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✦ IELTS Topic: The Countryside – 10 Useful Phrases

Rolling hills and green fields
e.g., The countryside near my hometown is full of rolling hills and green fields.
A slower pace of life
e.g., People in the countryside often enjoy a slower pace of life.
Get away from the hustle and bustle
e.g., I love going to the countryside to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Fresh air and open spaces
e.g., One of the best things about the countryside is the fresh air and open spaces.
Picturesque villages
e.g., We drove through several picturesque villages with stone cottages and flower gardens.
Peaceful and quiet
e.g., It’s peaceful and quiet compared to the noisy city streets.
In touch with nature
e.g., Living in the countryside helps you feel more in touch with nature.
Lack of public transport
e.g., A downside of rural life is the lack of public transport.
Close-knit community
e.g., Everyone knows each other in a close-knit community.
Rural lifestyle
e.g., Some people find the rural lifestyle relaxing, while others find it boring.

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – The Countryside

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

Have you ever lived in the countryside?
Do you enjoy visiting rural areas?
What do you like about the countryside?
Are there any disadvantages to living in the countryside?
Would you like to retire in a rural area?

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a place in the countryside you have visited.
You should say:

where it was
what it looked like
what you did there
and explain why you enjoyed it.

✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I lived in a small village when I was a child. It had rolling hills and green fields all around.
2. I love visiting rural areas—they’re peaceful and quiet and let me reconnect with nature.
3. I enjoy the fresh air and open spaces most. It’s so different from city life.
4. One disadvantage is the lack of public transport. You really need a car to get around.
5. Definitely. I’d love the slower pace of life once I’m older.

Part 2 Sample Answer

One countryside place I really enjoyed visiting was a small village in the north of England called Haworth. It was surrounded by rolling hills and green fields, and the views were absolutely stunning.

The village itself was charming—one of those picturesque villages with narrow lanes and stone cottages. It was very peaceful and quiet, and everyone we met was so friendly—it felt like a close-knit community.

What I loved most was just walking around and breathing in the fresh air and open spaces. It felt like a real escape, a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

It made me realise how valuable the rural lifestyle can be for your mental well-being.

✦ Comprehension Test: The Countryside Phrases

1. "The countryside near my hometown is full of rolling hills and green fields."
Q: What does the speaker describe about the countryside?

2. "People in the countryside often enjoy a slower pace of life."
Q: What is different about rural life?

3. "I love going to the countryside to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city."
Q: Why does the speaker visit the countryside?

4. "One of the best things about the countryside is the fresh air and open spaces."
Q: What benefit does the speaker mention?

5. "We drove through several picturesque villages with stone cottages and flower gardens."
Q: What kind of villages did they see?

6. "It’s peaceful and quiet compared to the noisy city streets."
Q: How is the countryside different from the city?

7. "Living in the countryside helps you feel more in touch with nature."
Q: What connection does the speaker mention?

8. "A downside of rural life is the lack of public transport."
Q: What is one problem with living in the countryside?

9. "Everyone knows each other in a close-knit community."
Q: What is a feature of rural communities?

10. "Some people find the rural lifestyle relaxing, while others find it boring."
Q: What are two opinions about rural life?

✦ Answer Key

Beautiful hills and green scenery.
It’s more relaxed and slower.
To escape the busy city.
Clean air and space.
Small, attractive villages.
It’s calm and quiet.
A deeper connection with nature.
Not many buses or trains.
People know and support each other.
Some like it, some don’t.