Scorify.uzThe cue card
Describe a market or shop that you enjoy visiting.
You should say:
- where it is
- what it sells
- how often you go there
- and explain why you like going there
Band 7 sample answer
The place I enjoy visiting most is the Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent. It is one of the oldest and biggest markets in the city, and it is easy to recognise because of its large blue dome.
Inside, you can find almost everything: fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, dried apricots, spices, bread, meat and dairy products. Outside, there are stalls selling clothes, kitchenware and souvenirs. I go there about once a month, usually early on Saturday morning, when the fruit is fresh and the crowds are not too big.
I like it because of the atmosphere. The sellers shout friendly offers, you can taste samples before buying, and the smell of warm non bread from the bakery section is wonderful. Prices are also lower than in supermarkets, and bargaining is part of the fun. Last time, I bought a kilo of sweet grapes and some walnuts for my mother, and the seller added a handful of raisins as a gift.
Of course, a supermarket is more comfortable and organised, but a bazaar feels alive and has a human touch. For me, it also shows traditional life in a way that no museum can, so I always bring visitors there. I also like that the bazaar supports small farmers and families. When I buy from them directly, I know my money goes to the people who actually grew or made the products, and that feels more meaningful than paying at a large chain.
About 241 words, roughly 2 minutes of natural speech.
Key vocabulary
- a stall — a small table or booth for selling
- fresh produce — newly picked fruit and vegetables
- lively — full of energy
- haggle — negotiate the price
- bustling — full of busy activity
- a bargain — something cheap for its quality
- local specialty — food famous in a region
Tips for this cue card
- Use the senses: sights, smells, sounds.
- Compare the place briefly with a supermarket or mall.
- Give one recent example of what you bought or did.
Part 3 follow-up questions
Why do some people prefer markets to supermarkets?
Idea: Fresher food, lower prices and personal contact with sellers appeal to many shoppers.
Will online shopping replace physical shops?
Idea: Online shopping will keep growing, but people still want to touch, try and socialise while shopping.
How has shopping changed in your country?
Idea: Malls and delivery apps have become popular, while traditional bazaars stay important for food.
More discussion questions with full answers: IELTS Speaking Part 3 topics.
Study guides
How Is IELTS Scored in Speaking and Writing? Criteria, Weighting and Rounding
The short answer first, then the Speaking and Writing criteria tables, how Task 1 and Task 2 combine and how the overall band is rounded.
IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors Explained in Plain English
The IELTS Speaking test is marked on four criteria. Here is what each one means at bands 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, with short examples you can compare with your own answers.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: How Many Minutes to Speak (With a Practice Timer)
How long Part 2 lasts (1 minute to prepare, 1–2 minutes to speak), a practice timer, a four-step structure and a model answer.