Describe a Place You Want to Visit: IELTS Sample Answer

The cue card

A Part 2-style task could look like this:

Describe a place you would like to visit in the future.

You should say:

• where the place is
• how you know about it
• what you would like to do there
• and explain why you would like to visit it

Your answer could focus on:

• a city
• a country
• an island
• a national park
• a historical site
• a coastal area
• a mountain region
• somewhere a friend has visited
• somewhere you have seen in a film or online

The destination itself is less important than your ability to develop your reasons clearly.

A simple one-minute plan

During your preparation time, write short notes rather than complete sentences. Official IELTS guidance recommends using phrases and organising your notes in the order you want to speak.

Imagine you choose Kyoto in Japan.

Your notes might look like this:

Where: Kyoto, Japan
Know it: photos / travel videos / friends
Why: history + traditional culture
Want to do: temples, old streets, food
Best time: autumn
Special: completely different atmosphere
Hope: stay several days, explore slowly

You can then organise your answer into four stages.

1. Introduce the place

‍Say where it is and how long you have wanted to go there.

2. Explain how you know about it

‍Perhaps you saw it online, read about it or heard about it from someone.

3. Describe what you would do there

‍Mention two or three specific activities.

4. Explain why you want to visit

‍Give personal reasons rather than simply saying that it is beautiful.

Your notes do not need to include everything. Their purpose is to help you keep moving through the answer.

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Band 7+ sample answer

I’d like to talk about Kyoto in Japan, which is somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for quite a few years.

I first became interested in it after seeing photographs of the city online, particularly the traditional temples and old streets. Since then, I’ve watched quite a few travel videos about Kyoto, and several people I know have visited it and spoken very highly of it.

If I had the chance to go, I’d probably spend at least four or five days there because I wouldn’t want to rush around trying to see everything in one day. I’d really like to visit some of the historic temples and shrines, walk through the older neighbourhoods and try some traditional Japanese food.

I’d especially like to go in autumn because I’ve seen pictures of the trees changing colour, and the scenery looks incredible. I imagine it would be quite busy at that time of year, but I think the atmosphere would still make it worthwhile.

The main reason I want to visit Kyoto is that it seems to offer a combination of history, culture and natural beauty. I’ve been to modern Japanese cities before, but Kyoto appears to have a completely different character, so I think it would give me another perspective on the country.

I also like travelling somewhere slowly rather than trying to visit every famous attraction. Ideally, I’d spend some time wandering around, finding small restaurants and exploring places that weren’t necessarily on my original itinerary.

Overall, it’s definitely near the top of my travel list, and I hope I’ll finally get the opportunity to visit in the next few years.

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Useful place and travel vocabulary

These words and expressions can help you describe why a destination interests you and what you would like to do there.

Why this answer works

The answer gives clear information about Kyoto, but most importantly, it explains why the speaker personally wants to go there.

It covers all parts of the cue card

The speaker explains:

• where the place is
• how they heard about it
• what they would do there
• why they want to visit

This gives the answer a clear structure.

It uses specific details

Instead of saying:

I want to visit because Japan is interesting.

the answer mentions:

• traditional temples
• old neighbourhoods
• autumn scenery
• Japanese food
• exploring slowly

These details make the response much easier to develop.

It uses future and hypothetical language naturally

Because the trip has not happened yet, the answer naturally includes structures such as:

If I had the chance, I’d probably spend...

I’d really like to visit...

Ideally, I’d spend some time...

I hope I’ll finally get the opportunity...

This variety fits the topic naturally rather than sounding forced.

It explains rather than lists

A weaker response might say:

I want to visit temples, restaurants, museums and parks.

The sample goes further:

I wouldn’t want to rush around trying to see everything in one day.

This gives personality and explanation to the answer.

It includes balanced language

The speaker does not pretend the destination will be perfect:

I imagine it would be quite busy at that time of year...

This is a useful way to develop an answer because you can acknowledge a disadvantage and then explain why you would still like to go.

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Talk about what interests you, not everything you know

You do not need to give a geography lesson about your destination.

For example, if you choose London, avoid spending most of your answer saying:

London is the capital of England. It is in the south-east. It has a large population...

That information does not tell the examiner much about your reason for wanting to visit.

Instead:

I’d mainly like to visit because I’m interested in British history, so I’d love to see places like the Tower of London and some of the older parts of the city.

The second version gives you much more useful language to develop.

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If you have never been abroad

You can still answer this cue card easily.

You might choose:

• somewhere in your own country
• a nearby city
• somewhere you have seen online
• a destination from a film
• somewhere a friend has recommended

For example:

I haven’t travelled abroad very much, but one place I’d really like to visit is...

You are not being tested on your travel experience.

The destination simply gives you a topic to speak about.

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Part 3 follow-up questions

In Part 3, questions connected to your Part 2 topic become more general and abstract. IELTS describes this section as a discussion in which candidates explain opinions and analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.

A travel destination cue card could lead into topics such as tourism, international travel and the effect visitors have on places.

Why do people like travelling to other countries?

Possible ideas include:

• experiencing different cultures
• food
• history
• scenery
• relaxation
• learning
• escaping everyday routines

A developed answer might compare different motivations:

Some people travel mainly to relax, whereas others are more interested in experiencing a different culture or learning about the history of a place.

Has international travel become more popular?

You could discuss:

• cheaper flights
• greater disposable income
• social media
• easier online booking
• travel information
• changing lifestyles

Avoid making unsupported statistical claims.

You can say:

It seems much more accessible than it used to be.

rather than inventing numbers.

What are the benefits of tourism for a country?

Possible advantages include:

• employment
• income for local businesses
• infrastructure
• cultural exchange
• preservation of attractions

Try to develop one or two ideas rather than listing everything.

What problems can too much tourism cause?

You could discuss:

• overcrowding
• pressure on infrastructure
• environmental damage
• higher prices
• disruption for residents
• damage to historic sites

For example:

Tourism can bring a lot of money into an area, but if visitor numbers become too high, local residents may have to deal with overcrowding and rising prices.

Is it better to visit famous places or less popular destinations?

You could compare:

Famous destinations

• major attractions
• better transport
• more facilities
• easier to plan

Less touristy places

• quieter
• more unusual experiences
• fewer crowds
• more contact with local life

There is no need to choose one side completely.

How can tourism affect local culture?

Possible ideas include:

• cultural exchange
• preserving traditions
• commercialisation
• changes to local businesses
• influence from visitors

Will people travel more or less in the future?

You could discuss:

• technology
• travel costs
• environmental concerns
• remote work
• faster transport
• virtual experiences

Because this is a prediction, useful language includes:

I imagine...

It’s likely that...

I wouldn’t be surprised if...

It depends on...

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Create your own answer

Choose somewhere you genuinely want to visit.

Then make quick notes under these headings:

Where is it?

How do you know about it?

What would you like to do there?

When would you like to go?

Why does the place interest you?

What specific detail could you add?

Then practise speaking for up to two minutes.

Try to include:

• a clear introduction
• two or three specific activities
• personal reasons
• one detailed example
• suitable future or hypothetical language
• a final comment about whether you think you will actually visit

Do not memorise the sample answer.

Instead, borrow useful structures such as:

It’s somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for...

If I had the chance, I’d...

What interests me most is...

I’d particularly like to...

Ideally, I’d...

It’s definitely near the top of my travel list.

For Describe a Place You Want to Visit IELTS practice, choose a destination that gives you real reasons to speak. You do not need an unusual location or advanced geographical knowledge. A clear explanation of what you would do there and why the place appeals to you gives you far more useful material for a strong Part 2 response.

More IELTS Speaking practice

• IELTS Speaking Part 1: Travel Questions
• IELTS Speaking Part 1: Future Plans
• IELTS Speaking Part 2: Travel and Places

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