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✦ IELTS Topic: Cities & Towns – Roads, Streets & Bridges (10 Useful Phrases)

Tree-lined avenues
e.g., The tree-lined avenues in the old part of town are lovely to walk along.
Busy intersection
e.g., This busy intersection causes traffic jams during rush hour.
Pedestrian-friendly streets
e.g., The city has invested in pedestrian-friendly streets and bike lanes.
Narrow alleyways
e.g., The old town is full of narrow alleyways and cobbled paths.
Multi-lane highway
e.g., We took the multi-lane highway to reach the city in under an hour.
Suspension bridge
e.g., The suspension bridge connects the two districts across the river.
Roundabout
e.g., There’s a large roundabout near the shopping centre that keeps traffic flowing.
Underground tunnel
e.g., The new underground tunnel has reduced congestion in the city centre.
Footbridge
e.g., A small footbridge crosses the canal and leads to the park.
Grid system of streets
e.g., The city was planned with a grid system of streets, making it easy to navigate.

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – Roads & Infrastructure

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

Are the roads in your city well-maintained?
Do you prefer walking or driving in your town?
Are there any famous streets or bridges in your area?
What are the traffic conditions like during the week?
How has transportation changed in your city over time?

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a road, street, or bridge you know well.
You should say:

where it is
what it looks like
how it is used
and explain why it is important or memorable.

✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, especially in the centre. There are pedestrian-friendly streets and clear signs.
2. I prefer walking, especially down the tree-lined avenues near my house.
3. We have an iconic suspension bridge that tourists always photograph.
4. Traffic can be heavy at busy intersections, especially at rush hour.
5. The city has built new multi-lane highways and an underground tunnel to reduce congestion.

Part 2 Sample Answer

One bridge I know well is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It’s a famous suspension bridge painted bright red, stretching across the bay.

I visited it last summer, and we walked across using the pedestrian-friendly walkway. It offers amazing views of the city and ocean.

The road over the bridge is wide, almost like a multi-lane highway, and handles thousands of cars each day. It’s an important link for commuters and tourists.

What makes it memorable is not just the engineering, but the feeling of standing on a bridge that’s recognised all over the world.

✦ Comprehension Test: Roads, Streets & Bridges

1. "The tree-lined avenues in the old part of town are lovely to walk along."
Q: What makes the avenues attractive?

2. "This busy intersection causes traffic jams during rush hour."
Q: When does the intersection become a problem?

3. "The city has invested in pedestrian-friendly streets and bike lanes."
Q: What changes has the city made?

4. "The old town is full of narrow alleyways and cobbled paths."
Q: What kind of paths are in the old town?

5. "We took the multi-lane highway to reach the city in under an hour."
Q: What helped them travel quickly?

6. "The suspension bridge connects the two districts across the river."
Q: What does the bridge do?

7. "There’s a large roundabout near the shopping centre that keeps traffic flowing."
Q: Why is the roundabout useful?

8. "The new underground tunnel has reduced congestion in the city centre."
Q: What effect has the tunnel had?

9. "A small footbridge crosses the canal and leads to the park."
Q: What is the function of the footbridge?

10. "The city was planned with a grid system of streets, making it easy to navigate."
Q: What makes the city easy to get around?

✦ Answer Key

Trees make the street shaded and beautiful.
During peak traffic times.
Better for walkers and cyclists.
Small, narrow walking paths.
A wide road with many lanes.
Links areas across water.
Helps prevent traffic build-up.
Less traffic in the central area.
Allows people to walk over water.
Straight, organised street layout.