Part 2 cue card · Places
Describe a quiet place where you like to think
Talk about a peaceful spot you go to when you need to reflect.
Describe a quiet place where you like to think
You should say:
- where this place is
- how you found it
- what you do there
and explain why this place helps you think clearly.
You have one minute to prepare. Then speak for one to two minutes.
Tips for this card
- Describe sounds, light and smells to paint a clear picture.
- Explain what kind of thinking you do there.
- Contrast the place with the noise of daily life.
Show a sample answer (try your own first)
One place I often go when I need to think is the rooftop of my uncle's house in Dhanmondi. It's not a park or anything special, just a flat concrete roof with a few potted plants my aunt looks after, but it's surprisingly peaceful. I found it almost by accident a couple of years ago. There was a family dinner downstairs that was very loud, and I went up to get some fresh air. I noticed that even though the city was all around me, the noise felt distant, and I could see the sky properly for once. Since then, I go up there whenever I'm visiting, usually in the early evening when the heat has faded. I sit on an old plastic chair, sometimes with a notebook, and just let my thoughts settle. That's where I made up my mind about which university to apply to, actually. I think it helps because nobody disturbs me there, and looking at the wide sky reminds me that my problems are fairly small. In daily life I'm always surrounded by people and notifications, so having a space like that feels like pressing a reset button.
Part 3 — discussion questions
- Why is it difficult to find quiet places in big cities?
- Do people need time alone to be happy?
- Should cities create more green spaces?
- Are young people less comfortable with silence than older people?