Author: IELTS BAND7

IELTS Cue Card #Describe an art/craft activity that you had had at school

Describe an art/craft activity that you had had at school.
You should say:

• What did you make?
• When did you make it?
• How did you make it?

And what were your reactions then.

Sample Answer :

Art and craft constitute the aesthetic aspects of our environment and plays a vital role in spurring the creativity of human beings. It adds an element of beauty in our lives which becomes a source of inspiration and appreciation. For instance, Taj mahal is a marvellous monument of art, which holds a special significance in the hearts of people all around the world. These activities of art and craft are learnt and practiced since an early age and mastered over a period of time. We have a dedicated department of art and craft in our school, that involves the use of several materials like wood, paper, mud etc. to create objects of aesthetic importance. The school conducts competition in art and craft every year, where students exhibit their diversified talents and carve out various objects by using different materials. When I was in tenth standard, I took part in this competition and designed a rectangular wooden box.

I was actively practicing my woodcraft skills, since when I was in eighth standard. Therefore, by the time I took part in competition, I was well averse with all the techniques and specifications involved in woodcraft. I always had a desire to make a wooden box for my little sister, as she frequently complained to me, of the lack of storage space for her things and belongings. Since I was a novice in fixing clips and bolts in the wood initially, it took me some time to learn that. It was in this competition, that I carved out a perfectly smooth finished box affixed with bolts, by my shovel and razor.

At the end of the day, everyone submitted his piece of art to the judges, who announced the results shortly after an hour. Although I was feeling very good about my creation and was quite confident of a rank among the first three, but announcement of my name as the first winner simply turned me mad with joy and delight. Soon after, I rushed to my home screaming with joy; laden with my artefact and trophy of winner. I informed my sister about the event and presented her the box. I was extremely satisfied and happy with my gift to the sister, which I created on my own.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning
Aesthetic	related to beauty: Poetry constitute the aesthetic part of humans.

Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 What is the use of art and craft in our lives?

Sample Answer: As discussed, art and craft form the crucial aesthetic components in our lives. They are a result of our ever growing creativity and curiosity for novel beautiful creations. These artefacts not only bring delight in our lives by their beauty aspects but are also of immense utilities. For instance, a potter’s pot not only has aesthetic features but also finds its utilities in our homes.

Q. 2 Is there traditional art and culture in your country? What are they and what is the use of them?

Sample Answer: Definitely, we have a wide array of art and craft practiced in our country. We have the different region specific dance, music and craft in different parts of the country. While ceramic pottery and traditional puppetry is practised in Rajasthan, whereas silk sarees and sandalwood products form the craft emblem of south India. On one hand, Madhubani art, all with its natural colours, is taken up in eastern region of Bihar and Bengal while on the other, Mughal and Pahari art flourishes in northern regions. Traditional art and craft not only preserves the rich heritage and culture of our nation but it is also showcased in cosmopolitan fairs to spread the fame of our nation in distant lands. On a commercial scale, export of such traditional art and craft generates the revenue for our country.

Q. 3 Do you consider the depreciation of traditional art and craft with the passage of time? Why?

Sample Answer: Yes, indeed. There has been a significant decline in the extent and quality of art and culture with the passage of time. Traditional art and culture signify the antiquity and over the time, with the breakthroughs in the digital and machine technology, many forms of art have been translated in form of soft products. Designs on fabric, that were done by the skilled craftsmen, have now been replaced with those of them put by machines. Similarly, many handicrafts have, with time, been turned into synthetic crafts. Even the fine arts on canvas is gradually being replaced by sketches and designs created by the software programmes. Therefore, it is the rapid onset of technology that is responsible for the replacement of the skilled workforce and hence the depreciation in traditional art and culture.

---

8439000086

8439000087

7055710003

7055710004

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

IELTS Cue Card #Speak about a café that you like to visit

Speak about a café that you like to visit.
You should say:

• Where is it and how did you come to know about it?
• What all does it serve in its menu?
• When do you visit it?

And what do you like about it?

Sample Answer :

Most of us experience this common urge of eating outdoors, in cafes or restaurants, when our appetite is bored with the food cooked at home on daily basis. Therefore, we, either on weekends or on some special occasions, long to take this food break, either in terms of crunchy lip smacking snacks or the spicy regular meal. I am quite fond of having snacks once in a while. Although, in Delhi where I live, we have several cafes serving various appetizers and drinks but my favourite, where I would like to visit frequently is Black Roses, just walking distance afar from my house. It was the inauguration of this café by one of my neighbour friend few months back, where I was invited and it was then, when I came to know about it and had my first meal. I instantaneously liked voguish name of the joint.

This café has a very wide menu having several dishes and snacks in its platter. Some of them are oriental, few are Chinese and some snacks have the exquisite Mexican and Latin flavours. I was even oblivious of many of the menu’s sections and came to know, only after my enquiry from my friend. Typical Japanese sea food and stick noodles is another attraction. They serve vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes. Breads are made out of bran as well as whole wheat grain, which is very tasty. Additionally, they serve a wide array of juices and shakes with dipped ice creams of different flavours.

I generally visit the place in the evenings of the weekends, when you find it lively with the huzzbuzz of frequent footsteps. It has earned the name very soon and people, even from a little far in the city come here to have the wonderful taste and variety. Interiors of the café have been beautifully embellished with arts and dazzling mosaics. Beautiful chandeliers glitter the place in the evening hours. Operator plays the mystically soft music which sends soothing vibes in that beautiful ambience. Moreover, because of my friend, I am always offered the rebates in my meals which suits my pocket too. So, all these things make it a perfect den for me to visit and I love to have my meal there.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning
Vogue	fashion: Working mothers are in vogue nowadays.
Oblivious	unaware: Man is oblivious of the true purpose of his existence.
Mosaic	pattern developed by glass, beads and many other items: Beautiful mosaics decorate the platforms of Delhi metro station.

Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Do you like to visit alone or with someone in a café?

Sample Answer: Cafes are places where one visits to have some quick tasty food along with some spare time of fun and relaxation. Therefore, I always prefer if I could find a good jovial company along with. Eating food while sharing jokes and discussing funny matters is really very enjoyable.

Q. 2 What do you consider first while visiting a café, money or quality?

Sample Answer: Well, I think I look at both of these aspects. Definitely, ambience of the café and quality of food served is always considered foremost, but then, proportionate cost and expenses are also considered by me. If I can get the same good quality foodstuff without incurring a hole in my pocket, then definitely, I would prefer that one.

Q. 3 Do you think café culture is mushrooming even in small towns? Why?

Sample Answer: Yes, apart from the big metropolitans, one can see the rising no. of cafes even in tier 2 and tier 3 towns. I think we borrow several trends of lifestyle from the west and café culture is one of them. This borrowing has turned convenient and expedient with the latest advances in Information and Communication technologies. One can easily be aware of any western trend in real time in the present times and can easily bring it here. With the expansion of economy and markets along with the higher purchasing power of common man, it is now commonplace to see the cafes in small towns too.

Q. 4 What do you think, are the reasons for spread of cafés?

Sample Answer: As mentioned earlier, western trends are aped by people, especially the youngsters in our country. Tasty snacks and bubbly colas along with few friends in the café ambience make them feel good and cool. Whether it is the corporate discussion of two officials or the rendezvous of young lovers, cafes are considered to be the right spots and this demand spurs the café culture.

---

8439000086

8439000087

7055710003

7055710004

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

IELTS Cue Card #Describe an ambition that you have not achieved

Describe an ambition that you have not achieved.
You should say:

• What was that ambition?
• How did it turn into ambition and what efforts did you make to achieve it?
• Why did you fail to achieve it?

And how do you feel about it now?

Sample Answer :

Ambitions are generally manufactured from the genes and the environment. In the present times, a child is moulded either by parents or society to rear an ambition and then pursue it with full zeal and enthusiasm. Introspection of your own self at a later stage might change the earlier ambition because of the recognition of individual’s interests and talent. I set up an ambition after my senior secondary, to clear the medical exam and become a doctor. Exam is conducted after high school every year.

Well, a student of tenth class is very naïve to identify his true interests and follow his passions. He is streamlined by parents, teachers and peer group at large, into a socially apt conventional career. In my case too, I was motivated by my father to become a doctor. He often used to stress on the privileges and social status offered to a doctor, which allured me to a great extent. After my tenth boards, I, at once joined a coaching institute for medical preparation. I used to devote nearly 8 hrs a day studying for the exam. I also used to go to libraries to consult relevant books and study material. I was so engrossed in my studies that I even felt reluctant to attend any family celebration to save my time.

On the D day, I was unable to score well in the exam. I was confirmed about my failure in advance of the result declaration. It was the factor of time management that proved to be crucial in exam. I was familiar with almost all the questions but I could not attempt all because of the lack of time. I rarely used to appear in mock tests, which appraise the candidate’s speed and performance. That was a blunder done by me, not solving model test papers in mock tests.

Later, I switched to the field of film direction. Even though I am not a big shot in film industry right now, but it gives me a tremendous work satisfaction as I recognized and followed my true passion. Thinking about my failure in my first ambition now appears to be a stimulator for my resilience in life.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning
Introspection	observing oneself within: Introspection is a form of meditation.
Blunder	Gross mistake: Without the assessment of proper field conditions, players can commit a blunder in a cricket match.

Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 What ambitions do the children usually have?

Sample Answer: I think, the only ambition for a child is to stay happy at all times. He may be switching to different tasks to attain that joy and happiness. Well-structured social ambitions are fabricated at an adolescent age.

Q. 2 Why do some people follow their ambitions virtuously while others do not?

Sample Answer: I suppose, it all depends on the development of psychological attributes because of genetic and environmental factors. Perseverance, determination and unquestionable faith in oneself; which are essential in following your ambitions, vary in degrees in different persons. Therefore, people differ in their striving for ambitions

Q. 3 Should parents give the children the freedom to choose their ambitions?

Sample Answer: To put it better, I would like to say that instead, parents should have keen focus on evaluation and recognition of true strengths and inclinations embedded in their children. They should then fan out that talent through appropriate conditions and freedom.

Q. 4 Is every ambition achievable?

Sample Answer: Definitely, through hard work channelized in the stream of passion, one can achieve every ambition. Nevertheless, one should be honestly aware of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats posed by environment and by himself.

---

8439000086

8439000087

7055710003

7055710004

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator