons, examples and both sides of the argument.
1Why do so many people move from the countryside to cities?
The main reason is work. Most jobs, especially well-paid ones, are in cities, and so are universities and hospitals. Young people in particular are attracted by the social life and opportunities. However, living costs in cities are rising so quickly that some people are now moving back to smaller towns, especially since remote working has become common.
2Is tourism good or bad for a city?
It has both sides. Tourism brings money and jobs, and it helps to protect historic buildings, because there is a reason to look after them. On the other hand, too many tourists can push up rents, fill the old town with souvenir shops and make life difficult for local people. I think cities need to manage tourism carefully rather than simply attract as many visitors as possible.
3How important are parks and green spaces in a city?
I think they are essential. Parks give people somewhere to exercise, relax and meet others, and they are especially important for families who live in flats without a garden. They also improve air quality and keep the city cooler in summer. In my view, every neighbourhood should have a green space within a few minutes’ walk.
Practise on your own
Choose one of the cue cards above, set a timer for 1 minute to make notes, and then record yourself speaking for 2 minutes. Listen back and check whether you covered every point and used some of the vocabulary from this page. For more topics, see IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics and cue cards with answers.