IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a potted plant in your home

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

The cue card

Describe a potted plant in your home

You should say:

  • →what kind of plant it is
  • →where you keep it in your home
  • →how you look after it
  • →and explain why it brightens up that particular room.

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

An object

How to plan it in one minute

  1. 1

    Jot down the specific plant variety and its exact spot in your flat or house.

  2. 2

    List two simple care routines, such as watering frequency or trimming leaves.

  3. 3

    Note specific descriptive details about the room before and after adding the plant.

Model answer

Band 8 model answer

Band 8242 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I'd like to talk about a Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera, that sits in the corner of my living room. I actually bought it about two years ago from a small independent nursery near my flat, mainly because the room felt a bit sterile and lacked any natural warmth.

It's positioned right next to a south-facing window, so it gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight throughout the day. In terms of care, it's pretty low-maintenance, which suits me down to the ground to be honest. I just give it a good soak once a week and occasionally wipe down its large, glossy leaves with a damp cloth to remove any dust. It has grown quite substantially since I got it, sprouting huge split leaves that almost reach the ceiling now.

The main reason it really lifts the space is the sheer vibrant green colour it brings to an otherwise neutral room. Before I got the plant, that corner was completely bare, painted in a dull off-white shade with plain wooden floorboards. Now, as soon as you walk through the door, your eye is immediately drawn to this lush, thriving bit of greenery. It softens the sharp angles of the furniture and makes the whole flat feel much calmer and more lived-in. On top of that, there's something quite rewarding about watching a living thing flourish in your own home, so it genuinely boosts my mood whenever I spend time in the lounge.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the answer

  • sterile

    lacking character, warmth, or visual interest

  • low-maintenance

    requiring very little effort or attention to keep in good condition

  • suits me down to the ground

    is completely convenient or ideal for someone

  • wipe down

    clean a flat surface using a damp cloth

  • substantially

    to a large degree or amount

  • vibrant

    bright, vivid, and full of life

  • lived-in

    comfortable and showing signs of regular human use

  • flourish

    grow healthily and successfully in an environment

5 questions

Part 3 questions that follow this card

  1. 1Why have indoor plants become increasingly popular in recent years?
  2. 2How do natural elements in a home compare with artificial decorations?
  3. 3To what extent should city planners incorporate green spaces into residential developments?
  4. 4Do you think people in the future will feel more disconnected from nature?
  5. 5What are the drawbacks of introducing excessive vegetation into living spaces?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: nature in domestic and urban environments.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a potted plant in your home"?+

Jot down the specific plant variety and its exact spot in your flat or house.

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

More cue cards: an object

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