IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a comfortable pair of slippers you wear

A Band 8 model answer with the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and the Part 3 questions that follow.
  • 280 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a comfortable pair of slippers you wear

You should say:

  • →what they look like
  • →when and where you got them
  • →how often you wear them
  • →and explain why you enjoy wearing them so much

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

An object

How to plan it in one minute

  1. 1

    Jot down materials and appearance (e.g. chestnut brown, fleece-lined moccasins, rubber soles).

  2. 2

    Note the origin and setting (sister's birthday gift, draughty ground-floor flat).

  3. 3

    Highlight the transition from work to home relaxation and the practical everyday benefits.

Model answer

Band 8 model answer

Band 8280 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I'd like to talk about a pair of wool-lined moccasin slippers that I wear pretty much every single day around my flat. They are a rich chestnut brown colour with a thick, plush fleece lining on the inside and sturdy rubber soles on the bottom. They look quite rustic, almost like miniature leather boots without laces, and they've got this distinctive stitched seam running around the front.

I actually received them as a birthday present from my sister a couple of years ago. I'd just moved into an older ground-floor flat with polished wooden floorboards, which look fantastic but tend to get freezing cold during the winter months. She noticed me shivering during a visit and ordered them for me a few days later from an independent leather goods shop.

Nowadays, slipping them on has become an absolute ritual for me. As soon as I walk through the front door after work, I kick off my outdoor shoes and step straight into them. I wear them constantly while pottering around the kitchen, reading on the sofa, or working at my desk. To be honest, I even wear them during cooler summer evenings because they're remarkably breathable and cosy.

What I love most about them is the sheer sense of comfort and unwinding they represent. The moment my feet sink into that soft fleece, it genuinely signals to my brain that the working day is over and it's time to relax. Plus, because they have durable soles, I don't need to change shoes just to nip down to the communal garden to put the bins out. They have held up brilliantly and have become an indispensable part of my daily routine.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the answer

  • moccasin

    a soft leather shoe with prominent top stitching

  • plush

    thick, soft, and luxurious fabric

  • pottering around

    doing small, relaxed tasks without hurrying

  • breathable

    allowing air to pass through to prevent sweating

  • unwinding

    relaxing after effort or tension

  • nip down

    to go somewhere quickly for a brief moment

  • held up

    remained in good condition over time

  • indispensable

    absolutely essential

5 questions

Part 3 questions that follow this card

  1. 1Why do people in some cultures prefer taking off their outdoor shoes inside the house?
  2. 2How do older people's priorities when buying indoor footwear differ from younger generations?
  3. 3What has caused people to spend more money on comfortable loungewear in recent years?
  4. 4What are the drawbacks of prioritising comfort over style in domestic settings?
  5. 5Do you think smart technology will be integrated into everyday indoor clothing in the future?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: comfort and consumer habits at home.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a comfortable pair of slippers you wear"?+

Jot down materials and appearance (e.g. chestnut brown, fleece-lined moccasins, rubber soles).

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.

Keep practising

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