Describe a person who loves to grow plants (e.g. vegetables, flowers) at home or in the garden: IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card and Part 3 Questions
Part 2 cue card
Describe a person who loves to grow plants (e.g. vegetables, flowers) at home or in the garden
You should say:
- Who this person is
- What plants he/she grows
- How he/she grows the plants
- And why he/she loves growing plants
You will have one to two minutes to talk about this topic.
Read the complete transcript
One person I can think of is my neighbour Emma, who’s been growing plants for about ten years. She’s a retired teacher who transformed the front yard into a small urban garden, and everyone in the street knows her for it. She grows a mixture of vegetables and ornamentals: tomatoes, chillies, basil, lettuces, along with roses and climbing jasmine. In summer she also keeps tubs of dahlias and a selection of succulents on the windowsill. Emma uses a few raised beds and several large pots because our soil is quite heavy; she mixes in homemade compost to improve it. She’s meticulous about watering — drip irrigation for the veg and a watering can for the pots — and she propagates cuttings to save money. She’s also careful with natural pest control and practices companion planting, which has reduced problems with aphids and slugs. She says gardening keeps her active and gives her a steady supply of fresh salad leaves; she also enjoys the routine and the chance to nurture life. For her, the best part is watching something tiny grow into a plant you can eat or give as a present, and she loves teaching her grandchildren how to sow seeds.
Preparation status: Predicted topic cycle. This independent practice resource is not an official IELTS paper, and the questions in your test can be different. How topics are labelled.
Part 3 discussion questions
Move one question at a time: listen, answer, compare and retry. The complete question text remains in the page HTML for accessibility and search.
- 01What are the advantages of growing vegetables or flowers at home?
- 02Do many people grow vegetables or flowers at home in your country?
- 03Is it easy to grow plants at home?
- 04Why do some people like to grow plants?
- 05Why do some people prefer to grow their own fruits and vegetables instead of buying them from the market?
- 06Do you think students should learn to grow plants?
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
The person I want to describe is my friend Mark. He loves growing plants at home. He has a small back garden and a few pots on the balcony. He grows tomatoes, lettuce, basil and some sunflowers. He usually buys compost and waters them every morning. Sometimes he starts plants from seed, sometimes he buys young plants from the garden centre. He enjoys gardening because it relaxes him and he gets fresh vegetables to eat. He also likes giving extra produce to neighbours and saving money.
One person I can think of is my neighbour Emma, who’s been growing plants for about ten years. She’s a retired teacher who transformed the front yard into a small urban garden, and everyone in the street knows her for it. She grows a mixture of vegetables and ornamentals: tomatoes, chillies, basil, lettuces, along with roses and climbing jasmine. In summer she also keeps tubs of dahlias and a selection of succulents on the windowsill. Emma uses a few raised beds and several large pots because our soil is quite heavy; she mixes in homemade compost to improve it. She’s meticulous about watering — drip irrigation for the veg and a watering can for the pots — and she propagates cuttings to save money. She’s also careful with natural pest control and practices companion planting, which has reduced problems with aphids and slugs. She says gardening keeps her active and gives her a steady supply of fresh salad leaves; she also enjoys the routine and the chance to nurture life. For her, the best part is watching something tiny grow into a plant you can eat or give as a present, and she loves teaching her grandchildren how to sow seeds.
Part 3 — Model Answers
What are the advantages of growing vegetables or flowers at home?
Growing vegetables or flowers at home has several advantages. You get fresher food and it can save money. Flowers make the place look nicer and lift your mood. Gardening is also a good form of light exercise and a relaxing hobby.
There are quite a few benefits. First, home-grown vegetables are fresher and often tastier, and you can control how they're grown so you avoid unnecessary pesticides. Second, flowers improve the appearance of your home and can boost wellbeing — seeing plants in bloom really reduces stress. Third, gardening helps reduce waste if you compost kitchen scraps, and it cuts food miles. Finally, it can bring neighbours together if you share surplus produce and swap tips.
Do many people grow vegetables or flowers at home in your country?
In my country some people grow plants at home, especially in villages. In cities, people with balconies or small gardens also grow herbs or tomatoes. But many people don't have space or time, so not everyone grows plants.
It depends where you look. In rural areas it's quite common for households to keep a few vegetable beds, and in towns there's been a rise in balcony gardening and allotments. The pandemic encouraged many people to take up gardening, and community gardens have become more popular as a result. However, people living in high-rise flats without outdoor space still find it hard to grow anything beyond a few pots.
Is it easy to grow plants at home?
Growing plants at home can be easy or hard. Some plants like herbs or salad leaves are simple to grow. Other plants need more care, good soil, and protection from pests. It also depends on the weather and how much time you have.
It isn't always straightforward. The difficulty depends on the species, local climate and the grower's experience — some crops, such as basil, lettuce and radishes, are beginner-friendly and forgiving, whereas fruit trees or certain shrubs require more knowledge about pruning, feeding and pest control. With a bit of guidance on soil improvement, watering routines and basic pest management, most people can get reliable results. Choosing the right plants for your space and season makes a big difference.
Why do some people like to grow plants?
People like to grow plants because it's relaxing and enjoyable. It is a hobby that keeps them busy and gives them fresh food or pretty flowers. Some people also like the feeling of achievement when plants grow.
There are several deeper reasons. For many, gardening is therapeutic — it reduces stress and gives a calming daily routine. Others value the connection to nature and the sense of independence that comes from producing your own food. There are also social motives: gardeners often meet neighbours, exchange plants and advice, and feel part of a local community, which is very rewarding.
Why do some people prefer to grow their own fruits and vegetables instead of buying them from the market?
People prefer to grow their own fruit and vegetables because they taste fresher and they can be cheaper. They also know what's been used on them, so they can avoid chemicals. Some people like the pride of eating food they've grown.
There are several strong reasons for that choice. Home-grown produce is often picked at peak ripeness, which improves flavour and nutritional value, and growing your own lets you avoid pesticides and reduce packaging. Over time it can also be cheaper and reduces dependence on supermarket supply chains, which some people worry about. Beyond practicality, many growers simply enjoy the satisfaction and pride of producing food themselves.
Do you think students should learn to grow plants?
Yes, I think students should learn to grow plants. It teaches responsibility and practical skills. It can also help them understand science and nature. School gardens are a good way for children to learn these things.
Absolutely — gardening is a valuable life skill schools should include. It links directly to biology and environmental education, gives hands-on experience with food and nutrition, and teaches practical lessons about sustainability. Gardening also supports pupils' mental health by reducing stress and boosting self-esteem, and group projects like a school allotment encourage teamwork and practical problem-solving. These lessons can influence healthier eating habits and a greater environmental awareness.
How to answer Describe a person who loves to grow plants (e.g. vegetables, flowers) at home or in the garden IELTS Speaking questions
For the Describe a person who loves to grow plants (e.g. vegetables, flowers) at home or in the garden 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:
- Who this person is
- What plants he/she grows
- How he/she grows the plants
- And why he/she loves growing plants
- 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 |
|---|---|
| What are the advantages of growing vegetables or flowers at home? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
| Do many people grow vegetables or flowers at home in your country? | Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script. |
| Is it easy to grow plants at home? | Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail. |
| Why do some people like to grow plants? | Answer with one main cause, then support it with a concrete example. |
Vocabulary focus
Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes food miles, compost, surplus produce, allotment, balcony gardening, community garden, forgiving, pruning. 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 person who loves to grow plants (e.g. vegetables, flowers) at home or in the garden practice FAQ
How should I use the Describe a person who loves to grow plants (e.g. vegetables, flowers) at home or in the garden 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.
