City and Countryside – IELTS Speaking Part 1, 2 & 3 with Model Answers

The calm surrounding of the countryside attracts many people who are stressed with their busy schedule in the city. Even though you don’t have an ancestral home in the countryside, you must have visited certain areas during one of your trips with family or friends. So, the IELTS Speaking topic, ‘City and Countryside’ gives you an opportunity to share such an experience.

So, let us have a look at model answers for Part 1, two sample answers on the cue card topic, ‘Describe an enjoyable/unforgettable experience you had in the countryside’ as well as some Part 3 questions related to it so that you achieve a high band score.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – City and Countryside

1. Have you ever lived in the countryside?

I have lived in the countryside since childhood with my parents and grandparents. But when my father moved to the city because of his job, we had to move along with him.

OR

During our summer holidays, I used to visit my grandparents in the countryside and spent a month there. Other than that, we visited our ancestral home during festivities or special events like marriage.

2 Do you ever spend time in the countryside?/Do you often visit the countryside?

Yes, I usually head out on a day trip to lots of pleasant countryside regions on the weekend to recharge my energy after a busy week.

3 Who do you visit in the countryside?/ Do you have family or friends living in the countryside?

I like to visit my grandmother in the countryside. She is a farmer & she really enjoys the tranquility & the beauty of the countryside, so she decided to stay there for the rest of her life. I usually get there on a train. Whenever I get the chance to see her & enjoy the great fruit, spending some time getting back to nature, I find myself restored & relaxed.

4 Have areas of the countryside in your country changed since you were a child?

There is a massive change in the countryside, primarily because of industrialisation. The lush green fields are converted to mills and industries. Young people no longer stay there.

5 Would you like to live in the countryside in the future?

Absolutely! I’m a huge fan of lush green fields and forests. The environment there is just superb. Now and then I would visit a forest just because there isn’t that much pollution and I could smell the fresh air. The animals there are also quite cute – especially some colourful birds.

6 Do you think that visits to the countryside should be something that schools offer to their children?

Yes. It is an excellent idea for schools to arrange excursions to take their children to the countryside. Nowadays, most children spend their time on video games. So the excursions would be an excellent opportunity for them to appreciate nature and help them to meet their roots.

7 What facilities are there in your area? 

At present, I live in the city because it is in close proximity to my workplace. Moreover, it is well-connected to the other parts by bus and metro. What makes it the best place to live for a foodie like me is that there are loads of restaurants and outlets that serve authentic dishes at reasonable prices.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – City and Countryside

Sample Answer 1

• Introduction

Spending leisure time in the countryside can be a relaxing and memorable experience for anybody who likes to live close to Mother Nature. I also like enjoying my day in the countryside whenever I get a chance. Today, I would like to describe such a pleasant day that I spent about a few months ago.

• What was the activity?

I went to an all-night camp. This place was not very far from where I lived, nor was it that difficult to get there. It was a magnificent and scenic valley with lots of green. And a flowing river made it even more attractive. I could see some healthy cows roaming around and eating grass, a bit far away from us.

• When do you do it?

• Who did you do it with?

My two colleagues also accompanied me there during one weekend in March, and we had just no idea that the valley could look so beautiful at noon. With the sun shining with such brightness and a perfectly blue sky over our heads, the day couldn’t be perfect for enjoying the countryside.

After arriving there, we settled down very close to the valley to relax and enjoy the natural view around us first. Then we took a little walk in the beautiful valley where we discovered a massive flock of birds, which were also probably visiting the area just like us. We tried to count how many different kinds of birds there were, but we failed as they were just too many. After taking some rest in the afternoon, we had a barbecue at night to deal with our hungry stomachs.

• Why was it enjoyable?

I enjoyed our day out because it brought me close to a very peaceful and natural environment, away from the hectic city life. Besides, the experience of enjoying a barbecue was simply priceless.

Sample Answer 2

• What was the activity?

• When do you do it?

It was two years ago when I had my very first motorbike trip with my friends to the first and most ancient village which is located in the Southern part of our country. It is the most unforgettable trip that I’ve ever had.

• Who did you do it with?

Our group had three people, Jack, Jenny and me. We chose to visit that village because we wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get off the beaten track. Moreover, the village is also the birthplace of my grandparent, and I felt excited to visit the village and get a closer insight into the lifestyle of local people as well as my grandparent.

We set out for a day trip to date back to the tradition of our country very early. I’m always a night owl, not an early bird, so leaving the city at 5 a.m made me feel like I was deprived of sleep. However, I was deliriously happy shortly after embarking on the trip to the village. It was because on the way there we admired the breathtaking landscapes which are different from the city we are currently living in. After an hour’s drive, we got to the picturesque village, which made me feel over the moon. We rented some bikes to cycle around the village with a lot of small alleyways filled with green grass. After riding a bike to the paddy field to get the vibes of the village, we visited some 400-year-old ancient house which was made of mud and laterite and had a look at communal houses where the local people gathered for festival celebrations or public meetings. After that, we had lunch with much scrumptious food which is locally and organically grown. In the afternoon, we joined a cooking class with the villagers who were extremely friendly and talented at making traditional cakes. The highlight of the trip to the village was going to the paddy fields to help the farmers harvest the crop. It was such a once-in-a-lifetime experience which I enjoyed.

• Why was it enjoyable?

That was our first motorbike trip to the outskirts of the city, and the first time in the countryside so we enjoyed every single moment there. Jenny was like a dog with two tails while Jack and I were also on cloud nine. We relished everything in the village from the fresh air, cozy ambience to beautiful landscapes such as small houses or paddy fields. We were very much hoping that we can embark on a more extended trip to the countryside down the road if we have more spare time.

Check Out – My Strategy for IELTS Speaking Part 2

Band 9 Vocabulary For Cue Card

• Hustle and bustle: 

Meaning: Noisy and confusing activity.
Example: He goes to the park regularly to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

• Off the beaten track

Meaning: far away from the places that people usually visit.
Example: Kim’s family planned to go somewhere off the beaten track during the summer vacation

• Get insight into

Meaning: gain an accurate and deep understanding of the subject.
Example: The book gave a deep insight into the plight of workers in coffee plantations.

• Night owl

Meaning: someone who enjoys going out at night or does not go to bed until it is late.
Example: He was at the party till 4:00 AM in the morning. He’s such a night owl.

• Early bird

Meaning: someone who gets up early in the morning.
Example: Oliver was always an early bird.

• Deliriously happy

Meaning: very happy.
Example: Jack was deliriously happy when he heard the news.

• Embark on

Meaning: to start a new project or activity, usually one that will be difficult and will take time.
Example: ABC Company decided to embark on overseas expansion.

• Breathtaking

Meaning: extremely impressive or beautiful.
Example: The landscape in Scotland was breathtaking.

• Picturesque

Meaning: a picturesque place or scene is attractive, especially because it is old and interesting.
Example: It was a picturesque lake.

• Over the moon

Meaning: very happy.
Example: Juilet was over the moon when Romeo proposed to her.

• Alleyway

Meaning: a narrow street or passage.
Example: There are two big cars parked in this tiny alleyway.

• Feel the vibe

Meaning: a general feeling that you get from a person or place.
Example: I could feel positive vibes in the house.

• Laterite

Meaning: a kind of brick.
Example: The soil is composed of laterite and hence is not very suitable for cultivation.

• Have/take a look at

Meaning: look at with attention.
Example: The Engineer sent three assistants to take a look at the bridge.

• Communal

Meaning: relating to a particular community.
Example: It was a communal riot.

• Scrumptious

Meaning: very delicious.
Example: Scrumptious food was served at the party.

• Once-in-a-lifetime experience

Meaning: very special experience because you will probably only have it once.
Example: Traveling to the Himalayas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – City and Countryside

1 What are the advantages of living in the countryside?

Living in the countryside can benefit people in a wide range of ways. Living in the countryside is better for one’s health condition, thanks to significantly lower levels of air pollution. It is undeniable that air quality in big cities is so bad that long-term exposure to it may cause respiratory diseases and other health problems. Besides, the cost of living in rural areas is likely to be lower than that in cities. Although people in the city tend to make more money than people in the countryside do, they have to spend more on food, accommodation and transportation. Therefore, one can save more money by living in the countryside without working as hard.

2 What are the disadvantages of living in the countryside?

Although living in the countryside can do wonders for your wellbeing, it is undeniable that there are still some drawbacks of living in the countryside. To be more specific, not having good transport on your doorstep, will make it inconvenient to travel to a far-away place, which also means you will squander more time on commuting. Another disadvantage is that country-dwellers also have fewer job opportunities compared to those in the cities, thereby resulting in a lower standard of living.

3 What kinds of people live in the countryside?

To the best of my knowledge, many people decide to live in the countryside because they want to downshift to a less stressful life. Although people who live in the countryside can still lead hectic lives, the peace of their surroundings helps to bring them to a gentle halt and remind them not to rush life away.

4 What do people living in the countryside like to do?

I reckon that when living in the countryside, people can enjoy a myriad of activities that they hardly have in cities such as going out at night without fear of street criminals, doing exercise in the early morning to enjoy the fresh air.

5 How has life changed over time in the countryside?

The countryside has experienced specific changes for the last few decades. Firstly, people, especially farmers, have applied modern technologies in their work. Therefore, productivity has significantly improved while people don’t sweat as much as they used to. Moreover, young people in the countryside tend to move to town to seek job opportunities. As a result, the population in the countryside is reducing and aging.

6 Do you think it is better to live in the countryside or in the city?

As often as this question is raised, I believe it remains a tough decision to make when it comes to choosing between living in the countryside and living in the city. Many people have been attracted to live and work in big cities because of better employment opportunities and higher living standards. This massive rural-to-urban migration has, however, led to an increase in environmental pollution, traffic and social issues in urban areas. It would be a better idea for people to live in the suburbs and travel into the city to work every day so that they can enjoy the best of both worlds.

7 How is the countryside different from town?

There are many things which differ in the countryside from town. It is much less crowded in the country than in cities. Besides, the pace of life in the countryside is slow while people living in big cities always seem to be in a hurry. Also, it is much more healthy to live out of big cities because the air in the country is fresher and there is not as much noise.

8 Do youngsters prefer living in rural areas? Why or why not?

Youngsters prefer to live in the cities. It is mainly because of the innumerous job opportunities that a city offers. Apart from this, a city offers good healthcare and educational facilities.

9 In your opinion, what makes a city a good one to live in?

From my perspective, a great city to live in offers a balance of amenities and opportunities. It has a vibrant cultural scene with diverse entertainment options, such as theaters, music venues, and art galleries. Safety is a priority, with low crime rates and well-maintained public spaces. Access to quality healthcare, affordable housing, and green spaces for recreation are also important factors. Plus, efficient public transportation systems and walkable neighborhoods make getting around convenient and sustainable. Overall, a good city provides a high quality of life for its residents, with opportunities for work, leisure, and personal growth.

Vocabulary For Speaking Part 3

• Exposure

Meaning: the state of having no protection from something harmful.
Example: Prolonged exposure to heat can be harmful.

• Respiratory diseases

Meaning: pathological conditions affecting the organs and tissues that make gas exchange difficult in air-breathing animals.
Example: Chain smokers are often detected with respiratory diseases.

• Do wonders

Meaning: to cause improvements or have a very good effect.
Example: Aloe vera gel did wonders to my skin.

• Squander

Meaning: to spend extravagantly or to waste money.
Example: The rich brat squanders his father’s money on his friends.

• Country-dwellers

Meaning: a person who lives in the country
Example: Country-dwellers spend their money wisely.

• To the best of my knowledge

Meaning: used to say that a person thinks something is true.
Example: The thesis submitted by me is to the best of my knowledge.

• A myriad of

Meaning: a very large number
Example: There are a myriad of spiders in the old house.

• Living standards

Meaning: the quality of housing, material comfort, and wealth experienced by an individual or group.
Example: Over the decades, living standards among the people have been improved.

Tips for Answering City and Countryside IELTS Speaking Part 1, 2 & 3 Questions

Whether you are discussing the advantages and disadvantages of city living or comparing countryside serenity with city hustle, let’s explore how you can answer tips related to city and countryside IELTS Speaking test Part 1, 2, and 3.

• Familiarize yourself with the countryside and cities of your country – No worries, you don’t have to travel to various rural and urban areas for this. All you have to do is go through the internet to know more places or look around the areas you reside or usually visit.
• Note down and organize your thoughts – Normally, all of us travel, be it is foreign destinations or our native place. And whenever you travel, we enjoy certain features of the city and countryside. Put those points into your answers and organize them accordingly.
• Learn vocabulary related to places – While preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, make sure to improve your vocabulary based on the popular topics. You can use adjectives, like rural, village, farmland, scenic, peaceful to describe countryside and modern, busy, lively, vibrant for cities.
• Draw examples from your own experience of the city and countryside – When you relate your experiences, it will not only help you to speak confidently, but add authenticity to your answer.

Maximize Your Speaking Skills with IELTSMaterial

The qualities of a good speaker go beyond fluency and confidence. You also have to express your ideas concisely, use a variety of language, and proper grammar. Achieving all these on your own through just practicing test papers might be a little challenging.

Our IELTS experts can help you practice city and countryside – IELTS Speaking Practice Test and gain more insight. We also offer free webinars for tips on taking your IELTS Speaking preparation to the next level! So, level up!

Also Check 

• Describe an Area of Countryside You Know and Like- IELTS Cue Card 
• Idioms for IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Pronunciation Guide
• Describe a Landscape in Your Country – Cue Card Sample Answers
• City Life: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answer
• Places: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Model Answer
• Common English words in IELTS Speaking
• Ough words
• IELTS 2024 Study Plan for 1 month (30 Days) / 15 Days / 7 Days
• Describe a City or a Town – IELTS Cue Card 
• Describe a Village or Suburban Area you Have Visited- IELTS Cue Card 
• Beautiful Places or Scenery: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answer