Describe a bicycle, car or other vehicle that you have used regularly
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a bicycle, car or other vehicle that you have used regularly.
You should say:
- what kind of vehicle it is
- who it belongs to
- how you use it
and explain how you feel about using this vehicle.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
272 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
I would like to talk about my bicycle, which I have had for about four years. It's a dark green city bike with a basket on the front and a small bell, and I bought it second-hand from a neighbour for around sixty dollars.
I use it nearly every day for short trips. Normally I ride from home to university, which takes about twenty minutes, whereas the bus takes at least forty because of traffic and waiting. I also cycle to the market, to the gym and to see friends in other districts of the city. At weekends, I sometimes go for longer rides along the river with a group of friends. We follow a path that is closed to cars, so it's safe and pleasant. Because the bicycle is old, it needs repairs from time to time, and I have learned how to change the tyre and adjust the brakes, which is a useful skill.
I feel very positive about using it. First of all, it gives me a real sense of freedom, since I'm not dependent on timetables or traffic jams. Second, it's good exercise, and I think it has made me fitter and more energetic. Third, it is cheap and environmentally friendly, which matters to me. I've calculated that I save a significant amount of money every month on bus fares. Of course, there are some drawbacks, such as bad weather in winter and the lack of cycle lanes in some parts of the city, which can make it a bit dangerous. But overall, I love riding, and I can't imagine going back to the bus for every journey.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| run smoothly | work without problems |
| fuel-efficient | using little petrol or diesel |
| commute | travel regularly between home and work or school |
| a sense of freedom | the feeling of being able to go anywhere |
| rush-hour traffic | heavy traffic at the busiest times of day |
| cycle lane | a part of the road reserved for bicycles |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- A bicycle you rode to school every day
- Your family car that has been on road trips
- A scooter or motorbike belonging to a friend
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat kind of vehicle it is
- 25 swho it belongs to
- 25 show you use it
- 45 sand explain how you feel about using this vehicle.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Transport and the environment. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why are more and more people choosing to cycle in cities?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a private car?
- How could cities encourage people to use public transport?
- Do you think electric vehicles will replace petrol cars?
- Is it safe to cycle on the roads in your country?
- How will transport change in the next few decades?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Objects
- Describe a gift you received that was special to you
- Describe a photograph that is special to you
- Describe a souvenir that you bought while travelling
- Describe a musical instrument that you can play or would like to learn to play
- Describe something you really wanted to buy but decided not to
- Describe a piece of technology that you use often
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe an object in an IELTS cue card?
Say what it is and how you got it, then talk about how you use it and one moment when it mattered. Objects run out of description fast, so the story around the object is what fills the two minutes.
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