A couple of years ago, I visited the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, which is a truly breath-taking expanse of wilderness. I went there with my younger brother, who is a keen amateur photographer, as we both wanted to experience the rugged landscape and try to spot some elusive local wildlife in their natural habitat. We spent most of our time trekking through ancient Caledonian pine forests and roaming the vast heather-clad moorlands. The highlight of the trip was definitely stumbling upon a small herd of wild red deer. Watching them move through the mist with such effortless grace was mesmerising. Later that day, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a golden eagle circling high above the craggy peaks, which was an absolutely exhilarating sight to behold. Being so close to these creatures, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life, made me feel incredibly humble. It was a stark reminder of how intricate and fragile the natural world really is. Seeing them thrive in such a harsh, untamed environment gave me a profound sense of tranquillity that I rarely find in my daily routine. It wasn't just about the animals themselves, but the entire atmosphere of the place; the silence of the mountains combined with the anticipation of spotting something wild made the experience feel deeply personal and authentic. It left me with a renewed appreciation for conservation efforts, as I realised how vital it is to protect these habitats so that future generations can witness such untamed beauty for themselves.
The cue card
Describe a place where you saw animals
You should say:
- →Where you went
- →What animals you saw
- →Who you went with
- →And explain how you felt about seeing the animals there
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
A place
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Jot down the name and location of the place to anchor your story immediately.
- 2
List two or three specific animals to create a clear mental image for the examiner.
- 3
Use your prep time to recall a specific sensory detail, like a sound or smell.
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
expanse
a very wide and open area of land
elusive
difficult to find, catch, or achieve by anyone
heather-clad
covered with a small purple flowering mountain shrub
mesmerising
holding your attention completely as if hypnotised
exhilarating
making you feel very excited and happy
craggy
rough, steep, and uneven rocks or cliffs
untamed
in a natural state and not controlled by humans
profound
felt or experienced in a very intense way
5 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
- 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
- 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
- 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
- 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?
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 place where you saw animals"?+
Jot down the name and location of the place to anchor your story immediately.
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 big city you would like to visit
- Describe a bookshop you like visiting
- Describe a boring place
- Describe a busy outdoor swimming pool
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
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- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
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- IELTS speaking predictions
- IELTS pronunciation practice
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