IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a local park you like to spend time in: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 285 words
  • A place
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a local park you like to spend time in

You should say:

  • →where this park is situated
  • →how often you go there and who you go with
  • →what you typically do when you visit
  • →and explain why you enjoy spending time in this particular park

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

A place

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Name the park and give its exact proximity to your home using descriptive language.

  2. 2

    Mention a balance of solo and social activities you do there across different seasons.

  3. 3

    Focus on the mental and physical wellbeing benefits when explaining why you enjoy it.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8285 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about a lovely green space called Victoria Meadows, which is situated just a ten-minute stroll from my flat in the town centre. It is tucked away behind a quiet residential estate, so it feels like a bit of a hidden gem, well away from the hustle and bustle of the main high street.

To be honest, I head down there at least twice a week, usually on Saturday mornings or during the early evenings when the weather is decent. More often than not, I go on my own just to unwind after a long day at work, though occasionally I meet up with a close friend or take my neighbour's dog along for a brisk walk around the perimeter.

As for what I get up to, it really depends on my mood. In the mornings, I love doing a gentle jog along the paved trail that loops around a small ornamental lake in the middle. During the warmer summer months, I will often pack a paperback novel, find a shady spot under an oak tree, and read for an hour or two. There is also an open grassy area where local families play casual games of football or have picnics, so there is always a cheerful, community atmosphere without it ever feeling overcrowded.

The main reason I am so fond of this park is that it offers a genuine breath of fresh air. Living in a small flat without a garden can feel a bit claustrophobic at times, so having such a well-maintained green haven right on my doorstep really boosts my mental wellbeing. It allows me to recharge my batteries, connect with nature, and completely switch off from screens.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • ten-minute stroll

    a short, relaxed walk taking about ten minutes

  • hidden gem

    a wonderful place that is not widely known

  • hustle and bustle

    busy, noisy, and energetic activity

  • unwind

    to relax after a period of work or tension

  • brisk walk

    a fast, energetic walk

  • breath of fresh air

    a refreshing, pleasant change from a routine environment

  • on my doorstep

    very close to where one lives

  • recharge my batteries

    to regain one's physical and mental energy

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1Why do town planners prioritise building public parks in urban areas?
  2. 2How do the leisure activities people enjoy in parks vary across different age groups?
  3. 3Do you think governments should invest more money in maintaining existing parks rather than creating new ones?
  4. 4How might the design and role of urban green spaces change in the future?
  5. 5What are the drawbacks of replacing natural spaces with commercial developments?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: public green spaces and urban living.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a local park you like to spend time in"?+

Name the park and give its exact proximity to your home using descriptive language.

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

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