DESCRIBING A PLACE

PLACES can be subdivided as follow

• Countries

• Cities

• Historical or culturally interesting places monuments, ancient sites, museums, art galleries

• The natural world

the countryside, coast, rivers, gardens, parks

• Places you know or visit as part of your regular routine shops, restaurants, libraries, your
own home

Countries

Assuming that you have visited and are familiar with at least one foreign country this should be a
relatively easy topic and the following card gives you the opportunity to talk about a wide range of
experiences.

Describe a foreign country you have been to.

You should say:

where the country is

when you went there

what you did there

and explain why this is a good country to visit

One-minute notes

• visit a number of countries during my travels abroad

• after we had flown into Rome my father hired a car

• looking back

• scratch the surface

• only in later years ... did I

• given the chance, I would visit every year.

Sample answer

I’ve been lucky enough to visit a number of countries during my travels abroad but the one I should
like to tell you about is Italy, a country in southern Europe in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s a fascinating and exceptionally beautiful country that I have returned to often, but I first went
with my parents when I was about sixteen. After we had flown into Rome, my father hired a car so
that we could tour around the major cities. Looking back, it probably wasn’t such a wise idea because

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we only had a week’s holiday and a couple of days in each place was nothing like enough. We barely
scratched the surface of what each had to offer. I mean you could easily spend a month in Rome
and still keep finding new things to see.

Anyway, on that first visit, we did a lightning tour of the major monuments such as the Coliseum
and St Peter’s before heading off to Florence and Milan. It was all a bit of a blur when I think back.
All I can really remember is Dad lining us up in front of some cathedral or palace and taking a few
photographs before racing to the next place.

Only in later years when I revisited Italy did I come to appreciate what a wonderful country it is. First,
if you’re interested in art, it’s an absolute cultural haven with probably the finest Renaissance
paintings and sculptures in the world. Second, you have a wide variety of landscapes from mountains
and lakes to miles of breath-taking coastline. And last, but not least, is the food. Italian cuisine is
renowned throughout the world and rightly so with each region having interesting and delicious
specialities. In short, it’s a country which has something for everyone and given the chance, I would
revisit every year.

Points to note

• I’ve been lucky enough to visit a number of countries during my travels abroad
A near paraphrase of the first line of the prompt. I have chosen not to replace country because
possible synonyms, such as nation, sound a little unnatural here.

• After we had flown into Rome my father hired a car

The narrative tense sequence of past perfect followed by past simple.

• Look back and think back

These are extremely useful phrasal verbs and it’s likely that you can use either when talking about a
personal experience in the past. They are interchangeable and native speakers use both frequently.

• to scratch the surface

An idiom meaning to do something in only a very superficial and inadequate way.

• a lightning tour
A collocation meaning a very quick tour. It’s similar to lightning visit.

• head off
Many phrasal verbs have a number of possible meanings, as does this one. In this story, it is an
informal alternative to the verb leave.

• a bit of a blur
This idiomatic phrase means that you are unable to clearly remember the details of an event.

• Only in later years when I revisited Italy did I ... This is a negative adverbial construction.

• given the chance, I would visit every year.

Conditionals don’t always have to have the if word. This is an example of an implied conditional.
Given the chance implies if I had the chance

If you are able to talk about a foreign country in general terms, then you should be able to adapt and
add to your material in order to approach these cue cards with confidence:

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Describe a foreign culture that you like

You should say:

what culture it is
how you know about it
how that culture differs from yours
and explain why you like that foreign culture

Describe an interesting holiday destination

You should say:
what the place is
what can you see and do there
what time of year is it better to be there
and explain why you like it

Describe a place where you enjoyed learning about another culture.

You should say:
what place it was
why you went there
why you learned
and explain why you enjoyed learning about this culture

Talk about a holiday or vacation you spent with a group of other people.
You should say:

When you had this vacation

Where you went

What you did

and explain how you felt about having a vacation with them

Describe a trip you have taken recently.

You should say:

Where you went
Who you went with
why you went there
and describe some things you saw and did on your trip

Describe the best holiday you ever had.

You should say:
When and where you had it
How you travelled there
What you did on this holiday
and explain why it was so special

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Cities

Here’s a fairly typical cities cue card:

Describe your favourite city.

You should say:
what is the name of the city and where it is located when you visited it
what are the attractive places of this city
and explain what influence the city had on you

One-minute notes

• city I adore above all others

• never before have I

• it was while I was exploring that I came across

• off the Beaten track

• delve into

• if it hadn’t been for that visit then ...

Sample answer

The city I adore above all others is undoubtedly Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It’s located in the
south-east of the country and I first visited it for a long weekend a couple of years ago.

I knew quite a lot about it and had seen photographs, but the pictures didn’t really do the place justice.
It’s breathtakingly stunning, especially if you arrive by rail as I did. The station is right in the heart of
the city and you emerge into Princes Street, which is the principal thoroughfare. It’s a very handsome
street with grand hotels and department stores on one side and on the other are gardens set in a
valley. Beyond is the ancient castle which sits on top of a hill and dominates the skyline. Never before
have I been so impressed by a first view of a city.

During the next couple of days, I didn’t really have a set itinerary but just wandered around the older
parts of the city. It was while I was exploring that I came across some pretty little alleyways and quaint
buildings which in the distant past housed working people. I suspect they are very desirable residences
now.

In addition to the major tourist attraction of the medieval castle the city is also home to a royal palace
and a ruined monastery but because of the crowds at those places, I preferred to stay off the beaten
track and delve into the quieter quarters. A particular delight for me was a part of the city called the
New Town which has some extremely elegant eighteenth-century classical buildings. The proportions
of the pillared facades are very pleasing to the eye.

Moving on to the last point on the card, If it hadn’t been for that visit then it’s unlikely that I would
now be so keen to learn more about Scottish history.

Points to note

• a city I adore above all others

A paraphrase of favourite city

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• do justice to something
To describe or show something accurately. This is most often used in the negative to highlight that
something is better than it appeared or was portrayed.

• never before have I been so impressed

A negative adverbial construction.

• It was while I was exploring that I came across

This narrative tense sequence also includes a phrasal verb. To come across something means to find
it by chance.

• off the beaten track

An idiomatic phrase meaning hidden, remote and rarely visited.

• delve into
A phrasal verb meaning to explore or examine something carefully to discover more information.

• pleasing to the eye

A phrase meaning particularly attractive.
• If it hadn’t been for that visit then it’s unlikely that I would now
A mixed conditional signifying a present result of a past condition.

Historical places

Talk about a historical building in your country or city that you know.
You should say:
what and where it is
when was it built
what is it known for
and describe this historical building

One-minute notes

• a building of significant architectural and historical interest

• was built in the nineteenth century ... after a previous one had been destroyed

• pick out

• not only is it a major tourist attraction but it is also ...

• heated exchanges

• If you are interested in British politics I would ...

Sample answer

A building of significant architectural and historical interest in my country is the Palace of Westminster.
It’s also referred to as the Houses of Parliament and it is the seat of the British government. It’s situated
in a spectacular setting in the heart of London just by the River Thames and next to another iconic and
historically important building, Westminster Abbey.

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The present Palace of Westminster was built in the nineteenth century in the Gothic style after a
previous one had been destroyed in a fire and the first thing that strikes you when you see the place
is just how colossal it is. It’s also extremely elaborate. There are a number of towers and turrets all
festooned with flamboyant carvings. But if I had to pick out one feature to talk about it would be the
clock tower. I would go as far as saying that it is probably the most famous clock in the world and a
must-see for all tourists to London. The chime of its bell, called Big Ben, is instantly recognisable to all
British people because it has been used to signal the start of television news programmes for many
years.

What is it known for? Well, not only is it a major tourist attraction but it is also the place where the
country’s legislators meet to enact laws. It is sometimes referred to as the mother of parliaments and
a symbol of democracy. The debating chambers have been the setting for some of the most important
and dramatic speeches in British history. Often there are heated exchanges particularly when the Prime
Minister has to answer questions from opposition politicians. This is televised and can often be highly
entertaining. If you are interested in British politics, I would definitely recommend that you watch it.

Points to note

• A building of significant architectural and historical interest

A paraphrase of historical building.

• iconic
An adjective meaning exemplary or emblematic

• was built in the nineteenth century ... after a previous one had been destroyed
We can use passive as well as active forms in narrative tense sequences. Here we have a past simple
passive followed by a past perfect passive.

• colossal
A better alternative to saying very big.

• festooned with flamboyant carvings

In addition to colossal, I have tried to use some less common vocabulary to describe the palace such
as festooned rather than decorated. Flamboyant is also a good alternative to elaborate.

• pick out
A phrasal verb meaning to choose one thing from a group of other things.

• a must-see
Something that is highly recommended.

• not only is it a major tourist attraction but it is also ... A negative adverbial construction.

• heated exchange
An idiom for a lively and possibly angry argument.

• If you are interested in British politics I would ... As always, it’s a good plan to end on a
conditional.

The natural world

Describe a river or sea you have visited

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You should say:

where the river/sea is

what activities you did there

who was with you

and explain why you liked this particular place

One-minute notes

• one of the most thrilling coastlines I have toured is

• rarely were we bored

• it was while we were swimming that we saw ...

• get the hang of it

• If I went back ... I would want to ...

• to try out

Sample answer

One of the most thrilling coastlines I have toured is that of the English region of Northumbria. This is
in the far north- east of the country facing the North Sea. It’s just above the city of Newcastle and
bordering Scotland. I went with a small group of friends a couple of years ago and we rented a quaint
little cottage in a fishing village. There is certainly plenty to do in the region and rarely were we bored.
The sea itself is almost always quite chilly, even in the height of the summer, so swimming is only for
the brave and possibly foolhardy. But we all found it a most invigorating experience and after a while,
we didn’t notice the cold too much. You quickly get used to it.

It was while we were swimming on our first day that we saw people windsurfing. It was possible to
hire the gear, so we decided to give it a go. It was my first time and I found it totally exhilarating.
There’s a steep learning curve before you get the hang of it and I did fall off the board a number of
times but that was all part of the fun. Apparently, it’s also a good place to go diving because there are
submerged wrecks just beneath the waves. If I went back, it’s definitely something I would want to try
out.

But perhaps what I enjoyed the most was simply walking along the beaches. They are stunningly
beautiful with miles of golden sand and, unlike in some coastal areas in the country, they totally
unspoilt. Virtually the only buildings to be seen are the dramatic ruins of castles. On one occasion we
got up early and sat on the beach to see the sun rise above the horizon. Never before have I
experienced something quite so beautiful. It was a totally unforgettable experience.

As you can probably gather, I thoroughly recommend the Northumbrian coast a place to visit. You
can’t, unfortunately, guarantee the sun but if you want beautiful scenery and exciting water sports it’s
hard to beat.

Points to note

• One of the most thrilling coastlines I have toured is ...

I have replaced sea and visit with synonyms in my opening paraphrase.

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• rarely were we bored

A negative adverb followed by verb inversion.

• Foolhardy
Foolhardy is a good word to use if you want to qualify brave and it means foolishly adventurous.

• it was while we were swimming that we saw ... A narrative tense sequence.

• invigorating
When describing an energetic sport or activity the adjectives invigorating and exhilarating are useful
to remember and are a good replacement for the too common exciting.

• gear
Gear is an example of a word which has a very precise meaning. In this context, it means special
clothing and equipment used for a particular activity. For example, I’ve decided to go rock climbing
and I’ve bought all the gear.

• steep learning curve

A phrase meaning that something is difficult to learn.

• give something a go
• get the hang of
I have included a couple of idioms both of which you can use if you are describing an activity that
you tried for the first time. If you give something a go it simply means that you try it. And to get the
hang of something means that you learn how to do it. The use of both is not restricted to sports, it
can be almost any activity. For example, I decided to have a go at learning Mandarin, but it was too
difficult, and I never got the hang of it.

• If I went back, it’s definitely something I would want to ... The second conditional construction.

• try out
A phrasal verb meaning to try something for the first time to see whether it’s suitable of whether you
like it.

• never before have I ...

This is a great negative adverbial inversion to use when talking about a first-time activity.

• hard to beat
This is a phrase which can replace the overused word excellent.

Here are some more water themed cue cards:

Describe a place near water (such as a river, lake or ocean) that you enjoyed visiting.
You should say:
where this place was

what you did at this place

who you went there with
and explain why you liked this place Describe a seaside place that you like to visit.
You should say:
where it is
what you like to do there
who you like to go with
and explain why you like to go there Describe a popular place for swimming you know in
our country.

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You should say:

where it is
what type of people go there
when they usually visit this place
and explain why it is a good place to go to

Other areas of natural beauty. Here’s a classic example of the genre:

Describe an enjoyable place you have visited in the countryside.

You should say:

when you visited this place

who was with you

why this place was enjoyable

and say if you would like to go back there in the future

One-minute notes

• a delightful rural landscape I saw

• had heard of a ... and suggested that we ...
• not often do you find
• cheek by jowl
• find out
• If you ever ..., I would definitely recommend that you ...

Sample answer

A delightful rural landscape I saw recently is a place called Sutton Park. I have a friend who has moved
to the city of Birmingham because he has a new job there and he invited me to stay with him for the
weekend. To be honest with you I find the city neither interesting nor attractive and we quickly
exhausted what few delights it has to offer the weekend tourist. But fortunately, my friend had heard
of a large urban park on the outskirts of the city and suggested that we investigate.

It’s only a relatively short train or bus ride from the bustling city centre but it’s like being transported
into a different world. What I found particularly enjoyable and astonishing for that matter, were the
variety of different natural landscapes in a relatively small area. Not often do you find lakes and streams
cheek by jowl with heathland, marshes, and woods. It’s like a microcosm of the whole English
countryside.

What I really appreciated was a visitor centre near the entrance. The staff were very knowledgeable
and when they had found out that I was interested in ancient history they gave me a map and pointed
out a prehistoric well and the remains of a Roman road we could discover. So off we went to explore.
I was absolutely in my element and it wasn’t until the light started to fade that we decided to call it a
day and go home.

I definitely want to go back again in the future. I’ve looked up Sutton Park on the internet and
discovered that there is a plethora of interesting things to see that we missed the first time around -
the earthworks of a prehistoric encampment, for example, are something that I am very eager to
explore. If you ever find yourself in Birmingham, I would definitely recommend that you head out of
the city centre and visit Sutton Park.

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Points to note

• A delightful rural landscape I saw

A paraphrase of enjoyable place in the countryside.

• we exhausted what few delights

You may want to convey the idea that a particular place is not very interesting so that you can
contrast it with another place that is. A good way of doing this using less common vocabulary is, we
exhausted what few delights it has to offer. This is a good way of saying that a place didn’t have
many interesting things to see.

• He had heard of a large urban park ... and suggested that we investigate.
Past perfect followed by past simple to indicate a sequence of events.

• Not often do you find

A negative adverb followed by the inverted verb. You can also use seldom and rarely.

• Cheek by jowl
An idiom that you can use to indicate that things are close to each other in an unexpected or
surprising way.

• microcosm
A microcosm is a small place that has the characteristics of something much larger. For example, my
city is wonderfully multicultural. It feels like a microcosm of the whole continent.

• find out and point out

I’ve included a couple of common phrasal verbs, to find out meaning discover and point out meaning
to show where something is.

• in my element
A great idiom to use to say that you are doing something that you find enjoyable and that you do
well is, I am in my element.

• To call it a day
An idiom meaning that you stopped doing something either temporarily or permanently.

• look up
A common phrasal verb meaning to find information about something by looking in a book or on the
internet.

• A plethora
A plethora of something is a large amount.

• If you ever ..., I would definitely recommend that you ...

There are lots of possible variations on the countryside/natural landscape theme. Here are a few:

Talk about a picnic spot/recreational public spot that you like.

You should say:
what it is and where it is located

what attractive things are there for visitors

what types of people like to go there

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and explain why you enjoy visiting this place

Talk about a place of natural beauty that you like to visit.

You should say:

what and where it is
why you like to visit
when you like to visit
and explain why this place is worth visiting

Describe a garden or park you enjoyed visiting.

You should say:

where it was
what it looked like
what people were doing there
and explain why you liked it

Places you visit as part of your regular routine

Describe your study room.

You should say:
what it looks like
what furniture it contains
how much time you spend in this room and give details of an ideal study room

One-minute notes

• If I had more money I would

• make do

• a riot of colour.

• the perfect place to read and think

• rarely am I disturbed

• when we were moving in she chose

Sample answer

If I had more money, I would definitely buy a larger house because it is my dream to have a dedicated
study lined with books. As it is, I have to make do with my bedroom. Fortunately, it is sufficiently large
for me to have a desk in one corner.

As for its appearance, to be honest, I’ve never really been into interior decoration so it’s nothing special
to look at. You could say that it’s quite minimalistic with just the basic furnishings that you would expect
to find in a bedroom - a bed, wardrobe, and chest of drawers. I’m not keen on patterns so I chose soft
furnishings like the bedding, curtains, and rug in plain muted tones. And the walls are painted white so
it’s hardly a riot of colour.

So it’s probably fair to say that it’s not a room to everybody’s taste but what I do find is that it is very
conducive to study which is good because just recently I’ve been preparing hard for this exam, at least

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three or four hours a day. And then, when you factor in the time that I sleep, I’m spending the best
part of a dozen hours in there.

As for the perfect place to read and think, the key ingredient for me is a lack of distractions. I’ve already
indicated that the decor in my room is hardly likely to interfere with my concentration but something
that’s also important to me is peace and quiet. My bedroom is at the rear of my house overlooking a
garden. It’s incredibly tranquil and rarely am I disturbed by noise. My sister, on the other hand, has
her bedroom at the front overlooking the street. When we were moving in she chose the room with a
more interesting view, but I would find the noise of the traffic and people passing by a huge distraction.

Points to note

• If I had more money I would ...

A conditional phrase which can be used in many IELTS answers, not just part two.

• dedicated
If something is dedicated then it is exclusively allocated to or intended for a particular purpose. My
current study space is not a dedicated study because I also have to sleep in the room. Note the
slightly different meaning of dedicated when used to describe a person. A dedicated doctor is one
who is devoted to his job

• as it is
The phrase as it is is used when you want to describe a situation that actually exists rather than one
which you expected, needed or would prefer. For example, I really need a new car but as it is I’ll
have to keep my old one for a little longer

• make do
To do as well as you can with what you have. The implication is that ideally, you would like
something more or better.

• be into something
To be interested in or enthusiastic about something.

• to my taste
To my taste means the same as to my liking. It doesn’t have to be connected to tastes in food but
can be almost anything. For example, opera is not really to my taste. I much prefer jazz.

• a riot of colour
an idiom meaning very bright and colourful.

• factor in
A phrasal verb meaning to take something into consideration.

• the best part of

A phrase meaning most of.

• the perfect place to read and think

A paraphrase for an ideal study room.

• peace and quiet

A very common collocation. When the two words are together they are always in this order.

• rarely am I disturbed
A negative adverbial construction.

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• when we were moving in, she chose ...

narrative sequence of past continuous followed by past simple.

Here are some variations on the theme of rooms. As always, pay attention to the main verb tense.
You may, as in the second sample below, be asked about a room from your past.

Describe your favourite room.

You should say:

what the room is
what furniture it contains what you do in it and explain why it is your favourite room

Describe a room for you stayed for a long period.

You should say:
what room it was

what you did there

why you spent so much time there

and describe the memories you have regarding this room

Describe a room that you like.

You should say:
which room it is
what makes this room special
what it looks like
and explain how you feel when you are in this room

Describe your favourite restaurant.

You should say:

where it is

what it looks like inside and outside

what kinds of food they serve

and explain what makes this restaurant so special

One-minute notes

• the number one place to eat out

• I first came across it by accident when I was exploring

• If you enjoy Italian food, I’m sure you would love ...
• made from scratch
• rarely do they know your name.

Sample answer

For me, the number one place to eat out in this city is a place run by a chef called Luigi. His eponymous
restaurant is extremely popular, and deservedly so. The actual building is a little off the beaten track
and I first came across it by accident when I was exploring some of the little side streets away from

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the main shopping area. It’s actually a very unassuming place from the outside and you could easily
walk by without realising that it is a restaurant. And the interior is also not particularly fancy or
flamboyant. There are about half a dozen small tables and a few photographs of streets in Naples
hanging on the walls. These give the only indication of the type of cuisine to expect.

But it is the food and the service that make me, and lots of other regulars, return time after time. It’s
quite a basic menu, just a few pizza and pasta dishes but all the ones I have tried are absolutely
delicious. If you enjoy Italian food, I’m sure you would love the place.

There are a lot of chain Italian restaurants in the city but what they do is quite formulaic. I’m sure they
just buy pre- prepared dishes in bulk and then reheat them. Luigi’s, on the other hand, is truly authentic.
He buys fresh ingredients from the market early every morning and the menu changes according to
what he finds available. Every dish is made from scratch. And although the service in the chain places
is okay, it’s hardly personal. I’m just one of a large number of customers that evening and rarely do
they know your name.

This is in stark contrast to Luigi and his staff who take the time to get to know your individual likes and
dislikes. He knows that I love basil, for example, and there is always a big sprig of it on top of my pasta
dish. It’s little things like that that makes this restaurant so special to me and to others.

Points to note

• For me, the number one place to eat out

A paraphrase of favourite restaurant.

• eponymous
The restaurant I describe is loosely based on a real place, but I have changed a few details so that I
can incorporate some less common vocabulary and phrases. It isn’t, for example, called Luigi’s but
renaming it enables me to use the word eponymous, an adjective meaning a place named after a
person

• I first came across it by accident when I was exploring

A narrative sequence of past simple with past continuous. This particular phrase is very useful when
you are describing how you first found a place. Not only is it a narrative tense sequence but it also
contains the phrasal verb to come across, meaning to find by chance.

• unassuming and flamboyant

Unassuming is a good word to describe either a place or person, meaning unpretentious and modest.
Flamboyant is almost the opposite and again can be used to describe either a place or a person. It
means ostentatious or exuberant.

• time after time

an idiom meaning repeatedly.

• If you enjoy Italian food, I’m sure you would love the place Another useful conditional
sentence you can adapt for many part two responses.

• Formulaic
Formulaic simply means something constructed or made according to a formula. But it has slightly
negative connotations and is useful for describing things that are not particularly original and are too
similar to others.

• made from scratch

If you make something from scratch it means that you start from the beginning with basic

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ingredients. It doesn’t just refer to food, a good craftsman should be able to make a wardrobe from
scratch for example.

• rarely do they know your name A negative adverbial structure.

• stark contrast
This is a collocation meaning that something is very different from something else.

I. SUGGESTED TEMPLATE

Intro:
The place I’d like to describe is … which is one of the most well-known…/one-of-a-kind…

I’m going to describe …-a place frequented by …/widely known among…

A place I’m going to introduce to you is … (which is frequented by …) (which I find extremely
annoying) (which is really colorful/brightly coloured)

WHERE?
It’s conveniently located right in the city center/next to/behind/opposite…

It’s within shouting/walking/touching distance of …about 5-minute walk

It’s only 5 minutes’ walk/15 minutes’ drive from…

WHO?

It’s my … who often takes me there/spends time with me there since we share the same hobby.

I often visit/drop in(by)…with my brother/buddy on our way home since both of us are interested
in this place.

WHEN?

I can’t quite remember the first time I got here, probably last Christmas when …

If my memory serves me right the first time I visited… was 2 years ago when I …

I came across this place when I was wandering around the street.

This is definitely my go-to location when I have time on my hands/I want to fully concentrate on my
study/I want to get some peace and quiet

HOW OFTEN?

This is my top priority whenever I need to cram for my finals./whenever I need to spend time for
myself/relax or unwind/enjoy the comfort of …

I drop in/by …almost every day since nothing gives me more pleasure than +V-ing

I visit…every weekends/Sundays/Friday evenings/at least once a week(month) when…

WHAT IT IS LIKE/HOW IT LOOKS LIKE?

At first glance it resembles a…/looks like a…-> catch my eye/grab the attention of passers-by.
It’s painted…, which gives people/creates a feeling of warmth, cosiness, calmness/nostalgia
Interior décor: elegant, pleasing to the eye(><a real eye- sore)

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…+to be+ decorated/adorned with indoor(house) plants/climbing plants (candles)

What struck me most is the …

WHY? (45’’)
I’ve always been fascinated by … for a number of reasons.
I believe …is worth a visit for several reasons.
Firstly, …offers a haven of peace and tranquility.
I mean I constantly feel stressed out at work and all I want to do is kick back and relax after
calling it a day. So nothing gives me more pleasure than sitting right in the corner of…, leaning
against the wall and enjoying my favorite songs.
Secondly, …gives me a chance to socialize with others who share the same interests.
This is particularly important because I think I’m much better off if someone spends time reading or
watching movies with me and we both enjoy a good laugh.

Conclusion

In brief,/In short, /At the end of the day, I highly suggest … to anyone who wishes to…
…is the most striking/fascinating …I have ever been to, so this is a must-see/visit location for …
It would be a great pity if you didn’t bother to check it out.

Fascinated to the core

A myriad of (a plethora of )
Was smitten by completely
Was awestruck by…
I was just speechless to …
I could hardly resist the urge to …

II. SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Describe a house/apartment you’d like to live in

Sample 1
I’m pleased I’ve got this topic because I’m fascinated by architecture. If I could live in my dream house,
it would be located near Lake Garda in northern Italy. This is one of my favorite locations in the world
because of the cuisine, climate and breathtaking scenery.

In terms of size, I wouldn’t want a massive mansion, just big enough to accommodate my family
and a few guests now and then. Obviously, it would have to have a swimming pool, not because I’m
an avid swimmer though. Ideally, I’d love an infinity pool, you know, one of those that looks like it
is falling off the edge and is merging with the sky. I would love a view of the stunningly beautiful
lake from the property so I could sit out on the patio and gaze at the water. I find looking at water
incredibly relaxing so this would be a spot where I could chill out.
In addition, there would be a lawn with lots of mature trees. I’m not green-fingerer so I wouldn’t
want lots of flowers, a low-maintenance garden would be perfect. I’d like the outdoor space to be
filled with lights so that at night we could use it for entertaining. Oh yes, I nearly forgot, an absolute
must is a pizza oven so I could make my own pizzas with locally sourced ingredients. My mouth
is watering just thinking about it! One of my priorities is a homely feel to the house. I want it to
be a place where my nearest and dearest can recharge their batteries. To be perfectly honest, I
doubt it’ll ever become a reality though unless I marry a millionaire!

Sample 2

I don’t really like the idea of living in a cramped, stuffy studio apartment located in a city full of
hustle and bustle and I don’t really like a luxurious one located in a remote or far-flung area where
I feel lonely or isolated. So you can probably guess that my ideal house would be a BUNGALOW within
the shouting distance of /close to the beach/sea. You know I’m a beach lover and a minimalist.

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It would be a small, single-storey, two-bedroom building OVERLOOKING the sea. It would be

fully-furnished and decorated with paintings, plants and flowers. I don’t want to waste too much
time on cleaning, so basic furniture would be enough for a family of four-my husbans/wife and kids.
The reason why I would prefer it to be built by the sea is that I like the feeling of waking up early and
going for a run in the early mornings when I can watch the sunrise. Also, it’s great to watch the sunset
after calling it a day. I’m also a sporty and adventurous guy, so I would love to take part in extreme
activites like going scuba diving, windsurfing, you name it.

In front of my house, I would grow roses and lilies-my favorite flowers because I love gardening and
I’m very good at it. At the back of the house, I would build a small playground for my kids. They can
play on the swing, slide, see-saw there to kill time.

I’ve always dreamed of having a place to call my own and having the freedom to do whatever
I want. I hope this would be a dream come true. Perhaps I will have my dream house in 10
years’ time and who knows maybe I will win a lottery and afford it immediately overnight.

2. Describe a café you like to visit

You should say:

Where it is/how you got to know about it
What kinds of food and drinks it serves
What you do there
And explain why you like to go there

Suggested answers

Where it is

It’s right in the heart of the city with easy access from all directions

Adjacent to.....=next to….

Right/immediately Next to……

Within walking distance of .....

=It’s just a stone’s throw away…..

From my house/my school

In a bustling area/location

In a vibrant neighborhood

In a tranquil, quiet area

In an area that offers a haven of peace and tranquility

Secluded area

It’s hidden away in......

—> the best way to get there is catching the bus......

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What kinds of place it is (What it looks like)

It’s got one-of-a-kind/second-to-none architectural style

Like no other

From afar, it’s shaped like a ……

(A giant egg)(A giant bird’s nest)

Looking at it from a distance, we can imagine it looks like a /resembles a.....

It’s surrounded by bamboo trees, flowering plants

—> give me a feeling of calmness and relaxation

The overall structure is made of natural materials like.....

Wood, thatch roof/straw

Exterior decor

Interior decor

(Lighting system)

(Pictures/painting)

Eco-friendly/environmentally friendly materials

(Background music)

Gentle/soothing melodies((The chirping sound of birds, the sound of waves lapping the shore)

What kinds of food and drinks it serves

It’s got a wide range of…../a wide variety of food and beverages

Snacks (Light meals)

Junk food

Very common types of drinks made out of coffee

Smoothies, fruit juice,......

gourmet

/ˈɡʊəmeɪ/

+Suit my taste

+Out of this world→ you can’t help having an additional serving

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Everything is just to my liking

+To be reasonably priced

What you do there

+enjoy live music (invite musicians, guitarists)

+Kill time here

+Have a chat over coffee/tea to while away our time

+take my business clients/business partners

—> have a discussion

+read books (ideal getaway)

+Find some peace and quiet

—> fully concentrate on my reading

+ take photos (selfies)

+ spend time alone/want a bit of me-time

And explain why you like to go there

+my go-to place : find some peace and quiet

+ get close to nature, catch some fresh air in the natural surroundings

+ Prices

—> highly recommend this ….to anyone who wishes to V

It’s well worth a visit

You won’t regret it (I bet you like it)

3. Describe a place where you read and write (not your home)

You should say:

where it is
how often you go there
what you read and write there / who else goes there
and explain why you read and write at this place.

Off the top of my head, the local park is absolutely my go-to place (The park in my local area)
which is within shouting/walking distance of my house/apartment. I mean it just takes me about 5
minutes to get there.

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I visit the park almost every day when I’ve got time on my hands except rainy or stormy days. I go for
a run every morning and walk my dog around after school.
The park has got a huge lake right in the middle where they grow lotus/water lily and raise gold fish.
You know, staring at it really gives us a feeling of relaxation and calmness. It's also lush and leafy. I
mean, it's full of evergreen trees and flowering plants like pine trees, weeping willows, palm trees, you
name it, so it really cools you down during boiling hot summer days.
Personally, I feel that this is also an ideal place to read and write. You might think that it's quite noisy
here as this is a public area. But it's totally quiet and tranquil during early afternoon( from mid-noon to
3pm). As regular as clockwork I usually pack my stuff like books, notebooks and even novels/comics
and spend a couple of hours there. I feel that I am able to concentrate more on my reading and writing
here compared to my stuffy apartment. Nothing gives me more pleasure than enjoying fresh air while
immersing myself completely in every single page. Most of the time I come here alone, but every now
and then my buddy or brother/sister keeps me company as both of us are really interested in reading
comics. It’s great to pass time (idle the hours away) by reading hilarious stories and kill ourselves
laughing.

To me personally, this is a second-to-none getaway, especially in this bustling area. It’s a smashing
(pleasant) place to get close to nature and do some outdoor activities. You might be blown away by
the chirping sound of birds every morning and the delicate scent of lotus flowers when they are in full
bloom. If you are in the mood to read or write something or even play sports and struggling to find a
handy place, this is definitely the one.

4. Describe a place you visited.

You should say:

Where you went

Who you went with

How you got there

And explain how you felt about it

So, a few months ago my family and I went with some friends to visit a cave not too far from where
we live. It’s really hidden away in the mountain, but only about a half hour’s drive from our home.

So the cave is actually closed to the public, but they have built a replica in a kind of museum right
next door. It’s an imposing, modern building, slap bang in the middle of the most picturesque
scenery you can imagine. It’s what you might call a “smart” building; so lights go on when you enter
the room. It’s also got automatic sliding doors and self-regulating air-conditioning.

So you can visit the cave and see all the cave paintings, well copies that date back thousands of
years. There’s a cafeteria where people typically have a coffee or tea after seeing the cave, and of
course there’s the “obligatory” shop where you can pick up a sourvenir to remember your visit.

I loved the place and I felt it was realistic and it’s a smashing place to take kids as it takes them on a
very vivid journey into the past. I would recommend it without a doubt.

5. Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution

You should say:

• Where it is

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• When you visited this place

• What kinds of pollution you saw there
• And explain how this place was affected

Sample answer:

I’d like to talk about a city, which was once my favorite destination, but unfortunately has been
heavily polluted, Sapa. So Sapa is an incredibly picturesque moutainous town in nothern Vietnam
which is renowned for its fine, rugged scenery as well as cultural diversity. I visited Sapa for the first
time in 2008 and was totally blown away by the vast rice paddies and tiny hill-tribe villages. It was a
quaint little town overlooking a plunging valley, with mountains towering above on all sides. On a
business trip, I returned to Sapa a few weeks ago and I’d admit I was at a loss for words as the town
has changed out of all recognition. It’s no longer a sleepy town with unspoiled nature and fresh air.
For the past few years, due to modern tourism development, the town has transformed into a giant
construction site and modern man-made structures are changing its pristine natural landscape.
Diggers crowd the streets, and the air is filled with dust. The sound of drilling and hammering are
extremely unbearable. People litter everywhere, so the streets were like garbage dumps. It was even
more awful because the road outside my hotel was being demolished, piles of bricks were dumped in
the middle of the street. Everytime I went outside, I had to pick my way through thick mud. It was
just a complete letdown because the little town I once fell in love with is now so polluted and ruined
because of tourism growth. I don’t think I’d go back there anytime soon.
6. Describe a place you have been to where there were lots of people

You should say:

Where it is
Who you were with
What people were doing there
And explain why there were lots of people

Sample answer
I recently visited an extremely crowded market in Hue city, which was an absolutely mind-
blowing experience! I went there during my summer break to buy some souvenirs for my nearest
and dearest and a couple of bosom buddies.
I vividly recall the moment I stepped into the market and I felt like a fish out of water! There
were so many people around me that I literally had to elbow my way through.
The atmosphere in the market was super chaotic, and there were tons of vendors shouting out
their prices, with bargaining going on left and right, as well as hundreds of shoppers battling it
out over the best deals.
I can still remember the scent of freshly cooked street food and the colorful spread of spices and
fruits, which were all out of this world!
I had an absolute blast haggling with the vendors and ended saving a lot of money on some great
souvenirs to take home for friends and family.
The market was definitely an eye opener for me, and I was astonished to see the traditional
Vietnamese practices and truly grateful for having had the chance to experience and appreciate it.
Despite the chaos and hustle-bustle, I thoroughly enjoyed walking through different stalls and
found something special in every nook and cranny of the market, which really made it an
incredibly exhilarating experience!

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