IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a place you would like to visit in your free time

Describe a place you would like to visit in your free time

You should say:

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

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Choose a place you can genuinely describe with sensory details like sight, sound, and taste.
  2. Quickly jot down the four bullet points to ensure you address every requirement during the talk.
  3. Focus on your personal connection to the place to make the narrative flow more naturally.

Band 8 model answer

If I had the luxury of time, the one place I would absolutely love to escape to is the Lake District in North West England, specifically a secluded village called Grasmere. It is nestled right in the heart of the national park, surrounded by rolling hills and mirror-like tarns. I have read so much about its literary history, particularly its connection to William Wordsworth, that I feel a strong pull to experience that tranquil atmosphere myself. I intend to spend about a week there, just enough time to properly disconnect from the frenetic pace of city life. During the day, I would lace up my hiking boots and tackle some of the local fells, like Helm Crag, to get a panoramic view of the valley below. I would also spend hours wandering through the village, stopping at local tearooms for a slice of traditional gingerbread and browsing the independent bookshops. The main reason I am so drawn to this place is the profound sense of stillness it offers. Living in a metropolis, I find it quite challenging to find a moment of true silence, so the idea of waking up to nothing but the sound of sheep and the rustle of leaves is incredibly appealing. I want to spend my evenings by a roaring fireplace with a good novel, allowing myself the mental space to reflect and recharge. It feels like the perfect antidote to the constant digital noise we are all subjected to in our daily routines.

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

Vocabulary from the answer

secluded
hidden away from people and very quiet
fells
the high, barren hills in Northern England
frenetic
fast, energetic, and often wild or uncontrolled
tarns
small mountain lakes formed in glacial hollows
panoramic
a view of a wide surrounding area
antidote
something that relieves or prevents bad effects
metropolis
a very large and busy capital city
recharge
to regain energy after being very tired

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 place you would like to visit in your free time"?

Choose a place you can genuinely describe with sensory details like sight, sound, and taste.

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.

More cue cards: a place