IELTS Speaking Part 2
You should say:
- where it was
- how much you lived there
- what you liked about it
and say if you would like to go there again.
Model answer
This is a story from my adolescent years, I probably was in my early teens. It was summer school break, and my parents decided it would be good for me to spend the summer at my grandparents’. The place is a short bus trip away from Munich, but it would surprise you how different things are out there. If I had known I would enjoy my stay there so much, I would have gone there every single summer!
To start with, people in the country have a very different attitude. They are not as eager to befriend you at first, but once you get to know them better, it turns out they are much more frank and friendly than the urbanites. If you were to compare these two kinds of people, you would soon find out that the latter are much more superficial and less involved in your friendship. Secondly, and this should go without saying, is nature. Lush fields and rolling hills, the peace and quiet of the place really set the mood. You simply feel more comfortable and safe.
As I have said, I’d gladly go back there again and again. Sadly, free time is at a premium for me at the moment, as I have to study and have a part-time job. I hope to visit my grandparents again in the foreseeable future.
IELTS Speaking Part 3
Urbanisation
Do people in your country tend to live in smaller towns or bigger cities? Why?
One would assume that people on our planet are mostly concentrated in big metropolitan areas. While this is generally true for most countries, mine is a pleasant exception. There is no disproportionate number of people living in the city, the distribution is pretty even here. I am sure this is owing to much higher living costs in bigger urban agglomerations and the undue levels of stress associated with living there. While living in the country might not be as exciting, it seems well worth it, seeing just how many people choose it as their permanent residence.
How can people be encouraged to live in the country?
The easiest way, and the one that is most likely to succeed, is to make people more informed about the innumerable benefits of living outside of the city. Once people realise that life has so much more to offer than city hustle and bustle,they will think twice before moving there. Those born in urban areas might even consider moving to the country to see if it is really their thing. This should be especially easy in the current working environment. What I mean to say is that quite a bit of people nowadays work from home. There are convincing reasons for that—there is no commuting, no having to turn up at the office. As we know, work is the main reason many live in cities, so take care of that, and folks will flock to the rural areas!
Will urbanisation increase further in the future? Why/Why not?
Not necessarily. As we become less dependent on the location where we work, we might choose to relocate and enjoy a much less stressful lifestyle in the countryside. In fact, this could be welcomed by the law or regulations of some kind. As we will likely be facing overpopulation in the future, people will have to be spread across the globe more evenly, so it makes a lot of sense to incentivise relocation.
City and the country
What are the differences between living in a city and in the country?
First and foremost, it’s the pace. People in the city are always in a hurry. They have to be on time for work, a meeting, their yoga class, and a dentist’s appointment. Then they drive at excessive speeds, honking at each other, probably enjoying the rush. They spend most of their days living like that and eventually they forget that it doesn’t have to be that way. The country folk are usually more in touch with nature. It is no secret that life is not a race so the rhythm is much more regular, even sedated. This takes time to get used to, and it might not be to everyone’s liking.
Why do young people tend to live in bigger cities?
Work, education and entertainment are the three major reasons. When they graduate from high school, they have to get a degree and a smaller town normally just can’t offer an opportunity like that, so they have to move. Once they graduate, they have to put the degree to good use, and a smaller town is unlikely to need it – so again, they have to move. Finally, when you are young, eager and adventurous, you want to have fun! And while fun is not about just bars and night-clubs, for many, it is. Summing up, I believe these are the reasons they go to live there.
Do you think that more people will move to the countryside in the future?
Yeah, probably. As I have said, we grow less attached to the place, and everybody uses computers for work nowadays. There is no reason to believe that we will become less dependent on technology, the opposite is likely to be the case. As a result, cities will lose their significance as the business centres of the world. With growing decentralisation and a more even distribution of talent, we will see people leaving cities to pursue more comfortable lives.
City and the country vocabulary
Urbanite (n) – a person living in the city.
Lush fields – fields that are rich with grass, flowers and other vegetation.
Rolling hills – hills that flow evenly from one onto another.
Urban agglomeration – a general term for big city and its immediate surroundings.
Hustle and bustle – state of being busy or full of activity.
Relocate (v) – to change the place where you live, usually for a long time or permanently.
In touch with – close to, not losing connection with something.
General vocabulary
Adolescent (adj) – aged 10-19.
Grandparents’ – possessive case used here to mean somebody’s place.
If I had known… – a Third Conditional sentence here is highlighted to emphasise how IELTS Speaking assessors like more advanced vocabulary to be included in your answer.
Attitude (n) – approach to or opinion of something.
Frank (adj) – honest, telling the truth.
Superficial (adj) – not real, appearing as something else on the surface.
At a premium – if something is at a premium, it is rare, or difficult to find.
Owing to – because of or thanks to.
Undue (adj) – unneeded or more than necessary.
Flock to – rush to, come to in great numbers.
Incentivise (v) – give reason or stimulus to do something e.g. by giving money.
Sedated (adj) – slow and calm, can be used negatively.
To put smth to good use – to find usage or application for something.
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