Part 2 Cue Card
Describe a home that you like to visit but do not want to live in
You should say:
- Where it is
- What it is like
- Why you like to visit it
- And explain why you would not like to live there
You will have one to two minutes to talk about this topic.
Part 3 Discussion Questions
- Do Chinese people like to visit others' homes?
- What do Chinese people do when they visit others?
- What kind of place do people in your country like to live in?
- What's the difference between homes in cities and those in the countryside?
- What kind of gifts do people usually bring when they visit others?
- How often do you visit your relatives or friends?
Read the complete transcript
There’s a weatherboard cottage on the Cornish coast I love to visit but wouldn’t want to live in permanently. It’s about two hours from my city and perches on a windswept cliff with a big view across the bay. The cottage itself is cosy and slightly rustic, with low beams, a wood‑burning stove and a tiny kitchen, and it’s full of mismatched furniture collected over decades. I like visiting because it forces me to slow down and disconnect from email and noise; there are long walks along the sand and the fresh air clears my head. For example, on my last trip I walked five miles along the coast path and felt completely refreshed. But I wouldn’t want to live there because it’s remote and impractical for everyday life — the nearest supermarket is half an hour away and the broadband is unreliable. Also, the cottage is drafty and small, so during winter it’s difficult to work from home or host friends regularly. So it’s perfect for short, restorative breaks but not for long‑term living.
See the topic before you speak
Use the images as idea prompts. Describe what you notice, connect it to your experience, then answer the real question.


Model answers, heard side by side
Start with the simpler answer, switch bands to hear how the same task can be developed, then record a personal response. These are teaching examples, not official answers or score guarantees.
Part 2 — Model Answer
Part 2 cue-card response
I like to visit my aunt's flat by the lake. It is in a small town about an hour from the city. The flat is small but tidy, with a cosy living room and a balcony that looks over the water. I enjoy going there because my aunt cooks nice meals and we talk for hours. We often sit on the balcony in the evening and watch boats. However, I would not want to live there. The flat is too small for a family and it is a bit far from my work and friends. It is great for weekends, but not practical for everyday life.
There’s a weatherboard cottage on the Cornish coast I love to visit but wouldn’t want to live in permanently. It’s about two hours from my city and perches on a windswept cliff with a big view across the bay. The cottage itself is cosy and slightly rustic, with low beams, a wood‑burning stove and a tiny kitchen, and it’s full of mismatched furniture collected over decades. I like visiting because it forces me to slow down and disconnect from email and noise; there are long walks along the sand and the fresh air clears my head. For example, on my last trip I walked five miles along the coast path and felt completely refreshed. But I wouldn’t want to live there because it’s remote and impractical for everyday life — the nearest supermarket is half an hour away and the broadband is unreliable. Also, the cottage is drafty and small, so during winter it’s difficult to work from home or host friends regularly. So it’s perfect for short, restorative breaks but not for long‑term living.
Part 3 — Model Answers
Do Chinese people like to visit others' homes?
Yes, many Chinese people do like to visit others' homes, especially family and close friends. Visiting is common at festivals and birthdays. People often accept invitations and stay for a meal. It is a way to keep family ties and show respect.
Yes, visiting others’ homes remains an important part of social life, though habits are changing. Older generations tend to visit more often and place high value on face‑to‑face hospitality, while younger people may combine visits with eating out or meeting in cafés. Visiting is still central for occasions like New Year or weddings, but casual drop‑ins are less frequent in big cities where people are busier. Overall, it remains a way to maintain relationships and show respect to relatives.
What do Chinese people do when they visit others?
When people visit, they usually greet the host, take off their shoes if asked and sit down to chat. They often have tea or snacks and sometimes stay for a meal. Guests may bring a small gift like fruit or dessert.
When visiting, guests typically exchange polite greetings, may remove their shoes, and then settle down for conversation and food. Hosts often prepare a spread — several dishes shared family‑style — and guests are encouraged to try everything, which is part of the etiquette. Visitors might also help with small tasks, bring a gift, or stay longer for tea and stories; in modern settings people sometimes also video‑call absent relatives to include them.
What kind of place do people in your country like to live in?
People in my country like to live where there is good transport and schools. Many prefer a house with a garden in a quiet area. Others want to be close to work in the city and choose flats. Affordability is important.
Preferences vary, but many people aim for a balance between space, convenience and cost. Suburban semi‑detached houses with a garden are popular among families because of schools and a sense of neighbourhood, while young professionals often favour city flats close to work and nightlife. Increasingly, people also consider walking distance to parks or good public transport, and affordability is pushing some to commuter towns or shared living arrangements.
What's the difference between homes in cities and those in the countryside?
Homes in cities are usually smaller and closer together. They are often flats and people have less outdoor space. Country homes are bigger and quieter, with gardens and nature nearby. Services are farther away in the countryside.
City homes tend to be more compact — think apartments or terraced houses — with easy access to shops, public transport and cultural amenities, but less private outdoor space. Countryside homes often offer more room, bigger gardens and a quieter pace of life, although they can be isolated and require longer commutes. There’s also a contrast in community: rural areas may have tighter social networks, whereas urban living offers anonymity and greater diversity.
What kind of gifts do people usually bring when they visit others?
People usually bring small gifts like fruit, flowers, cake or a bottle of wine. For family visits they may bring homemade food. Gifts show thanks to the host. It is polite to bring something.
Common gifts include flowers, a box of sweets, a bottle of wine or something homemade such as a cake, chosen to show appreciation for the host. In some cultures bringing fresh fruit or a speciality from your hometown is typical, while for closer friends you might bring something more personal. It’s also important to consider the host’s tastes or any dietary or cultural restrictions so the gift is appropriate rather than wasteful.
How often do you visit your relatives or friends?
I visit my relatives and friends about once a month. Sometimes I go more often for special events like birthdays. I also call or message them between visits. Distance and work affect how often I can visit.
I try to visit close relatives and friends roughly once a month, though the frequency varies — I’ll see those who live nearby every few weeks and those further away a couple of times a year. Work commitments and travel play a big part, so we sometimes rely on video calls to keep in touch between visits. Special occasions like festivals or family celebrations naturally bring everyone together more often.
How to answer Describe a home that you like to visit but do not want to live in IELTS Speaking questions
For the Describe a home that you like to visit but do not want to live in cue card, use the preparation minute to build a route through the talk. Choose a clear subject, add two specific moments or details and end with why it matters. Then use the linked Part 3 questions to practise broader explanation and comparison.
Cue-card prompts:
- Where it is
- What it is like
- Why you like to visit it
- And explain why you would not like to live there
- Opening: identify the person, place, object or event.
- Development: describe two details or moments in a logical order.
- Extension: explain a reason, result, comparison or problem.
- Reflection: finish with why the subject is memorable or important.
Question-by-question approach
| Practice question | Useful answer move |
|---|---|
| Do Chinese people like to visit others' homes? | Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script. |
| What do Chinese people do when they visit others? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
| What kind of place do people in your country like to live in? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
| What's the difference between homes in cities and those in the countryside? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
Vocabulary focus
Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes use precise words from your own answer. Learn the meaning and a natural word partnership, then use each item in a different answer instead of copying a complete script.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving a memorised response that only partly answers the question.
- Adding difficult vocabulary without checking meaning or collocation.
- Restarting after every error instead of correcting briefly and continuing.
- Reading the model answer before recording your own first attempt.
Describe a home that you like to visit but do not want to live in practice FAQ
How should I use the Describe a home that you like to visit but do not want to live in cue card preparation minute?
Write keywords for an opening, two or three details and a final reflection. Do not try to write complete sentences.
Do I have to cover every cue-card bullet?
The prompts help you organise the talk. Covering them is useful, but a coherent one-to-two-minute response matters more than mechanically ticking off each line.
How are Part 3 questions connected to Part 2?
They develop the same broad theme through reasons, comparisons, social effects or future possibilities, so answers normally need more explanation than Part 1.