Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Place in your town/city where people can go for swimming - Cue Card # 557
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a place in your town/city where people can go for swimming.
You should say:
- where it is
- whether it is open to public
- what type of people usually go there
and explain why people go there for swimming.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
To tell you the truth, swimming is one of my favourite hobbies. So, it is fair to suggest that whether there is a swimming place inside my town or outside of it, I am most probably aware of it. So, today, I would like to talk about one of these swimming places which I also like to visit from time to time along with other people.
This swimming place, I am talking about, is located outside of my town, and I go to enjoy swimming there at least once a week, if not more. But it is not a swimming pool, but rather a large lake that stretches about half a kilometre. So, it is fair to say that it is large enough to accommodate a huge number of swimmers at a time, so naturally, all kinds of people, both young and adults, visit this place for the purpose of swimming, from both inside and outside of the city.
This lake is surrounded by lots of trees and greenery, which is visited by all kinds of beautiful birds. Besides, both sides of the lake are nicely curved with brick-made structures and beautiful trees. On top of that, the sandy beaches on both sides of the lake are well spread and offer a nice arrangement to help people sit comfortably and enjoy their time in all kinds of weather. By the way, even though it is open to the public, it is mostly visited by young people, especially when they are on holiday or their schools are closed.
Anyway, people visit this swimming place primarily because it has a lot of empty space as well as beautiful nature around it to help people enjoy some fresh air and Mother Nature. Besides, the water in the lake is clean and clear. The shallow depth of this lake is also one of the major factors which attracts a lot of swimmers, since people don’t feel scared to swim in it. Finally, people love to visit this place because it has nice restaurants and snack shops around it to help people relax and feel comfortable.
Sample Answer 2:
Swimming is an excellent activity and offers several health benefits. So, I often go swimming at the Keller swimming pool near my hometown. The place is located on the outskirts of the city. This is a very good place to swim at any time of day. The swimming pool has a couple of pool ranges. This is a nice cue card topic for me, and I am feeling lucky to have it.
This is a place which is open to the public. There is a large area made for swimming purposes only. It was built in the 1980s and served the nation for a long time. It was renovated in 2018. The water used in this pool is filtered in several layers. The pool is also preferred by the team of swimmers.
This is a nice swimming pool and comes with many facilities. So, it is a preferable place for all types of swimmers. But this is a heaven for the early risers. The convenient changing rooms are one of the attractions for them to come to this place. Moreover, the water is filtered with ozone instead of chlorine and disinfected with a strict process. So, this is safe for the kids as well. Some of the kids come here to swim either with their parents or with their team of swimmers.
Swimming is helpful to maintain good health. At present, many people in my town are health-conscious. So, a notable number of them gather here for swimming purposes, and they enjoy swimming at this place.
Model Answer 3:
Thank you very much for this interesting topic. In my city, there’s a popular public swimming complex called Riverside Aquatic Centre, and it’s the place almost everyone thinks of when they want to swim, whether for fun, exercise, or training. Since I've been there several times and I really liked this place, I'd like to talk about it here.
This swimming complex is located near the central park, so it’s quite accessible by bus, car, or even on foot if you live in the downtown area.
Yes, it’s completely open to the public. You just need to buy a ticket, and they also offer monthly or annual passes for people who swim regularly. There are different sections inside - a standard Olympic-sized pool for professional swimmers, a smaller heated pool for children, and even an indoor wave pool that’s perfect for families. It’s well-maintained and has lifeguards on duty all day, so people feel safe taking their kids there.
The place attracts a very mixed crowd. You’ll see teenagers training for competitions, adults doing laps before work, and elderly people enjoying light water exercises in the mornings. On weekends, it’s full of families and groups of friends who come to have fun and relax. I’ve even seen tourists dropping by, especially in the summer, because it’s such a well-known spot in our city.
People go there for different reasons. Some are there for serious training, others for health benefits like improving fitness or recovering from injuries, and many just go for leisure. What I love about it is the atmosphere - it’s energetic but also welcoming. Whether you’re an experienced swimmer or just learning, you feel like you belong. Plus, swimming is such a refreshing way to beat the heat in summer, and Riverside Aquatic Centre offers exactly that, all year round.
Sample Answer 4:
Thank you so much for giving me this wonderful topic to talk about. It instantly takes me back to a beautiful summer afternoon by the river in my grandparents’ village. The river is called Korotoa, a wide and calm stretch of water that winds its way through fields of golden paddy and clusters of other large trees. It’s not an official swimming facility, as you can guess, and it is not anything fancy. It is just a natural spot that locals have loved for generations and where hundreds of people swim each day.
I first went there with my cousins during a school holiday. The journey itself was charming - we cycled along narrow dirt paths, with the sound of crickets and the smell of wildflowers around us. When we finally reached the riverbank, the water shimmered under the sun, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of wet earth. I could see children splashing near the shore, elderly villagers sitting on the steps, and a few fishermen casting their nets in the deeper section. It is open to the public, and it serves them for many different purposes.
It was noisy in the most pleasant way - laughter, splashing, and the occasional call from a boatman. People of all ages came here, especially in the late afternoon when the heat softened. For the young, it was a place to swim and play; for the older ones, it was more about soaking their feet and catching up with friends.
I remember wading into the cool water for the first time, feeling the soft riverbed under my feet. The current was gentle, and the sunlight danced on the ripples. There was something incredibly peaceful about being there - no city traffic, no deadlines, just the sound of nature and the warmth of community. I think that’s why people keep coming back; it’s not just about swimming, it’s about feeling connected - to the land, to each other, and to a simpler way of life.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a swimming spot in your town or city. Mention where it is, whether it’s open to the public, the kinds of people who usually go there, and the reasons people choose it for swimming. Here are several detailed ideas you can adapt:
1. Municipal indoor pool at the sports complex:
Located beside the main stadium and bus terminal, this heated indoor pool is fully open to the public with affordable day passes and monthly memberships. You’ll see school teams training in lanes, office workers doing early-morning laps, and families coming for weekend splash sessions. People go there for year-round access, lifeguard supervision, clean changing rooms, and structured classes like beginner lessons and aqua-fitness that make it friendly for all levels.
2. Community outdoor pool in a neighbourhood park:
Set inside a large public park with playgrounds and shady trees, this seasonal pool operates from late spring to early autumn. It’s open to everyone, though locals get discounted entry. Typical visitors are children on summer break, teenagers with friends, and parents relaxing on the deck chairs. Swimmers like it for the sunlit lanes, shallow kids’ area, and the picnic spaces just outside - perfect for making a full afternoon of it.
3. University aquatics centre:
Situated on the campus near the athletics block, this 50-meter pool is primarily for students and staff, with limited community hours in the evenings. Regulars include competitive swimmers, triathlon clubs, and alumni who buy guest passes. People choose it for the regulation-length lanes, starting blocks, digital pace clocks, and professional coaching sessions that help improve technique and endurance.
4. Hotel rooftop pool with day passes:
Right in the city centre, above a business hotel, this pool offers paid day access even to non-guests. The crowd is a mix of tourists, couples, and locals looking for a treat after work. Swimmers go for the skyline views, quieter midweek atmosphere, towel service, and the convenience of showers and a café on the same floor - great for a short swim followed by a quick meal.
5. Private fitness club pool:
Found inside a members-only gym near the financial district, this lap pool is accessible with monthly or annual memberships. Regular users are professionals who swim before office hours, personal-training clients, and masters swimmers. People like it for the crowd control - no rough play, predictable lap etiquette - and extras such as sauna access, equipment rental (kickboards, pull buoys), and personalised training plans.
6. Lakeside swimming area with lifeguards:
Just outside the town boundary, a freshwater lake has a roped-off public swimming zone and weekend lifeguard coverage in summer. Visitors include families, open-water enthusiasts, and fitness groups who practice sighting and longer continuous swims. People go there for the natural setting, cool water during heatwaves, and the chance to train in open water ahead of races - something pools can’t replicate.
7. Urban beach along the river promenade:
Close to the old town bridge, a designated section of the riverbank becomes an urban beach with decking, steps into the water, and water-quality checks posted daily. It’s free to access and attracts students, office workers on lunch breaks, and casual swimmers in the evenings. The draw is easy access without leaving the centre, a lively social vibe, and the novelty of swimming with city landmarks in view.
8. Family water park with wave pool:
On the city’s edge near a shopping complex, this ticketed water park includes a large wave pool and a lazy river besides traditional lanes. The usual crowd is families, birthday groups, and visitors during holidays. People choose it for the fun factor - safe waves for practising body positioning, lifeguards everywhere, and plenty of shallow zones for learners who want confidence in the water.
9. School pool with community evenings:
Inside a secondary school near the suburban rail stop, the pool opens to the public after classes and on weekends. It’s popular with beginners taking affordable lessons, seniors attending gentle aqua classes, and parents bringing kids for supervised play. Swimmers appreciate the structured timetable, reliable cleanliness, and friendly instructors who specialise in building water confidence from scratch.
10. Triathlon club’s open-water training spot at the reservoir:
North of town, a managed reservoir hosts club-organised swims with safety kayaks and mandatory bright caps. Participants are endurance athletes, weekend warriors, and charity-swim trainees. People go for sighting practice, drafting drills, and acclimatisation to cooler water and variable conditions - key preparation for races that can’t be simulated in chlorinated lanes.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a place in your town or city where people can go for swimming, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey its location, accessibility, the demographic of visitors, and the reasons for its popularity. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the atmosphere and the benefits of the place, making your response both descriptive and clear. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Swimming facility: – A place or building that provides services or opportunities for swimming.
Example: The new sports complex has an excellent swimming facility with multiple pools.
Aquatic centre: – A large sports venue, usually an indoor building, that features swimming pools.
Example: The municipal aquatic centre is a popular spot for both recreational and competitive swimmers.
Public pool: – A swimming pool that is open to the general public, often managed by a local government.
Example: The local public pool is a great place for families to cool off in the summer.
Recreational swimming: – Swimming for pleasure or relaxation rather than for competitive purposes.
Example: Many people go there for recreational swimming on the weekends.
Competitive swimming: – A sport where individuals or teams race against each other in swimming.
Example: The Olympic-sized pool is often used for competitive swimming training.
Leisurely: – In a relaxed and unhurried way.
Example: People enjoy a leisurely swim in the pool after a long day at work.
Accessible: – Able to be reached or entered.
Example: The facility is easily accessible by public transport, which makes it convenient for everyone.
Membership: – The state of being a member of a group or organisation.
Example: While some areas are open to the public, the gym and sauna require a membership.
Laps: – The distance covered by swimming the length of a pool.
Example: Many people go there to swim laps for exercise in the morning.
Hydrotherapy: – The use of water in the treatment of disease or injury.
Example: The warm-water pool is specifically used for hydrotherapy and rehabilitation.
Diving board: – A board at the edge of a swimming pool that people can dive from.
Example: The younger crowd loves to use the diving board for fun.
Atmosphere: – The pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art.
Example: The atmosphere is always lively and family-friendly.
Demographics: – The statistical data of a population, especially those showing average age, income, etc.
Example: The demographics of the people who go there range from young children to senior citizens.
Therapeutic: – Relating to the healing of disease; beneficial.
Example: For many, swimming is a therapeutic activity that helps with stress relief.
Unwind: – Relax after a period of work or tension.
Example: People go there to unwind and get some exercise at the same time.
Community hub: – A central place where people can gather and socialise.
Example: The swimming pool acts as a community hub, bringing people from all over the neighbourhood together.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a place in your town/city where people can go for swimming", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a popular place in your town or city.
2) Describe a crowded place you have been to.
3) Describe a place near water that you enjoyed visiting.
4) Describe a popular place in your hometown where a lot of people go.
5) Describe something interesting you have recently done.
6) Describe an interesting place you have recently visited.
7) Describe a popular place in your country.
8) Describe an interesting place that you have visited as a tourist.
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