IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a place where you did an outdoor activity: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 257 words
  • A place
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a place where you did an outdoor activity

You should say:

  • →Where this place is
  • →What activity you did
  • →Who you were with
  • →And explain why you enjoyed doing the activity there

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

A place

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Note the location and activity first to anchor your narrative quickly.

  2. 2

    List three sensory details to make your description vivid and memorable.

  3. 3

    Use a clear transition to connect your activity to the final 'why' point.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8257 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I’d like to talk about a stunning spot called Llyn Padarn in North Wales, which is a glacial lake nestled right at the foot of Snowdonia. It is quite a rugged, picturesque area surrounded by ancient slate quarries, giving it a really dramatic, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Last summer, I decided to go paddleboarding there with a couple of my closest friends. We had been planning this trip for months, wanting to escape the relentless hustle and bustle of London for a weekend of fresh air and solitude. The water was remarkably glassy when we arrived, reflecting the jagged peaks of the mountains like a perfect mirror. We spent the entire morning gliding across the lake on our boards, occasionally stopping to just sit and take in the sheer scale of the landscape. It was incredibly peaceful, with the only sound being the gentle lapping of the water against our boards and the distant calls of local birds. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience because it provided such a profound sense of escapism. Unlike the crowded parks back home, the sheer vastness of the lake made me feel like we were the only people on earth. There was something deeply meditative about the physical exertion of paddling combined with the crisp, cool air. It wasn't just about the activity itself; it was the combination of the solitude, the breathtaking scenery, and the companionship that made the entire afternoon so rejuvenating. It felt like a rare opportunity to fully disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature in its rawest form.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • glacial

    Formed or affected by the movement of glaciers.

  • nestled

    Settled comfortably within a surrounding or sheltered position.

  • hustle and bustle

    The busy and noisy activity of city life.

  • glassy

    Smooth and clear like the surface of glass.

  • jagged

    Having rough, sharp points or irregular edges.

  • escapism

    Seeking distraction from unpleasant or boring daily reality.

  • meditative

    Involving or allowing for deep, calm, focused thought.

  • rejuvenating

    Making someone feel fresh, new, or full energy.

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
  2. 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
  3. 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
  4. 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
  5. 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a place where you did an outdoor activity"?+

Note the location and activity first to anchor your narrative quickly.

How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+

You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

How is the cue card scored?+

Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.

Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

Keep practising

More cue cards: a place

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