A complete model answer and preparation guide for this IELTS Speaking cue card topic. Includes key vocabulary, follow-up questions, and examiner-approved response strategies.
Originally published September 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, you will see a sample cue card question, high-level answer and feedback
Model Answer
I’d like to talk about a restaurant that I have visited with my family that is close to our hearts, as it is owned by close friends of my husbands family. This restaurant is a traditional Greek restaurant that is located right on a beach and built overlooking the sea. It is in such a beautiful location that it is very popular with both locals and tourists on the island where I live.
I have visited this restaurant with my family many times before and we return regularly to eat there. They serve all kinds of fresh fish and traditional Greek dishes. My favourite dish is the kokkinisto, which is beef cooked in a red wine sauce, served with rice or potatoes. My husband also enjoys this dish, but he prefers to order the fresh fish, which is usually caught by his friend who works there and is also one of the local policemen. They have an abundant supply of fish, crab, squid and shellfish, they also have a fish pool there, where they keep a supply of sea bream and tanks with lobsters.
This restaurant has a very special place in our hearts because it is where I got married. Friends and family came together to transform the restaurant into a beach side paradise for our wedding celebrations. The food that they served during the wedding was excellent, with a starter of Greek salad and a meat meze, the main course was lamb cooked on a spin outside, with vegetables, and potatoes. Then, for dessert, there were fruit plates and plenty of wedding cake. The food was so delicious that everyone commented on how good it was and how much they had enjoyed it.
The Mediterranean food served in this restaurant is always fresh and cooked by a chef who has years and years of experience making these traditional dishes. The atmosphere there is wonderful and relaxing, with a regular crowd of people who visit. Everybody is made to feel welcome and like they are a part of the family. If anyone was looking for recommendations for places to eat when visiting the island, I would not hesitate to send them there.
Feedback
This is a high-level answer, as there are concrete words being used to tell a story and answer the why, who, where and what questions. Words and phrases are used to describe thoughts and feelings. The bullet points have been covered with the extra information given (examples), which extends the answer. Collocations, plurals and idioms have also been used correctly.
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If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
A complete model answer and preparation guide for this IELTS Speaking cue card topic. Includes key vocabulary, follow-up questions, and examiner-approved response strategies.
Originally published September 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, you will see a sample cue card question, high-level answer and feedback.
Model Answer
I’d like to talk about a small business idea that I have been considering for a while and that is to open a craft cafe. I would like to rent a property in a popular area where I live, with enough space for a coffee bar, tables inside, a workshop in the back and an outside seating area. This would be a creative environment, for people to come and spend time with their friends or on their own to make something and have a coffee.
The creative space inside would have a workshop area where classes could be held regularly, with those attending paying a small fee. Materials would be available for people to knit, crochet or draw. People could donate craft items too, on a sharing basis, for example, if you bring something to share, you can take something in return. This would encourage people to meet fellow makers and make new friends in the community. So many people now are into crafting that there has been a surge in craft classes in local communities. This cafe would be a dedicated craft cafe space.
I would like to start this business in the next five years if possible, starting out with a small property and then possibly expanding into a larger space if the profits allow. The next step would be to create a learning centre next to the workshop so that people could also learn other skills and attend courses there. I have not yet had the time or money to start this business, as quite a lot of money would be needed to rent and renovate a space. I am still looking for the ‘perfect’ property to do this in, as I have in my thoughts somewhere that is small and looks like it would fit into an old English village.
I would like to open a craft cafe so that fellow minded people could meet up and share their skills and knowledge with other crafters. People in the community with various skills could run workshops so that people who wish to learn something new have the opportunity. In my area, there are no classes like this or any opportunity for people to learn new skills in crafts. Bringing people together in this way is a grat idea and would certainly be welcomed by the large crafting community that already exists.
Feedback
This is a high-level answer, as there are concrete words being used to tell a story (the story behind the craft cafe idea). Words and phrases are used to describe thoughts and feelings. The bullet points have been covered with the extra information given (examples), which extends the answer. The answer also includes collocations and the correct use of pronouns.
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
A complete model answer and preparation guide for this IELTS Speaking cue card topic. Includes key vocabulary, follow-up questions, and examiner-approved response strategies.
Originally published September 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, you will see a sample cue card question, high-level answer and feedback.
Model Answer
I want to tell you about one of my favourite photographs, it was taken by me a few years ago when my parents came to visit the island. They were on holiday for a couple of weeks and wanted to visit various places, including Paleokastritsa, Sidari, Mon Repos and the famous Town. They also wanted to return to the quaint little fishing village of Kassiopi, which is a lovely place to go to get a coffee and watch the boats come in and go out.
I took a photograph of my parents enjoying a traditional Greek dessert called Baklava. I used my canon camera with a 50mm lens, so the photograph is very detailed, with great lighting. They both look so happy and are obviously enjoying themselves. The baklava in the photograph is dripping in honey, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. My father has his piece of baklava on his fork, raised about to put it into his mouth and he is smiling, my mother is laughing at him. We were sitting at a cafe near to the water, with the sea and the boats in the background.
I remember this photograph as we had a great day out in that small fishing village, wandering around the small shopping lined streets and looking at the tourist merchandise for sale. We checked out the boats that were docked, taking an interest in the speedboats and small yachts that were moored there. You often see super yachts around the island or expensive speedboats that look like they are out of a movie. We then sat and had some refreshments in the waterside cafe and ordered some sweet traditional desserts. Everyone was happy, laughing and in high spirits that day. I know that they enjoyed themselves immensely and when they visit, they alsways ask to go to Kassiopi and have a walk around.
Feedback
This is a high-level answer, as there are concrete words being used to tell a story (the story behind the photograph). Words and phrases are used to describe thoughts and feelings. The bullet points have been covered with the extra information given (examples), which extends the answer.
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
A complete model answer and preparation guide for this IELTS Speaking cue card topic. Includes key vocabulary, follow-up questions, and examiner-approved response strategies.
Originally published September 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, you will see a sample cue card question, high-level answer and feedback.
Model Answer
I’d like to talk about the litter problem that we have where I live. When you walk around your village, go into the town, visit monuments or any places really, there is always litter lying on the ground. Even though there are many rubbish bins in places that you pass, people still leave litter on the streets or anywhere they want. This is a huge problem for the environment, as animals can hurt themselves and obviously it looks terrible.
The main reason that this is such an issue, is that there are hundreds, maybe thousands of tourists that come here every year, leaving litter. The bins provided in many areas are quite small, often overflowing so much that there is a huge pile of growing litter right next to the bin. They are not emptied often enough in busy areas, causing a problem. this leads to stray animals inspecting the contents of the trash and makes the area look bad. The litter left behind in some areas, like next to ancient ruins or monuments is just carelessness from tourists. I have seen broken glass, bottles, papers and coffee cups all next to a very well known monument here on the island. I have collected litter to put into the bin, especially if it is broken glass and my dog is with me.
The people on the island are always complaining about the litter problem here, with demonstrations in town. The litter is not collected, sometimes for over a week and rubbish bins start to overflow. Sometimes the garbage collectors go on strike, leaving mountains of rubbish growing every day. This is a real issue, especially with so many tourists visiting the island each year.
To solve this problem, the authorities should provide more bins in built up areas and empty the trash daily. They could also put more signs up saying not to litter and perhaps introduce strict fines for those who do, for example, in the UK there are hefty fines for littering. They need to make people aware that it is not allowed and wrong to leave litter anywhere, making the place look untidy and harming the environment. If the local authorities can make some changes in the short term, then the whole of the island environment and famous well known areas will benefit in the long term.
Feedback
This is a high-level answer, as there are concrete words being used to describe the problem. Words and phrases are used to describe thoughts and feelings about this problem. The bullet points have been covered with the extra information given (examples), which extends the answer. A solution is offered to combat this problem, with good use of vocabulary and collocations.
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – Describe a restaurant you enjoyed going to.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – Describe a small business you want to start.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – Describe a photograph that you remember.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – A problem that effects the environment.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – An activity you like to do in your free time.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – The perfect vacation.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – Something you like to do in the winter.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – A Job That Is Considered Important In Your Country.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – An object that is important to you.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – A place you have visited when you were a child.
A complete model answer and preparation guide for this IELTS Speaking cue card topic. Includes key vocabulary, follow-up questions, and examiner-approved response strategies.
Originally published September 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, you will see a sample cue card question, high-level answer and feedback.
Model Answer
I’d like to talk about my idea of a perfect vacation. As I live in Spain, I normally like to visit cities when I go on vacation, to soak up some different types of culture. Of course, there is plenty of culture here on this lovely little piece of paradise, but every now and again I need to leave and visit a busy bustling city. My perfect vacation would probably lead me to New York.
I have visited New York once and I can’t wait to return, the noise, the lights and the non-stop energy of the city makes it a great place to go. I would visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and The Met Museum to see both traditional and modern art, before planning my way through the city. Visiting Central Park, 5th Avenue to window shop, Times Square, The Rockefeller Centre and even the Statue of Liberty. There are other places I would like to visit, which include the Natural History Museum, the sex and the city tour and to see a Broadway show. I would also like to see the restaurant close to Times Square that is decorated like a 1950’s diner, where the waiters and waitresses get up on the tables to sing. I have heard they are all amazing and the experience is one that you will never forget.
When I visit again, I will take my husband as he has never been before. he really enjoys travelling and seeing new places, he enjoys looking at famous architecture, so I know that he will want to visit the Empire State building and ground zero, where the twin towers used to be. We could also sample the food whilst in the city, with breakfast in art deco diners, lunch from small cafes in the park and dinner in a different place every night.
This would be my idea of a perfect vacation because it allows us to have a different lifestyle for a week, which is a refreshing change from the quiet, but stunning place we live in now. I like to feel inspired from my vacations, visiting places that give me ideas and make me feel energised. New York is such an amazing city that you can feel the buzz around you of people living their lives. Visiting a busy city like this, makes a vacation feel exciting and full of energy, which is ideal in my perspective.
Feedback
This is a strong answer, as there are examples given of what, where, who and why. The topic has been fully discussed, with additional information added that was not prompted by the bullet points.There are various tenses and structures used, for the past and present. There is also evidence of collocations being used and a high level of vocabulary.
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
