Describe a park or a garden within your urban area | IELTS Speaking Part 2+3

Part 2: Describe a park or a garden within your urban area

Describe a park or a garden in your city

You should say:

What it wasWhen you learned itHow you learned itAnd explain why it was important

Below is a sample article for the topic “Describe a park or a garden within your urban area“.

1. Sample article (Sample 1)

2. Vocabulary (Vocabulary)

• Apartment complex (n) khu phức hợp căn hộ
• Easily accessible (adj) dễ tiếp cận/ dễ tới được
• High-rise (n) = tall buildings: tòa nhà cao tầng
• Be a (nice) complement to something: là một điểm nhấn thêm cho (cái gì đó)
• On a daily basis = every day
• Calisthenics equipment (n) dụng cụ tập luyện thân thể 
• Beautifully-curved lawns (n) những thảm cỏ được tỉa đẹp đẽ
• Within walking distance: gần, trong khoảng cách đi bộ được
• Activities with light intensity (n) các hoạt động vận động nhẹ

3. Sample article (Sample 2)

4. Lexicon (Vocabulary)

• name: kể tên
• If my memory searves me right: nếu tôi nhớ không nhầm thì
• back then: hồi đó
• within walking distance: trong khoảng cách có thể đi bộ được
• in one go: trong một lần
• ornamental: trang trí
• benches: ghế dài
• inhale: hít vào
• recreational activities: hoạt động giải trí
• casting shadows: toả bóng mát
• lawn: bãi cỏ
• grab a coffee: mua một cốc cà phê
• the best is yet to come
  : điều tuyệt vời nhất vẫn chưa đến
• reckon: nghĩ là

Part 3

1. Do young people enjoy visiting parks?

Sample 1: Honestly, I doubt it because there are more appealing places that attract young people better than parks, such as cinemas, shopping malls, and camping sites, just to name a few. Nowadays, most young people turn to social media or entertainment provided by TVs, cinemas, or shopping centers as a way to relieve stress and pressure. 

• Turn to something/ someone (v) tìm tới (cái gì đó/ ai đó)
• Be a remedy for sth: là giải pháp cho (1 vấn đề)

Sample 2: It depends. Most people I know would say no because they find parks uninteresting and consider visiting them a waste of time. During their free time, they would rather go to watch a movie or visit a shopping mall. However, I know some people, including myself, who truly enjoy visiting parks. They appreciate the bustle of urban life but also value connecting with nature, and going to the park is the simplest and quickest way to do so. There, they can momentarily forget their worries and simply live in the moment. 

• go to see a film: xem phim ở rạp
• me included: bao gồm cả tôi
• hustle and bustle: sự náo nhiệt
• metropolises: thành phố lớn
• get close to nature: đến gần hòa mình vào thiên nhiên
• live their lives to the fullest at present: sống hết mình ở hiện tại

2. What activities do elderly people enjoy in parks?

Sample 1: In my opinion, parks are an essential part of seniors' daily routines. Having retired from work, they have ample time to visit parks, where they gather to chat with friends about neighbors, children, or grandchildren. Some engage in light exercises like leisurely walks, gentle dancing, or participating in casual sports. Additionally, parks offer opportunities for elderly individuals to bond with their families through activities such as barbecues or picnics together.

• Leisurely sports (n) môn thể thao thư giãn 

Sample 2: As far as I know, many seniors visit parks for group activities, such as exercising. Some practice yoga, while others participate in aerobics. It's heartwarming to see them enjoy the ambiance with their peers while enhancing their physical health. Occasionally, the loudness of the aerobics instructor can disrupt the peace, leading to disagreements among groups. Furthermore, I've occasionally observed seniors spending time with their life partners or friends in the park. It seems to be a safe and serene environment where they can enjoy quality time together.

• peers: bạn đồng trang lứa
• disturb the peace: vi phạm quy định vì làm ồn hoặc hành xử không đúng
• life partners: vợ/chồng
• tranquil: yên tĩnh
• quality time: thời gian mà mình tập trung vào đối phương

3. What advantages do parks bring to a city?

Sample 1: The benefits of parks are undeniably significant. Firstly, they play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of cities by ensuring daily production of oxygen. Given the escalating pollution in urban areas, especially in major cities, parks' contribution is immensely valuable. Moreover, parks serve as venues for hosting public events such as graduation ceremonies and political campaigns.

• Maintain ecological balance (v) giữ cân bằng sinh thái
• Metropolis (n) đô thị lớn

Example 2: The advantages differ. Many individuals view parks as vital green spaces within cities. They play a crucial role in controlling air quality, especially important in urban areas often plagued by air pollution following industrial, construction, and transportation activities. Moreover, parks provide tranquil havens for city dwellers seeking respite from the fast pace of urban life. During weekends, they also serve as ideal venues for art exhibitions or outdoor events. Unless it rains, people can enjoy quality time exploring new experiences together. 

• merits: ưu điểm
• vary: có nhiều/ khác đi
• regulate: điều chỉnh
• in the aftermath of: là hậu quả của
• urbanites: người thành phố
• hectic pace of life: nhịp sống nhanh

4. What are the advantages of visiting parks for both young and elderly individuals?

Example 1: Visiting parks is unquestionably beneficial for both young and old alike. For young people, it allows them to reconnect with nature and become more grateful for the air they breathe. It's also an ideal spot for picnics or physical activities with friends. For the elderly, parks offer spaces to share stories and release negativity. Regular park visits help them stay healthy and foster new friendships with peers, thus forming new bonds.

• Be appreciative of someone/ something: biết ơn ai đó/ cái gì đó
• Establish a companionship (n) tạo thêm 1 mối quan hệ đồng hành/ có thêm 1 người bạn đồng hành

Example 2: Several compelling reasons support this notion. Firstly, some might simply have empty space at home and wish to decorate it. It's undeniable that adding flowers can make a space more lively and vibrant. Furthermore, many find gardening to be therapeutic for the soul. In urban life, rife with worries about expenses, education, work, and other matters, the time gardeners spend with their flowers can be the most precious part of their day. Nurturing these little beauties inspires and motivates them to persevere in their endeavors. 

• lively and vibrant: có sức sống và rực rỡ
• therapy: trị liệu
• city life is not without: cuộc sống thành thị không thể thiếu
• gardeners: người làm vườn
• carry on: tiếp tục cuộc sống

5. Do you think people should contribute to the upkeep of public parks and gardens?

Example 1: I think so. It's essential for people to take responsibility for maintaining public parks and gardens. We should avoid damaging behaviors like littering, walking on grass, or vandalizing park facilities. Moreover, we should contribute financially to the regular upkeep of parks through taxes.

• I suppose so = I think so
• Refrain oneself from doing something (v) tự hạn chế/ kiềm chế làm gì đó

Example 2: Absolutely. As I mentioned earlier, parks and gardens play a crucial role in improving physical and mental health. While the benefits for physical health are evident, I'd like to expand on the mental health aspect. Many people struggle with overthinking, dwelling on the past, and fearing the future. Gardening or jogging in parks allows them to connect with nature, be present, and find calmness. It's one of the best therapies for relieving stress, especially as stress levels have increased in recent years. 

• elaborate: giải thích
• be present: sống ở hiện tại
• heal: chữa lành
• on the rise: tăng lên