Describe A Natural Place (E.G., Parks, Mountains): IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
Where is it, and when did you see it?
Did you go with someone?
How did you feel after visiting that place?

42 unique answers with expert feedback

What activities do you enjoy doing at the beach besides swimming?

Besides swimming, I love to play beach volleyball with friends, build sandcastles, and sometimes go for a long walk along the shore. I also enjoy reading a book while listening to the sound of the waves, which adds to the relaxing atmosphere.

How do you think spending time in nature affects your mood?

Spending time in nature, especially at the beach, has a very positive effect on my mood. It helps me feel more relaxed and less stressed. The sound of the waves and the fresh air rejuvenate my mind, making me feel happier and more at peace.

Are there any environmental issues affecting the beaches in your area?

Yes, there are some environmental issues like pollution and littering that affect the beaches. Sometimes, after a busy weekend, the beach can be quite dirty. I believe it's important for everyone to take responsibility and keep our beaches clean to preserve their beauty.

Band 7

00:00

Here I would like to talk about the place Shimla, a charming hill station I visited recently, which is a very good place surrounded by the majestic beauty of Himalayas. Shimla's picturesque landscapes and cool climate offer a refreshing change from urban showers. The town's vibrant culture, friendly locals, and to its appeal, make it an ideal place to visit there. With its breathtaking views and serene atmosphere, Shimla is truly a heaven for those who are looking to escape and rejuvenate.

Follow up questions

What activities can visitors enjoy in Shimla?

Visitors to Shimla can enjoy a variety of activities such as trekking, skiing in winter, and exploring local markets. The scenic views make it perfect for photography, while the pleasant climate allows for leisurely walks in the beautiful parks and gardens.

How does Shimla compare to other natural places you've visited?

Shimla stands out due to its unique combination of stunning mountain views and a rich cultural heritage. Unlike other natural places I've visited, Shimla offers both tranquility and vibrant local life, making it a perfect blend of nature and culture.

What impact does tourism have on Shimla's environment?

Tourism in Shimla brings economic benefits but also poses challenges like pollution and habitat disruption. It's crucial for local authorities to implement sustainable practices to preserve the natural beauty while accommodating visitors.

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.

Band 7

00:00

The natural place that I would like to talk about is mountains. Firstly, I would say about a place that I visited years ago. If I am right, it was 4-5 years ago. A place called Wayanad in Kerala had enormous mountain views and scenic beauties. I visited a mountain called Calvary Mount in Wayanad which was so beautiful. It was filled with a large landscape, a lot of flowers and trees which gave it a naturalistic view. The scene that I saw was from the top of the mountain. When we look to the bottom, we can see a river flowing and some trees beside that with a warm blue colour which really blew my mind. I am really into these kind of views and I went with my friend. We went for a camp which was a 3-day one. I really enjoyed that view. I couldn't ever imagine such a view before in my life. This is something that I would never forget ever in my life. It created an unbelievable feel inside me. It really made me visit it again.

Follow up questions

What activities did you do while camping in the mountains?

During the camping trip, we explored the surrounding areas, went hiking, and enjoyed the breathtaking views. We also spent time around the campfire, sharing stories and enjoying the tranquility of nature. It was a great way to connect with friends and appreciate the beauty of the mountains.

How do you think nature impacts our well-being?

Nature has a profound impact on our well-being. It helps reduce stress, boosts mood, and enhances creativity. Being in natural surroundings, like mountains, allows us to disconnect from our busy lives and recharge. It promotes mindfulness and a sense of peace, which is essential for mental health.

Would you recommend visiting mountains to others?

Absolutely! I would highly recommend visiting mountains to anyone. The experience of being surrounded by nature, the fresh air, and the stunning views are truly rejuvenating. It's a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, and it offers a unique opportunity for adventure and relaxation.

Band 7

00:00

A natural place that I visit quite often is the park near my home. It's called Kuvampu Park and it's located around the corner of my house. I was always aware of it when I moved here. Sorry, when I moved to my current home. But I would never frequent it. As I grew older and health issues started to affect my life, my mother suggested that I go to the park to get a bit of fresh air and to keep myself fit. She also used to go for walks after her work was complete around the evening. That was also a time during which I was free and she would always, always ask me to accompany her to the park. It was only after my mental health took a dive that I decided to take her up on her advice and started accompanying her to the park. Initially, it was quite hard to make it a habit as I was not used to physically pushing my boundaries and staying consistent in building routines or habits. But as the day progressed, as the days progressed, I noticed that it did affect the way I thought. It gave me a lot of clarity. I was able to be a little, I was calmer too in my day to day functioning. And seeing other people from different walks of life share the same space as me also made me feel very grounded and very connected to everybody.

Follow up questions

What activities do you enjoy doing in the park?

In the park, I enjoy walking, jogging, and sometimes reading a book on a bench. I also like to observe the different people and their activities, which adds to the experience. Occasionally, I join my mother for her evening walks, and we often have deep conversations while enjoying the fresh air.

How do you think nature impacts mental health?

Nature has a profound impact on mental health. Being in natural surroundings like parks can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being. For me, spending time in Kuvampu Park has helped me feel more relaxed and connected, allowing me to clear my mind and gain perspective on my thoughts.

Have you noticed any changes in the park over time?

Yes, I've noticed some changes in Kuvampu Park over the years. There have been improvements in the landscaping, more benches added, and even some community events organized. These changes have made the park more inviting and have encouraged more people to visit, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Band 7

00:00

The natural place which I have recently visited is Manali. I went to Manali in 2024 May. I went with my friends and family. It is a hill station situated in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is portrayed with stunning landscape, luscious valleys and green trees and snowy mountains. The particular place gave me the feelings of living in and around the nature. The place is fully covered by snow-capped mountains, trees, valleys, waterfalls and rivers. So, all of this gave me a pleasant experience which took me to the ecstasy of living in heaven. I loved this place and we had a lot of adventurous activities such as skiing, tube sliding, etc. We had fun together and we enjoyed the delicious food.

Follow up questions

What activities did you enjoy the most in Manali?

I particularly enjoyed skiing and tube sliding the most. The thrill of skiing down the slopes was exhilarating, and tube sliding was a lot of fun as we raced down the snowy hills together. These activities really brought us closer and created unforgettable memories.

How did the natural beauty of Manali affect your mood?

The natural beauty of Manali had a profound effect on my mood. Being surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush valleys made me feel peaceful and rejuvenated. It was a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, and I felt truly connected to nature.

Would you recommend visiting Manali to others? Why?

Absolutely! I would highly recommend visiting Manali. The breathtaking landscapes, adventurous activities, and the overall serene environment make it a perfect getaway. It's a place where you can relax, have fun, and enjoy the beauty of nature with friends and family.

Show all 42 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Begin by clearly identifying the natural place you want to describe, such as a park or mountain.
Include some unique features or characteristics that make this place special.

Example

The natural place I want to describe is the beautiful Nainital Lake, located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. It's a stunning crescent-shaped lake surrounded by lush green hills, and it's known for its serene beauty and boating activities.

Cue 2:Where is it, and when did you see it?

Mention the location of the place and provide context about when you visited it.
Share any specific memories or events that made your visit memorable.

Example

I visited Nainital Lake last summer during my family vacation. We traveled there in June, and the weather was perfect for exploring the outdoors. The cool breeze and clear skies made the experience even more enjoyable.

Cue 3:Did you go with someone?

Explain who you went with and the significance of their company during the visit.
Share any activities you did together that enhanced your experience.

Example

I went with my parents and younger sister. We spent the day boating on the lake, which was a lot of fun. My sister and I enjoyed splashing water at each other while my parents relaxed and took pictures of the beautiful scenery.

Cue 4:How did you feel after visiting that place?

Reflect on your emotions and thoughts after the visit.
Discuss any lasting impressions or lessons learned from the experience.

Example

After visiting Nainital Lake, I felt incredibly refreshed and grateful for the beauty of nature. The peaceful environment allowed me to unwind and bond with my family. It reminded me of the importance of taking breaks from our busy lives to appreciate the natural world.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, Nainital Lake is not just a beautiful natural place; it holds cherished memories for me and my family. The experience taught me to value nature and the time spent with loved ones, making it a visit I will always remember.

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 less engaging. Candidates often fail to provide specific details about the natural place, which can lead to a lack of clarity.

Tip

Use descriptive language and specific examples to paint a vivid picture of the place you are describing.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Not addressing all the cues can result in an incomplete answer. Candidates sometimes focus on one aspect and neglect others, which can affect their score.

Tip

Make sure to answer all the cues in a structured manner to provide a comprehensive response.

Overly Short Answers

Providing overly short answers can make it seem like you lack knowledge or interest. Candidates often give one-sentence responses that do not fully explore the topic.

Tip

Expand on your answers by adding personal feelings, experiences, and reflections to create a more engaging narrative.