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.
What story does the song tell ? / What it is about ?
Whether the song is popular ?
And, explain why you think it is interesting ?
Sample Answer
Music is one of the most beautiful forms of art, and I listen to it whenever I am feeling the blues. Today, I am going to talk about a motivational song that I love listening to, whenever I am thrown by failures in life. The song’s name is believers, by the worldwide famous band Imagine Dragons.
The song really helps me get through the impossible days when it is really hard for me to get out of bed and kick off my day. It gives a very inspirational message about the failures of life and urges one to push one’s limits and go beyond them. It empowers me to rise like a phoenix from the ashes and keeps me going even at my worst. This song put forth the never give up attitude in life even when everything appears to be the end of the world.
The song is quite popular across the globe and definitely forms a part of every individual’s playlist, especially the young blood. Like many other youngsters, I also listen to this song to work my way out through the hurtful days of life. Thanks to one of my close friends Niya, who suggested I listen to this song when I was going through some personal mid-life crisis.
I was emotionally tormented by the loss of a family member and felt emotionally drained and mentally exhausted. At the time I also was not able to cope with the work and thus, my work-life balance was not very good as there was a lot on my plate. It was at that time, that I started listening to this song and overcame my demons. This song is meaningful in a lot of ways, as it is inspired by the band’s own personal struggles that they went through before actually gaining popularity in the mainstream.
Thus, this is a song that I found particularly interesting.
Speaking -Part 3 (Follow up questions)
Here are some examples of follow up questions that examiner may ask during your speaking (part 3) related to cue card ‘Describe a person you only met once and want to know more about.
Q1. Why are many music competitions popular in India ?
There is a myriad of music competitions that are widely popular as they are really enjoyed by people from across the remotest corners of the country. Singing shows such as the Voice, Indian idol, and Voice Global are some of the very popular music competitions that people like to watch. It is because of these public platforms that a lot of talented individuals are getting an opportunity to display their singing talent.
Q2. What kinds of music do young people like ?
I think young people like listening to a lot of pop and hip-hop music followed by some rap music as well, which is slowly taking over the music industry. Young bloods these days want to listen to something they can relate to and not something that is superficial and fake. Thus, these are the kinds of songs that young people like listening to.
Q3. What kinds of people like to listen to traditional music?
I believe with the advent of western music, we have somehow managed to suppress our traditional music forms, and thus, a very handful of individuals enjoy traditional songs and these are generally the locals of a particular community who are true to their roots and promote their traditional music.
Q4. Why do you think old people like old songs ?
I believe that old person like old songs because they do not relate to the songs that are presently in trend. Moreover, the old songs remind them of their era and their time when life was supposed to be very simple, unlike the modern competitive world. The old songs have slow beats and are full of life with a deep sense of meaning to it. They feel very connected to it. Therefore, old people like to listen to old songs.
TV is a popular medium of entertainment in the world. This time we are looking at a cue card that touches upon the favorite television series of the speaker.
Describe a TV series you like.
You should say:
What the TV series is?
Who the actors are?
Plot of the series.
and explain how you feel about it.
(Download CUE Card)
SAMPLE ANSWER
I have watched many television series. As a kid, I liked Dragon Ball z, Pokemon, Lizzie Mcguire and others. Growing up I fell in love with Suits, Friends, Sherlock Holmes, How I met your mother and others.
Today, I’m going to speak about one TV series that is still close to my heart. Its name is Sherlock Holmes. It is the story of a detective, Sherlock Holmes, who along with Dr Watson, his friend, solves crime mysteries.
Many renowned TV actors have acted in this series. But, I loved the pairing of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Sherlock and Watson. It’s is perfect. Their co-ordination and dedication to the mission are commendable.
In every episode of Sherlock Holmes, one can find a new case that comes in front of Watson and Sherlock and then for the next one and half hours one gets glued to the screen in amazement. The complications of the plot, the suspense and the way the crime unfolds, all capture my interest.
Coming to how I feel about this series, it’s is a great program. I find it very entertaining and informative. It gives me a deep insight into the lives of detectives and the risks involved in this profession. At the same time, it informs me about the intricacies of crime cases and the efforts required to solve them.
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Often growing up we do get nostalgic about school, miss our school days. The fights, teachers and our friends. We do get reminded of our lively days. This time we are looking at a sample IELTS answer that takes us back to our school and reminds us of the rules that we used to have in our schools. The different reactions to the rule in school and your take on the one that you disagreed with.
You have 1 minute to prepare notes.
Describe a rule formed in your school that you agree/disagree with. You should say :
What was the rule?
For whom was the rule applicable?
Why did you not like the rule?
Also, explain how do you think the same thing could have been achieved without the rule.
Fig: IELTS Cue Card school rule
SAMPLE ANSWER
Schools have always been the institution of teaching discipline and hard work and mine was the epitome of it. I studied in a convent school and there were many rules which we had to adhere to. But, after a change in our principal, a new rule was established which stated that any student who is late for school would not be allowed to attend the first three classes. On looking back at the rule, I can understand the reason for its severity. Students would have surely and they did avoided being late.
However, during that time, when the rule was beginning to apply, there was a lot of hustle and bustle in the school. Many students of the primary classes on getting late had to stand outside and wait for the first three lectures to complete. There were even cases when the children who got late were bullied and I can clearly remember one case. A child of fourth grade was late and when he reached the class, he was teased by his peers for a week. It led to his health deteriorating and his parents had to complain.
On the other side, many formed friendships with their late comers and so they came purposely late.
The intentions of the rule, in my opinion, were good but could have been implemented other wise. Students getting late could have been recorded and actions taken on them for being late for three consecutive days. In this way, we could have avoided the bullying and the extreme laziness which the rule brought along.
Vocabulary
epitome – a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type.
adhere – believe in and follow the practices of.
hustle and bustle – A large amount of activity and work, usually in a noisy surrounding.
bullied – use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force them to do something.
deteriorating – become progressively worse.
intentions – a thing intended; an aim or plan.
Another Similar Cue Card
Speak about a rule that you don’t like.
What is/was that rule?
When and Where do/did you follow it?
Why don’t/didn’t you like this rule?
And do/did other people like the rule? Why?
(Download CUE Card)
SAMPLE ANSWER Two-
Rules are the formal manners of the Norms and Mores, which are prevalent in every culture and society, all over the globe. They are considered to be essential in maintaining order and stability in a society, for bringing the suitable organization within behaviour of the people. Rules generally attract punishments in case of their violation, therefore they have this inherent nature of compliance for the people. I used to study in a boarding school and boarding school is usually stuffed with the rules to impose right discipline in students. Although we had a strict schedule for everyday, which we had to adhere to, but there was this, one fundamental rule for our sports, which I used to detest a lot. It was to follow and play only a one particular game throughout your schooling.
Well, every new entrant in our school had to choose one particular game out of the many. Thereafter, he needed to build his skills and proficiencies in that game only, playing every day for 3 hours at least. I chose hockey when I joined and I started enjoying it too. But sometimes, after hearing about the popular shots or kicks in cricket or football, or sometimes, due to the feel of jumping in the swimming pool in scorching heat of summers; I thought of changing my game. But, it was a rule to stick to just one game. And, even if you spot out your reasonable reasons in front of the coaches, it used to be such a tedious process of applications, and finally, after that only a few used to have that privilege of changing the game and those too, with another stricter unmodifiable rule of never being allowed to change the game twice. So, many students used to drop the idea of changing the game, even for the first time.
Yes, there were a few chaps who used to stick to one game with interest. Actually, like every rule, this rule had the benefits of properly honing your skills at one proficiency; and it was reasonable too, that by playing one game for your schooling years, one becomes a player who can bring laurels for the school in sports championships. And later too, that sports talent can reap great benefits in one’s career. Therefore, many students used to like the imposingness posed by that specific rule.
(233 words)
STRONG WORDS
Word
Meaning
Scorching
harsh: Military personnel undergo a scorching physical training session.
Tedious
tiresome: For older people, solving puzzles is a tedious process, which is fun for kids.
Follow-up Questions
Q. 1 Do you like rules, in general? State the reason too.
Sample answer: Well, I may not like all the rules out there but I know that they are there for the good only. For instance, I like riding a bike without helmet with winds soaring through my head, but the rule instructs us to always wear a helmet while driving. Now, this rule, even if I don’t like it, is for my good only.
Q. 2 Do you consider that some existing rules are irrational? Why?
Sample answer: Yes, I do consider that some rules are totally illogical and irrational. For instance, on the same example we discussed in the last answer, about helmets. Sikhs in our country are allowed to drive without helmet. That is understandable, considering the massive size of their turbans. But imagine, just out of charity, this privilege was extended to their women too, as it looks odd that husband is driving without helmet while wife is sitting along with a helmet over her head. For the sake of this odd look, we gave this relaxation to Sikh women, compromising on our safety and security. Similarly, there are other such instances too, which can be easily observed in our day to day lives.
Q. 3 Do you think the necessity of rules for children too?
Sample answer: See, we need to look at it from a different perspective in case of children. I think they need to be taught about rules by their parents and teachers as well. Children are full of innocence, imposition of rules on them will come with a heavy burden. Rather, they should be taught about the fundamentals of civic life and the requirements of discipline and rules in it. One should walk on the left of the road, is one such thing ,which we can teach to a child and which later on becomes a traffic rule for him, when he grows adult.
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Tel:7055710004
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Sample Answer 
