Describe a city you would like to go to for a short time
You should say:
What the city is
Where it is located
Who you would go with
And explain why you want to visit it for a short time
💡
Speaking Pro Tip: The 2-Minute Rule
Don't stop speaking until the examiner stops you! If you run out of points, use the "Expand Strategy": Add a personal feeling, a specific sensory detail (what you saw/heard), or a quick "Past vs. Present" comparison to hit the 2-minute mark comfortably.
🎙️ Band 9 Model Answer
Model Answer RecordingAI SYNTHESIS
Ready to listenBand 9 Audio
If I were given the chance to jet off for a quick, much-needed getaway tomorrow, the one city that has been at the very top of my bucket list for years is Kyoto, Japan. It’s located in the central part of the island of Honshu and was actually the imperial capital of Japan for over a millennium. To be perfectly honest, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of visiting since I first saw a documentary about Japanese craftsmanship as a teenager.
I’d love to go with my best mate, who is a complete photography enthusiast and has a real eye for detail. He’s always been fascinated by Japanese aesthetics—everything from the architecture to the way they serve tea—and I know we’d both be absolutely enthralled by the visual beauty of the place. We’ve actually spent hours talking about finally doing this trip together.
The reason I’m so incredibly keen to visit, specifically for a short, intense stint like a long weekend, is to experience the "Old Japan" that you see in movies but rarely in the hyper-modern metropolises like Tokyo. Kyoto is world-renowned for its incredibly well-preserved wooden temples, serene Zen rock gardens, and the famous Gion district where, if you’re lucky, you can still catch a glimpse of Maiko or Geisha disappearing into an alleyway.
I’m particularly drawn to the Japanese concept of "Wabi-sabi"—which essentially revolves around the appreciation of beauty in simple, natural, and imperfect things. I can perfectly imagine us wandering through the towering Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at the absolute crack of dawn to beat the crowds, or visiting the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion as the sun starts to set. For me, a short trip like this would be like a quick reset for the soul; a rare chance to fully immerse myself in a culture that is so radically different from my own and enjoy a moment of genuine tranquility before heading back to the relentless hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s a city that seems to exist in its own time capsule, and I’m absolutely desperate to experience it firsthand.
✨ Natural Vocabulary Used
Bucket listA number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.
EnthralledFascinated; having one's attention held completely.
Short stintA brief period of time spent doing something.
At the crack of dawnVery early in the morning.
Hustle and bustleBusy and noisy activity.
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Mention the general location briefly, but focus on the 'atmosphere' and 'sensory details' (what it feels like, looks like, or sounds like). This shows better descriptive range.
Personal places are often better as you can express more genuine feelings and anecdotes, which naturally leads to higher fluency and less robotic speaking.
The test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes and is divided into three parts.
You can ask for clarification! Say 'Could you repeat the question, please?' or 'I'm not exactly sure what you mean by [word].'
No. You are marked on pronunciation, not accent. As long as you are clear and easy to understand, you can achieve a Band 9.