The city that has been at the top of my travel bucket list for years is Tokyo. Ever since I was a teenager, the juxtaposition of hyper-modern technology and tranquil, traditional culture has fascinated me. To get there, I would take a long-haul flight from London, likely landing at Haneda Airport, which is renowned for its efficiency. I am particularly looking forward to navigating the complex underground network, which seems like a fascinating puzzle in itself. Once I arrive, my itinerary would be quite diverse. I would start by exploring the neon-drenched streets of Shinjuku and Shibuya to experience the sheer sensory overload of the city at night. However, I would also carve out time to visit the Meiji Jingu shrine to appreciate the quiet, forested grounds that offer a stark contrast to the urban sprawl. I would definitely spend a few days hunting for authentic ramen in hidden basement izakayas and browsing the quirky boutiques in Harajuku. The reason I am so drawn to Tokyo is that it feels like a city living in the future while simultaneously holding onto its heritage. It is not just about the iconic skyline or the high-speed trains; it is the meticulous attention to detail in everything from the way food is presented to the incredible politeness of the local residents. I find the idea of immersing myself in such a fast-paced, yet orderly environment incredibly stimulating, and I am certain it would be a profound cultural experience that stays with me for a long time.
The cue card
Describe a big city you would like to visit.
You should say:
- →Which big city you would like to visit?
- →How you would travel there?
- →What do you do there?
- →And explain why you would like to visit this big city.
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
A place
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Select a city you genuinely have specific, vivid mental images of to ease fluency.
- 2
List three concrete activities to ensure you cover the 'what to do' section thoroughly.
- 3
Use the final bullet point to connect the city's atmosphere to your personal values.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.
Say it and get a band free →8 words
Useful vocabulary for this cue card
juxtaposition
placing two contrasting things together for comparison
long-haul
a journey covering a very long distance
neon-drenched
saturated with bright, colourful electric light signs
sensory overload
when your senses are overwhelmed by stimulation
urban sprawl
the uncontrolled expansion of a city area
izakaya
a Japanese bar serving small plates of food
meticulous
showing great attention to detail and precision
stimulating
encouraging new ideas or high energy levels
6 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What are the most interesting things to do while visiting cities on holiday?
- 2Why can it be expensive to visit cities on holiday?
- 3Do you think it is better to visit cities alone or in a group with friends?
- 4Why have cities increased in size in recent years?
- 5What are the challenges created by ever-growing cities?
- 6In what ways do you think cities of the future will be different to cities today?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a big city you would like to visit."?+
Select a city you genuinely have specific, vivid mental images of to ease fluency.
How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+
You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
How is the cue card scored?+
Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.
Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
Keep practising
More cue cards: a place
- Describe a beautiful place to visit in your country
- Describe a beautiful waterfall in a forest
- Describe a bookshop you like visiting
- Describe a boring place
- Describe a busy outdoor swimming pool
- Describe a campsite where you stayed overnight
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
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- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
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