IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a home of someone you know well and that you often visit.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a home of someone you know well and that you often visit.

You should say:

• Whose home it is

• How often you go there

• What it is like
  And explain how you feel about that home

Speaking Expressions

• To be honest… (Thật lòng mà nói…)

• You know, I practically live there… (Bạn biết đấy, tôi gần như sống ở đó…)

• What I love most is… (Điều tôi thích nhất là…)

• It feels like a second home… (Nó như một ngôi nhà thứ hai…)

• Long story short… (Nói ngắn gọn là…)

• I kid you not… (Không đùa đâu nhé…)

• I was blown away by… (Tôi ấn tượng cực kỳ bởi…)

Ideas & Collocations

• Open‑plan living room (phòng khách thiết kế mở)

• Floor‑to‑ceiling windows (cửa sổ cao từ sàn tới trần)

• Cozy balcony garden (ban công xanh ấm cúng)

• Minimalist décor (trang trí tối giản)

• Tucked‑away alley (con hẻm khuất, yên tĩnh)

• Shoe‑free policy (thói quen cởi giày trước khi vào nhà)

• Homemade cold brew (cà phê cold brew tự làm ở nhà)

• Communal dinner table (bàn ăn chung ấm cúng)

Sample Answer

To be honest, the home I’m thinking of is my friend Lan’s apartment in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, and you know, I practically live there on weekends. She’s a freelance designer, so her place has this creative vibe: you walk in and there’s an open‑plan living room with floor‑to‑ceiling windows, and a cozy balcony garden where she grows mint and basil. What I love most is the minimalist décor—everything is clean, white, and wood, but it still feels warm because of the fairy lights and little art prints she pins up. The building is in a tucked‑away alley, so it’s surprisingly quiet; plus, she has a strict shoe‑free policy, which makes the whole space feel super clean and relaxed.

I usually pop over every other Friday night—sometimes more if I’m stressed—and we’ll brew a batch of homemade cold brew, flop on the sofa, and gossip or brainstorm ideas around her communal dinner table. I kid you not, the first time I stepped in, I was blown away by how airy it felt compared to my cramped place. It feels like a second home because I can just raid her fridge, water the plants, or crash on the futon without asking. Long story short, it’s not just the furniture or layout—it’s the energy: calm, welcoming, and a little artsy. Every time I leave, I feel recharged, like I’ve been on a mini staycation without spending a dime.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions

1. What are the differences between houses or buildings in the city and those in the countryside?

2. Do you prefer to live in the city or in the countryside? Why?

3. What safety risks exist in residential buildings in cities?

4. Is it expensive to decorate a house or an apartment where you live?

Question 1

Speaking Expressions:

• On the whole… (Nhìn chung…)

• You can’t deny… (Không thể phủ nhận…)

• For starters… (Trước hết là…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• High‑rise apartments (căn hộ cao tầng)

• Cramped living space (không gian sinh hoạt chật chội)

• Spacious courtyards (sân rộng rãi)

• Natural ventilation (thông gió tự nhiên)

• Concrete jungle (rừng bê tông)

Sample Answer:
On the whole, city homes are usually high‑rise apartments with pretty cramped living space, while rural houses often have spacious courtyards and gardens. You can’t deny that urban areas feel like a concrete jungle, all glass and steel. For starters, countryside homes get way more natural ventilation and daylight. City places trade space for convenience—close to work, shops, hospitals. Out in the country, you trade convenience for peace and fresh air.

Question 2

Speaking Expressions:

• Personally, I’d lean towards… (Cá nhân tôi nghiêng về…)

• The way I see it… (Theo cách tôi nhìn nhận…)

• That being said… (Nói vậy nhưng…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Fast‑paced lifestyle (nhịp sống nhanh)

• Access to amenities (tiếp cận tiện ích)

• Close‑knit community (cộng đồng gắn bó)

• Slow pace of life (nhịp sống chậm rãi)

Sample Answer:
Personally, I’d lean towards the city because I like the fast‑paced lifestyle and access to amenities—cafés, gyms, co‑working spaces, you name it. The way I see it, everything’s just a Grab ride away. That being said, the countryside’s slow pace of life and close‑knit community are tempting when I’m burnt out. Maybe the dream is a balance—city during the week, countryside getaways on the weekend. For now, though, convenience wins.

Question 3

Speaking Expressions:

• To be frank… (Nói thẳng ra thì…)

• The big one is… (Điều lớn nhất là…)

• What worries me is… (Điều làm tôi lo là…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Fire hazards (nguy cơ cháy nổ)

• Faulty wiring (đi dây điện lỗi)

• Blocked emergency exits (lối thoát hiểm bị chặn)

• Overcrowded elevators (thang máy quá tải)

• Security breaches (lỗ hổng an ninh)

Sample Answer:
To be frank, fire hazards are scary in tall buildings—one spark and it spreads fast. The big one is faulty wiring in old apartments and blocked emergency exits stuffed with junk. What worries me is overcrowded elevators during rush hour; if there’s an emergency, that’s a nightmare. You also hear about security breaches—strangers sneaking in, packages stolen. So yeah, safety protocols in cities need constant updating.

Question 4

Speaking Expressions:

• Honestly, it adds up quickly… (Thật lòng, chi phí đội lên rất nhanh…)

• You can do it on a shoestring… (Bạn vẫn có thể làm với ngân sách ít ỏi…)

• Splash out on… (Vung tiền cho…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Interior design fees (phí thiết kế nội thất)

• Custom‑built furniture (nội thất đóng theo yêu cầu)

• Second‑hand marketplaces (chợ đồ cũ)

• Budget‑friendly décor (đồ trang trí giá rẻ)

• DIY hacks (mẹo tự làm)

Sample Answer:
Honestly, it adds up quickly—interior design fees plus custom‑built furniture can burn a hole in your pocket. But you can do it on a shoestring if you hunt on second‑hand marketplaces and try some DIY hacks from YouTube. Some people splash out on statement pieces, others go fully budget‑friendly décor and still make it cute. Labour costs are rising too, so even hanging shelves can be pricey. Bottom line: it’s as expensive as your taste level—and your patience—allow.