Describe an ideal and perfect place where you would like to stay (e.g. a house, an apartment): IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where it would be
What it would look like
What special features it would have
Whether it would be big or small

4 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific features make your balcony special to you?

My balcony is special because it offers a serene space with fresh air and a beautiful view. It's a perfect spot for relaxation and enjoying nature, especially during pleasant weather. I love to sip my morning coffee there while listening to the sounds of birds.

How do you think spending time at home affects your well-being?

Spending time at home significantly boosts my well-being. It provides a sense of comfort and security. Being surrounded by family and engaging in activities like watching movies together creates lasting memories and strengthens our bonds, which is essential for my mental health.

What activities do you enjoy doing with your family at home?

I enjoy various activities with my family, such as movie nights, playing board games, and cooking together. These activities foster a sense of togetherness and create joyful moments that we cherish. It's a great way to unwind and connect with each other.

Band 6

00:00

The ideal and perfect place for me to stay, I would say that house, because I used to, I mean like, most of my childhood I lived in a house, so I like to be, stay in house, because house is a place where we can live happily, like, we can live individually, without any disturbance, a house should be like, big, with good sort of sunlight, with a garden, with playground for children, and I would like the house to be like, away from the city, away from the city without this pollution and these things, with a good nature surrounding my house, and I would like to build it in a different way like that, it has most of these things, what we call,

Follow up questions

What features do you think are essential for a perfect house?

I believe essential features for a perfect house include ample space, natural light, a garden, and a peaceful environment. A well-designed layout that promotes comfort and functionality is also important, along with good insulation and energy efficiency to ensure a cozy atmosphere.

How does living in a house differ from living in an apartment?

Living in a house offers more privacy and space compared to an apartment. In a house, you can have your own garden and outdoor space, which is great for relaxation and activities. Apartments, on the other hand, may provide more amenities but often come with noise and less personal space.

Why do you think being away from the city is important for your ideal home?

Being away from the city is important for my ideal home because it allows for a quieter, more peaceful lifestyle. It reduces exposure to pollution and noise, providing a healthier environment. Additionally, living close to nature enhances well-being and offers opportunities for outdoor activities.

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 5-6

00:00

It is a time to discuss my favorite interesting place is my home because we are living in a apartment that are so big they have 3 BHK apartment system and in my apartment system I like dining room very well because I live in drawing room living room so that is why I like because in my spare time I leave so much time in my dining room that is why I like too much and in my apartment there are many facilities like water facilities parking facilities and that is it.

Follow up questions

What features make your apartment ideal for you?

My apartment is ideal because it has spacious rooms, a well-equipped dining area, and essential facilities like water and parking. The layout allows for comfortable living, and the dining room is a perfect space for family gatherings and relaxation.

How do you think living in an apartment differs from living in a house?

Living in an apartment offers convenience and community, while a house provides more privacy and space. Apartments often have shared amenities, which can foster social interactions, but houses typically allow for more personal freedom and outdoor space.

What activities do you enjoy doing in your ideal living space?

In my ideal living space, I enjoy hosting family dinners in the dining room, relaxing in the living room, and spending time with friends. The spaciousness allows for various activities, from casual gatherings to quiet reading time.

Band 5-6

00:00

right yes the place is absolutely in the united states that will my house the house home size is tremendous massively bigger rooms rest of the all place is such a notice there is a top floor balcony that place special is i stand with i eat some spices and drink and smoke and sighting and staring in a good way next to my house girls the house plays in little far to my university it's around three kilometers i am traveling in car to that place to here and the house plays in a variety of girls is there in the morning time i look first the girls in the evening time i look the girls afternoon also in night time i say good night to the girls and sleep with the girl because the place is such a phenomenal happening in the night time i'm doing some stuff with my girlfriend in my bedroom and also the special feature is there is a glass wall in my house also screen is inside when i want the rainy time i'm open the screen there are lots of bags also there astonishing things are happened because of the lake is a little ahead there in my house there is a fish jumping in the raining time the kids are

Follow up questions

What features make your ideal house special?

My ideal house has a top floor balcony where I can relax and enjoy the view. The glass wall is also a unique feature, allowing me to connect with nature, especially during rainy days when I can watch the fish jumping in the lake.

How does the location of your house affect your daily life?

Living three kilometers from my university means I can easily commute by car. The vibrant atmosphere around my house, with various activities and people, makes my daily life exciting and enjoyable, especially in the evenings.

What activities do you enjoy doing in your ideal place?

In my ideal place, I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend, especially in the evenings. We often relax in my bedroom or on the balcony, enjoying the view and the lively environment around us, which adds to the overall experience.

Show all 4 answers

Cue 1:Where it would be

Begin by specifying the location, such as a city or a specific neighborhood that appeals to you.
Mention why this location is ideal for you, considering factors like proximity to work, schools, or nature.

Example

I would love to stay in a serene neighborhood in Bangalore, close to the lush greenery of Cubbon Park. This location is perfect for me as it offers a peaceful environment while still being accessible to my workplace and local amenities.

Cue 2:What it would look like

Describe the architectural style and the overall aesthetic of the place.
Include details about the interior design and how it reflects your personal taste.

Example

My ideal home would be a modern apartment with large windows that allow plenty of natural light. I envision a minimalist design with soft colors and elegant furniture that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Cue 3:What special features it would have

Highlight unique aspects that make the place special, such as a garden, balcony, or smart home technology.
Explain how these features enhance your living experience.

Example

One of the standout features of my ideal home would be a spacious balcony filled with plants, where I can enjoy my morning tea. Additionally, I would love to have a small home office equipped with the latest technology to support my work-from-home needs.

Cue 4:Whether it would be big or small

Clarify the size of the place and why that size is suitable for you.
Discuss how the size affects your lifestyle and comfort.

Example

I prefer a medium-sized apartment, not too big but spacious enough to accommodate my needs. This size allows for a cozy living space without feeling overwhelming, making it easier to maintain and enjoy.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about your ideal place, reinforcing why it is perfect for you.
Express your feelings about living in such a place and how it would enhance your life.

Example

In conclusion, my ideal home in a peaceful Bangalore neighborhood, with its modern design, special features like a balcony and home office, and a comfortable size, would truly enhance my quality of life. I can already imagine the joy of living in such a perfect space.

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: Being Vague and General

Avoid giving vague answers that lack detail. Speaking generally about an ideal place without specifics can make your response less engaging and informative.