Hello and welcome back to IELTS TIME, the podcast where we explore model answers and break down what makes them great. Today’s episode is all about a Part 2 cue card that many students find both easy and tricky: Describe your favourite place in your house where you can relax. You should say: where it is, what it looks like, what you usually do there, and explain why it is your favourite place to relax.
We’ll listen to two Band 9-style sample responses. The first one comes from Joseph, who talks about his living room sofa. Then we’ll hear from Blondie, who takes us out onto her balcony. After each response, I’ll break it down for you and highlight some useful vocabulary.
Let’s start with Joseph.
So imagine a typical evening after a long day — where do you naturally go to unwind? For Joseph, the answer is simple: the sofa in his living room. Here’s his response.
The spot I usually gravitate towards to relax is my living room sofa. It’s not a fancy or unique place; it’s just the main hangout area in our apartment. The sofa itself is an old, oversized sectional with a few worn-out cushions and a blanket that’s been there for years. It’s got a coffee table in front of it that’s usually cluttered with a mix of books, remote controls, and half-empty mugs. It’s definitely not what you’d see in a magazine, but it’s real.
This space gets a lot of use. After a long day, I’ll flop down on the couch and just decompress. I eat my dinner here, usually while catching up on a TV series or a movie. Sometimes a friend or roommate will join me, and we’ll just chat or scroll through our phones in comfortable silence. It’s where I binge-watch shows, have video calls with family, or even nap for a bit. It’s a place for lazy evenings and weekends, where you can do absolutely nothing without feeling guilty.
It’s my favorite spot because it’s the heart of the home. It’s a place where I don’t have to isolate myself. I can be surrounded by the low hum of the TV, the clatter of a roommate in the kitchen, and the general feeling of being home. It’s about a kind of relaxed social connection, or the quiet comfort of being in a space that’s been lived in. It’s messy, a bit chaotic, but it feels genuine and effortless, which is exactly what I need to truly unwind.
Wow, that was a great answer. Joseph really did a fantastic job of hitting all the points. His answer was very effective because it followed a clear structure. First, he described the sofa and the surrounding area, giving us a vivid picture of the place. Then he explained the activities he usually does there, like eating dinner, watching TV, chatting with friends, or taking a nap. Finally, he reflected on why this spot is so meaningful, calling it the “heart of the home” and describing the comfort and connection it provides.
What makes this response particularly strong is the vocabulary and expressions he used. Phrases like “gravitate towards” and “flop down” sound natural and idiomatic. The verb “decompress” is a precise way to express relaxation after a stressful day. Words like “lived-in,” “genuine,” and “effortless comfort” gave emotional depth to the description, while sensory details like “low hum of the TV” and “clatter of the kitchen” made the scene relatable and vivid. By combining realistic details, everyday activities, and personal reflection, Joseph’s answer demonstrates fluency, coherence, and a strong lexical range, which are exactly what examiners are looking for.
Now let’s move to a very different kind of space. While Joseph finds comfort in a shared, social living room, Blondie prefers a quieter, more personal corner. Her favourite spot isn’t indoors at all — it’s the balcony just outside her bedroom. Let’s hear how she describes it.
I think the place I enjoy the most in my house is actually the small balcony attached to my bedroom. It’s not very big, just enough space for a chair, a little table, and a couple of plants, but it feels like my personal corner of peace.
From the balcony I can see some trees and the rooftops of the neighbourhood, so even though I live in quite a busy area, it somehow gives me the feeling that I’m away from the noise. I’ve decorated it quite simply with fairy lights and a few pots of green plants, which makes it look cosy, especially in the evening.
When I want to relax, I usually take a book or sometimes just a cup of coffee out there and sit quietly for a while. I also like to listen to podcasts or music, but often I just watch the sky and let my mind wander. It’s a place where I don’t feel the need to do anything productive — I can just be present and recharge.
The reason this is my favourite spot is because it helps me disconnect from stress. Inside the house there are always chores, screens, or people calling for attention, but on the balcony, it’s just me and a bit of fresh air. I think that combination of privacy and nature, even in such a small space, makes it the perfect place for me to relax.
Blondie’s answer was also excellent, but it showed a different approach. She started by painting a vivid picture of her small balcony, using details like fairy lights and potted plants to make the space feel real. Then she described activities like drinking coffee and watching the sky, which show she can relax in different ways.
Her personal reflection is what makes the answer memorable. She explained why the balcony is her favourite spot, highlighting peace, privacy, and connection to nature. Phrases like “let my mind wander” and “disconnect from stress” sounded natural and effective.
By combining sensory details with personal connection, Blondie created a compelling response that examiners would find impressive.
So today we heard two Band 9 responses to the same cue card. Joseph’s sofa is warm, social, and lived-in, while Blondie’s balcony is calm, reflective, and aesthetic. The key takeaway is that there isn’t one “perfect” answer. What really matters is giving enough detail, speaking naturally, using precise vocabulary, and including personal reflection.
That’s it for this episode of IELTS TIME. Remember, your favourite place doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to be real, and you need to speak about it with confidence and personality. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time!
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