Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe a place where you go to relax

“Describe a place where you go to relax” is not a very difficult topic, but it requires the speaker to share personal experiences. That place could be a spa where you often go to detoxify yourself, or it could be a movie theater that helps you unwind, or simply a cozy café, as described in the article below. Let's take a look at the experience of your mentor from the PREP ACADEMIC team through the sample answer of Band 7.0+, and don't forget to practice with your own story!

I. Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe a place where you go to relax

1. Cue card: Describe a place where you go to relax

Describe a place where you go to relax. You should say:

• Where it is
• How often you go there
• What you do there

And explain why you choose this place to relax.

2. Sample: Describe a place where you go to relax

Below is a sample IELTS Speaking Part 2 topic "Describe a place where you go to relax" prepared by the teachers at PREP. Refer to it now to effectively practice IELTS Speaking at home!

Personally, I am not keen on sharing my "soul sanctuary" because I like to just keep it to myself but today can be an exception. The place I usually go to recharge my batteries is a cafe overlooking the West Lake called “Lim Coffee". 

To be specific, Lim Coffee is located on Quang Khanh street - a lakeside road of West Lake so from this cafe, I can get a breathtaking view of the beautiful huge WestLake. As a university student with a part-time job, I do not have that much free time; therefore, I can only go there on the evening or on the weekends but that is more than enough to let your hair down.

My chilling style is really simple: just sipping at the tea, having a view of the West Lake and doing whatever I want like watching films, enjoying the music or playing games.

The reason why I choose Lim Coffee is that it is quiet and not overcrowded like other coffee shops in the capital center so this cafe is an ideal place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced life. This is particularly important to me because whenever I feel run-down or dead in the water, I just want to be alone - one of the reasons why I don't like to share this place as I said in the beginning.

Another reason is so simple refreshing view of West Lake from Lim Coffee, which has been the inspiration for tons of photos in my phones. So that's all about Lim Coffee - my favorite place to unwind. You can come here too but don't share with many people because this cafe is the most suitable for being by yourself.

Note: This IELTS Speaking sample can also be used for other topics such as "describe your favorite place to relax," "describe a place where you are able to relax," "describe a place that can be good to relax," "Describe a place you like to go," etc.

For more information, please refer to the article:

• Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe a place in a village you visited
• Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe a town or city where you live in the future

II. Useful vocabulary used in the sample "Describe a place where you go to relax"

A rich vocabulary is crucial in IELTS Speaking Part 2 as it enables articulate expression, enhances coherence, and showcases language proficiency. Varied vocabulary usage demonstrates versatility and depth of language skills, contributing significantly to achieving higher scores in this section.

Below is some useful vocabulary that the PREP teachers have used in the IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample on the topic "Describe a place where you go to relax.” Please take a look!

• Soul Sanctuary (n): a peaceful place for the soul to relax
• Keep sth to myself (v): not tell something to anyone
• Recharge my batteries (v): regain energy for oneself
• Overlook (v): have a view of something
• Breathtaking (adj): extremely beautiful, stunning
• More than enough: plenty to do something
• Let your hair down (v): relax, unwind
• Retreat from the hustle and bustle (v): escape from the busy and noisy environment
• Fast-paced life (n): a hectic lifestyle
• Run-down (adj): exhausted, tired
• Dead in the water (adj): unsuccessful, hopeless
• Unwind (v): relax

III. Conclusion

This article has provided an IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample on the topic "Describe a place where you go to relax." Wish you effective IELTS preparation at home so that you can confidently face the examiners in the real test and achieve a high band score!