Scorify.uzThe cue card
Describe a restaurant that you have been to.
You should say:
- where it is
- who you went with
- what you ate
- and explain what you liked or disliked about it
Band 7 sample answer
I would like to talk about a small family restaurant in Samarkand that I visited last summer with my cousins. It is hidden in a quiet street near the old town, so you would not find it unless you knew about it.
We ordered traditional food: grilled lamb skewers, fresh salads and warm bread from the tandoor. The meat was juicy and full of flavour, and the owner brought us free tea at the end because we were guests. The prices were also very reasonable.
What I liked most was the atmosphere. The tables were arranged in a courtyard under a grape vine, and soft music was playing in the background. The staff were friendly and made us feel welcome.
I should also mention the dessert, which was a plate of fresh fruit and honey cakes that the owner's wife had made that morning. We were already full, but nobody could resist, and we finished every piece while chatting about the day's sightseeing.
The only thing I disliked was that service was slow because the place was full. But the food was worth the wait, and I would happily go back and recommend it to any visitor.
About 197 words, roughly 2 minutes of natural speech.
Key vocabulary
- cosy — warm and comfortable
- mouth-watering — looking or smelling delicious
- reasonably priced — not too expensive
- ambience — the atmosphere of a place
- homemade — made at home, not bought
- service — the way staff look after customers
- a hidden gem — a good place few people know
Tips for this cue card
- Describe food with taste and texture words.
- Mention one small negative to sound balanced.
- Use past simple for your visit.
Part 3 follow-up questions
Why do people eat out?
Idea: For convenience, social occasions and a change from cooking at home.
Is home cooking healthier than eating out?
Idea: Usually, because you control the ingredients and portions.
How have restaurants changed?
Idea: More delivery and online ordering, with healthier and international menus.
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.