Describe a city you have been to and want to visit again.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where is it?
When & why did you visit there?
Would you go back?

27 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific places in Tokyo do you want to explore on your next visit?

On my next visit to Tokyo, I would love to explore places like Shibuya Crossing, the Meiji Shrine, and the various themed cafes. I’ve heard a lot about the unique experiences they offer, and I want to immerse myself more in the local culture and cuisine.

How does Tokyo compare to other cities you have visited?

Tokyo is incredibly unique compared to other cities I've visited. While cities like New York or London have their own charm, Tokyo blends tradition with modernity in a way that feels distinct. The efficiency of the transport system and the politeness of the people are also noteworthy.

What aspects of Tokyo's culture did you find most surprising?

I was most surprised by the blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology. For instance, you can see traditional shrines right next to high-tech buildings. The respect for etiquette and the emphasis on community in such a fast-paced environment was also quite striking.

Band 7

00:00

The city I visited is a coastal city of Kochi, located in northern part of Kerala, a state in India. I visited Kochi in September 2024. I went there for a vacation. Kochi is divided in two parts, the mainland city and the island city, which is also known as Fort Kochi. In mainland, you will have a buzzling city, which has a metro, public transport, shopping malls, crowd, different eateries, a typical modern city. But when you go to Fort Kochi, to which you have to take ferry, boat or a water metro, in Fort Kochi you will feel relaxation, you will feel detached from the buzzling city. It is a peaceful place, where people come to relax. In Fort Kochi, the culture, the heritage, history is preserved in the form of different monuments, museums, different cafes, which include art cafes, which are famous for local artifacts as well as international cuisines. I met different crowd in Fort Kochi, including few international crowd as well. I stayed in a hostel there, where I bonded with different people.

Follow up questions

What activities did you enjoy the most in Kochi?

I really enjoyed exploring the local markets and trying out the street food. The art cafes were also a highlight, where I could appreciate local art and enjoy delicious international cuisines. Additionally, taking a ferry to Fort Kochi was a unique experience that added to my enjoyment.

How does Kochi compare to other cities you have visited?

Kochi has a unique blend of modernity and tradition that I haven't seen in other cities. While some cities are purely urban and fast-paced, Kochi offers a peaceful retreat in Fort Kochi, which is rich in culture and history. This contrast makes it a special place for me.

What would you recommend to someone visiting Kochi for the first time?

I would recommend visiting both the mainland and Fort Kochi. Don't miss the ferry ride, as it gives you a beautiful view of the city. Also, try the local seafood and visit the historical sites like the Chinese fishing nets and the various museums to get a sense of the city's heritage.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

For first-time visitors to Vizag, I would recommend exploring the beaches, especially R.K. Beach and Yarada Beach. Visiting the Kailasagiri hill park for panoramic views is a must. Also, trying local street food and visiting the Submarine Museum can provide a unique experience of the city's culture.

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Cue 1:Where is it?

Begin with a brief introduction of the city, including its geographical location.
Mention any notable landmarks or features that make the city unique.

Example

The city I want to talk about is Jaipur, located in the northern part of India, in the state of Rajasthan. It is famously known as the Pink City due to its distinct pink-colored buildings and rich cultural heritage.

Cue 2:When & why did you visit there?

Provide details about your visit, including the time of year and the duration of your stay.
Explain the reasons for your visit, such as tourism, family, or work.

Example

I visited Jaipur last year during the winter holidays for about a week. I had always wanted to explore its historical sites and experience the vibrant culture, especially the famous Amer Fort and Hawa Mahal.

Cue 3:Would you go back?

Express your feelings about returning to the city, highlighting what you would like to do differently or explore further.
Mention any specific experiences or places you missed during your last visit that you would like to see.

Example

Absolutely, I would love to go back to Jaipur! I want to visit the local markets to shop for traditional handicrafts and try more of the delicious Rajasthani cuisine, which I didn’t get enough of during my last trip.

Conclusion

Summarize your overall feelings about the city and your desire to return.
Reiterate the unique aspects that make the city special to you.

Example

In conclusion, Jaipur holds a special place in my heart due to its stunning architecture and rich traditions. I look forward to revisiting and immersing myself in its beauty once again.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.