Published on by

IELTS Cue Card Sample Question – Describe a Historical Place that You Have Been to

One of the areas in which you must devote effort when preparing and studying for the IELTS test is the ‘cue card’ component, which is the second part of the IELTS Speaking Test.

You should make the most of it because it is only two minutes long. 

We are with you on your IELTS journey, so we have put together a few sample responses for the cue card topic ‘Describe a historical place that you have been to.’ To learn more, keep reading.

What is the IELTS Cue Card Question?

The topic card handed to you at the start of IELTS Speaking Part 2 is known as a ‘cue card.’ It comes on a piece of paper with your discussion topic stated on it. 

You must begin taking notes as soon as you receive the cue card, using the provided paper and pencil because you only have a minute to plan and prepare.

You have no choice but to speak about the subject, regardless of how much or how little information you have about it.

The examiner will tell you to begin your speech after the 60-second preparation period, and you must use as much of the two-minute time limit as feasible.

The examiner will then ask you follow-up questions on your speech, to which you will have to respond.

How to Answer this Specific Cue Card Question: “Describe a Historical Place that You Have Been to”?

Topic/Question:

Describe a Historical Place that You Have Been to

Guidelines to answer this question:

You should say:

  • Where and what place this is
  • What people do at this place
  • What you enjoy there the most

And explain how you felt being there.  

  • Think of a historical place that you have been to before. It could be local or international. If you have not been to any historical place, feel free to make up a story, so you have something to discuss. 
  • Once you have a particular place in mind, stick to it. Remember that you only have a minute to prepare. The first place that comes to your mind would be the best option. 
  • Begin taking notes on what and where this place is. Describe how it looks and why people go there. Include its importance to the history and how you felt when you went there. Do not write sentences, only keywords, and phrases. 
  • Keep in mind to use advanced vocabulary and complex structures of grammar. This will impress the examiner and aid you in achieving high marks. 
  • Make sure that your handwriting is understandable, by you. The examiner will not mark you based on what and how you wrote on the paper. 
  • While discussing the topic assigned to you, do glance at the notes you have written to make sure that you cover everything. It is allowed, and you will not lose marks if you do so. 

Sample Responses : “Describe a Historical Place that You Have Been to”

Sample Response 1: 

“Whenever I have the time, I enjoy going to popular destinations, and historic areas hold a unique appeal for me. Machu Picchu in Peru, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Parthenon in Greece are among the historic sites I’ve visited. These places fascinate me because of their historical significance and magnificence. The Colosseum, also known as Coliseum or the Flavian Amphitheater, is a Roman amphitheater located in Rome, Italy that I would like to discuss today. I’d like to express my gratitude for the time you’ve given me to talk about it.

It is essentially an elliptical amphitheater in the heart of Rome, which is the world’s largest amphitheater and is constructed of concrete and stone. The construction of the Colosseum began in 70 AD under Emperor Vespasian and was finished in 80 AD under Titus.

When it was utilized as an amphitheater, the Colosseum could house between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. It is perhaps most known for its usage in gladiatorial competitions and public spectacles such as imitation sea battles, animal hunts, executions, and re-enactments of several historical conflicts. In 1980, UNESCO designated the Colosseum as a World Heritage Site, and it was also included in the Seven Wonders of the World. It has a base area of 6 acres and is 189 meters long and 156 meters broad. The outside wall rises to a height of 48 meters. Thousands of travelers visit the Colosseum each year to see the interior arena, making it one of Rome’s most popular tourist sites.

I had heard and watched so much about this famous location that I was speechless when I saw it for the first time. The colossal architect, as well as the lavish interior and exterior decorating, were beyond praise. The setting kept reminding me of mythological and historical things I’d read and heard about in the past. Visiting this site was like going back in time. I’ve always wanted to return to this location because of its historical significance and tremendous attraction.“

Follow-up Question 1: 

Do you think historic places should be preserved? 

Response: 

“This is a controversial issue. There are some people who believe that historic places should not be demolished because they connect us to the past. On the other hand, others believe that they should not be maintained since we are in a modern era and more and more buildings and establishments should be built to meet today’s demands. As for me, I think that they should be preserved because these landmarks are reminders of what our ancestors had gone through.“ 

Follow-up Question 2: 

Do you think the government would exert more efforts to conserve historic sites?

Response:

“In my opinion, I believe that these areas must be protected and preserved at all costs. Greek authorities undertake great efforts to preserve and renovate the Acropolis’ structure, and they hold annual restoration programs for the Hill. They also aim to make certain sites more accessible to tourists while maintaining their original identity. I hope that leaders and governments around the world will take greater care to maintain and protect key historic sites.“

Sample Response 2:

“Last month, I traveled to Egypt to see the Giza Pyramids. For me, it was a pleasant experience. Many critical details regarding the location and its history have come to light for me. It’s a tremendous pleasure for me to share the knowledge I’ve gained with you.

The Giza Pyramid, which I visited, is in the shape of a big cylinder. The largest one is over 480 meters long. For thousands of years, it was the tallest building on the planet. The precise amount of time it took to build the pyramid is unknown, however, it is estimated to have taken roughly 20 years. However, how the structure was built using stones is still a mystery. The construction has produced a number of theories, however, none of them are correct or provide the necessary information. Furthermore, the bodies of the dead pharaohs were maintained in the form of mummies in various chambers within the pyramids.

The entire area resembles a desert, and a pyramid building stands tall above it. Some casing stones were used to cover the pyramids, and some casing stones are still present in nearby sites. The pyramids are located a short distance from the city and are accessible by a variety of traditional and modern ways of transportation.

For a number of reasons, I think that the pyramids are linked to history. They were the world’s highest man-made building. The pyramids’ construction mechanism is also charming. Despite the fact that millions of blocks were utilized to create the shape, people are still amazed. Archeologists have gone on expeditions to learn about the features of pyramids in order to understand their historical significance. The pyramids are unmistakably linked to history as a result of all of this.“

Follow-up Question 1: 

Would you like to go back and see it again? 

Response:

“I don’t think so. I mean, I had an amazing time when I went there, and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to visit one of the most historic landmarks in the world, but I want that one time to be special and memorable. At the same time, I think I wouldn’t be as thrilled and excited the second time I go there because I have been there before.“ 

Follow-up Question 2: 

How important do you think is history in the lives of people today?

Response:

“I strongly believe that history plays a vital role in our lives. There are lots of things that happened in the past that teach us lessons, and if we are not aware of history, history will repeat itself.“ 

Vocabulary Tips for Answering the Question: ”Describe a Historical Place that You Have Been to”

Here are some words in the sample responses for the cue card topic ‘Describe a historical place that you have been to.’ with their meanings and sample sentences for your reference. 

WordPart of SpeechDefinitionExample Usage of
the Word in a Sentence
accessible adjectiveCan be approached or entered“The road is only accessible by trucks on days that are raining.” 
amphitheater nounAn open circular or oval edifice with a central space surrounded by tiers of seats for spectators “A hundred people had gathered around the amphitheater to see the spectacular show.”
concrete nounA heavy, coarse building material manufactured from a mixture of broken stone or gravel, sand, cement, and water that may be spread or poured into molds and hardens into a mass that looks like stone“The walls were built out of solid concrete and had no windows.”
controversial adjectiveCausing or likely to cause widespread dissatisfaction“Her remarks steered clear of controversial topics.”
designate verbTo appoint someone to a specific post“Member states are required to designate sites of exceptional scientific importance under the directive.”
elliptical adjectiveOval“The Earth orbits around the sun in an elliptical route.”
expedition nounA trip or journey taken by a group of people for a specific reason, such as exploration, scientific inquiry, or warfare“The expedition started in West Germany.” 
gladiatorial adjectiveFierce, vicious, and difficult to win“According to inscriptions, the people of Rome were particularly fond of gladiatorial battles.”
gratitude nounThe trait of being grateful, the willingness to express gratitude for and return kindness“He has won her eternal gratitude for his kindness and assistance.”
lavish adjectiveOpulently wealthy, extravagant“She never would have believed such a lavish home could be found in these rugged mountains.”
magnificence adjectiveSplendor, grandeur“Everyone admires the magnificence of Versailles.”
spectacle nounAn eye-catching act or exhibition“The two former foes shaking hands and slapping each other on the back was a spectacle.”
spectator nounA spectator at a show, a game, or another event“The ball was returned to the players by a spectator.”
tremendous adjectiveColossal in size, scope, or intensity“We’re squandering a tremendous chance if we don’t attend the party.”
unmistakably adverbIn a way that is indistinguishable from anything else“Her accent was unmistakably British.”

Additional Reading — IELTS Speaking Cue Card Questions

Author

A group of language enthusiasts with a shared commitment to helping you succeed in your English language journey. With years of experience, relevant certifications, and a deep love for languages, we're here to provide you with the support and resources you need to excel in exams like IELTS, TOEFL, OET, Duolingo and many others. We take pride in helping individuals like you achieve their language goals.

Previous Post:
IELTS Cue Card Sample Question – Describe a Place You Want to Travel Next 
Next Post:
IELTS Cue Card Sample Question – Describe a Place You and Your Friend Went to Recently