In part 2 of the IELTS speaking test, a topic is given to the candidate. It is commonly called as a Cue Card. You are given a minute to make your notes about the given topic and plan what you are going to say. After the preparation time, you are expected to speak fluently on the given topic.
So, let’s practice a cue card.
Talk about learning English language
How long have you been learning English language?
Where did you learn?
What is the easiest or most difficult part of English?
Is English important in your profession?
SAMPLE ANSWER
Throughout my schooling, I studied in an English medium school. So, English was the second language I learnt at a young age. Practically, I can say that I have been familiar with English for now 18 years. During the primary years, I did not take English very seriously and grammar rules never bothered me. It was in class VIII that I understood the importance of learning grammar and vocabulary. Since then, I have been an avid reader and have made conscious attempts to improve my English language proficieny.
For me, the most difficult part of English was remembering the spellings of new words and using them in the right context. However, since I loved English, I overcame this problem by practising and writing regularly.
Now, I am a writer and I write travel blogs in English. So, English is a crucial part of my profession. For me, it is very important that my writing is clear, engaging and accurate. I’d like to conclude by saying that language acquistion is a gradual process which requires patience and continous efforts.
The table below compares the average band score attained by students In the IELTS General Training Test in four countries in 2024.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Overall
German
6.8
6.3
6.6
6.9
6.7
French
6.3
6.1
6.5
6.6
6.5
Indonesian
6.3
6.1
6.1
6.7
6.3
Malay
6.2
6.4
6.0
6.6
6.4
Sample Answer:
The table elucidates the band scores achieved by candidates from Germany, France, Indonesia and
Malaysia in the IELTS GT test for the year 2024. The scores are segmented into four sections listening,
reading, writing and speaking, accompanied by a combined overall score.
On the whole, German candidates achieved the highest aggregate score across all sections, whereas
Indonesian candidates recorded the lowest overall score. Listening scores consistently surpassed those
of other sections across all countries.
Looking at the details, German candidates excelled all four sections with listening 6.8 and speaking 6.9
standing out as their strongest areas. The cumulative average score was 6.7. French candidates had
lower scores, particularly in reading 6.1 and listening 6.3 resulting in an overall average of 6.5.
Moving further, Indonesian candidates recorded the lowest scores in writing 6.1 and reading 6.1,
culminating in an overall score of 6.3. Malaysian candidates showcased stronger performance in reading
6.4 and speaking 6.6 attaining an overall average of 6.4.
IELTS CUE CARD – Describe a favourite toy of yours in childhood
Describe a favourite toy of yours in childhood.
What was the toy?
Who gave it to you?
How often did you play with it?
SAMPLE ANSWER
Toys play an integral role in the formative years of all children. They help in the development of the brain and also enhance the motor skills. I loved playing with toys when I was a child. In fact, I had a room full of toys where I spent most of my time after returning from school.
One of my favourite toys was a Barbie Doll. It was gifted to me by my parents on my 6th birthday. I vividly remember, it was packed in a beautiful pink box when my parents gave it to me. The box had ‘Birthday Pink Barbie” written on top of it. When I opened the box I saw a very pretty Barbie Doll wearing a pink gown, matching shoes and few additional dresses with a comb and makeup kit. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.
Since that time the Barbie became my constant companion. I’d play with it every day after returning from school. I loved to change its dress and comb its hair. I treated the doll as my best friend and used to have conversations with it and share my daily school activities with my doll. In fact, during holidays I’d pretend to be a teacher and teach the doll as a student for hours together. Imitating the dialogues of my school teacher was full of fun. Taking the doll to bed and narrating bedtime stories was a daily routine.
This doll remained my favourite toy for several years. It is still with me as a memorabilia.
STRONG WORDS
WORDS
MEANING
Constant companion (collocation)
a person, animal or thing that has been with someone most of the time
Memorabilia
objects kept or collected because of their associations with memorable people or events
Another Similar Cue Card
Describe a toy you liked in your childhood.
How old were you and when did you get this toy?
Who gave you the toy?
What was the toy exactly and how did you play with it?
And how were you feeling at that time?
(Download CUE Card)
SAMPLE ANSWER TWO-
Gifting toys to children is one of the common mores in society. Toys consist of the most playable items for children. Children just love to upkeep a complete shelf or drawer full of toys of different kinds. They generally receive these toys on special occasions although feature toys are given otherwise also, on a child’s insistence. When I turned 6 on my birthday, I received many gifts on that day from family and friends. Later that day, I silently creeped into my room to calm my curiosity about new gifts. I started unpacking every item, when eyes stood fixed on a toy, half wrapped in the shine.
I, at once, jumped to the living room and with a broad glee on my face, questioned in a loud shout, that who has brought my favourite gift to me. To this, my mother smiled back and informed me that it was my father who knew my likes very well and brought this specially for my day. I looked at my father and recited a hymning thank you.
Well, it was a remote controlled car. It used to be a sensation for children in those times, when imports from china was very timid and remote car was considered as an electronic toys masterpiece. My friend already had one such car at his home, so, whenever I used to visit his place, I had some occasional trips with that high speed and advanced controls. But, I always lingered on my desire to have one of my own and drive whenever, wherever I want. Once, I even asked my father to bring one remote car for me.
That was few months back. I was happy that my father remembered it on my birthday. I was feeling the freedom of fiddling with my own car. Also, since I knew the controls already, I was now experimenting with different terrains and exhibiting some amusing stunts. I was feeling very exalted back then.
STRONG WORDS
Word
Meaning
Exalted
feeling very happy, joyous: After seeing my IELTS score, I felt exalted.
Follow-up Questions
Q. 1 In your childhood, did you receive more gifts from your family or friends?
Sample answer: Well, friends and family both, I suppose used to gift me on my birthdays. But, family used to gift me otherwise also. Sometimes, when I used to be on scooter ride with my father, I used to see several enticements in the market area. It was then, when my father had to buy me a toy on my repeated insistence.
Q. 2 When did you stop receiving toys as gifts?
Sample answer: I suppose, it was my 11th birthday, when for the first time I could see no toys in the wrappers. Rather, I had some stationery items and a few English novels.
Q. 3 How did you feel when you received no toys on your birthday?
Sample answer: By the time I was 10, I could visibly see the cutback in my toys collections and moreover, I started indulging in different activities like outdoor games, bicycle rides and so on, which obviously took me a little away from my toys. Therefore, although I kept on searching for a toy till my last unwrapment on my birthday, but I didn’t really feel disappointed in any sense.
Q. 4 Why do you think children like toys so much?
Sample answer: I think the most primitive and aboriginal instinct in a human being is TO KNOW. Curiosity to explore and create something new has always been the driving force behind our evolution. Therefore, a child who has not yet gained exposure to society and its creations at large, feel captivating interest in the novel features of toys. They feel the toy so animated that they love to play with it.
Health is one of the most important aspects of our lives and although we tend to ignore it more often, it still remains the backbone of everything we achieve in our lives. This time we are talking about some recent questions asked in Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking about living healthily.
Do you think people pay enough attention to their health today?
Times have changed, I believe. There was a time when people stopped caring about their health but I believe in recent times, people have again become more aware of their health. Most people prefer doing some sort of physical activity in their lives to make sure they are healthy. When making small decisions like the food they prefer, people are going for, much healthier foods.
What costs are involved when you are ill in your country?
It depends on the kind of hospital we go for. The government hospitals are way too cheaper than the private ones. Also, having medical insurance and things in place, cost does become less. However, for the daily workers, the cost of getting ill is usually high.
Do you think most people worry more about their health as they get older?
Definitely yes. I think as the person starts getting old, they start getting the signs of bad health. It is during that time that people realise the importance of health. So, one can see a lot of old people going out for walks or jogging.
How can people be encouraged to stay healthy?
The best way a person can be encouraged to stay healthy is by talk and promotion using advertisements. So, if there are few who get motivated by it, then there are others who start following. Also, one can motivate others to be healthy by adopting a healthy lifestyle for themselves.
What are the most popular ways of keeping healthy in your country?
The ways by which people stay healthy in my country is usually divided into age groups and sometimes their income as well. So, the younger group is usually found in the gym or playing a sport. With age, the older generation prefers walking or jogging along with nature. With different income groups, the higher ones usually have their personal trainers, while the middle of the lower finds out ways for themselves.
Why do you think some people continue bad habits when they know that they are damaging to their health?
The only reason that people have for continuing their bad habits is that they have become their habit and as they say bad habits die hard. So, even when people know that it is harming them it is quite tough to stop doing things that they have inculcated in their routines for a long period of time.
Do women pay more attention to their health than men?
In my country, women are always more concerned about their men and their family more than they are about themselves. But as an individual, I think yes, a woman make sure that she does not indulge herself into the habits that are not good for her health.
Do you think people have become more health conscious in recent years?
In my opinion, yes people have become more health conscious. It could be because of the influence of their favourite stars or the images that are being portrayed. Even more, with advancement in technology people have very less to do physically, so there has a sense of consciousness among people for their health.
How can children learn to have a healthy lifestyle?
The best way a child can be taught to have a healthy lifestyle is by showing them how to have one. If we as a society in large, will try to be healthy, every child will adapt to it. Like, a child learns about cigarette only when he or she sees someone lighting a cigarette and likewise if he or she sees someone leading a healthy life, he or she will lead one for himself or herself.
Do you think the government should promote a healthy lifestyle among the citizens?
I think yes there should be campaigns by the government for a healthy lifestyle but I also believe that government can only do a certain part to it. It always boils down to the individuals if they want to go for it or not.
Would you say modern science and technology has more of a positive or a negative influence on people’s health?
There are many ways in which modern science and technology have helped, like in curing diseases and making operations better and more successful. However, there have been some negative impacts as well, I believe if we keep focusing on the positive impacts, the negative will surely become minimal.
