You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have a pen friend living in another country and he/she is curious to know about the major news items in your country.
Briefly describe ONE news story that has been on TV, on the radio or in the newspapers in your country and explain why people are interested in it.
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ………..
Sample Answer
Dear Asha,
I hope you are doing well. It has been ages since I wrote to you. I was very busy with my board examinations. It is a big step towards my future. It seems to me as if the whole world is gearing up for a new beginning with unexpectedly surprising measures.
As for India, we are all demonetizing our ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes to battle black money. The expected amount to be ‘found’ is around £200 Billion GBP. Just take a moment to soak that all in. This is a gigantic move for India as sadly there is a lot of bribery and black money handling. Heck, every single person in India could be a mini millionaire if all of its wealth were to be distributed equally among its citizens.
Honestly, from my point of view the situation is pretty hilarious. As just yesterday people were trying to rake in as much money as possible, the bigger notes the better. And just in a matter of hours people went from gazing lovingly to simply hostilely glaring at bundles of money. Don’t you think all this is very humorous too?
But enough about my country, what about you? How do you feel about Donald Trump being elected? What new and unexpected things do you think will happen next?
IELTS Speaking cue card: A friend who cleverly solved a problem
Talk about a friend who cleverly solved a problem
You should say:
Who he/she is?
What the problem was?
What solution he gave?
And explain why you think his solution was clever.
(Download CUE Card)
Sample Answer
We come across many problems in our day-to-day life. Some people can find workable solutions while others may seek help for tackling their problems. Today, I’m going to talk about a close friend who gave an effective solution to my problem. His name is Rishabh Agarwal. He is from Haryana. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
I’m the manager of a primary school in Mumbai. It rains heavily in Mumbai in the rainy season which lasts from mid-June to early October. School kids cannot play any outdoor games during these months because playgrounds become slippery and muddy. The long rainy season affects children’s health and moods as well. It’s also not possible for kids to be in sport halls all the time. I discussed this problem with Rishabh and asked for his advice to handle this situation.
He came up with a clever idea of having pedals installed in school desks so that kids can pedal in classrooms. I loved his creative idea and thought of implementing it in our school. Within a month pedals were installed in five classrooms. It was an experiment to check kids’ response. To our surprise, children started using pedals regularly and the overall outcome was very positive. All students became physically active and their fitness and health levels improved dramatically. In studies too, kids did considerably well.
In my view, Rishabh’s solution was very clever for two main reasons. First of all, it was very practical. Secondly, it was not expensive. If the school had to spend a lot of money on this solution, I think it wouldn’t have been approved by the management committee. Sometimes a complex problem has a simple solution, we have to just strike the right note. I think those who use their knowledge in a practical way are better problem-solvers.
Some more ideas for this cue card
You were getting sleepless nights. Your friend recommended making your own tongue twisters and automatically falling asleep in the process.
Water glasses in your kitchen were full of hard water stains. You asked your friend for advice, who recommended mixing vinegar in your cleaning liquid. Amazing results.
Your child/nephew/cousin dropped their curry on a newly painted wall in a temper tantrum. It was looking ugly. Your friend helped you out by creating a swirly crème and brown design on the wall. It looked professional.
Another Similar Cue Card
Describe when a person solved a problem in a smart way.
You should say:
What was the problem?
Who solved it and how?
And w
hy do you think it a smart way?
(Download CUE Card)
SAMPLE ANSWER TWO:
We encounter so many problems in our everyday activities, which need only a spark of an idea to tackle with them. But, often, due to the lack of right reasoning along with the panic in our heads, the problem appears to be a herculean task and we fail to find the right solution. Similarly, I can recount an incident, when the sheer smartness and instantaneous wits of my friend helped tackle the situation in an unnoticed, humorous manner. During my school days, I used to take part in dramatics and had also won a few accolades in it. So, once, during an act in a very lengthy play in an Inter Public School Drama Competition, I met this forgetfulness of my dialogues. As it was a very crucial act, my forgetfulness could have brought embarrassment and eventually the poor scores to our school team.
It was then, when my friend and co actor Aditya came to my recue on the stage. In that act, there were a number of dialogues coupled together, which I had to speak in one go. My friend was acting as a villain in that play. I recited the initial lines glibly but then, suddenly, I lost the memory of my successive dialogue and began fumbling. Generally, it takes a few seconds lapse for the immersed audience to acknowledge the forgetting error in actors in a play; but once it happens, it results into a sarcastic laughter from their side and a total collapse of the successive act. So, before that could happen to us, my friend Aditya, who was there with me in that particular act, sprung up with a boisterous laugh, characteristic of a typical villain. He instantaneously gazed into my eyes, as if giving me the time to recollect the dialogues. Within a flash of time, I was able to remember my part. Once he got the affirmative gesture from me, he discontinued laughing and I resumed with my dialogues.
Well, the spontaneity, with which my friend came up with this additional laughter act, was equivalent to the drop of a hat. He not only disallowed the audience to take cognizance of that error, but, additionally, he also won brownie points for his sudden laughter. I think that was the only best thing to do at that time, which he did. I was highly impressed with his outstanding wits and presence of mind.
STRONG WORDS
Word
Meaning
Glib
smooth, in a flow: Student gave glib excuses to the teacher for his late arrival in the class.
Boisterous
loud and cheerful: Children often exhibit boisterous laughs rather gentle smiles.
Fumble
act/speak clumsily: Writing essays in a fumbled manner doesn’t give clarity in the text.
Prodigious
very big extent: Internet network worldwide is very prodigious.
Follow-up Questions
Q. 1 Why can’t most people act smartly amidst problems?
Sample Answer: I think, when a person is stuck in a problem, they usually ponder over the problem only, which makes it appear prodigious. This leads to the panic in their minds and an overall confusion which results in a further distance from the solution. Their hearts start sinking and minds go blank of knowledge which results in the total surrender to a problem.
Q. 2 How should one handle a problem?
Sample Answer: I think, one should not perceive the problem as a true problem. It should be considered as a little glitch only, in the path of accomplishment. One should treat it lightly and focus on the ideas to find a way out. Earnest efforts put together with a smart approach can make any problem go disappear.
Q. 3 Are problems good or bad to a person?
Sample Answer: By the first look, any problem appears to be the worst adversary to the person. But, actually, they serve as a mean to learn new skills and better coping mechanisms. It was the problem only, that gave birth to new inventions and innovations. For instance, problem of not having light in the night gave birth to Edison’s invention of light bulb. Every wrong path actually leads to a reduction of the total no. of paths and finally we are left with the right solution only.
International Experienced Teacher Best Training By CELTA Trainer. Best Results
Easily Get Required Score
IELTS Exam Dates Available, Small Batch Size with Flexible Time, Professional.
Easily Get Required Score
I am interested in IELTS
Pass with Confidence, Dehradun
Small Batch Size with Flexible Time, professional faculty.
Learn From Experienced Teacher
Best IELTS Coaching Dehradun
Best IELTS in Dehradun Uttarakhand
GMS Road
Apply for Class Courses Today
Good Results. Small Batch Size, Flexible Time and Professional IELTS Teacher
Best IELTS coaching classes
IDP certified British Council trained and CELTA certified experienced trainer.
Easily Get Required Score
Tel:8439000086
Tel:8439000087
Tel:7055710003
Tel:7055710004
Tel:7055710009Feel free to call for suggestions and queries.
Describe a plant that you find useful.
You should say:
Its name?
Where it is commonly grown?
What it looks like?
And explain why you find it useful.
(Download CUE Card)
Sample answer
I’m a nature lover. I have planted many different types of plants in my garden. All of them have their own special features. Today, I will talk about one plant which I think is highly beneficial.
The name of the plant is Aloe Vera. It’s a stem less or very short-stemmed succulent plant. The average height of the plant is around 60-100 cm. It has triangular, fleshy green leaves with serrated edges. These prickly leaves act as a defence against animals and insects.
There are different species of aloe vera and they are commonly found in most parts of the world. Aloe can grow indoors as well as outdoors. A certain amount of sunlight is essential for these plants to thrive.
I’ve read many reports about the health benefits of aloe vera. This plant is not only used in medicine but is also a vital ingredient in cosmetic products. It’s packed with antiviral and antibacterial properties which make it ideal for curing skin problems. My mother always uses aloe vera mixed with coconut oil to moisturize her hair before washing it, and I have to say, she’s nearly fifty years old but there are no signs of white, fragile or dry hair. It really is an incredible plant, and it’s so easy to grow too!
High level words and their meanings:
succulent:a plant in which the leaves and stem are thick and can store a lot of water,
serrated:having a row of sharp points along the edge,
thrive: to grow, develop, or be successful,fragile:easily damaged, broken, or harmed
Another Similar Cue Card
Talk about a plant that you find useful.
What is the common name of the plant, mention scientific name if you know it?
Who informed you about the plant and where did you see it for the first time?
Which climate is suitable for its growth and where is it found?
And what are its uses and when did you use it last time?
(Download CUE Card)
SAMPLE ANSWER TWO-
We have several useful plants in our environment. Knowledge of botany enables us to know the species, botanical names and several utilities of the plants. For instance, roses are used for perfumery and decorations, primarily. Well, for this conversation, I would like to discuss the plant that goes by the common name of Neem. Fortunately, I can remember its botanical name too, as it is a common species. Azadirichta Indica is its botanical name and it’s a species of mahogany called Meliaceae.
My grandfather first made me see the plant in our patio. We had a big house with a large courtyard, where my grandfather used to pick a twig of neem to cleanse his mouth in the morning. I still remember him calling the name of tree aloud to me, when I was nearly 7 years old. I never forgot the name since then, although I read the botanical name later, out of my own curiosity.
Tropical climate with average rainfall is most conducive for its growth. It is a deciduous tree that sheds its leaves for a very brief period in autumn. It takes a few years for neem plant to grow into a full tree. Mostly, it is found in Indian subcontinent and few other tropical regions with average rainfall.
Neem tree has several uses because of its herbal and medicinal properties. As told by me earlier, its twigs are used for teeth cleaning and overall mouth cleansing. Its leaves and bark find applications in several herbal medicines for dermatitis and other disorders related to several organs like liver, stomach and heart. It is also used in naphtha balls. I used it last in my fields as fertilizer, as govt has recently come up with neem coated urea for its ecological friendliness.
IELTS Speaking Cue Card: An interesting person from a foreign country
Describe an interesting person from a foreign country.
You should say:
Who he/she is?
Where he/she is from?
How long you have known him/her?
and explain why you think he/she is an interesting person.
Sample Answer
Today, I’m going to talk about a foreigner who I think is extremely interesting.
I work as a software developer in a multinational company called Capgemini. At present, we’re working on an international project and there are many foreigners in my team. I’ve a healthy relationship with all of them but I particularly like my team leader.
His name is Martin Henze. He is from Germany. Martin has a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the Technical University of Munich. I first met him in April 2015 when I went to Munich for attending a conference. It’s been almost three years since then.
In my view, Martin is a captivating person. He has many personal and professional attributes which make him special. Professionally, his in-depth knowledge of computer programming and problem-solving skills differentiate him from others. He also has effective communication and presentation skills. His excellent rapport with his colleagues and leadership skills can’t go unnoticed.
Personally, Martin has a pleasing personality. He is very kind and generous. He never shows off his seniority and treats everyone equally. All of us can share our views freely with him. If anyone has a suggestion to improve something, he always listens to them. In my view, developing all these skills is not at all easy. One has to work really hard to develop them and be like him. In short, Martin is my professional role model.
