Describe a plant that you have at home or that you like
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 plant that you have at home or that you like.
You should say:
- what the plant is
- where you keep it
- how you look after it
and explain why you like this plant.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
279 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
A plant that I have at home and really like is a lemon tree that my father bought for me about four years ago. It's about a metre tall now, and it stands in a large pot next to the window in my bedroom.
When he brought it home, it was just a thin stem with a few leaves. He said that it was a good project for me because it was easy to look after, but it would teach me responsibility. Since then, I have been looking after it. I water it twice a week, turn the pot regularly so that all the leaves get sunlight and give it special fertiliser once a month. In winter, I make sure the room does not get too cold. For the first two years, it only grew leaves, and I was almost ready to give up, but last spring, it suddenly produced small white flowers with a lovely smell, and by the autumn, we had three real lemons. They were small but very juicy, and we used them in tea.
I like this plant for many reasons. First of all, it's attractive. The leaves are glossy and dark green, and the flowers have a delicate scent which fills the room. Second, it has a practical side because I can use its fruit. Third, it gives me a sense of achievement. Watching it grow slowly taught me patience, as plants do not respond to hurry. And finally, it's calming. When I'm tired after studying, I look at the tree, touch the leaves and feel more relaxed. I'm thinking of buying a few more plants, so that my room becomes a little jungle.
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 |
|---|---|
| water regularly | give a plant water at fixed times |
| thrive | grow strongly and healthily |
| green fingers | a natural ability to grow plants well |
| in bloom | with flowers open |
| potted plant | a plant growing in a container |
| a splash of colour | a small area of bright colour |
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 cactus or succulent that needs little care
- A flowering plant on your balcony
- A herb such as mint or basil that you use in cooking
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the plant is
- 25 swhere you keep it
- 25 show you look after it
- 45 sand explain why you like this plant.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Plants, gardening and the environment. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why are more and more people keeping plants in their homes?
- Do you think gardening is a good hobby for young people?
- How do plants in a city improve the quality of life?
- What are the problems of replacing green areas with buildings?
- Should schools teach children how to grow food?
- How can individuals help to protect forests?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Objects
- Describe something that was broken and that you repaired or had repaired
- Describe something you bought online
- Describe a gift that you gave to someone
- Describe a gift you received that was special to you
- Describe an old object that you have kept for a long time
- Describe a bicycle, car or other vehicle that you have used regularly
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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