Speaking Part 2 · PlacesIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Park or Garden You Like
In short
“Describe a Park or Garden You Like” 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 Park or Garden You Like. You should say:
- •Where this park or garden is
- •How often you go there
- •What you usually do there
- •And explain why you like it
Band 9 model answer
The green space I always come back to is the botanical gardens just a short walk from my flat. It's not huge, but it's beautifully laid out, with winding gravel paths, a glasshouse full of tropical plants, and a big ornamental pond right in the middle. For me it's a real oasis of calm in the middle of an otherwise fairly hectic city, and it was honestly one of the main reasons I chose the flat in the first place.
I try to get there at least a couple of times a week. Usually it's first thing in the morning before work, when it's quiet and the light is lovely, or at the weekend when I've got a bit more time to linger. It's one of the few places that's practically on my doorstep, so I've really got no excuse not to go. In summer I'll pop in most evenings too, once the worst of the heat has died down, and there's a completely different feel to it depending on when you visit.
What I actually do there depends entirely on my mood. Sometimes I'll go for a brisk walk or a gentle jog just to stretch my legs and clear my head. Other times I'll find a bench under this enormous magnolia tree, take a book, and happily while away an hour or two. Occasionally I'll bring a coffee and just people-watch for a while. I've also got a favourite spot right by the pond where I like to sit and watch the ducks — it probably sounds a bit dull, but it's genuinely one of the most relaxing things I do all week.
But the main reason I love it, and why I keep going back, is the effect it has on me. I've got quite a stressful job, and I find that even twenty minutes among all that lush greenery completely resets my mood. There's just something about being surrounded by nature — the birdsong, the smell of cut grass, the way the colours change through the seasons — that helps me recharge my batteries in a way that scrolling on my phone never does. I remember one particularly awful week when everything seemed to be going wrong at once, and a single early morning walk there genuinely turned my whole outlook around. It's become a bit of a ritual for me now.
So really, it's far more than just a park to me — it's my go-to place whenever I need a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. Whenever friends come to visit, it's the first place I take them, and I honestly can't imagine living somewhere without one close by.
Make it your own: three angles
A quiet neighbourhood park
Great for talking about routine and relaxation, so you can show off present-tense habitual language.
A grand botanical garden
Lets you describe plants and layout in detail, which is ideal for rich descriptive vocabulary.
A park tied to a specific memory
Adds emotional depth and a natural chance to use past-tense narrative in the final bullet.
What the examiner is listening for
Use the 'how often' bullet to show off present-tense habitual language ('I tend to', 'I'll usually', 'most mornings'), then shift into why the place matters to you for the final bullet, where a short personal anecdote works well. Bring in the senses — sound, smell, colour — to describe the greenery vividly.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Are there many parks in your area?
- Did you play in parks when you were a child?
- Do you prefer parks or gardens?
- How often do you spend time outdoors?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
Why are parks and green spaces so important for people in cities?
They're absolutely essential, in my view. Cities can be stressful, polluted and overwhelming, and parks give people somewhere to breathe and unwind. There's plenty of research showing that access to greenery improves both physical and mental health. For me personally, my local park is the one thing that keeps me sane during a busy working week.
Do you think most cities have enough green space?
Honestly, no — a lot of cities have prioritised development over parks, so green space has been squeezed out. Where I live it's not too bad, but I know plenty of neighbourhoods where the nearest decent park is a bus ride away. As cities get denser, I think planners really need to protect and even expand these areas rather than build over them.
How do parks benefit children specifically?
In loads of ways. They give children a safe space to run around and burn off energy, which matters so much when many of them spend hours glued to screens. Playing outdoors also helps them develop socially, because they learn to share and make friends. And there's something valuable about kids simply connecting with nature that you just can't get indoors.
Should governments spend more money on public parks?
I'd say yes, provided it's spent wisely. Well-maintained parks benefit everyone regardless of income, which makes them a genuinely fair use of public money. Neglected parks, on the other hand, can attract antisocial behaviour and end up avoided. So it's not just about creating them but keeping them clean, safe and welcoming, and that requires ongoing funding.
Do people use parks differently now compared to the past?
To some extent, yes. Traditionally parks were mainly for a stroll or a picnic, but now you see them used for outdoor gyms, yoga classes, running clubs and even open-air cinemas. Technology plays a part too — people meet up through apps to exercise together. That said, the core appeal, just relaxing in a bit of greenery, hasn't really changed at all.
What could encourage more people to spend time outdoors?
Making green spaces more accessible and inviting is the big one — good lighting, clean facilities and things to do all help. Organised events like markets or free fitness classes give people a reason to turn up. Beyond that, I think it's partly cultural: if we made spending time outside feel normal and appealing rather than a chore, especially for younger people, far more of us would do it.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| an oasis of calm | a peaceful place in the middle of a busy or stressful environment |
| to unwind | to relax and let go of stress |
| lush greenery | thick, healthy green plants and vegetation |
| to recharge your batteries | to rest and regain your energy |
| a breath of fresh air | something (or somewhere) that feels refreshing and revitalising |
| manicured lawns | grass that is kept very neat and carefully maintained |
| to stretch your legs | to go for a short walk after sitting for a while |
| teeming with wildlife | full of birds, insects and other animals |
| on your doorstep | very close to where you live |
| to while away the hours | to spend time in a relaxed, pleasant, unhurried way |
More cue cards
Describe a Quiet Place You Like to Go
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