Last Updated on July 9, 2025
“Describe a village near your hometown” is a common cue card in IELTS Speaking Part 2 that tests your ability to talk about your local area. In this article, you will find four sample answers specific to West Bengal, vocabulary for high band scores, follow-up questions from Part 3, and a full breakdown of the topic.
This cue card assesses your descriptive language, your ability to connect with a place on a personal level, and your fluency in describing local culture and geography.
Learn how to answer “Describe a village near your hometown” with IELTS sample answers, Band 9 vocabulary, tips, follow-up questions & structure.
Cue Card Topic Breakdown
You will have:
- 1 minute to prepare
- 1–2 minutes to speak
Describe a village near your hometown
You should say:
- Where the village is
- How do you know about it
- What is it famous for
- And explain how you feel about this place
Why This Cue Card Matters
This cue card helps examiners assess your ability to:
- Use specific, local details to create a vivid picture.
- Express personal feelings and connections to a place.
- Use a range of vocabulary related to landscapes, culture, and atmosphere.
- Organise your thoughts into a coherent narrative about a familiar place.
Bawali (Near Maheshtala): Describe a Village Near Your Hometown
Where the village is
The village that I would like to discuss is Bawali. It can be found in the district of South 24 Parganas, which is not too distant to my home town, Maheshtala. The travel time is approximately 45 minutes by vehicles.
How you know about it
My first experience in Bawali was a few years ago when I had gone there with my family on a weekend trip. We had heard of a well-restored heritage property over there and thought of checking it out and having a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
What it is famous for
In the political reality of the past, Mondal zamindars existed in Bawali. Nowadays, it is best known in connection with the Bawali Rajbari, a ruined 300-year-old palace which it has now fully and spectacularly restored to a resort hotel. The village itself also has a peaceful image, green, and huge ponds, or pukurs.
How you feel about this place
When I think of Bawali, I experience peace and nostalgia. It is as though it were a window into Bengal and its history. All the people of my state and I feel proud of our heritage when we see the restored Rajbari standing proudly in the middle of a silent village. It is the combination of rustic nature and historical magnificence, and it seems to be a true escape.
Deulti (Near Kolkata): Describe a Village Near Your Hometown
Where the village is
Another beautiful village I have visited is Deulti. It is situated in the Howrah district, on the banks of the Rupnarayan River. From Maheshtala, it’s easily accessible via a short local train journey.
How you know about it
I know about it because my Bengali literature teacher organised a school trip there in Class 10. The purpose was to visit the home of the famous Bengali novelist, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.
What it is famous for
Deulti is famous primarily as the home of Sarat Chandra, and his house, known as Sarat Kuthi, is now a museum. The village is also known for its serene riverbank, verdant landscapes, and the terracotta temples that are scattered around the area.
How you feel about this place
Visiting Deulti feels very inspiring. Walking through the rooms where such a great author lived and wrote makes me feel connected to our rich literary culture. The peaceful environment by the river is incredibly calming, and it makes me understand where he got his inspiration from. It’s a place of quiet reflection for me.
Achipur: Describe a Village Near Your Hometown
Where the village is
A very unique village near my hometown is Achipur. It’s located very close to Budge Budge, just a short distance from Maheshtala, right on the banks of the Hooghly River.
How you know about it
I heard stories about it from some older residents in my locality. Intrigued, my friends and I went on our bikes one afternoon to explore it.
What is it famous for
Achipur is famous for having one of the oldest Chinese temples in India. It is named after Tong Achi, who is believed to have been the first Chinese settler in the area, arriving in the late 18th century. The village is the epicentre of the Chinese New Year celebrations in the region.
How you feel about this place
I feel amazed and surprised by Achipur. It’s a hidden gem that reveals the multicultural history of my own backyard. Finding a historic Chinese temple and a grave in a quintessential Bengali village setting is fascinating. It reminds me that history is all around us, often in the most unexpected places.
A Generic Village on the Outskirts: Describe a Village Near Your Hometown
Where the village is
The village I would like to describe is a tiny village without a name in the southern suburbs of Kolkata on the outskirts where I often pass by in a train.
How you know about it
I do not know it by name, but I know I have seen it a thousand times out of the window of a train on my way into the country to spend family occasions.
What is it famous for
There is no monument or historical event associated with it. Rather, its beauty is in its simplicity. It lives in my imagination in terms of old Bengali village landscape: flat, historically green paddy fields, humble houses with wooden roofs, children playing along pondsides, and cows grazing happily.
How you feel about this place
The sight of this village makes me calm and simple. It is like a pause button in a world that is always on the go. It embodies a more peaceful and leisurely lifestyle that I am really attracted to. It is a beautiful, evanescent scene which never fails to make me smile.
Follow-Up Questions (IELTS Part 3): Describe a Village Near Your Hometown
Do you think life in a village is better than life in a city?
It is a give and take. It is great because in villages, there is a lot of peace, good air, and a well-knit community. Nevertheless, urban areas offer more educational, healthcare and career prospects. One is not necessarily better than the other; this is a matter of individual choice at a particular moment in life.
Why are many young people moving from villages to cities?
Economic opportunity is the most important motive. Youths migrate to urban centres such as Kolkata to access a better education system and well-paying employment opportunities unavailable in the rural set-ups. Cities are also appealing to them because of the modern way of life and increased social space.
How can the government help to improve life in villages?
Governments can invest in infrastructure such as good roads, an electricity supply, quality internet connection. It is also important to improve local schools and healthcare institutions. Local jobs can be generated through rural entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism, and thus decrease migration.
Vocabulary to Use for This Cue Card
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Rustic charm | A simple, old-fashioned attractiveness of the countryside. | The village had a rustic charm that was very appealing. |
| Verdant landscapes | Scenery that is green with grass or rich vegetation. | Deulti is known for its verdant landscapes along the river. |
| Serene ambiance | A calm, peaceful, and untroubled atmosphere. | I visit Bawali for its serene ambiance. |
| Off the beaten path | Not known or popular with many people; secluded. | Achipur feels like a destination that is off the beaten path. |
| Sense of community | A feeling of belonging and mutual support among people. | Villages often have a stronger sense of community than cities. |
| Dilapidated | In a state of ruin or disrepair as a result of age or neglect. | The palace was dilapidated before it was restored. |
| Heritage | Valued objects and qualities such as historic buildings. | The Bawali Rajbari is a significant part of Bengal’s heritage. |
| Tranquillity | A state of peace and quiet. | I enjoyed the tranquillity of the village morning. |
| Hustle and bustle | A large amount of activity and noise. | It was a welcome escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. |
| Picturesque | Visually attractive, in a charming or quaint way. | The view of the paddy fields from the train was very picturesque. |
Related Topics for IELTS Practice
- Describe the Scene of a Hospital
- Describe a Skill You Want to Learn
- Describe an important day in your life
- Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
- Describe a Historical Building You Have Been To
- Describe an Item of Clothing Someone Gave You
- Describe a Place You Would Like to Live in the Future
- Describe an Old Person Who Has Had an Interesting Life
- Describe a Place in Your City Where You Can See Wildlife
Final thoughts on “Describe a village near your hometown”
In this IELTS cue card, it helps to use a real village that you have known, as a sense of authenticity is difficult to simulate. Concentrate on the senses and what you saw, heard, and felt. The most significant component of your answer is your personal connection with the place. Giving particular, local names and characteristics, like in the samples, will make your answer much clearer and more spectacular.
FAQs
What іf I live іn a huge city and don’t know any villages?
You can talk about a village you have passed through оn a journey, seen іn a local movie, оr heard about from family. The “Generic Village” sample answer іs a perfect example оf how tо handle this. The key іs tо describe іt vividly.
Can I make up a village?
While it’s possible, іt іs often harder tо sound convincing. It’s usually better tо use a real place, even іf you only know a little about it, and build your story around those few facts. Authenticity іs easier tо convey.
Does іt have tо be a “beautiful” village?
Not necessarily. The prompt asks you tо “describe” it. You can describe a village that іs interesting, unique, оr historically significant. Your feelings about the place are what matter most.
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