Describe a market that you have visited
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 market that you have visited.
You should say:
- where the market is
- what is sold there
- what you did there
and explain what you like or dislike about the market.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
259 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The market I would like to describe is the Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent, which is one of the oldest and largest markets in Central Asia. I go there whenever my family has guests, because it is the perfect place to buy fruit, spices and traditional sweets.
The market is under a huge blue dome, and around it there are hundreds of stalls. Inside the main building, you can find meat, dairy products and fresh bread, and outside there are fruit, nuts and vegetables in enormous piles. The dried fruit section is my favourite. The sellers let you taste apricots, raisins and nuts before you buy, and they are very good at making you purchase more than you intended. On my last visit, I went with my mother, and we spent almost two hours walking around, comparing prices and trying samples. I bought a kilo of walnuts, some honey and a bunch of fresh herbs.
What I like about the market is its energy and the freshness of the food. Everything is cheaper and tastes much better than in supermarkets, and the sellers are usually friendly and happy to chat. You also learn a lot about local life just by watching people talk and bargain. However, there are a few things I do not like. It can be extremely crowded and noisy, especially at weekends, and sometimes it is difficult to find a place to park. Also, you have to be careful with your belongings. Despite these drawbacks, I still think it is an unmissable experience for anyone who visits.
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 |
|---|---|
| fresh produce | recently picked fruit and vegetables |
| haggle | argue about a price to make it lower |
| a stall | a small table or stand where goods are sold |
| local delicacies | special foods of a region |
| a colourful display | an attractive arrangement of bright items |
| deafening noise | extremely loud sound |
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 big food market in your own city
- A night market or bazaar you saw while travelling
- A weekend flea market where people sell second-hand things
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhere the market is
- 25 swhat is sold there
- 25 swhat you did there
- 45 sand explain what you like or dislike about the market.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Markets and trade. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do some people prefer buying from markets rather than supermarkets?
- Are traditional markets becoming less popular in your country?
- Is bargaining a good way of buying things?
- What are the benefits of buying locally produced food?
- How do markets help tourists understand a place?
- Do you think online shopping will replace traditional markets?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Places
- Describe a place that you would like to visit in the future
- Describe a place in another country that you have visited
- Describe a famous building in your country
- Describe a place where you spent a lot of time as a child
- Describe a school that you attended when you were younger
- Describe a place in your town or city that has changed a lot over the years
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe a place in an IELTS cue card?
Choose a place you have actually been to. Give its location quickly, then describe it with your senses: what you saw, heard and did there. Close with how you felt or why you would go back. A real visit gives you details that sound natural.
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