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Part 2 cue card · Places · Retained in September–December 2026

Describe a place you have travelled to that you would recommend to others.

Describe a place you have travelled to that you would recommend to others.

You should say:

  • ·where it is
  • ·when you went there
  • ·what you did there
  • ·who you would recommend it to

and explain why you would recommend it.

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 · 161 words

I'd recommend Hangzhou, which is in eastern China and about an hour by train from Shanghai. I went there last spring with my wife for a three-day break. The weather was warm, and the city was not too crowded. We walked around West Lake, took a boat, and visited a small tea village nearby. I liked sitting by the lake and looking at the hills. We also tried local food, especially noodles and fish. Everything was easy to get to, and there were buses when we felt tired. The paths were clean, and there were places to sit. We took lots of photos and had a quiet evening near the lake. I would recommend it to couples or families who want a relaxing trip. There are beautiful views, but you can also find cafes and shops, so you don't have to plan every hour. It is a good place for a short holiday because it has nature and city activities together.

  • Add an activity · “We also tried local food”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7.5 · 238 words

Honestly, I'd recommend Hangzhou, which is in eastern China and roughly an hour by train from Shanghai. I went last spring with my wife for three days, mainly because we both wanted a break from work without spending ages travelling. The weather was mild, and the city felt lively but not overwhelming. We spent most of one day around West Lake. We walked along the water, took a short boat ride, and stopped at a tea village in the hills nearby. I remember sitting outside a small teahouse, where we could see the lake through the trees; it was a lovely way to slow down. The paths were clearly marked, and there were plenty of places to sit, which made the day manageable for my wife, who doesn't like walking for hours. We also tried local dishes, especially noodles and fish, and found getting around easy because buses connected the main sights. I'd suggest it to couples or families who want a comfortable short holiday, particularly if they enjoy scenery but don't want to be cut off from cafes and shops. Even with only two or three days, you can mix gentle walks with sightseeing and good meals. Of course, the lake can get busy at weekends, but if you go early in the morning, it's much calmer. That's why I'd recommend Hangzhou: it feels restful without being boring, and there's enough variety for different kinds of travellers.

  • Explain the reason · “mainly because we both wanted a break”
  • Detail plus relative clause · “where we could see the lake”
  • Specify the audience · “particularly if they enjoy scenery”
  • Conditional suggestion · “if you go early in the morning”
Angles

3 ways to answer it

  1. 1Dali: the day you rode an e-bike along the shore of Erhai Lake
  2. 2Qingdao: eating seafood by the sea at sunset on your graduation trip
  3. 3Kyoto: arriving at Fushimi Inari at dawn, before the tourist crowds
Expressions

5 expressions that fit this card

breathtaking scenery
extremely beautiful views
value for money
worth what you pay
a must-see
something you should not miss
soak up the atmosphere
enjoy the feeling of a place
laid-back
relaxed and calm
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

    How do people usually decide where to travel?

    • ·Reading travel guides on social media apps
    • ·Following friends' personal recommendations
  2. 2

    Do you trust travel reviews online?

    • ·Real photos help people avoid bad places
    • ·Some positive reviews are paid for by businesses
  3. 3

    What are the benefits of tourism for local people?

    • ·It brings jobs and income
    • ·For example, running guesthouses or guiding tours
  4. 4

    Can tourism cause problems for a place?

    • ·Prices and rents rise for locals
    • ·More litter and damage to nature
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