Describe a place in a village that you visited

Hey everyone, welcome to the IELTS TIME Podcast! Today we’re tackling speaking part 2: Describe a place in a village that you visited. You should say: where it is, when you visited this place, what you did there, and how you feel about this place. Now, Let’s hear what Joseph has to say.

So, a few months ago, I took a drive out to my grandparents’ village, about five hours away from where I live. It’s a world apart from the city – so much quieter and more connected to nature.

There’s this one spot I always try to visit when I’m there: the old stone bridge. It’s a simple, single-arch bridge that crosses a small, slow-moving river. It’s built from the same weathered grey stones as the houses in the village, so it feels like it’s always been there.

I went there in the late afternoon, just as the sun was starting to set. The light was really soft, and it made the river look almost golden. I sat on the edge of the bridge, just watching the water flow underneath. It was so peaceful. The only sounds were the gentle murmur of the river and the occasional chirping of birds in the trees along the bank.

The water was so clear, you could see the smooth, rounded stones on the riverbed. A few small fish were swimming around, and I even saw a dragonfly land on a reed nearby.

There’s something really calming about that bridge. It’s just a simple, ordinary place, but it feels like a little escape from everything. It’s a reminder of how beautiful and peaceful nature can be, and it always helps me to feel more grounded and connected to my grandparents and their way of life. It’s a place that brings me a sense of quiet and tranquility.

Welcome back. let’s dive into Joseph’s description of the old stone bridge in his grandparents’ village, focusing on vocabulary— especially words that may be less familiar or carry more nuanced meanings.

Joseph described a special spot in the village, a simple yet meaningful place: the old stone bridge. When we say ‘spot,’ we mean a particular place. For example, ‘The library is my favorite spot to read a book.’

However, this wasn’t just any bridge— it was a single-arch bridge, which added to its rustic charm. Picture a bridge with one curved structure spanning a space; That’s what we mean by ‘single-arch’.

The bridge crossed a slow-moving river, its gentle current setting the tone for the entire scene. ‘Slow-moving’ describes something progressing or flowing at a leisurely pace. Much like traffic that inches forward on a busy morning commute.

Joseph used the word ‘weathered’ to describe the stones of the bridge, immediately giving us a sense of its age and history. ‘Weathered’ means worn or changed by exposure to the weather. Think of how an old wooden door fades and cracks over time.

He visited the bridge as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow and creating a warm, peaceful atmosphere. ‘Set’ means to go down below the horizon, while ‘golden’ describes a bright yellow hue, like autumn leaves in the late afternoon light.

Sitting on the edge of the bridge, he watched the water flow underneath. ‘Underneath’ means directly below.

He described the murmur of the river and the occasional chirping of birds in the trees along the bank. ‘Murmur’ refers to a low, continuous sound. ‘Chirping’ describes the short, sharp sound made by birds.

The water was so clear that he could see the rounded stones on the riverbed, and a dragonfly landed on a nearby reed. ‘Rounded’ means having a smooth, curved surface. The ‘Riverbed’ is the bottom of a river.  A ‘reed’ is a tall, slender-leaved plant growing in water or on marshy ground

For Joseph, this bridge was an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. ‘Escape’ means to break free from confinement or stress, much like how a weekend getaway can provide relief from work pressures.

Being there made him feel grounded—connected to his roots and to nature. ‘Grounded’ means mentally and emotionally stable and in close contact with reality, as in, ‘Spending time in the garden helped her feel grounded.

He found a sense of tranquillity at the bridge—a peacefulness he couldn’t find in the city. ‘Tranquillity’ refers to a state of calmness and quiet, much like the serenity of a library or a still lake at dawn.

You see, Joseph didn’t just tell us he liked the bridge; he used descriptive words to show us why it was so special to him, allowing the listener to be immersed in the moment.

Alright, let’s bring our discussion of Joseph’s description of his village bridge to a close. We’ve really focused on how he used specific vocabulary to create a vivid picture, something crucial for IELTS Speaking Part 2.

Now, for those of you preparing for the topic, let’s think about how you can apply what we’ve learned. Notice how Joseph didn’t just say ‘it was nice.’ He used words like ‘weathered,’ ‘single-arch,’ and ‘tranquillity’ to add detail and depth. This is what examiners are looking for – a wide range of vocabulary and the ability to use it effectively.

When you’re describing a place, remember to:

• Use sensory details: Like Joseph did with ‘murmur’ and ‘chirping.’
• Focus on specific vocabulary: Instead of just saying ‘old,’ use ‘weathered’ or ‘rustic.’
• Explain your choices: Don’t just list words; explain why they’re important. Like how Joseph connected the ’rounded stones’ to the clarity of the river.
• Show your feelings: Use words like ‘tranquillity’ and ‘grounded’ to convey your emotional response.

So, practice using descriptive vocabulary, think about the feelings you want to convey, and remember to connect your words to the overall atmosphere of the place. And as always, keep practicing. In the next episode, we’ll tackle Part 3 questions on the countryside. See you then!