IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe an ideal place where you would stay: 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.
  • 259 words
  • A place
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe an ideal place where you would stay

You should say:

  • →Where it would be
  • →What it would look like
  • →What facilities it would have
  • →And explain why it would be your ideal place

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 down three adjectives to describe the location's atmosphere before choosing the specific building.

  2. 2

    Draft a brief sequence: location, exterior appearance, interior facilities, and emotional connection.

  3. 3

    Use your one minute to select one unique facility that makes the place feel special.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8259 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

If I could choose an ideal place to stay, it would be a secluded, eco-friendly cabin nestled deep in the Scottish Highlands, specifically near the shores of Loch Lomond. The structure itself would be a blend of traditional stone masonry and modern floor-to-ceiling glass, designed to invite the rugged landscape inside. Inside, it would feature a minimalist aesthetic with reclaimed oak flooring, a roaring wood-burning stove, and a library wall filled with vintage paperbacks. In terms of facilities, it would be entirely off-grid, powered by a discreet solar array and a gravity-fed water system. There would be a spacious, wrap-around deck equipped with a wood-fired hot tub, perfect for stargazing on clear, crisp nights. A high-speed satellite internet connection would be the only concession to the modern world, just in case I felt the urge to work on a creative project. This place would be my ultimate sanctuary because of the profound stillness it offers. Living in a bustling city, I am constantly bombarded by sensory overload, so the idea of waking up to nothing but the sound of wind through heather is incredibly appealing. It is the kind of environment that fosters introspection and allows me to disconnect from the frantic pace of daily life. Being surrounded by such raw, untamed nature would provide a much-needed mental reset, enabling me to focus on my writing and mindfulness. Ultimately, it is not just about the physical comfort of the cabin, but the psychological restoration that comes from being truly immersed in a landscape that has remained unchanged for centuries.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • secluded

    Hidden away from view and very quiet

  • masonry

    The craft of building with stone materials

  • reclaimed

    Material that has been recovered and reused

  • off-grid

    Not connected to the main utility services

  • stargazing

    Observing the stars and night sky patterns

  • sensory overload

    When your senses receive more than manageable

  • introspection

    The examination of one's own internal thoughts

  • untamed

    In a natural, wild, and uncultivated state

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 an ideal place where you would stay"?+

Note down three adjectives to describe the location's atmosphere before choosing the specific building.

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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