IELTS Part 2 & 3 Sample Band 9 – Topic: A city/country you want to live the most

IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a city or country you want to live the most in the future.
You should say:
• What city it is.
• Where it is located.
• Why you like it.

Band 9 Sample

I would like to tell you about Tokyo, the city I want to live in the most in the future. It is the capital city of Japan and is the most populous metropolitan area in the world.

The most important reason I wish to settle down in Tokyo is the co-existence of modern and traditional values. It’s the kind of city where the red gates of a centuries-old Shinto shrine may well be found just next door to a glass skyscraper showcasing the finest 21st century technology. Or where a quiet green lane lined with wooden low-rise houses and an old school tofu shop might sit just a short stroll from a neon-lit square packed with flickering billboards and rainbow-bright street fashion.

The hectic life in Tokyo is also an irresistible attraction for young people. Tokyo’s railway system seems like it was designed to win world records. It’s rare to find a location in the metropolitan area that can’t be reached with a train ride and a short walk. It is also common knowledge that you could spend hours drooling over the elaborate pastries and picture-perfect sushi rolls in a department store.

I feel that the city is moving toward the future. I believe Tokyo will become a city that is full of surprises.

Vocabulary highlights:
• metropolitan: connected with a large or capital city
• settle down: start to have a quieter way of life
• co-existence: the state of being together in the same place at the same time
• shrine: a place where people come to worship
• showcase: present
• a short stroll from: not far from
• flicker: keep going on and off as it shines or burns
• hectic: full of activity
• irresistible: cannot be stopped or resisted
• drool: let saliva come out of your mouth
• elaborate: carefully prepared

IELTS Speaking Part 3

 Do you like to live alone or share a room with others?
I prefer to live on my own. It offers me a sense of freedom to do whatever I like without affecting or being affected by others. Sharing a room with a mate may be more fun as you have someone to talk to, but disagreements and conflicts occurring from daily interactions may be inevitable.

 What are the advantages and the disadvantages of living alone?
Well living somewhere on your own has some certain pros and cons, I believe. Like, our sense of independence can improve when we have no one to rely on but ourselves. It’s the main benefit of living alone. However, it would be tedious and maybe lonely when we have to sleep alone and do household chores without anybody’s help.

 What are the advantages of working abroad?
There are numerous benefits I can think of. Firstly, people have a great chance to improve their use of a foreign language. Working in countries like England or the US, for example helps them practice their English on on a daily basis, which eventually results in the a better level of confidence and activeness in their English communication skills. Also, people have ample chance to broaden their horizons by learning about the progress of other countries, such as management systems or technological advancements, right in their workplace, which not only provides them with knowledge but gives them a chance to accumulate a lot of good skills and experience.

 What are the disadvantages of living in a foreign country?
There are many but I would like to focus on two that I believe are the biggest. One of the drawbacks relates to culture shock. You know, differences in working manner or working culture may result in employees’ reluctance in processing their tasks, not to mention the difficulties in understanding others with a foreign language. Secondly, working in a foreign country can also be a challenge of one’s independence. In fact, a number of people have not been able to stay in a foreign country for the long term just because they cannot suffer the loneliness.

 Would you like to live in a developed city with a high salary, but with polluted air?
To be honest, I am not willing to live and work in conditions where there is such imbalance. It is because the environment can directly affect my ability to work as efficient as I can. Moreover, money can be earned but the harmful consequences for one’s health caused by pollution cannot be compensated. Needless to say, without health, it is hard for me to enjoy my life even when I am living in a developed country and can earn plenty of money.