Describe A Place In Your Country That You Think Is Interesting: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where is it?
How did you know it?
What special features does it have?
And explain why you think it is interesting.

49 unique answers with expert feedback

What other places in Mumbai do you find interesting?

Apart from Marine Drive, I find places like Gateway of India and Juhu Beach interesting. Gateway of India is a historical monument with a rich history, while Juhu Beach offers a vibrant atmosphere with street food and local culture. Both places have their unique charm and attract many visitors.

How does Marine Drive compare to other beaches in India?

Marine Drive is unique because of its urban setting and stunning skyline. Unlike many beaches in India that are more secluded, Marine Drive offers a blend of city life and natural beauty. The accessibility and the vibrant atmosphere make it stand out compared to other beaches like Goa or Varkala.

What activities do people usually do at Marine Drive?

People at Marine Drive often enjoy walking, jogging, or simply sitting and relaxing. It's common to see families having picnics, couples enjoying the sunset, and friends gathering to chat. The area is also popular for street food, with vendors selling snacks and refreshments along the promenade.

Band 7

00:00

A place in my country that I think interesting is the very own place I live in, a city in Tamil Nadu, India, Madurai, Madurai is known for its rich heritage and culture and for the traditions we follow. The city is filled with rich art and architecture. It is also known as the place where the language Tamil was born. The city has so many beautiful temples which is why it has got the nickname as temple city. As we dig deeper into the city, we realize this place not only has beautiful temples, it is also a food hub. Truly food lovers can enjoy this place. They can find variety of dishes here. They can dive into various local activities and one of the most famous activities is Jallikattu, which you can watch during every summer. The shops, the artifacts here will capture your heart forever. It will make you to stay here for more than the time you would like.

Follow up questions

What are some famous temples in Madurai?

Some famous temples in Madurai include the Meenakshi Amman Temple, which is renowned for its stunning architecture and intricate sculptures. Another notable temple is the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, which is one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan and is famous for its rock-cut architecture.

Can you describe a local dish that visitors should try?

One local dish that visitors should try is 'Idli', a steamed rice cake served with coconut chutney and sambar. Another must-try is 'Kari Dosa', a crispy rice crepe filled with spicy meat or vegetables. These dishes reflect the rich culinary heritage of Madurai and are a delight for food lovers.

What cultural activities can tourists participate in?

Tourists can participate in various cultural activities such as attending traditional dance performances, visiting local markets, and experiencing festivals like Pongal. Additionally, witnessing Jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport, offers a unique insight into the local culture and traditions.

Band 7

00:00

I live in India. A place in India I like the most is Dehradun. It is a city in Uttarakhand and it is also the capital of Uttarakhand. I love the weather of Dehradun. I have known this place because I studied there for 9 months in my post graduate diploma course. The place has vibrant cultures. Half of the population were Nepalese. The place integrates the cultures of India and Nepal including for a better remarkable cultural significance. The socio-cultural events are held once in a while. The most magnificent part in Dehradun is that it is surrounded by large hills. The hill station present in Dehradun is Masuri. Masuri is also termed as the queen of hills. It has vibrant trees, a lot of flora and fauna. In addition to this, there are a lot of waterfalls which will be flowing at the height of 1000 meters which is extensively flowing waterfall all over the year. The climate in Dehradun is quite appreciable. These are the factors that made me interested in Dehradun.

Follow up questions

What activities can visitors enjoy in Dehradun?

Visitors to Dehradun can enjoy trekking in the hills, exploring local markets, visiting historical sites, and experiencing the vibrant cultural festivals. The nearby hill station, Mussoorie, offers additional activities like boating and sightseeing, making it a popular destination for tourists.

How does the culture in Dehradun differ from other cities in India?

Dehradun's culture is unique due to its significant Nepalese population, which influences local traditions, cuisine, and festivals. This blend of Indian and Nepalese cultures creates a rich tapestry of customs and practices that may differ from other cities in India, where the cultural influences are more homogenous.

What are some famous dishes from Dehradun?

Dehradun is known for its delicious local cuisine, including dishes like Aloo ke Gutke, which are spiced potatoes, and various types of momos, which are dumplings influenced by Nepalese cuisine. Additionally, the city offers a variety of street food that reflects its diverse cultural heritage.

Practice other cue cards

Describe a place in your country or part of your country that you would like to recommend to visitors/travelers

View answers

Describe an unusual but interesting building you would like to visit

View answers

Describe a tourist attraction that very few people visit but you think is interesting

View answers

Describe A Quiet Place You Like To Go

View answers

Describe a place in your country or part of your country that you would like to recommend to visitors/travellers

View answers

Describe a place you have been to and would like to recommend others to live there (not your hometown)

View answers

Describe a place with a lot of trees that you would like to visit (e.g. a forest, oasis)

View answers

Band 6-7

00:00

Once, I once stayed at Lapland, which is a popular place for a business trip. Then I saw the charming of Lapland. It was a great moment to stay with a member of Lapland. And there I saw the beauty, I saw the beautiful beauty of this place. And there was a special kind of living, a beautiful language, which was amazing. And they were providing every kind of facilities as we said before, to provide to the strangers. And when I got the bonus of the wedding, they provided hospitality without even a cost. So this was a long lasting impression on me, that their behavior, their attitude, is not a type of greatness like we thought there was in India.

Follow up questions

What specific activities did you enjoy while in Lapland?

During my stay in Lapland, I enjoyed various activities such as exploring the stunning landscapes, participating in local traditions, and experiencing the unique culture. I also had the chance to try traditional foods and engage with the locals, which made my visit even more memorable.

How does Lapland compare to other places you've visited in India?

Lapland is quite different from places in India. While India has its own rich culture and history, Lapland offers a unique blend of nature and hospitality. The serene environment and the warmth of the locals left a lasting impression on me, contrasting with the bustling cities in India.

What aspects of Lapland's culture did you find most fascinating?

I found the language and the way of life in Lapland to be incredibly fascinating. The locals have a deep connection with nature, and their customs reflect that. Their hospitality and the way they treat visitors with kindness and respect stood out to me, making it a truly unique experience.

Band 6-7

00:00

So, my favorite place in the country is Delhi, which is the national capital of India. I got to know about Delhi and its various heritages when I was 5 years old. Delhi is situated in between Huff Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh. It is a place rich in cultural heritage and is filled with warm people. I love to visit Delhi because it consists of n number of historical forts. Furthermore, in addition to all the monuments which I have explored in Delhi, there are various other monuments which I have not yet explored. So, I want to go to Delhi again. I am a huge Mughal era fan and I also want to visit Akbar Fort and obviously the Taj Mahal which is situated in Agra. In addition to this, even though people say that Delhi is very not healthy, I personally think it will be healthy if people just take awareness to their surroundings.

Follow up questions

What other historical places in Delhi would you recommend to visitors?

Apart from the forts, I would recommend visiting India Gate, Qutub Minar, and Humayun's Tomb. Each of these sites has its own unique history and architectural beauty. They reflect the rich heritage of Delhi and are must-see attractions for anyone visiting the city.

How do you think Delhi's culture influences its cuisine?

Delhi's culture is incredibly diverse, which is reflected in its cuisine. You can find a mix of traditional North Indian dishes, street food, and international cuisine. The vibrant food scene showcases the city's history and the various communities that have settled there over time.

What steps do you think can be taken to improve the healthiness of Delhi?

To improve healthiness in Delhi, awareness campaigns about pollution and waste management are essential. Encouraging public transport, planting more trees, and promoting a cleaner environment can significantly enhance the city's air quality and overall health for its residents.

Show all 49 answers

Cue 1:Where is it?

Begin by stating the name of the place and its location in your country.
Provide some context about the region or city it is in, mentioning any notable landmarks nearby.

Example

The place I find interesting is the city of Jaipur, located in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is famously known as the Pink City due to the distinct color of its buildings. Jaipur is surrounded by beautiful hills and is part of the larger Golden Triangle tourist circuit.

Cue 2:How did you know it?

Share a personal story about how you first learned about this place.
Mention if it was through travel, school, or perhaps a recommendation from friends or family.

Example

I first heard about Jaipur during a school project on Indian heritage sites. Later, I visited the city with my family during a summer vacation, which made me appreciate its rich history and culture even more.

Cue 3:What special features does it have?

Highlight the unique aspects of the place, such as architecture, festivals, or local cuisine.
Mention any specific attractions that stand out, like forts, palaces, or markets.

Example

Jaipur is home to several stunning forts and palaces, such as the Amer Fort and the City Palace. The intricate architecture and vibrant markets, like Johari Bazaar, are filled with beautiful handicrafts and traditional jewelry, making it a shopper's paradise.

Cue 4:And explain why you think it is interesting.

Discuss your personal feelings about the place and what makes it special to you.
Connect its historical significance or cultural richness to your own experiences.

Example

I find Jaipur interesting because it beautifully blends history with modernity. The stories behind the forts and the vibrant culture of the local people make it a fascinating place to explore. Every time I visit, I discover something new, whether it's a hidden café or a local festival.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, Jaipur is not just a city; it's a treasure trove of history and culture. Its unique features and the warmth of its people make it a place I always look forward to visiting again.

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 place, which can lead to a lack of interest from the examiner.

Tip

Include specific features, such as landmarks or activities, to create 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: location, how you learned about it, special features, and why it interests you.

Overly Simple Language

Using overly simple or repetitive language can make your response sound unprepared. This can limit your ability to showcase your language skills.

Tip

Use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures to express your thoughts more clearly and engagingly.

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.