Please help me record the script naturally and clearly. I'd use your recording as a sample to imitate your pronunciation. Thank you! (The abbreviation "IELTS" (International English Language Testing System) is pronounced as /ˈaɪelts/.)
IELTS Town and City Vocabulary
In the IELTS Speaking exam you may be called upon to showcase your vocabulary to describe towns and cities.
Part 1-style questions
1) What is it like where you live?
I live in a residential area of a busy town in the south of Spain … we have all the facilities you need … good public transport … a good shopping centre … it’s nice …
2) Do you like living in the city?
Yes I do … I like going out with my friends and there are lots of lively bars and restaurants within walking distance of my apartment … I’m a bit of a culture vulture as well so it’s great to have access to art exhibitions and that kind of thing …
3) Do you get many tourists visiting your area?
Not really no … I live in the inner-city and the area is a little run down … it’s basically a lot of high-rise flats and many of the shops are boarded up … so nothing to interest tourists really …
Part 2-style task
Describe an interesting town or city in your country that visitors might enjoy. You should say
• what the place is called
• where the place is
• what the facilities are like
and say why visitors might enjoy going there.
Anyone who comes to my country really should spend some time in Barcelona … it’s a beautiful place … it’s not what you would call a sprawling city … it’s quite compact really and you could walk across the city in a couple of hours … but there’s no need to do that as we have a fantastic public transport system so it’s easy to get around … there are various districts all with their own character … you have the upmarket shops in the centre … you’ll find lots of chain stores you’ll recognise from your own country but also local brands as well … we have the narrow streets in the Gothic district with lots of fashionable boutiques and tourist attractions … there’s the Olympic area and the beaches along the coast … and dotted around the city are some lovely public spaces … parks and squares in the city centre and on the outskirts of Barcelona where people relax with their friends and family … and of course pavement cafes everywhere … all that and some great historical places of interest … so a great destination for tourists …
Part 3-style questions
1) What are the advantages of living in a city or big town?
I think it’s having access to local facilities really … local shops as well as access to larger shopping malls in the city centre … and if you’re well-off you can afford to live in the suburbs away from the busy traffic …
2) In your experience are city centres usually attractive places?
Some can be yes … especially those with a historical interest … but sometimes they’re full of ugly office blocks … multi-story car parks … and residents living in poor housing … it depends on the city doesn’t it?
3) What are some of the challenges facing towns and cities?
I suppose traffic congestion is a major problem … and the growth in out-of-town supermarkets and retail parks mean lots of town centre shops are closing down … plus a shortage of good quality housing … I think these are the major challenges …
Thank you very much, David!