Describe your ideal home or place to live.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where would it be?
How big it would be?
What would it include?

57 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific features would you include in your ideal backyard?

In my ideal backyard, I would include a beautiful garden with a variety of flowers, a small vegetable patch, and a cozy seating area with a fire pit. I would also love to have a treehouse for the kids and perhaps a small pond with some fish to create a serene environment.

How important is the location of your ideal home to you?

The location is extremely important to me. Living near the countryside or a hill station allows me to connect with nature, enjoy fresh air, and have a peaceful environment. It also provides opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and bird watching, which I cherish.

What activities would you enjoy doing with your family in your ideal home?

In my ideal home, I would enjoy having family game nights, cooking together, and hosting barbecues in the backyard. We would also have movie nights by the pool and spend time gardening or exploring nature trails nearby, creating lasting memories together.

Band 7

00:00

An ideal home is a place where I can feel comfortable, relaxed and truly myself. For me it doesn't have to be extravagant but it should reflect my personality and meet my needs. A ideal home would be spacious yet cozy, located in a quiet and peaceful area, preferably close to nature. I imagine a modern design with large windows to let in plenty of natural light and a beautiful garden where I can grow flowers and vegetables. The living room would have comfortable furniture, a large bookshelf, a corner dedicated to art and hobbies. The kitchen would be well equipped and open as I enjoy cooking and entertaining guests. Upstairs there would be a bedroom with a balcony, offering a scenic view, a home office for work and learning and a small gym to stay active. What makes this home ideal is a balance between functionality and relaxation. It would provide space for both productivity and leisure. Being close to nature would help me stay calm, focused while modern interiors would make a daily life convenient.

Follow up questions

What specific features would you include in your garden?

In my garden, I would include a variety of flowers for color and fragrance, as well as a vegetable patch for fresh produce. I would also like a small seating area to relax and enjoy the surroundings, perhaps with a water feature to enhance the tranquil atmosphere.

How important is location when choosing a home?

Location is extremely important to me. I prefer a quiet area close to nature, as it contributes to my overall well-being. Being near parks or hiking trails allows me to enjoy outdoor activities and helps me maintain a peaceful lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

What role does interior design play in your ideal home?

Interior design plays a significant role in my ideal home. I envision modern aesthetics with a warm color palette that reflects my personality. The layout should be open and inviting, with spaces that encourage creativity and relaxation, making it a perfect blend of style and comfort.

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.

Besides yoga, I enjoy activities like hiking, snorkeling, and cycling. Exploring nature trails and discovering new places is exhilarating. I also love water sports, such as kayaking and paddleboarding, which are perfect for a beachside lifestyle. These activities keep me active and connected to nature.

Show all 57 answers

Cue 1:Where would it be?

Begin by specifying the location, such as a city or a countryside area.
Mention why this location appeals to you, considering factors like climate, culture, and accessibility.

Example

My ideal home would be located in the serene hills of Uttarakhand. I love the peaceful environment and the beautiful views of nature that this region offers, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Cue 2:How big it would be?

Describe the size of your home, including the number of rooms and overall space.
Explain why you chose this size, considering your lifestyle and needs.

Example

I envision a spacious three-bedroom house with a large living area and a garden. This size is perfect for my family, providing enough room for everyone while still feeling cozy.

Cue 3:What would it include?

List specific features or amenities you would like in your home, such as a garden, balcony, or modern kitchen.
Discuss how these features would enhance your living experience.

Example

My ideal home would include a modern kitchen with all the latest appliances, a cozy reading nook by the window, and a beautiful garden where I can relax and grow my own vegetables. These features would make my home not just a place to live, but a sanctuary.

Conclusion

Summarize your ideal home by reiterating its location, size, and key features.
Express how this home would fulfill your personal and emotional needs.

Example

In conclusion, my ideal home in the hills of Uttarakhand, with its spacious design and beautiful features, would provide me with the perfect blend of comfort and tranquility, making it a true haven for my family.

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 About Location

Candidates often give unclear or general answers about where their ideal home would be. This can make the response less engaging and informative.

Tip

Be specific about the location. Mention a city, country, or type of environment (like beach or mountains) to create a clearer picture.

2: Neglecting Size Details

Many candidates fail to describe the size of their ideal home, which can lead to a lack of depth in their answer. Size is an important aspect of a home.

Tip

Include specific dimensions or comparisons, such as 'a spacious three-bedroom house' or 'a cozy apartment with a large living room' to enhance your description.

Listing Without Explanation

Some candidates simply list features of their ideal home without explaining why these features are important to them. This can make the response feel flat.