IELTS Cue Card Sample Question # Historical Event

History is not just about dates or the name of the rulers. There is so much more that an individual learns from history, the reason for the present and more importantly, the predictions for the future. This time we are looking a cue card aimed at history.

Describe a historical event that you find interesting:
You should say –

  • when it took place
  • what historic connection it has
  • and how it impacted the history

and explain why you find it interesting.


SAMPLE ANSWERS 1

There have been so many events in the past century, that shaped our present. On a worldwide level, the rise of Hitler was the most interesting event I can think of. He was the one person who single handedly changed the course of the world history.

After Germany lost World war I and was forced to sign the treaty of Versallies, there was nothing much left with Germany. But, under the leadership of Hitler, it rose again and fought back. People followed him even in acts that were cruel and it takes great leadership skills to do that.

May be there won’t have been any Second World War, if it was not for Hitler. Countries like Russia and USA rose to power only when they won the Second World War. Before that it was only Britain ruling the world.

The one thing that I really find captivating here is that one man, not even an army, one dictator could go against the entire world and shake them from their roots. Sometimes I wonder if only he was a positive leader, the world could have been a better place to live in.


SAMPLE ANSWERS 2

I remember one particular event that I read in my History textbook about the rat war in Indo-China. When French invaded Vietnammese,  they tried to rebuilt things. So, Hanoi city was built with beautiful Canals but the dilemma was that the canals built for the hygeine became the perfect breeding ground for rats causing plague.

To stop the spread of plague, a rat hunt was started in 1902. Vietnamese workers were hired for the task and were paid for each rat being caught. People began to catch rats in thousands. The payment was done when a tail of a rat was shown as a proof that a rat had been killed. Many people began just clipping the tails and collecting the bounty. Many people even began to raise rat to earn more.

The reason I really find this interesting is because it showed that at some juncture even the superior power of a colonial master fails and even the weak can assume a very strong bargaining position.

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IELTS Speaking Sample Questions # Holidays

Holidays are the time when people move from their regular work and meet friends and family or possibly travel. This time we are looking at some questions that can be asked in the IELTS speaking section.

What do you usually do in your holiday?

I live faraway from my hometown so whenever it is time for holidays, mostly I just go back home and and have a get-together with my family and friends to celebrate holidays. But there are times I travel to broaden my horizons or do some soul searching or sometimes just to write in a picturesque landscape.

Who do you usually spend your holidays with?

Things have changed over a span of time. Earlier, during vacations we would visit our grandparents and other members of the clan. But, with changing times and the hectic work schedule, I just get time to meet my parents and friends during holidays. Also, it depends on the kind of holiday. So, for festivals I prefer going back home, but for long weekends I prefer travelling alone.

Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?

I’d say travelling is fun, be it with a group or single. But, then for me, it depends a lot on the location as well. So, I prefer my gang for a beach party at Goa but then if I have to go to Almora or Kasauli I prefer being alone.

Are holidays important to you?

Holidays are the perfect time for thinking over it all over again after a year of doing so much. I think holidays come as a time when you can relax and spend some quality time with your loved ones and plan ahead for the upcoming year. So, yes, definitely holidays are essential.

If you could take a holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?

Out of all the places in the world, I would love to go to Uttarakhand, my home state. I want to know about the place and its history and meet people. I have lived there for 6 years and have even travelled to many other places. But, the beauty, diversity and love that one can get in Uttarakhhand, its difficult to find it anywhere.

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IELTS Speaking Sample Questions # Festival

Festivals are the most important part of the society. It is during this time that people forget almost everything and come together to celebrate life. Each country has its own different festivals, and we celebrate so many of the festivals all around the world. This time let us have a look at some of the questions related festivals that can be asked in the section III of the IELTS speaking section.

What is the most important festival in our country?

India is a very diverse country. We have got more festivals than any part of the world. So, in North, there are festivals like Diwali,Holi,Dusshera that are very important. And then, we have east, where Durga Puja and Bihu are very important. Down the south we have Onam and Pongal that are celebrated with lot of zest. In the west, we have kite festival. It is so amazing, that going across from one part of the other in our country, we can experience all the diversity.

How do people celebrate festivals in your country?

Festivals are truly the time when people do come back home and celebrate with their family and friends. People dress up according to the occasion and cook delicacies, invite friends and have a family time. Almost all festival in our country start with a puja, i.e. prayers to God after which the gatherings take place.

What special food are associated with festivals in your country?

Each festival has its own food. In Pongal, on the first day rice is eaten with fried chickpea patties, known as vada and the next day people eat Venpongal. In Holi, people drink bhang which is an alcoholic drink made with rosewater and dried fruits. Sweet dumplings filled with khoya and dried fruits called gujjias are served as a dessert. In durga puja, bhog is given on every day of the puja and then during diwali people celebrate it with sweets. There are so many more festivals and so much more that people actually do.

Which festival do you enjoy the most?

I love Holi the most. This is the festival where people color each other and forget about any clashes and enjoy with each other. Friends come together and dance and throw colored water at each other and it is fun!! Later eating the gujiya is amazing.

Do you think festivals are important for the society?

I think definitely yes, festivals are surely  the binding force for the society. In lives of people who are truly dissatisfied, festivals bring in the hope of something good and something new. Most people forget their issues and come together to celebrate a festival. Even more, with prayers being associated with each of the festivals, they bring about so much positivity in life.

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IELTS Speaking Sample Questions # Art

Art is the one subject that most people neglect, other than those that really love. We are living in times where still an artist is often considered as not a serious job. In midst of the confusion, there are some people who believe that art is one of the most important subject because it helps you build your creativity. This time let us have a look at some of the questions related to arts that can be asked in the IELTS speaking section.

Do you like arts?

Not really. I remember as a child I used to be one of the children who couldn’t even draw a line straight. The kind of children art teachers felt pitty about. But, yes, I do love playing with colours. So, creating something with colours and the other materials like glasses or the garbage materials I am pretty good at them. So, I do like designing but creating portraits or scenery, I really am not good at them.

Do you think art classes are necessary?

Definitely yes. Art is the one subject, I believe, that allow you to be creative. So, here nothing is right or wrong, it is about what you could think of. It allows children to realise the happiness of creating something and it is powerful.

How do you think art classes affect children’s development?

Art is very essential for the development of a child. It helps children in learning a language. It is through the colours and shapes, action that they learn activities. Also, it helps children in making decisions. The experience of making decisions and choices in the course of creating art creatures carries on to life. So, a child who cannot even decide the color to chose surely has some decision issues in life. And there is so much more, a child learns culture and visual learning.

What kind of paintings do people like?

This is a choice, I believe varies among people. So, there are some people who like paintings of a scenic beauty and then others who like self potraits only. I have even met people who like only sketches, so no colors for them. Too an extent, the choices we make do define us and people’s taste do differ.

What benefits can you get from painting as a hobby?

Painting allows us to be creative, to make choices and helps in healing. So, it is not just about painting the perfect potrait but about letting your thoughts on the paper. When people do it , it really affects their psychology making them happier and more content with life.

How often do you visit museums and art galleries?

I do like visiting museums and art galleries but not very often. So, there is no list that I have for all the museums that I need to visit. But surely, yes, I ever I stumble upon them I do go and visit the place.

Do you think going to museums and art galleries is beneficial for children?

I think definitely yes. Museums enlighten children about their history and knowing the history is important to have a better understanding of the present. Art galleries on other hand help a child to improve their visual analytics power. It is when the child tries to understand what the painting is about, they develop the analytical skills.

What kind of things do you like to draw?

I love creative drawing. So, the kind of drawing where we use different objects and create things is something I am really good at. But, the art of using brushes properly is something I am yet to learn.

Is it easy to learn how to draw?

Yes, it is easy to learn how to draw the basics. But, in my opinion, just like everything it requires lot of patience and love to master the skill of drawing.

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