Speaking Part 2 · PlacesIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a City You Would Like to Live In
In short
“Describe a City You Would Like to Live In” is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card. You get 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all four points below. This page gives you a Band 9 model answer, an idea map so you can make it your own, the Part 3 follow-up questions with answers, and the vocabulary examiners reward.
The task card
Describe a City You Would Like to Live In. You should say:
- •Which city it is
- •How you know about it
- •What it is like
- •And explain why you would like to live there
Band 9 model answer
A city I've always dreamed of living in is Melbourne, in Australia. I've never actually been, so it's a bit of an idealised picture, but everything I've read and heard has stuck with me.
I first got curious about it from a friend who moved there for work and never stopped talking about it, and since then I've fallen down a rabbit hole of articles and videos. It regularly tops those 'most liveable cities' rankings, which is what first caught my attention.
From what I understand, it's a fairly relaxed, cosmopolitan place with a strong coffee and food culture, loads of green spaces, and a genuinely diverse population, so you get the buzz of a big city without it feeling overwhelming. It's also supposed to be very well-connected, with good public transport and easy access to beaches and countryside — which sounds like the best of both worlds to me.
The main reason I'd like to live there is the quality of life. I'm at a stage where I care less about a frantic career-driven city and more about balance — being able to work, but also have time outdoors, good food, and a strong sense of community. Melbourne seems to offer exactly that combination. Of course the cost of living is high and it's a long way from my family, so it's not without trade-offs, but if the opportunity ever came up, I think I'd seriously consider putting down roots there.
Make it your own: three angles
Quality of life
The easiest "why" — green space, safety, balance. Works well even for a city you have not visited.
Career opportunity
A hub for your industry; good for ambition-focused reasons and future plans.
Culture and diversity
Arts, food, and a cosmopolitan feel — rich descriptive vocabulary and personal-interest angles.
What the examiner is listening for
Because it's a city you may not live in yet, this card rewards the conditional ('I'd love to live there because…') alongside present tenses describing what it's like. Don't just list features — connect them to why they suit you, and acknowledging a trade-off (cost, distance) shows a mature, balanced answer.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Do you live in a city or a smaller town?
- Do you like the place where you live?
- Would you like to live abroad one day?
- What makes somewhere a good place to live?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
What makes a city a good place to live?
A combination of things — affordable housing, safety, good public transport, healthcare and schools, plus green space and a sense of community. The best cities balance economic opportunity with liveability, so people can both build a career and actually enjoy their day-to-day lives.
What are the main problems of living in big cities?
The obvious ones are the cost of living, traffic, pollution, and overcrowding. There's also a subtler problem: big cities can feel anonymous and isolating despite the crowds. Managing growth so infrastructure keeps pace with population is the central challenge for most large cities.
Do you think more people will move to smaller towns in future?
Possibly. Remote work has weakened the need to live near an office, and smaller towns offer space and lower costs, which appeals to many. But cities still concentrate jobs, culture, and services, so I'd expect a gradual rebalancing rather than a mass exodus.
Should governments invest more in public transport?
Definitely. Good public transport reduces congestion and emissions, connects people to jobs, and makes cities more equal by giving those without cars real mobility. It's expensive upfront, but the long-term payoff in productivity and quality of life more than justifies it.
Is a city or the countryside better for raising children?
Each has strengths. Cities offer better schools, activities, and diversity of experience, while the countryside offers space, safety, and a closer relationship with nature. There's no single answer — it really depends on the family's priorities and how well-connected the rural area is.
How might cities change in the future?
I'd expect greener, smarter cities — more cycling and pedestrian areas, electric transport, and technology managing everything from traffic to energy. The pressure of climate change and population growth will likely push cities towards being denser but also more sustainable and liveable.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| quality of life | how good and comfortable your life is |
| cosmopolitan | containing people and influences from many cultures |
| cost of living | how much money you need for daily life |
| vibrant | full of energy and life |
| green spaces | parks and natural areas in a city |
| well-connected | having good transport links |
| thriving | growing and successful |
| to put down roots | to settle permanently in a place |
| standard of living | the level of comfort and wealth people have |
| buzz | an atmosphere of excitement and activity |
More cue cards
Describe a Memorable Journey You Took
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