Ashore for webTry a mock test
Part 2 cue card · Places · New for September–December 2026

Describe somewhere near a natural place that you have been to.

Describe somewhere near a natural place that you have been to.

You should say:

  • ·where this place is
  • ·who you went there with
  • ·why you went there

and explain how you feel about the place.

One minute to prepare, up to two minutes to talk. Then Part 3 asks the questions below.

Sample answers

Two answers to the same card

Same story, two levels. Both were written by Ashore, then checked against the public band descriptors in a separate pass. The bands are practice estimates, not official IELTS results.

A simpler answer

Checked at band 6.5 · 178 words

I'd like to talk about a small riverside park on the edge of my city. It's next to a wide river and has a walking path, some trees, and a few food stalls. It's about forty minutes from my home by bus, so it's not too far away. I went there last autumn with my older sister. We both had a free Sunday, and we wanted to spend some time outside instead of staying at home. We took a bus there in the morning and walked along the river. The weather was cool, and the place was quiet, so we could talk easily. We also bought some steamed buns and sat on a bench for lunch. I went there mainly because I wanted to relax and enjoy the fresh air. I had been busy at work for several weeks, and I needed a break. I feel very happy when I think about the park. It is simple, but it is a nice place to slow down, and I would like to go there again when I have time.

  • Describe the place · “a small riverside park”
  • Give a reason · “because I wanted to relax”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7.5 · 252 words

Honestly, I'd talk about a riverside park on the edge of my city, beside a broad stretch of the river. It's around forty minutes from my flat by bus, and although it's technically a park, it feels quite close to nature: there are willow trees, reeds along the bank, and a long path with very few buildings in view. I went there last autumn with my older sister. We both had a free Sunday, and we wanted a change from our usual routine of doing errands or watching things at home. We caught a bus in the morning and walked along the water for about an hour. The air was cool, and we could hear birds rather than traffic, which made the place feel much more peaceful than the streets near our homes. We picked up a couple of steamed buns from a stall and ate them on a bench, watching people cycle past. I chose the place mainly because work had been hectic for a few weeks and I needed a proper break. I didn't want to plan a big trip; I just wanted somewhere green where I could clear my head without spending much money. I came away feeling lighter and in a better mood. What I like is that the park is simple and easy to reach, but it still gives me a sense of being away from the city. If I get another free Sunday, I'd happily go back with my sister, even just for a short walk.

  • Add a concession · “although it's technically a park”
  • Relative clause for effect · “which made the place feel much more peaceful”
  • Reason plus detail · “because work had been hectic”
  • Conditional ending · “If I get another free Sunday”
Angles

2 ways to answer it

  1. 1A village at the foot of a mountain, with rice fields and morning mist outside your room
  2. 2A guesthouse beside a lake where you spent a weekend with your parents
Expressions

4 expressions that fit this card

at the foot of a mountain
beside the bottom of a mountain
within easy reach of
close enough to reach easily
wake up to the sound of birds
hear birds when you wake up
a welcome change of scene
a pleasant break from familiar surroundings
Part 3

The questions that follow

After the long turn, Part 3 asks bigger questions on the same theme. Each one comes with two points you can build an answer from.

  1. 1

    Are there any natural attractions that are great to visit?

    • ·Mountains, coasts or wetlands offer concrete examples of attractive natural features.
    • ·Access and conservation matter; remoteness alone does not make a place better.
  2. 2

    Do you think it is necessary to include natural spaces in a city?

    • ·Natural spaces let residents spend time outdoors as part of daily life.
    • ·Small green areas across neighbourhoods may be more accessible than one distant park.
  3. 3

    Do you think people who live in natural places are more likely to protect them?

    • ·Residents may notice environmental changes and feel directly affected by them.
    • ·Economic pressures and knowledge also matter; proximity does not guarantee protection.
  4. 4

    Why do some people choose to stay near natural attractions?

    • ·Staying nearby reduces travel and makes early or late visits easier.
    • ·Quiet surroundings appeal to visitors, alongside transport and everyday facilities.
Stories

One story, many cards

This card fits this story. Prepare the story once and you can bend it to every card listed with it on the season page.

  • A green spot in your city

    A park or riverside you go to: who you go with, what you do there, a rule that keeps it clean or should.

Say it out loud and get a band score