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

June 30, 2022 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.