IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a city you want to visit again

Describe a city you want to visit again

You should say:

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Choose a city where you have a specific, vivid memory to anchor your story.
  2. Use the bullet points to create a chronological narrative flow for your two-minute response.
  3. Focus on one or two unique activities to show depth rather than listing generic sights.

Band 8 model answer

The city that has firmly captured my imagination is Kyoto in Japan. I first travelled there back in the autumn of 2018, arriving just as the maples were turning a deep, fiery crimson. It was an incredibly brief three-day excursion, yet it left a profound impression on me that has persisted ever since. If I were to return, I would steer clear of the main tourist thoroughfares like the Kiyomizu-dera temple. Instead, I would rent a bicycle to explore the quieter, labyrinthine alleys of the Gion district at dawn, hoping to catch a glimpse of a geiko heading home. I am also keen to participate in a traditional tea ceremony in a more secluded, centuries-old wooden teahouse, as my previous visit was far too rushed to appreciate the meditative pace of that ritual properly. My primary motivation for returning is the city’s unique capacity to harmonise the ancient and the modern. There is a palpable sense of serenity there, an atmosphere of 'wabi-sabi' that I found completely grounding. While the world seems to be accelerating, Kyoto remains a place where time feels suspended, particularly in its hidden Zen gardens. I feel that I only scratched the surface of its cultural depth during my first visit. I want to go back not merely to sightsee, but to immerse myself in the quietude and aesthetic precision that define the city, allowing me to disconnect from my hectic lifestyle and reconnect with a more mindful way of existing.

245 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

Vocabulary from the answer

labyrinthine
Like a maze, very complicated and confusing to navigate
palpable
So intense that it seems almost physically touchable
wabi-sabi
A Japanese aesthetic focused on finding beauty in imperfection
grounding
Something that makes you feel calm and sensible
suspended
Halted or stopped for a period of time
aesthetic
Relating to the appreciation of beauty and art
quietude
A state of stillness, calmness, and peacefulness
thoroughfares
Main roads or paths that people often travel along

Part 3 questions that follow this card

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a city you want to visit again"?

Choose a city where you have a specific, vivid memory to anchor your story.

How long should my answer be?

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.

Can I use this model 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.

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