Describe A Foreign Country You Have Never Been To: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where the country is?
When you plan to visit this country?
Why you would like to go there?
Explain why this is a good country to visit.

9 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific historical sites in Germany are you excited to visit?

I am particularly excited to visit the Berlin Wall and Neuschwanstein Castle. The Berlin Wall represents a significant part of history, showcasing the division of East and West Germany. Neuschwanstein Castle is famous for its fairy-tale architecture and stunning views, which I find captivating.

How do you plan to experience the local culture during your visit?

I plan to immerse myself in the local culture by attending Oktoberfest, trying traditional German foods like bratwurst and pretzels, and visiting local markets. I also want to interact with locals to understand their customs and way of life better.

What aspects of German food are you most looking forward to trying?

I am looking forward to trying authentic German sausages, schnitzel, and various types of bread. I've heard that German cuisine is hearty and flavorful, and I can't wait to experience the local specialties and perhaps even some regional dishes.

Band 6-7

00:00

The country which I really love to visit is the Indonesia, Bali. So the main reason which I really want to go there because of the heritage culture of Hinduism over there and the thing is it is a very vast culture. It is a very vast culture of Hindu Gods. Most of the Hindu festivals are celebrated in Indonesia and I really want to visit the beaches. I heard that there are so many beaches, they are so beautiful. Actually that is a perfect destination for couples also. So you can find beaches, you can find mountains, you can find a big swing that you can click some beautiful photographs over there. So in my knowledge, Indonesia would be better to visit. And most of the most interesting part is that the Indonesian culture of food. So my brother and my sister-in-law had visited there once and they told me to go there for a wonderful experience of everything.

Follow up questions

What specific Hindu festivals are celebrated in Bali?

In Bali, some of the major Hindu festivals celebrated include Nyepi, which is the Day of Silence, and Galungan, which celebrates the victory of dharma over adharma. These festivals showcase vibrant rituals, traditional dances, and offerings, making them a unique cultural experience for visitors.

What activities can couples enjoy in Bali besides visiting beaches?

Couples can enjoy a variety of activities in Bali, such as exploring lush rice terraces, visiting temples like Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, indulging in spa treatments, and experiencing the vibrant nightlife in areas like Seminyak. Adventure seekers can also try activities like hiking Mount Batur for sunrise views.

What Indonesian dishes are you most excited to try?

I am particularly excited to try traditional dishes like Nasi Goreng, which is fried rice, and Satay, which are skewered and grilled meats served with peanut sauce. I also want to taste Gado-Gado, a salad with peanut dressing, and try local desserts like Klepon, which are sweet rice balls filled with palm sugar.

Band 6-7

00:00

During my childhood days, I used to see a lot of movies where I saw a place, Switzerland. And when I saw that place, it was just so beautiful and I badly wanted to visit Switzerland from my childhood days. And when I started to know more about Switzerland, I got to know that Switzerland is the most cleanest country in the world. They have a better technology to clean their wastage and they have a whole technique to minimize waste and recycle the process. And I was so impressed by that. And even in Switzerland, you can see the nature is quite pleasant always. You feel that moderate temperature, which is like you feel the snow. Whereas from childhood, I live in country India, so I've never experienced snow. I'm a South Indian person, so I have a desire to experience that snow. And I feel it's quite a romantic place. People often go to their honeymoon there, but I feel it's a very good place to spend time with your family and just relax and sit back.

Follow up questions

What specific activities would you like to do in Switzerland?

I would love to go skiing in the Alps, take scenic train rides, and explore the beautiful lakes. Visiting the charming villages and trying Swiss chocolate and cheese would also be on my list. I think experiencing the local culture and cuisine would be a highlight of my trip.

How do you think visiting Switzerland would differ from living in India?

Visiting Switzerland would be a completely different experience due to its climate, cleanliness, and infrastructure. The serene environment and the presence of snow would be a stark contrast to the tropical climate of South India. I believe the pace of life and the emphasis on nature would also be refreshing.

What other foreign countries are you interested in visiting?

Apart from Switzerland, I am interested in visiting countries like Japan for its unique culture and technology, and Italy for its rich history and art. I also want to explore New Zealand for its stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Each country offers a different experience that fascinates me.

Practice other cue cards

Talk about a historical building.

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Describe a place in your city you have been to where you can see wildlife (eg, animals, birds, insects, plants)

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Describe a public holiday that people enjoy.

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Describe a city that is very interesting.

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Describe a place in your hometown/city that is different from other places and that you enjoy visiting with your parents/friends.

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Describe a place that you would like to learn the culture there (eg, a library, museum, theatre)

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Describe Your Favourite Season

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Describe A New Development In Your Country Or The Area Where You Live (Like A Shopping Centre, Park, Etc.)

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Describe a natural place (e.g. parks, mountains)

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Describe A Person Who Likes To Grow Plants

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Describe an important plant in your country

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Talk About A Traditional Object Of Your Country

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Describe a place in your city you have been to where you can see wildlife (e.g. animals, birds, insects, plants)

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Describe an old tree that you have seen.

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Describe A Street Market In Your City

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Describe an important river/lake in your country

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Describe A Crop You Are Familiar With

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Describe a change that benefitted your neighborhood.

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Describe a unique animal you've encountered.

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

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Describe a place that wasn't kept clean.

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Describe Your Favourite Weather

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Describe A Traditional Product In Your Country

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Describe A Historical Place That You Know About

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Describe A Poisonous Plant You Know About

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Describe a person who helps to protect the environment

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Describe a park or a garden in your city

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Describe A Festival That Is Important In Your Country

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Describe a place where there was a lot of noise/ Describe a noisy place you have been to

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Describe A Quiet Place

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Describe a public park or garden.

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Band 5-6

00:00

Well, I'm not a very much kind of wandering person, but I really like to go to a foreign country in my future, and that preferable country is Canada. I really want to go there with my family. We are planning for going there in the future as soon as possible, and I tried my level best to go there. We want to go there because a lot of reasons, and there are like the medical facility, the educational facilities, and the environment, and other facilities like the healthcare arrangement of everything. We want to build a future. We want to build our kids' future there, and we want to make them successful in life, and that's why we want to go there.

Follow up questions

What specific places in Canada would you like to visit?

I would love to visit places like Toronto for its vibrant city life, Banff for its stunning natural beauty, and Vancouver for its multicultural environment. Each of these places offers unique experiences that I think would be great for my family.

How do you think living in Canada will benefit your children's future?

Living in Canada can provide my children with a high-quality education, exposure to diverse cultures, and better healthcare. I believe these factors will help them grow into well-rounded individuals and prepare them for a successful future.

What challenges do you think you might face when moving to Canada?

One challenge could be adapting to a new culture and environment, which might be overwhelming at first. Additionally, finding a job and settling into a new community can be difficult, but I believe the benefits will outweigh these challenges.

Band 5-6

00:00

A foreign country? I have never been to Canada. Almost all countries I am not going. Firstly, Canada is my favourite country and it is a very beautiful, amazing, you know, I am not explain in words. When my plan is go to Canada, sometimes I have completed my IELTS class and then go and I visited it. Well, I would like to go because my brother is settled in Canada and he is a teacher. So, he is every time Canada is beautiful country, Canada this, this, this, you know. Well, I think Canada is good country because there are pragmatical approach in this country and all peoples are, strategy is very good and all people enjoy it and snowfall is very amazing. I love it, snowfall and I love, I think.

Follow up questions

What specific places in Canada would you like to visit?

I would love to visit places like Banff National Park for its stunning landscapes, Toronto for its vibrant city life, and Vancouver for its beautiful waterfront. Each city has its unique charm and attractions that I want to explore.

What activities do you plan to do when you visit Canada?

I plan to enjoy outdoor activities like skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer, and exploring the local culture. I also want to try Canadian cuisine and attend festivals to experience the local traditions.

How do you think living in Canada would differ from your home country?

I believe living in Canada would be quite different due to its multicultural environment, social services, and lifestyle. The emphasis on work-life balance and outdoor activities is something I look forward to experiencing.

Show all 9 answers

Cue 1:Where the country is?

Begin by mentioning the geographical location of the country, including its continent and neighboring countries.
You can also include any interesting facts about its culture or landscape that make it unique.

Example

The country I would like to talk about is Japan, which is located in East Asia. It is an island nation situated in the Pacific Ocean, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Japan is known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and advanced technology.

Cue 2:When you plan to visit this country?

Mention a specific time frame for your visit, such as a particular season or year.
Explain your reasons for choosing that time, like festivals, weather, or personal circumstances.

Example

I plan to visit Japan during the cherry blossom season in April. This is a time when the country is adorned with beautiful pink flowers, and I have always dreamed of experiencing this breathtaking sight in person.

Cue 3:Why you would like to go there?

Share your personal interests that draw you to the country, such as food, culture, or history.
You can also mention any specific places or experiences you are excited about.

Example

I would like to go to Japan because I am fascinated by its unique culture and history. I have always wanted to try authentic sushi and visit historical sites like Kyoto's temples and shrines. Additionally, I am a huge fan of anime and would love to explore Akihabara, the center of otaku culture.

Cue 4:Explain why this is a good country to visit.

Highlight the positive aspects of the country, such as safety, hospitality, and attractions.
Mention any awards or recognitions that make it a popular tourist destination.

Example

Japan is considered a great country to visit because it is known for its safety and cleanliness. The people are incredibly polite and welcoming to tourists. Moreover, there are countless attractions, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, making it a perfect blend of modernity and tradition.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, Japan is a country that I have never visited but would love to explore. With its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and delicious cuisine, I believe it would be an unforgettable experience that I would cherish for a lifetime.

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

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear and unengaging. Avoid general statements that do not provide specific details about the country.

Tip

Use specific examples and details about the country's culture, landmarks, or experiences to make your answer more vivid and interesting.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Failing to address all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. Each cue is important for structuring your response effectively.

Tip

Make sure to answer each cue clearly and in order, ensuring you cover where the country is, when you plan to visit, and why it is appealing.

Lack of Personal Connection

Not sharing personal reasons for wanting to visit can make your response less relatable. Personal stories can engage the listener more.

Tip

Include personal motivations or experiences that connect you to the country, such as cultural interests or travel goals, to enhance your answer.

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.

All Answers

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 7

Band 6-7

Band 6

Well, I have never been to any foreign country, unfortunately, but if given a chance in future, I will definitely move to a country. And it has been my dream to travel around the world and explore things and different cultures. However, it has been my dream since my childhood to travel internationally, where I can see different monuments, different places, which I can share with my friends. And I can proudly say that I have been to this country. Dubai would be the country where I would like to roam around and specifically Burj Khalifa is my dream place where I would like to go in future. I think it's a beautiful destination, one should definitely go there. So if given a chance in future, Dubai will be my dream place or a country where I would like to be there.

Band 6

I would like to talk about Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the nearest foreign country to my state i.e. Karnataka. I am planning to go to Sri Lanka next year i.e. 2026 during monsoon. I intend to visit the forests of Sri Lanka and explore both big and small mammals as well as herbs like snakes, frogs and insects. Sri Lanka has wide variety of wildlife and I would like to take a peek into that. As I am into wildlife photography I would like to cover those critters. Also Sri Lanka has good culture and religious places. I would like to experience those as well. Sri Lanka is currently facing economic boil down and I would like things to settle before I visit there. Sri Lanka has similar culture like ours and share Dravidian language heritage and also some of the cultural aspects like art forms, dance and other things.

Band 6

There are different countries in our world and one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing country in the world is Canada and which is located in North America and one of my wish list is to visit at least once in my lifetime to that particular country Canada. There are lot of things to see and nowadays Canada is a place where most of Indians are going and I wish I could be able to go there once and there is a place where we can saw lot of things and the most interesting thing which attracts me to that particular country is Niagara waterfalls. I used to see that particular waterfalls in a Malayalam movie and while I saw that particular waterfall I was so much interested and fascinated that I wish I would do I must visit that once in my lifetime and it was like very interesting that completely the waters are falling and in one side it was some other country and in one side it was America and it's like such an experience for a person to go and witness that for a lifetime we should travel to some other countries or foreign countries to experience new things and going to English speaking countries are more convenient for a person who is from other country for example English is the world world language and we will be able to convey our thought to somebody else and if we are going to some other specific language countries it will be difficult for that person to convey the things to some other person so it will be an interesting thing if somebody goes to a country which is very good to speak and comfortable so I wish I could go to that particular country

Band 5-6

Band 5

I am planning to move to Germany, which is located in the continent of Europe. It's a very beautiful country and is in the list of 12 countries. I would love to see the cultures, as there are many myths about German people and the straightforwardness of their nature and the work-life balance make the country beautiful.