March 2023 - IELTS BAND7

CUE CARD – Describe a situation when you enjoyed free time/describe something you did in your spare time during childhood.

March 20, 2023 Vidhi Dhanola

Speaking -Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a situation when you enjoyed free time/ describe something you did in your spare time during childhood.

You should say:

When it was?

Where were you?

What you did?

How did you feel about it?

Sample Answer 1

Well, I am a workaholic. So, I usually do not get enough time to relax. But today I would like to talk about a time when I relished my free time. It was a typical Saturday, and I was alone at home feeling bored until one of my childhood cronies called me up and decided to hang out with me. Since I abstain from going outdoors, I invited her to my place, and we spent the whole day chatting with each other.

We started our day by having some starters followed by dancing to some good music. Then we both watched our favorite web series on Netflix named, big bang theory and laughed like lunatics. After watching a few episodes, we both had a long conversation about our personal lives and issues. It was quite wholesome actually, spending time with a good old friend and reliving those school memories. The day was more like a trip back to memory lane.

Moreover, she made me understand that there is more to life than work. I was enthralled and lived up to the fullest. For a brief moment I forgot that there is work to do as well and was absolutely rejuvenated by the experience. Our day ended well with a great dinner and sleepover at my place itself. Thus, this was a time when I enjoyed my free time.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning	Sentence
Abstain	Avoid, refrain	I abstain from having too much fast food.
Lunatic	crazy	Rajesh is a lunatic.
Relish	enjoy	I relish eating French delicacies.

Speaking -Part 3 (Follow up questions)
Here are some examples of follow up questions that examiner may ask during your speaking (part 3) related to cue card ‘Describe a situation when you enjoyed free time/ describe something you did in your spare time during childhood.’

Q1. What do people like to do in their free time?

It depends on person to person. But mostly individuals indulge in recreational activities such as painting, sketching, writing journals and many more.

Q2. Are most people able to manage their free time?

Well, I do not think so because nowadays, people have grown to become more goal oriented. As a result, they have developed to be work maniacs to such an extent that even on a free day like Sunday, they prefer getting done with the work rather than enjoying the day and getting themselves rejuvenated for Monday.

Q3. Is free time good for students?

Definitely, students need free time as it is important for their overall development because in their spare time, they get to take part in extracurricular activities such as literary events and sports. Moreover, it gives them a break from their endless syllabus and stressful assignments and projects.

Sample Answer 2

Due to the present sedentary lifestyle, it has become vital to have free time to feel rejuvenated. I am a working professional, so I don’t get much free time; however, whenever I get free time, I try to spend it wisely. During the lockdown, I had sufficient time, so I decided to use that free time in a productive way. I didn’t know how to cook, so I thought I’d try my hand at it. I chose to cook an unfamiliar dish, which was dumplings. My mother is extremely good at cooking and an expert, so I considered learning it from her. A dumpling is a small mass of dough that can be boiled, fried, baked, or steamed. My mother taught me the easiest way, and it turned out to be extremely delectable. She shared her best recipes with me, and now I can firmly say that cooking is something that I enjoy doing.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning	Sentence
Delectable	Delicious	My mother cooks delectable food.
Sedentary	Inactive	Sedentary lifestyles have become one of the major issues that the young generation is dealing with.
Rejuvenated	Refreshed	I feel rejuvenated whenever I spend time with my pet.

Q1.What do people in your country like to do when free?

Well, it depends on the individual. There are those who love to drive or ride bikes. I have a couple of neighbours who really love to go sailing and fishing too. Especially on the weekends, when it comes to me, it really varies; it depends upon my mood. Sometimes I watch cartoons, and a few times I play video games as I have a PlayStation.

Q2. Do you think parents should make plans for their children?

I would partially agree with the statement. If the child is quite serious and ambitious about his career, parents need not interfere, but if the situation is completely opposite, they must guide the child in his future plans.

Q3. Are most people able to manage their free time?

I reckon managing time is not everybody’s cup of tea; one really has to practice discipline and be consistent at whatever work he does.

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info@ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

CUE CARD – Describe a person you met at a party and enjoyed a conversation with.

March 18, 2023 Vidhi Dhanola

Speaking -Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a person you met at a party and enjoyed a conversation with.

You should say:

Who was the person?

What topics did you discuss?

How did you feel?

Sample Answer 1

Well, I am not a party animal, but I do not mind attending one or two occasionally. Today, I would like to talk about a person I met at a party and enjoyed a conversation with. The party was thrown by my parents to celebrate my eighteenth birthday and included everyone including my friends and relatives. So, after the cake cutting ceremony, I was strolling around talking to people when my attention shifted to this lady, whose name was Jessica Pearson, and was cousin of one of my close friends. Later when I talked to her, I came to know that she is a social worker and used to collect funds from various sources to collect funds for her charitable organization.

I conversed with her on the rising poverty and incessant shortage of food across the world, but especially in developing countries, like India. I was very much intrigued by the way in which she shared her thoughts with me. Her good oration skills were something that really left me spellbound. Throughout the time, we both discussed the possible solutions for the people who needed shelter, and proper healthcare to live a better life. Moreover, helping the underprivileged children who could not afford to go to school. Furthermore, her strong viewpoint and stand on environmental issues was something I was really fascinated by.

I really felt that it was a great conversation. I had mixed feelings going on at the time, as I never imagined that I would be indulging in such a productive, more like an eye-opening conversation on my special day. On that day, I felt a slight change on my perception of celebration, for somehow, she made me realize that there is so much that we can do to support people out there who are eagerly waiting for some help, which may come in smaller ways like donating our old clothes and books, followed by distributing food to them and these things will definitely make us happier and our day more special.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning	Sentence
Spellbound	enthralling	Her moves left me spellbound.
Incessant	Constant	In 2022, there was an incessant rise in poverty.
Intrigued	fascinate	I was really intrigued by her thoughts on our economy.

Speaking -Part 3 (Follow up questions)
Here are some examples of follow up questions that examiner may ask during your speaking (part 3) related to cue card ‘Describe a person you met at a party and enjoyed a conversation with.’

Q1. What topics are not suitable for discussion?

There are a wide variety of topics that one should refrain from discussing. It also depends upon the surrounding or the environment, if one is in a formal setting, one must maintain the decorum and not indulge in discussing their personal life or relationships. Furthermore, they should also avoid sharing their views on politics and religion.

Q2.What is the difference between chatting with friends and new people?

There is a huge difference between talking to friends and family. My childhood crony, Sneha never judges me for anything in my life. Rather, she motivates me to do well and give my hundred percent in every situation. I share with her each and everything related to my personal life. On the other hand, when it comes to sharing things with my family, I am quite selective about what I should share, so that they don’t feel hurt.

(VIDHI DHANOLA)

Sample Answer 2

Whether we love them or hate them, parties are important. Parties are the occasion where we stand a chance to celebrate the happiness of our close ones and interact with new people. I have a gregarious personality, so interacting with strangers is something that I really enjoy. I’ve been to multiple events where strangers became my good friends, but today I will be describing a personality whom I met at my friend’s party.

The person was my friend’s cousin, who had returned from abroad a few months ago. Her name was Maya. My friend and I went to pick her up from the airport. There, we had a very brief meeting with each other. Following the party night, we met again, and she initiated the conversation by complimenting me on my outfit. She was extremely friendly, like me, and had numerous incidents to share. I shared my desire to study abroad, where she retained great proficiency. Maya guided me through the prospects for the future and the battles that they carry. Moreover, she introduced me to the ways in which I can fulfil my longing desire to study abroad. The conversation rolled on for a good amount of time, and then we moved to have some snacks. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation we had about different topics. I gained efficient advice from her, which I applied to my life. We have become extremely good friends and always meet whenever she visits the city.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning	Sentence
Gregarious	Sociable	She is outgoing and gregarious.
Proficiency	Expertness	The job ad said they wanted proficiency in at least two languages.
Confidant	Companion	He is also an adviser and confidant of the ruler.

Q1. Under what circumstances do you meet new people, and when do you communicate with people you don’t know?

I reckon we meet new people while traveling or visiting new places, and that is one of the times when we communicate with new people. Apart from traveling, when we attend any parties or events there, we get chances to interact with new people.

Q2.What topics do you discuss with new acquaintances?

As I have a green finger, my preferred topic to discuss is plants; however, I don’t mind switching topics depending on the person I am sitting with.

Q3.What topics are not suitable for discussion?

I guess every topic is suitable for discussion, but what’s vital is with whom we are discussing; if that person is our confidant, then we can discuss any topic, but if a person is new to us or isn’t very close to us, we have to be very vigilant while discussing or sharing any information. Apart from this, if I have to be very specific about the topic, then I guess religion is a very sensitive topic to be discussed.

(AYUSHI RAWAT)

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info@ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

CUE CARD – Describe a time when someone gave you something you really wanted /a gift you received

March 18, 2023 Ayushi Rawat

Speaking -Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a time when someone gave you something you really wanted /a gift you received.

You should say:

Who gave it to you?

What was the thing?

When did you receive it?

Why needed it?

Sample Answer

We all receive gifts, and we all give gifts. Nowadays, giving gifts is common everywhere and in every relationship. Usually, I receive gifts on my birthday, but the gift that I will mention today was not given on my birthday. I am a bibliophile, so books are my best companion. I prefer reading books to any other activity. I wanted a book for a very long time and had searched for it in all possible stores, both online and offline, but was brought down as it was out of stock. One day I came across a site that had that book but was charging a high payment to deliver it, and at that time I couldn’t afford it. I had lost the desire to get it on paper, so I started reading online. Although I could read through the online method, it wasn’t as captivating as it would be if I had it in paperback. After a few days, I received a parcel at my doorstep from one of my cousins who lives in a different state. I picked up the parcel and took it to my room. On the cover, he had written “Your search ends today,” which made me curious to open it. I was completely blown away by the object that was inside the box. It was the same book that I wanted to have; I exclaimed with joy and immediately called him to appreciate the efforts she made for me. I remember telling her about my state when I couldn’t get the book but having no clue that she would do the same for me. I was in seventh heaven after getting the book and completed it within a week.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning	Sentence
Bibliophile	One who likes to read books or is fond of reading books	As a child, he was an intense bibliophile and an avid collector of old books.
Blown away	Completely Impressed	The teacher was blown away by the results of her fellow students.
SEVENTH heaven	A state of extreme joy	When I told her she was going to be a grandmother, she was in seventh heaven.

Speaking -Part 3 (Follow up questions)
Here are some examples of follow up questions that examiner may ask during your speaking (part 3) related to cue card ‘Describe a time when someone gave you something you really wanted or a gift you received.’

Q1.What is the relationship between shopping and the economy of the country?

Shopping and the economy of a country are directly related to each other. Whatever a person buys is counted as consumption, and it directly adds to the GDP of a country.

Q2.What are the things that young people like to buy?

Young people prefer to buy the latest technological gadgets, for example, smart watches or the newest cell phones. Apart from technology, young people also like to keep up with the fashion trend.

Q3. How do your friends influence your shopping choices?

Most of the time I go shopping with my friends, and at that time I usually take their suggestions into account when choosing the product; however, I don’t always keep up with the suggestions, and multiple times I end up choosing the product I like despite the rejection of my friend.

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info@ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

CUE CARD – Describe a photo that you are proud of

March 17, 2023 Ayushi Rawat

Speaking -Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a photo that you are proud of.

You should say:

When did you take this photo?

What is the photo about?

Why do you feel proud of the photo?

Sample Answer

A picture is worth a thousand words. It is often easier to illustrate with a picture than to explain with words. Photography as a hobby can be instantly gratifying, especially if you find the perfect movement to capture. I am certainly not a photographer, but I guess I can click good pictures. Maybe that’s why my friends call me a shutterbug. I have clicked on several pictures, but the one I will describe today stands out as the best among the others. A few years back, my brother got selected for the Indian Army as a lieutenant; it was a dream that came true for him. I have seen him burning the midnight oil to clear the mandated tiers. As per the criteria, he went to training for a year after we were invited on the day of his POP. It is a very special occasion for the newly qualified lieutenant and their family members. It is the opportunity to celebrate their hard work and dedication in completing the intensive training course that is required for them to become a lieutenant. Our eyes were gleaming with happiness and were filled with tears; seeing him in the uniform was a scornful moment for us. My mother couldn’t control herself and rushed towards my brother to hug him. I immediately took out my phone and captured that moment. The picture turned out to be the greatest of all time and is now framed in our living room. Everyone in my family praised me for the perfect click, whereas my brother kept a separate copy of it in his room. Whenever I see that picture, I get nostalgic and relive that beautiful moment. For me, it is one of my promising clicks.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning	Sentence
burning the midnight oil	To stay awake late at night to work or study	Jill has been burning the midnight oil lately; I guess she has a big exam coming up.
Shutterbug	A person who enjoys taking photographs and takes a lot of them but who is not a professional photographer	The workshop is ideal for amateur shutterbugs hoping to learn more about wildlife photography.
Gratifying	Enjoyable	It was a gratifying victory.

Speaking -Part 3 (Follow up questions)
Here are some examples of follow up questions that examiner may ask during your speaking (part 3) related to cue card ‘Describe a photo that you are proud of.’

Q1.Why do some people like to use photographs to document important things?

Photographs display the memories related to the events that were celebrated. It helps to restore our past memories and emotions. Photographs not only allow us to capture a precise moment in time but also save it for generations to come.

Q2.What can one learn from photographs taken throughout history?

An individual can learn about the struggle, accomplishments, and defeat that our ancestors had. Also, they are a little behind in allocating the modifications at present compared to the past.

Q3. Are photographs the best way to remember something?

Undoubtedly, it is rightly said that a picture is worth a thousand words. We can remember words for a short period of time, whereas pictorial representation, on the other hand, can help us retain the same for a longer period of time.

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info@ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator