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Describe a train station or an airport that you have been 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

Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe a train station or an airport that you have been to.

You should say:

  • where it is
  • what it looks like
  • why you were there

and explain how you felt about spending time in this place.

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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 place I would like to describe is Istanbul Airport, where I spent almost ten hours last year during a layover on my way to Spain. It is one of the biggest airports in the world, and I have never seen anything like it.

When I arrived, I was struck by how enormous the terminal was. The ceiling is very high, with a modern design in white and grey, and everything is spotlessly clean. There are hundreds of shops, from luxury brands to small souvenir stores, as well as dozens of restaurants and even a small museum in one section. Since I had a very long wait, I walked around for hours. First I had a proper meal, then I found a quiet area with comfortable seats and a charging point, where I read and answered messages. Later I went through the shops and bought some Turkish sweets for my family. There were people from every country, speaking all sorts of languages, and it was fascinating to watch.

I had rather mixed feelings about being there. On the positive side, the airport was comfortable and convenient, and the signs were clear, so I never felt lost. I also enjoyed the international atmosphere, which made me feel as though I was already travelling. But because the terminal is so big, I had to walk for about twenty minutes to get to my gate, and by the end I was tired and bored. Still, if I had to wait somewhere for ten hours, I could hardly think of a better place.

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

PhraseMeaning
departure loungethe waiting area before boarding a plane
check-in deskwhere passengers register for a flight
delayedlater than planned
security checksinspections of passengers and luggage
platformthe raised area where passengers wait for a train
bustlingfull of busy activity

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 huge international airport during a long layover
  • A small railway station in your hometown with memories attached
  • A station where you said goodbye to or welcomed someone

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swhere it is
  2. 25 swhat it looks like
  3. 25 swhy you were there
  4. 45 sand explain how you felt about spending time in this place.

Part 3 questions

In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Transport and travel. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.

  1. Why do many people prefer to travel by train rather than by plane?
  2. How could public transport in your country be improved?
  3. What are the main problems that airports have today?
  4. Do you think high-speed trains are a good investment?
  5. How does the way people travel affect the environment?
  6. Will flying be as popular in thirty years as it is now?

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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