Your Hometown
Part 1 — Introduction questions
I'm from Belo Horizonte, a large city in the southeast of Brazil. It sits among hills, which is actually what its name refers to — 'beautiful horizon'.
What I appreciate most is the food culture. The city is famous for its traditional markets and little neighbourhood bars, so there's always somewhere new to eat with friends.
Considerably. Public transport has improved, and several old industrial areas have been converted into cultural centres, which has made the city feel much more lively.
I think so, at least eventually. I'd like to experience living abroad first, but my family and oldest friends are there, so it will always feel like home.
Part 2 — Cue card
You should say:
- where it is
- how often you go there
- what you do there
- and explain why you enjoy visiting it
Sample answer
The place I'd like to talk about is the municipal park right in the centre of my hometown. It's a surprisingly green space surrounded by busy avenues, about ten minutes' walk from where I grew up. I try to go there at least once a week, usually on Sunday mornings when the main road beside it is closed to traffic. Typically I jog around the lake, and afterwards I buy fresh coffee from one of the stalls near the gate and just watch people go by — families having picnics, street musicians, older men playing chess at the stone tables. The reason I enjoy it so much is the contrast it offers: the moment you pass through the gates, the noise of the city fades and you're under hundred-year-old trees. It's also tied up with my childhood, because my grandfather used to take me there to feed the ducks, so for me it's not just a park — it's a collection of good memories that I add to every time I visit.
Part 3 — Discussion
I'd say it mainly comes down to pace and community. Small towns tend to be quieter and more affordable, and people often know their neighbours, which creates a sense of belonging that can be hard to find in a large, anonymous city.
Growth usually brings both opportunity and strain. On the positive side, you get more jobs, better services, and a richer cultural life. At the same time, housing becomes more expensive and infrastructure like roads and hospitals struggles to keep up unless governments plan ahead.
Absolutely, within reason. Historic buildings give a city its identity and connect residents to their past. That said, preservation has to be balanced against practical needs — I think the best approach is adapting old buildings to new uses rather than freezing whole districts in time.
Topic vocabulary
full of energy and life
"The city centre is vibrant at night, with music spilling out of every bar."
a regular journey between home and work
"My daily commute takes about forty minutes by metro."
useful facilities such as shops, parks, and transport
"The neighbourhood has excellent amenities, including two markets and a library."
visually attractive, like a picture
"The old quarter is full of picturesque colonial houses."
the feeling of being accepted as part of a community
"Local festivals give residents a strong sense of belonging."
the uncontrolled spread of a city into surrounding areas
"Urban sprawl has swallowed the farmland that used to ring the city."