The topic of describing a park or garden you would like to design is a popular one in IELTS Speaking tests. It allows candidates to showcase their creativity, vocabulary, and ability to describe places in detail. This topic has appeared frequently in past IELTS exams and is likely to continue being a common theme in future tests. Let’s explore how to approach this topic effectively to achieve a high score.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about parks and gardens. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
- Do you enjoy visiting parks or gardens?
- How often do you go to parks?
- What activities do you usually do in parks?
Let’s focus on the first question:
Examiner: Do you enjoy visiting parks or gardens?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I do enjoy visiting parks and gardens. They’re nice places to relax and get some fresh air. I try to go to the park near my house at least once a week to take a walk or read a book.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely! I find parks and gardens to be incredibly rejuvenating. There’s something magical about immersing myself in nature, even in the midst of a bustling city. I particularly appreciate the tranquility and the opportunity to disconnect from the hectic pace of daily life. Whether it’s admiring the meticulously manicured flowerbeds or simply sitting under a canopy of trees, I find these green spaces to be essential for my mental well-being.
Part 2: Long Turn
Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:
Describe a park or garden you would like to design.
You should say:
- Where it would be located
- What features it would have
- Who would use this park or garden
- And explain why you would like to design this park or garden
Band 6-7 Answer:
I’d like to design a community garden in my neighborhood. It would be located in an empty lot near the local school. The garden would have vegetable plots that people could rent, some fruit trees, and a small playground for kids. There would also be benches for people to sit and relax.
I think families, elderly people, and school children would use this garden. Families could grow their own vegetables, older people could enjoy a peaceful place to sit, and kids could learn about gardening.
I want to design this garden because I think it would bring the community together and give people a chance to grow their own food. It would also make the neighborhood look nicer and give people a place to enjoy nature.
Band 8-9 Answer:
I’ve always dreamed of designing an innovative, multi-functional park that would serve as a green oasis in the heart of our city. This park would be strategically located on a currently underutilized piece of land near the city center, making it easily accessible to a diverse range of people.
The park’s centerpiece would be a stunning botanical garden, showcasing a wide array of indigenous and exotic plant species. I envision winding paths leading visitors through different themed areas, such as a tranquil Japanese garden, a vibrant butterfly garden, and a sensory garden designed to engage all five senses.
Modern urban park design with diverse features
To promote environmental sustainability, I’d incorporate rainwater harvesting systems and solar-powered lighting. The park would also feature an amphitheater for outdoor performances, a state-of-the-art playground made from recycled materials, and a community vegetable garden where locals could grow their own produce.
I believe this park would cater to a wide demographic. Families could enjoy picnics and playtime, nature enthusiasts could explore the botanical collections, fitness buffs could use the outdoor gym equipment, and the elderly could find peace in the meditation zones.
The motivation behind designing this park stems from my passion for creating green spaces that enhance urban living. I believe such a park would not only provide a much-needed respite from the concrete jungle but also foster a sense of community and promote environmental awareness. It would serve as a living laboratory for ecology students and a source of inspiration for artists. Ultimately, my goal is to create a space that improves the quality of life for city dwellers and reconnects them with nature.
Follow-up questions:
- How would you ensure the park is accessible to people with disabilities?
- What measures would you take to maintain the park’s cleanliness and security?
Band 8-9 Answer for question 1:
Ensuring accessibility for all would be a top priority in my park design. I would implement wide, smooth pathways suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, install ramps alongside stairs, and provide tactile paving for the visually impaired. The playground would feature inclusive equipment that children of all abilities could enjoy together. Additionally, I would include braille signage and audio descriptions for key attractions, ensuring that everyone can fully experience and appreciate the park’s features.
Park features designed for accessibility
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: How have parks in cities changed over the past few decades?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Parks in cities have changed quite a bit over the past few decades. They used to be mainly just grass and trees, but now they often have more features. Many parks now have fitness equipment, better playgrounds, and sometimes even wifi. They’re also trying to be more environmentally friendly by using native plants and solar power.
Band 8-9 Answer:
The evolution of urban parks over recent decades has been quite remarkable. There’s been a paradigm shift from viewing parks as merely green spaces to seeing them as multifunctional community hubs. Modern urban parks are increasingly incorporating technological elements, such as smart benches with charging ports and interactive educational displays. There’s also a growing emphasis on biodiversity and ecological sustainability, with many parks now featuring native plant species, wildlife corridors, and even urban wetlands to manage stormwater runoff.
Moreover, there’s been a concerted effort to make parks more inclusive and accessible to diverse populations. This includes the integration of universal design principles to accommodate people with disabilities, as well as the creation of culturally relevant spaces that reflect the communities they serve. Many parks now host community events, farmers’ markets, and outdoor fitness classes, transforming them into vibrant social spaces that foster community cohesion.
Another significant change is the adaptive reuse of urban infrastructure to create parks. Projects like the High Line in New York City, which transformed an abandoned elevated railway into a linear park, exemplify this trend of reclaiming urban spaces for green use. These innovative approaches are reimagining the role of parks in urban environments, making them more integrated with and responsive to the needs of modern city dwellers.
Transformation of urban parks over the decades
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
- Green oasis /ɡriːn əʊˈeɪsɪs/ (noun phrase): A pleasant area with plants or trees in the middle of a city.
Example: The new park serves as a green oasis in the concrete jungle of our city. - Biodiversity /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ (noun): The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
Example: The park’s design aims to increase biodiversity by incorporating various native plant species. - Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/ (adjective): Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.
Example: We’re implementing sustainable practices in the park, such as using solar power and harvesting rainwater. - Community engagement /kəˈmjuːnəti ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/ (noun phrase): The process of working collaboratively with community groups to address issues that impact the well-being of those groups.
Example: The park design process involved extensive community engagement to ensure it meets local needs. - Inclusive design /ɪnˈkluːsɪv dɪˈzaɪn/ (noun phrase): Design that considers the full range of human diversity with respect to ability, language, culture, gender, age and other forms of human difference.
Example: The playground features inclusive design elements to accommodate children of all abilities.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing parks or gardens:
- Use a wide range of vocabulary related to nature, urban planning, and community development.
- Practice describing visual elements in detail, as this skill is crucial for Part 2.
- Develop your ideas fully, providing examples and explanations to support your points.
- Be prepared to discuss broader issues related to urban green spaces in Part 3.
- Use a variety of grammatical structures and tenses to demonstrate your language proficiency.
- Speak fluently and coherently, using appropriate linking words to connect your ideas.
Remember, the key to success is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Aim for clarity, confidence, and natural delivery in your responses.
For further practice, you might want to describe a garden you have been to or describe a park you enjoy visiting for exercise. These related topics can help you expand your vocabulary and ideas around green spaces.