Describe a quiet place that you like to go to
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 quiet place that you like to go to.
You should say:
- where this place is
- what it looks like
- what you do there
and explain why you find this place special.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
254 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The quiet place I would like to talk about is the reading room on the third floor of our city library. It is not very well known, so even though the library is in the centre of town, that floor is usually almost empty.
The room is large and bright, with high windows, long wooden tables and a few comfortable armchairs in the corner. There is a strict rule about silence, and the librarians really enforce it, so you will not hear mobile phones or conversations. The only sounds are pages turning and the occasional cough. I usually go there on weekday afternoons when I need to concentrate, for example when I have an essay to finish or an exam to prepare for. I take a bottle of water, put my phone in my bag and work for two or three hours without interruption.
I find it special because it is the one place where I can really focus. At home there is always something distracting, such as the television, my brother's music or friends sending messages. In the reading room, nobody expects anything from me, so I can switch off from everything else. I also enjoy the atmosphere, because everyone around me is working quietly, and that somehow motivates me to do the same. Sometimes I lose track of time completely and only notice that I am hungry when the lights start to go off at closing time. I leave feeling calm and productive, which is exactly what I need during busy periods.
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 |
|---|---|
| peace and quiet | calm without noise or disturbance |
| secluded spot | a place away from other people |
| recharge my batteries | rest and get energy back |
| undisturbed | not interrupted by anyone |
| a tranquil setting | a calm and peaceful environment |
| lose track of time | not notice how much time has passed |
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 corner of a university library where you study
- A bench or rooftop near your home you visit alone
- A relative's house in a village where everything is calm
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhere this place is
- 25 swhat it looks like
- 25 swhat you do there
- 45 sand explain why you find this place special.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Noise and silence. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do some people need quiet places more than others?
- Is the world today noisier than it was in the past?
- What are the effects of noise pollution on people's health?
- Do you think young people today know how to enjoy silence?
- Should there be more quiet areas in public places such as libraries and trains?
- How can cities reduce noise levels?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Places
- Describe a museum you have visited and found interesting
- Describe a train station or an airport that you have been to
- Describe a beautiful place in nature, such as a mountain or a forest, that you have visited
- Describe a place where you often meet your friends
- Describe your favourite room in your home
- Describe a small town or village you have visited
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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