The cue card
Describe a city you would like to visit in the future.
You should say:
- which city it is
- where it is
- what you already know about it
and explain why you would like to go there.
You have one minute to make notes, then speak for one to two minutes.
Band 8–9 sample answer
Written by Abroadway as a model of natural, high-band speaking (not an official IELTS sample).
A city I've wanted to visit for years is Istanbul, and I'm hoping to go there with a couple of friends once I've finished my degree, assuming we can save up enough money. It's in the north-west of Turkey, and what makes its location so unusual is that it sits on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait that separates Europe from Asia. So, in theory, you could have breakfast on one continent and lunch on another just by taking a short ferry ride, which I find quite incredible. I already know a fair amount about it, partly from history lessons and partly because my mother has been hooked on Turkish historical dramas for years, so I've absorbed quite a lot just by sitting next to her.
I know that it used to be called Constantinople and that it was the capital of both the Byzantine and the Ottoman empires, which is why it's packed with extraordinary buildings like the Hagia Sophia and huge mosques with those famous pencil-thin minarets. I've also watched plenty of travel vlogs, so I know about the Grand Bazaar, the street vendors selling simit, which is a kind of sesame bread ring, and the fact that people there seem to drink tea almost as constantly as we do in Bangladesh. What really draws me there, though, comes down to a few things. Firstly, I'm fascinated by places where different cultures overlap, and Istanbul seems to be the ultimate example, with layers of Christian and Islamic history sitting side by side.
Secondly, I'd love to see the great mosques in person, ideally at the time of the call to prayer, since I've only ever seen them in photos. And to be honest, I'm also going for the food. I've been told the kebabs and baklava alone would justify the plane ticket.
Useful phrases from this answer
- save up
- keep money over time for a future purpose
- hooked on
- enjoying something so much that you cannot stop
- packed with
- full of
- side by side
- next to each other
- the biggest draw
- the main thing that attracts people
- at the last minute
- very late, just before something happens
- think twice about
- consider something carefully before doing it
- on balance
- after considering all the arguments
Part 3 follow-up questions and answers
What attracts tourists to a particular city?
I'd say it's usually a combination of things, but history and culture are often the biggest draw. Cities with famous landmarks, museums or a distinctive architectural style, like Rome or Kyoto, attract people who want to see something they can't experience at home. Food is another major factor, and many travellers now plan entire trips around local cuisine. Practical considerations matter as well, such as safety, affordable accommodation and good transport links. And increasingly, I think social media plays a role. If a city looks beautiful in photos and short videos, it can suddenly become fashionable, even if it wasn't particularly well known a few years earlier.
How has the way people plan their holidays changed in recent years?
The biggest change is that people now do almost everything themselves online. In the past, many families would go to a travel agent and book a package that included flights, hotels and tours. Today, people compare flight prices on their phones, read reviews written by other travellers and book everything independently, often at the last minute. Social media has also become a key source of inspiration, so people may choose a destination because they saw a short video of it rather than reading a guidebook. In Bangladesh, I've noticed that young people increasingly organise group trips through Facebook communities, which makes travelling within the country cheaper and more sociable.
What are the benefits of international tourism for a country?
The most obvious benefit is economic. Foreign tourists bring in currency and spend money on hotels, transport, food and souvenirs, which creates jobs for a wide range of people, from hotel staff to local craftspeople and guides. Tourism can also encourage governments to invest in infrastructure, such as airports and roads, which benefits residents as well. Beyond money, there's a cultural benefit. When people from different countries meet, they often challenge each other's stereotypes, and that kind of contact can build understanding. Tourism can even motivate a country to protect its heritage and natural environment, because those are the very things visitors come to see.
Can tourism cause problems for the people who live in popular places?
Yes, definitely, especially when a place becomes too popular too quickly. One common problem is that housing becomes expensive, because property owners can earn more by renting to tourists than to local families, so residents may be pushed out of their own neighbourhoods. Overcrowding is another issue; narrow streets, beaches and public transport can become unbearably busy during peak season. There can also be environmental damage, like litter and pressure on water supplies. In Bangladesh, for instance, there have been concerns about pollution and unplanned construction in places like Cox's Bazar and Saint Martin's Island. So I'd argue tourism needs careful management if it's going to benefit locals rather than harm them.
Do you think people will travel abroad more or less in the future?
On balance, I think more people will travel abroad, mainly because incomes are rising in many developing countries, including Bangladesh, and international travel is becoming a realistic option for families who could never have afforded it before. Cheaper airlines and online visa applications also make it simpler to plan a trip. However, there are factors that could slow this down. Growing awareness of climate change might make some people think twice about flying, and governments could introduce higher taxes on flights. The pandemic also showed how quickly travel can be disrupted. So overall I'd expect growth, but perhaps with people taking fewer, longer trips rather than frequent short ones.
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