The city that has been at the top of my travel bucket list for years is Tokyo. Ever since I was a teenager, the juxtaposition of hyper-modern technology and tranquil, traditional culture has fascinated me. To get there, I would take a long-haul flight from London, likely landing at Haneda Airport, which is renowned for its efficiency. I am particularly looking forward to navigating the complex underground network, which seems like a fascinating puzzle in itself. Once I arrive, my itinerary would be quite diverse. I would start by exploring the neon-drenched streets of Shinjuku and Shibuya to experience the sheer sensory overload of the city at night. However, I would also carve out time to visit the Meiji Jingu shrine to appreciate the quiet, forested grounds that offer a stark contrast to the urban sprawl. I would definitely spend a few days hunting for authentic ramen in hidden basement izakayas and browsing the quirky boutiques in Harajuku. The reason I am so drawn to Tokyo is that it feels like a city living in the future while simultaneously holding onto its heritage. It is not just about the iconic skyline or the high-speed trains; it is the meticulous attention to detail in everything from the way food is presented to the incredible politeness of the local residents. I find the idea of immersing myself in such a fast-paced, yet orderly environment incredibly stimulating, and I am certain it would be a profound cultural experience that stays with me for a long time.
The cue card
Describe a big city you would like to visit.
You should say:
- →Which big city you would like to visit?
- →How you would travel there?
- →What do you do there?
- →And explain why you would like to visit this big city.
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
Try it now, out loud
One minute to prepare, then up to two minutes to speak. Cover every point on the card, then compare with the Band 8 answer below.
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A place
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Select a city you genuinely have specific, vivid mental images of to ease fluency.
- 2
List three concrete activities to ensure you cover the 'what to do' section thoroughly.
- 3
Use the final bullet point to connect the city's atmosphere to your personal values.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
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Useful vocabulary for this cue card
juxtaposition
placing two contrasting things together for comparison
long-haul
a journey covering a very long distance
neon-drenched
saturated with bright, colourful electric light signs
sensory overload
when your senses are overwhelmed by stimulation
urban sprawl
the uncontrolled expansion of a city area
izakaya
a Japanese bar serving small plates of food
meticulous
showing great attention to detail and precision
stimulating
encouraging new ideas or high energy levels
6 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What are the most interesting things to do while visiting cities on holiday?
- 2Why can it be expensive to visit cities on holiday?
- 3Do you think it is better to visit cities alone or in a group with friends?
- 4Why have cities increased in size in recent years?
- 5What are the challenges created by ever-growing cities?
- 6In what ways do you think cities of the future will be different to cities today?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a big city you would like to visit."?+
Select a city you genuinely have specific, vivid mental images of to ease fluency.
How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+
You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
How is the cue card scored?+
Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.
Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
Keep practising
More cue cards: a place
- Describe a bookshop you like visiting
- Describe a boring place
- Describe a busy outdoor swimming pool
- Describe a campsite where you stayed overnight
- Describe a cinema you enjoy visiting
- Describe a city that you think is very interesting/famous
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