IELTS Listening Archives

IELTS Cue Card: A book someone recommended

March 5, 2026 IELTS Research

A book someone recommended, that you would like to read again.

what kind of book

when did you read it first

why was it recommended to you

why would you like to read it again

Sample Answer:

I prefer reading in my leisure time. Today, I would like to speak about a book hat was recommended to me. I found it quite insightful and would love to read it again, whenver time allows me to do so.

The name of the book is Onward. It is written by Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, America’s leading coffee company and coffee house chain. This book falls under the genre of Business and Leadership.

In the Year 2010, I was working for Cocoberry, India’s first frozen yogurt brand. That’s when I came across the book as my company’s CEO gifted it to all employees and suggested us to read it. In this book, Howard shares the remarkable story of his return and the company’s ongoing transformation under his leadership. He reveals how during one of the most tumultuous economic times in history, Starbucks again achieved profitability and sustainability.

It’s been 2 years since I read this book. I’d like to go through it again. The main reason behind this is the beautiful manner in which the book is written. It keeps you motivated and tells you how not to lose hope in tough times. It includes information about the time when Howard comes to terms with his limitations and how he evolves his leadership style during that time. It represents his central leadership philosophy: It’s not just about winning, but the right way to win. It gives the readers a sense of hope that no matter how tough times get, the future can be just as or more successful than the past.

Q.

How does the literature help you understand the culture of a particular place?
Ans: Books have been the source of knowledge from the ancient times and they have acted as a medium of passing information. They have known to be an authentic source of information be it related to culture, science, medicine, history etc. culture has known to evolve overtime, being passed on generation to generation. And the best way to understand about the culture of a new place is to read about it through the books.

Talking or listening to someone might help you to an extent in understanding about the culture, but that will be a version of his or her understanding or of someone who he/she might have heard from. Thus, the authenticity could never be really gauged and relied upon. Ergo, the need of writing literature, in the ancient times. It was the prime responsibility of the historians to write the literature in such a manner that it could be referred to and easily understood by the masses as and when required, by the common masses and by those who were yet to come.

Q.

Why is it important for parents and adults to read books to their children?
Answer: A child’s mind is a clean slate, and it is up to the parents and adults what to fill it up with. Books are the vast source of knowledge and educating your kids with them is the best way to nourish their mind and help it grow. Reading books to your kids helps in enhancing their knowledge, creativity/ imagination, listening skill as well it helps in bonding the family as a whole.

Writer: Akshay Tomar

Words Meaning

Transform- Change Example- ‘Digital India’ movement has transformed the image of India globally
Genre – Class/Category/Style Example- Movies like ED and Koi Mil Gaya come under Sci-Fi genre.

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IELTS Cue Card 2017 Questions # Shifting

February 28, 2026 IELTS Research

Gone are the days when people were born in one place and died at the same place. We are in times when people are always on movement, always shifting, changing places, friends and so much more. This time we are looking at a cue card that talks about how one feels when moving to a new school or home.

Talk about a time when you moved to a new school.

What were the reasons for moving to the new school?

explain how did you feel about it

do you think it is a good idea to change schools frequently?

SAMPLE ANSWER

Over the period of my school days, I have changed schools three times. Sometimes the shifting was because of my father’s transfer, the other time because of my education. Changing schools has always been a piece of cake for me because I do gel up with people. But one time that I really did not enjoyed changing school was when I came to Dehradun for my higher studies. Usually changing schools meant going along with parents, this time it was all new, making the experience entirely different.

Having changed so many schools, I think they do help in developing the personality of a child. It teaches how to gel up with people and be ready for change. But, then it also takes away the stability that sometimes we need in life. Children who frequently go to new schools are often not able to make lasting friendships which are required later in life.

Phrases

Over the period

Meaning – an amount of time

piece of cake

Meaning – something that is very easy to do

Synonym – child’s play, doddle, snap, nothing, breeze, cinch, gift

lasting friendships

Friendships that stay for a longer period of time

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IELTS CUE CARD – Describe an important journey that was delayed

February 12, 2026 IELTS Research

Describe an important journey that was delayed

Why was it important

What caused the delay

What happened at the end

IELTS Speaking latest cue card 2020. Describe an important journey that was delayed? Why was it important? What caused the delay? What happened at the end?

SAMPLE ANSWER

I travel often and have had wonderful experience mostly. But there was one particular journey recently which I can recall was delayed and turned into an adventure. I always try to be punctual but on this particular journey when although I was on time, my journey was delayed. It was due to my own error and carelessness. I was supposed to travel from Delhi to Jaipur on a Sunday evening so that I could attend my cousin’s wedding.

Since I wanted to be on time to attend the ceremony I booked a flight for Sunday 4:30 pm and reached the airport accordingly. But, to my horror I was stopped by the security personnel at the entrance and on scrutinizing my ticket was denied permission to enter the airport.

I was informed that I’d missed my flight. For a minute I couldn’t understand how I could miss my flight as I h’d reached the airport 2 hours before the scheduled departure. When I pleaded with the security personnel explaining the urgency of my visit he allowed me to go to the airline counter situated adjacent to the entry gates.

The executive at the desk inspected my ticket. He told me that I h’d booked the morning 4:30 am flight instead of the evening one. I was completely shocked to realise my mistake and at the same time got worried how I would reach Jaipur.

I requested the airline staff to help me out. All of them were very cooperative and they informed me that only one seat was available in the last flight to Jaipur at 7 pm. I could either buy that ticket which was exorbitantly priced or wait for an hour before boarding.

In case no traveler bought that ticket then the airline had a policy that as a goodwill gesture to its customers it would adjust the price of the ticket for the missed flight and on payment of additional nominal fee I would be allowed to board this last flight.

I was kept waiting for about 45 minutes which were like a nightmare for me. I kept praying to God to help me tide over this crisis. Eventually, the airline staff beckoned me and after completing the formalities I was handed over the boarding pass. I quickly made way back towards the security area and reached the boarding gate on time.

As I sat in the aircraft I sighed with relief, looking forward to attending and enjoying the wedding celebrations.

STRONG WORDS

WORDS	MEANING
Exorbitantly	unreasonably high
Gesture	something said or done to indicate intention
Beckoned (past tense)	to summon
Sighed (past tense)	a long deep audible exhalation expressing sadness or relief

Part 3 Follow Up Questions.

Q1. Which mode of travel in the most convenient in your country.

In my country people usually choose the mode of journey according to distance and importance. If they want their travel time to be less they would prefer an airplane but if they want it to be pocket friendly the would go by train or a bus.

Q2. What do people prefer more in your country A bus or A train?

I think People in my country prefer Buses more in case the distance is short. If the journey is long people would go by a train. The number of buses available for a short distance journey are more and also with availability of more luxury buses people now take long journeys by bus also.

Q3. How do people enjoy their journey?

Well, people enjoy their journey by taking a more comfortable ride. A private vehicle with just family and friends in it always makes the journey more delightful. Some people prefer to read a novel of their choice to relish their time. These days, People like to watch a movie on their mobile screens as a source of entertainment.

Q4. Do you believe in the saying ‘Journey matters more than the destination’?

Yes, i do believe that the journey is more important than the destination as the journey provides us with the opportunity to explore our potential, expand our horizons, and pursue new opportunities. By focusing on the journey, we can find joy in the process and savor every moment along the way. We remember our achievements by appreciating the hurdles we faced along the way.

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IELTS Cue Card – Describe a person who thinks a lot about music.

January 5, 2026 IELTS Research

Describe a person who thinks a lot about music.

You should say:

Who this person is?

How do you know him/her?

What music he/she likes?

And explain how you feel about him/her

SAMPLE ANSWER

Music has no boundaries and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Today, I’d like to talk about my brother, who is a music enthusiast. His entire life revolves around music.
For my brother, music is not just a mere form of entertainment but a therapy that rejuvenates people and provides inner peace. He is also extremely fascinated by different genres, their history, and the musical instruments used to produce the beautiful tones that captivate our minds. I’ve seen him researching the types of music and how and when they originated, which sometimes makes no sense to me, but then I realise: Is this what is being called crazy about something?
I sometimes talk with him about music, and his answers surprise me. Conversations with him often circle back to music. When he listens to music, he doesn’t hear it; instead, he tries to absorb each detail of the song. He loves listening to all genres, but I feel the ones he is crazy about are classical and rock music.
I don’t know exactly how much the knowledge of music is helpful and how far it would take my brother. However, seeing him, I’ve realised that one needs to be passionate enough to learn something new. With time, patience and practice, we can achieve everything we aim for.