The IELTS speaking section questions are designed to encourage students to talk about their personal experiences by asking about different topics. One such topic is: “Describe your hometown”, which is asked of students. This question provides an opportunity to share the memories of their hometown and how they feel about it. This blog will guide you to attempt this question appropriately with samples, follow-up questions, and tips to ace the section.
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Cue Cards are part of the IELTS speaking section, where applicants are required to answer a few questions about a given topic for about 1 to 2 minutes. Prospects will get a cue card that includes a prompt to guide their response. Moreover, aspirants get 1 minute to prepare their answer before they start to speak. This segment examines the students’ ability to convey, structure, think and speak fluently. Also, these are crucial to assess pronunciation, vocabulary and coherence.
One of the prominent questions IELTS candidates face is how to effectively answer the cue card, as it can significantly impact the overall result. Answering this section may seem complex, but with careful understanding and reading of the topic, it becomes easy. The key things you should keep in mind while answering are using the preparation time to write down keywords, giving specific examples and using varied vocabulary. However, you can see the samples below to learn how to ace the cue card section.
According to the topic of this blog, “Describe your hometown”, candidates should frame a clear structure, starting with a clear introductory paragraph including key details about the topic and then respond to the questions that are as follows:
The IELTS speaking part 2 response is evaluated on the basis of the flow of the content, grammatical range, punctuation, fluency, and coherence. Thus, it is essential to use appropriate grammar, such as idioms, phrases, and more, in your response. You will get a minute to prepare your thoughts and then speak for two minutes on the topic. Now, let us see what the cue card looks like.
Here is the first sample of the IELTS cue cards, where you need to describe your hometown by answering the above-mentioned questions.
My hometown is Jaipur, situated in Rajasthan. It is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills and features a few popular buildings, including Hawa Mahal.
I am from Jaipur, a beautiful city in Rajasthan, but I have been living in Mumbai for the past two years. I love staying in Mumbai, but I miss my hometown quite often because of the memories of my childhood and family.
Jaipur is also known as the Pink City because most of the buildings in the city are painted pink. It offers a vibrant combination of unique architecture, rich history and bustling Rajasthan culture. The markets in Jaipur are very colourful and showcase the beautiful traditional crafts such as blue pottery and jewellery.
There are so many things that I like about my hometown, Jaipur. However, the most appealing aspect of my hometown is its people. Every individual in my hometown is so welcoming and humble, which makes the city more beautiful and lively.
Yes, one particular change I would like to bring to Jaipur is to increase the green spaces in parks and grounds. The construction of parks will foster outdoor activities by enhancing the parks and places for outdoor sports in the town.
In essence, Jaipur is close to my heart, and is a perfect example of culture, warmth and history. The place has taught me to stay connected with my roots wherever I go.
Below is another sample, which will help you learn how to respond to the IELTS speaking section with precision.
My hometown is Dharamshala, which is highly regarded for spiritual activities and known as the house of dharma. The city is home to several tourists, monks and spiritual seekers, having a strong influence of Tibetan culture.
It is a small city located in Himachal Pradesh, snuggled in the Kangra Valley and identified as the winter capital of the state. The place serves as the home to the Tibetan community, making it popularly identified as “Little Tibet.”
It is a picturesque town where you can see Tibetan temples and explore Tibetan eateries with stunning views of the Himalayas. It is surrounded by opaque forests of Deodar cedar trees and beautiful waterfalls. Dharamshala attracts plenty of tourists and pilgrims due to its popular spots.
Being a small town, life in my hometown is simple and basic, which I like most. Additionally, it serves a diverse range of cuisine, including traditional Tibetan food, which I thoroughly enjoy whenever I visit my hometown.
The one thing I would like to change in my hometown is to restrict the number of tourists, as an excessive amount of travellers is leading to pollution and affecting environmental health. Also, I would like to promote sustainable tourism in Dharamshala to make the people responsible for their actions.
In a nutshell, Dharamshala holds a special place in my heart, primarily due to the cherished childhood memories I will forever treasure. It creates a warm atmosphere which makes me feel very nostalgic and emotional.
Now, take a glimpse at the final sample for the IELTS speaking part 2, where you will describe your hometown.
I was born and brought up in Kolkata, and I have a deep regard for this city. It is also known as the city of joy, which is evident in the residents who consistently spread laughter with their sweet voices.
Kolkata is located on the banks of the Hooghly River in Eastern India and serves as the capital of West Bengal. The city is famous for being the centre of cultural, commercial and historical events.
Kolkata offers a thriving cultural and intellectual scene, which is one of the prominent aspects of living there. You can experience mild winters, humid summers and a slow monsoon season in my hometown. The city boasts a rich culture of music, art, tradition and theatre which can appeal to anyone.
I like the lively streets, rich culture and buzzing markets of Kolkata, which display its unique heritage. Also, the traditional Bengali cuisine is so tempting that it always attracts me towards my hometown. Moreover, I like the Durga Puja festival, which people from different nations attend.
One thing that I would like to change in Kolkata is the way people think, because it affects the surroundings and society. People in the city are living with a lazy mindset, which impacts the growth of Kolkata. It is vital to have creative thinking to lead innovation and development in the city.
Summing up, I adore my hometown for several reasons, including its modern amenities, historical architecture, festive celebrations, and vibrant street food.
Lexical resources show your vocabulary knowledge, focusing on the flexibility, accuracy and range of words that you choose while answering the IELTS speaking section. Thus, below is a list of diverse vocabulary words that will enhance your familiarity with lexical resources.
| Vocabulary Words | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Traditional | Something which has been believed or done for a long time |
| Construction | The method of making something, such as building |
| Enhancing | To make something better or improve something |
| Opaque | Not clear or difficult to understand |
| Cuisine | The cooking style of a specific country |
| Excessive | Too much or extreme |
| Sustainable | Involving the use of natural energy or products to save the environment |
| Nostalgic | Feeling happy by recalling memories |
| Cherish | To show or feel affection for something |
| Tempting | Highly attractive |
| Innovation | Process of developing and applying new ideas |
| Architecture | The science or art of building |
Now that you have understood how to respond to the questions in IELTS speaking part 2, let's see a few follow-up questions that will be asked by the examiner to assess your communication skills.
1. Most people do not live in their hometown these days. Why?
Ans. There are numerous reasons why people are moving away from their native places, including personal relations, career prospects, and educational opportunities. Moreover, the increase in globalisation and urbanisation has enhanced the chances of relocating, making it easier for people to shift to other cities or countries.
2. In your opinion, what is the role of hometown in shaping an individual's personality?
In my opinion, our hometown plays a pivotal role in shaping our personality by offering a context of traditions, language, and shared values that influence our behaviour and outlook. Also, our cultural characteristics become an essential part of our identity by influencing our perspectives.
3. Do people living in a similar hometown have the same mindset? Why?
In my opinion, people living in the same hometown may share cultural similarities, which is a crucial factor that shapes their thinking. However, there are some other aspects that influence the thinking of individuals, such as education, personal experiences, and upbringing, leading to different beliefs and perspectives. So, they don't share the same thinking.
4. What makes the hometown so special?
The cherished memories promote a strong sense of belonging, making the place special for us. Also, familiarity with our hometown, from its unique characteristics to its local landscapes, provides a relaxing environment that keeps us attached to our hometown.
To excel in the IELTS speaking part 2, make the most of your preparation time and use a clear structure to convey your opinions effectively.
To sum up, the IELTS speaking section is one of the most challenging tasks for many aspirants, as they often lack the skills to communicate and structure their responses effectively. Therefore, to overcome this fear, the blog included samples to describe your hometown-IELTS cue card, making it easier for students to learn the right approach to respond during their speaking section. However, if you still have issues with this question, our experts can help you master it. From the IELTS band score calculator to free IELTS mock tests, you can find everything at Gradding.com to boost your overall scores. Connect now!
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