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IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 · Current season: 7.15-8.07 Predicted · Updated 2026-08-05

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 2 Cue Card

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

You should say:

  • What it is
  • Where it is
  • What you saw and did there
  • And explain why you would like to recommend it to others

You will have one to two minutes to talk about this topic.

Part 3 Discussion Questions

  • Where do people in your country often go for holidays?
  • What is the ideal length for a holiday?
  • How do people usually plan holidays?
  • Is it important to plan a holiday ahead?
  • Why do many countries try to attract people to visit?
  • How do people decide when to travel?

Band 6 & 7 Model Answers

Compare a Band 6 and a Band 7 answer for each question, see what lifts the score, then record your own and get it graded against British Council & IDP criteria.

Part 2 — Model Answer

Band 6

I want to recommend the Lake District in north‑west England. It’s a national park with lots of lakes, hills and small villages. I went there last year and did walks along Windermere, took a short boat trip and visited Grasmere. I also ate in a small pub and enjoyed the views from a hill top. I would recommend it because it’s easy to get to from many cities, it has different things for different people and it’s a good place to relax. Even if you don’t like tough walking, there are gentle paths and cafés to sit in.

Band 7

I'd like to recommend the Lake District, a national park in north‑west England, famous for its lakes and craggy fells. It’s a place where countryside feels dramatic yet welcoming; writers like Wordsworth drew inspiration from the scenery and you can still sense that literary atmosphere. It’s situated in Cumbria, roughly two hours by train from Manchester and easily reached by car, which makes it practical for a long weekend. For instance, I took a train to Oxenholme and then a short bus ride into Ambleside. While I was there I did a mix of things: walked along the shores of Windermere, took a small boat trip, and climbed to the summit of Helvellyn via Striding Edge. I also visited cosy tea rooms in Grasmere and went to a little museum about local history. In spring the hills are full of wildflowers and you can often spot red squirrels and herons, which made my morning walks feel special. There are also farmers’ markets and independent shops where you can buy local cheese and crafts. I’d recommend it because it offers something for everyone — from gentle lakeside strolls to challenging hikes — and the scenery feels rejuvenating. In addition, the local food and friendly accommodation make it easy to relax after a day outdoors, so it’s great whether you’re travelling with family, friends or alone.

Examiner note: The Band 7 answer includes more detailed examples, a wider range of vocabulary and connected sentences, which shows better fluency and coherence than the simpler Band 6 version.
cosy tea roomslakeside strollscraggy fells

Part 3 — Model Answers

Where do people in your country often go for holidays?

Band 6

People often go to the coast, like beaches, or to the countryside for a week or two. Many families visit seaside towns in the summer, and quite a few go abroad to Europe for cheaper flights. Some people prefer city breaks to visit museums and shops. Visiting relatives is also common during big holidays.

Band 7

On the whole, people choose a mix of beach resorts, countryside escapes and European city breaks. For example, families often head to seaside towns in summer for sun and shallow waters, while young couples might pick a short city break to see galleries or theatre. There’s also a growing trend for staycations, where people explore national parks or coastal paths rather than flying, often because it’s more convenient or cheaper. Work patterns and school terms still shape most choices, though.

Examiner note: The Band 7 answer gives clearer categorisation, examples and a comment on trends, demonstrating a wider range of lexis and better organisation than the Band 6 reply.
staycationcity breakseaside resort

What is the ideal length for a holiday?

Band 6

I think one to two weeks is ideal for a holiday. A few days is OK for a short trip, but if you go far it’s better to stay longer so you don’t waste time travelling. Two weeks lets you relax properly and see the main things.

Band 7

It really depends on the type of trip, but generally one to two weeks is ideal. A long weekend suits city breaks or short visits, whereas two weeks works well for overseas travel because you can recover from jet lag and explore at a relaxed pace. For adventurous trips or multi‑stop tours, I’d say two weeks or more so you’re not rushing from place to place.

Examiner note: The Band 7 answer explains different durations by trip type and gives reasons (jet lag, exploration), showing better contextualisation and coherence.
long weekendjet lagat a relaxed pace

How do people usually plan holidays?

Band 6

People usually plan holidays online now. They search for flights and hotels and read reviews. Some still use travel agents to book a whole package. Friends and family often give suggestions too.

Band 7

Most people start planning online, comparing flights, accommodation and traveller reviews on several websites, and often use apps to track prices. Some prefer package holidays from agents for convenience, especially when travelling with children or to less familiar destinations. Others piece together their own itineraries, booking flexible tickets and using maps and blogs for local tips. Social media and personal recommendations also shape choices these days.

Examiner note: The Band 7 answer mentions a wider range of planning tools, strategies and reasons, and links ideas smoothly, which demonstrates stronger lexical resource and cohesion.
itineraryflexible ticketstraveller reviews

Is it important to plan a holiday ahead?

Band 6

Yes, it’s important to plan ahead for things like flights, visas and accommodation. If you plan early you can get better prices. But some people like to be spontaneous and book at the last minute.

Band 7

Planning ahead is generally important because it secures better prices, availability and necessary documents like visas or permits. It also reduces stress and helps you make an efficient itinerary, especially in peak season. That said, leaving room for spontaneity can be valuable too; a mix of advance planning and flexibility often works best.

Examiner note: The Band 7 reply balances pros and cons, offers reasons (cost, documents, stress) and uses more complex sentence structures, lifting it above the Band 6 response.
peak seasonavailabilityleave room for spontaneity

Why do many countries try to attract people to visit?

Band 6

Countries try to attract visitors because tourism brings money and jobs. It helps local businesses and sometimes pays for services. Also, tourists can learn about the country’s culture.

Band 7

Many countries actively promote tourism because it brings significant economic benefits, creates jobs and supports local businesses such as hotels, restaurants and transport. Beyond economics, tourism is used as a form of soft power to raise a country’s profile and share cultural heritage. However, governments must also manage environmental impact and overcrowding, so promotion is often balanced with sustainability plans.

Examiner note: The Band 7 answer goes beyond simple economic reasons to include cultural influence and environmental management, showing more sophisticated thinking and vocabulary.
soft powersustainabilityeconomic benefits

How do people decide when to travel?

Band 6

People decide when to travel by looking at school holidays, work leave and the weather. Price is important too — some travel in low season to save money. Special events or festivals also determine timing.

Band 7

Decisions about timing are shaped by practical constraints like school terms, work leave and favourable weather, but people also look for value by travelling in shoulder or off‑peak seasons. Events, festivals or local celebrations can strongly influence dates, as can personal commitments and even seasonal wildlife or crop cycles if someone is going for nature or food experiences. Many people also watch for deals and book when fares drop.

Examiner note: The Band 7 reply gives a wider range of influences (practical, financial, cultural, environmental) and uses linking language to show nuanced reasoning compared with the simpler Band 6 answer.
shoulder seasonoff‑peakbook when fares drop

How to answer Describe a place you have travelled to that you would like to recommend to others IELTS Speaking questions

For the Describe a place you have travelled to that you would like to recommend to others 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:

  • What it is
  • Where it is
  • What you saw and did there
  • And explain why you would like to recommend it to others
  1. Opening: identify the person, place, object or event.
  2. Development: describe two details or moments in a logical order.
  3. Extension: explain a reason, result, comparison or problem.
  4. Reflection: finish with why the subject is memorable or important.

Question-by-question approach

Practice questionUseful answer move
Where do people in your country often go for holidays?Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script.
What is the ideal length for a holiday?Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example.
How do people usually plan holidays?Describe the process or difference in a clear order and add a result.
Is it important to plan a holiday ahead?Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail.

Vocabulary focus

Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes staycation, city break, seaside resort, long weekend, jet lag, at a relaxed pace, itinerary, flexible tickets. 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 place you have travelled to that you would like to recommend to others practice FAQ

How should I use the Describe a place you have travelled to that you would like to recommend to others 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.