Tag: IELTS Cue Card

Cue card: A language lesson you enjoyed

IELTS Cue Card Talk about a language lesson you enjoyed

Talk about a language lesson you enjoyed
You should say:

  • When it was?
  • What it was about?
  • What you did in the lesson?
  • And explain why you enjoyed this lesson.

A language lesson you enjoyed

Sample Answer

I’ve always had a deep fascination with languages. It certainly stems from the skills of my school teachers who made our lessons memorable.  Today, I’m going to talk about a language lesson I loved.

I was in 8th class. Our school provided classes in many foreign languages like German, French, Japanese and Italian etc. I opted for Japanese because my father recommended it to me. My first Japanese lesson was so much fun that I still remember almost everything about it. When our teacher entered the class, she greeted us in Japanese. She didn’t translate it in English or our local language. Initially, we were puzzled but then she drew the sun and two kids on the blackboard. We understood the meaning and all of us repeated the greeting after her. Then, the teacher opened a big box in which she had kept many things like chocolates, cold drinks, tea and a bottle of milk etc.

She started taking them out of the box one by one. She was saying the name of each item in Japanese and we were listening to her and repeating after her. Later on, the teacher just showed us the objects and we were supposed to recall their names. Everyone was actively participating in the lesson. In the next stage of the lesson, the teacher taught us how to order milk, tea or coffee in a Japanese café. She divided us into two groups. Some of us became customers while others became waiters. We practiced all the words that we learned in the lesson in a very interactive way.

Not only me but all my classmates enjoyed the lesson. I found it very interesting because of the way it was delivered. The teacher created a friendly and stimulating learning environment. Its pace was also perfect for our age group. If we hadn’t been involved in the lesson, it would have been a boring lesson. All in all, I can say that this first-class boosted our confidence immensely and motivated us to learn Japanese.

Another Similar Cue Card

Describe a thing you did to learn another language.

  • Which language did you learn?
  • What was that thing, you did to learn the language?
  • How did it help you and how you felt?

And do you recommend that thing for every language?

SAMPLE ANSWER TWO-

Language is among the greatest inventions of mankind. Just imagining a world without languages seems to bring chaos and haphazardness all around. Social order and stability is ensured by this medium of communication. If we just observe our past, it is wondrous to note that we learnt our mother tongue without any formal medium of instruction. It is an automatic natural process set in motion by environment. Although I never intended to become a philologist, but I had this inertia for different words and meanings. I knew English well and I had this penchant for Spanish. So, in my college days, I decided to learn Spanish.

I joined a language academy, where they take up a language from the very basics. With appropriate syntax, pronunciation and meaning understanding of most common Spanish words in academy, I built my fundamentals strong. Thereafter, a stage of stagnation arrived in my progress and I was not improving my spoken Spanish, in particular. It was then, when I decided to stay in a Spanish colony in our city, for few months. Getting surrounded by Spanish diaspora all the time, listening to the language Spanish only whenever a word is spoken and interacting in Spanish only, were the true game changers.

This idea of living among Spanish people was an instantaneous hit. Within a span of just three months, I was conversing in Spanish without any great efforts. To add to it, I even grasped the uncommon classical Spanish vocabulary. The result of the uniform harmony with the Spanish language in my overall environment, while living in Spanish people, was very fruitful. The shopkeepers and watchman in that colony were Spanish too, which necessitated me to even think in Spanish. I felt extremely happy witnessing my gradual but consistent improvement in Spanish.

I would like to recommend my test and trial approach with the learners of any language. Staying in airs stuffed with a particular language all around you, automatically brings you in sync with that. No doubt, academy is something mandatory, but apart from that, my idea for learning a language is very effective, especially the spoken one.

STRONG WORDS
Word Meaning
Penchant special bent/liking: My friend has the penchant for old classic movies.
Haphazard disorderly: students in college generally keep their room haphazard.
Diaspora scattered population with origin somewhere else: America is truly cosmopolitan in a sense, to have diaspora from so many nations
Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Is learning a new language difficult after an age?

Sample answer: I can’t answer this with confirmation without actual evidences. Definitely, after an age learning appetite decreases to some extent. Learning a new language might not sound as exciting and hence motivating to a grown up man as to a young boy. This lack of interest, apart from the work pressures faced by an adult may hinder his learning process.

Q. 2 What factors make a language interesting to learn?

Sample answer: It is the accent, smoothness, tone and pitch primarily, which creates impression for a language. Apart from them, glory and status of the nation, to which a language belongs, also generates fan following. Influence of a language created by its major presence all over the globe is a big influence.

Q. 3 Can deepest emotions be conveyed by a language?

Sample answer: I would say speech itself comes with a limitation. Use of any language can definitely easen the process of emotions’ description, as done in poems, plays and other fiction. But, I still believe that language do not have the absolute adequacy to display all the emotions, in complete.

Q. 4 What are the advantages of learning a new language?

Sample answer: Learning anything new, in itself is a fun process. Language learning comes with the spoken, written, hearing and speaking tasks involved in it, therefore it further broadens our pleasurable experience. It is always an advantage staying in a country, if we are averse with its native language. This brings a sense of assimilation in an earlier differently looking ethnicity. It also enriches our experience of different civilizations and cultures.

phone icon

8439000086

8439000087

7055710003

7055710004

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

IELTS Cue Card # A SONG YOU LIKE

IELTS Cue Card, A SONG YOU LIKE

Music is a form of art which has been a key component of celebrations in both ancient and modern times. Other than being a source of entertainment, it has profound impact on our brain too. Music is like a food for the brain, soothing and relaxing us even on a bad day. This time we are looking at a cue card that asks questions about a song you like.

Describe a song that you like. You should say:

  • What the song is?
  • Where you first heard it?
  • What kind of song it is?

And explain why you like it.

Sample Answer

Music is something that we all can associate with, although our choices can be different at different times. There are times when I like to listen to soft music, while at others I enjoy rock or peppy music. Today, I’d like to talk about a song that remains one of my favorites since I heard it around 20 years back. The name of that song is “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson. The song is from his album “dangerous”, which was released way back in 1982. In one of his interviews, Jackson said that this was the song that he was most proud to have created. He also formed a charitable organization by the same name, designed to improve the lives of children all over the world.
This song is has meaningful and soulful lyrics, talking about unity, peace and equality. It says that we should treat each other equally and put an end to discrimination based on color and religion. Let us make this world a better place to live by spreading love and not hate. It guides us to be considerate towards those who are less fortunate and feed those who are hungry. I still remember the music video of this song which features children living in different countries suffering from unrest, poverty and hunger. It is also one of only a handful of Michael Jackson’s videos not to feature Jackson himself. I’ll wrap up by saying that it is a beautiful song carrying a message to make this world worth living.

FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS
Q1. What would be life without music?
Ans. I just can’t imagine life without music- no singing, tapes or music, no dancing, no hymns and concerts. Without music our world would certainly be a bleak place. Life would be extremely dull, boring and will lose its vibrancy.

Q2. Which is more important to you- music or TV?
Ans. Although, I do watch television regularly, I could probably do without it if asked to choose between TV and music. Music is definitely indispensable in my life. Music is something I can hear exclusively or read, do households etc. while playing it in the background.

Q3. What is the best time and place to listen to music?
Ans. I feel that the beauty of music is that it can be always heard. However, work meeting would be an inappropriate place to listen to music. Also, I feel that you can really enjoy music if you are in the company of your friends. You can dance and groove while chit chatting with them.

Another Similar Cue Card

Describe an interesting song.

  • What is the song?
  • Who sung it and what is it all about?
  • Is the song popular and when do you like listening to it?

And why do think it an interesting song?

SAMPLE ANSWER TWO-

Music forms a crucial element of our wellbeing. It is a part of the nature and universe as a whole. Wind, Rains, Thunder, birds and so many other things have their unique music characteristics. We, humans also have discovered art and music to add beauty to our lives. Different songs are composed on different genre of music and this variety is played in different contexts of moods and occasions. I admire one of these Hindi songs which says “yeh daulat bhi le lo “. It is composed in form of ghazal.

This was sung by legendary Jagjit Singh, who is considered as maestro of ghazals. This song has most beautiful lyrics, encompassing the reminiscences of the childhood. It has an enchanting soft music composition. Various childhood acts, considered to be trivial, have been depicted in this song and the singer is willing to sacrifice his wealth and fame just to return to his childhood days. The song wraps up a huge nostalgia for the old, for the childhood.

This song did the rounds on every music chart and album, when it was released back in early 90’s. It was a mega hit song and it has grown in its popularity since then. This song has earned fame even in abroad. The sense of melancholy, it awakens with its lyrics and music is simply spellbinding. I personally like this song because of the nostalgic rush which I feel after listening to it. Vivid mental images about my childhood start hovering inside me, once I happen to listen this song. That innocence and free will of children, in turn, start permeating my whole being, which gives me a feeling of immense pleasure.

The eternal connect with the past, evoked by this particular song is the linchpin of its greatness. Every age group person, every gender and every ethnicity would like to hear the soft, subtle message of this song. Voice of Jagjit infuses life in the song.

STRONG WORDS
Word Meaning
Melancholy sad and pensive: Visiting my alma mater was a melancholic experience.
Linchpin main point: Acting is the linchpin of Amitabh’s personality.
Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Do you like music and songs and which type?

Sample answer: Yes, I like to hear music and songs. Sometimes, I sing myself too, although I am not a very good singer. To put it plainly, I like songs of different genres but most of the time, I prefer listening to old classics.

Q. 2 Why do you prefer old songs?

Sample answer: It is the beauty of lyrics apart from the serene music of the old songs, that captivates my interest to them. The peculiar story and situation thread, that old songs used to draw is simply interest gathering.

Q. 3 What changes do you feel in the songs composed nowadays?

Sample answer: Apart from the loud fast music nowadays, the songs are totally devoid of the beautiful meaningful lyrics. Songs in the present times are suitable only for hip hop dance and act as anxiety inducers. It is only the glitz and the rocky music which are the soul centres of today’s songs.

phone icon

8439000086

8439000087

7055710003

7055710004

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

IELTS Speaking Cue Card: A special cake you had

IELTS Speaking Cue Card: A special cake you had

Describe a special cake you had

  • What kind of cake it was?
  • When you ate the cake?
  • Who you ate the cake with?
  • And explain why you think this cake was special.

IELTS Speaking latest Cue Card Describe a special cake you had what kind of cake it was and explain why you think this cake was special

Sample answer

I do tend to have a bit of a sweet tooth and it just so happens that cakes are my all-time favourite treats. Today, I’ll talk about an absolutely delicious cake that I had some time back.

Last week I went to Mussorie with my family. Naturally the journey from Delhi to Mussorie was quite long and it left us exhausted. So, we decided to go to a cafe for refreshments. After strolling about and absorbing the general atmosphere, we came across a cafe named Lovely Loaves. It seemed to be quite an old cafe. We went inside. It was a quiet place with a certain antique charm. Their menu offered a wide range of coffees, sandwiches and other sweet assortments. I ordered a cappuccino with a slice of mixed fruit cake to the side. My parents chose to order sandwiches.

At first glance, the cake was lovingly decorated with almonds, cashews and hazelnuts, it had some sort of brown sugar powder sprinkled on the frosting. From the side, you could see the cream filling and the little fruit pieces. Every savoury little bite was infused with the rich warm flavour of fresh fruits, filled with fluffy vanilla sponging. The treat was sinfully divine, in fact I adored it so much I asked for another piece. My parents too each took a forkful from the gourmet treat. They loved it as well and were inclined to order one of their own too.

I felt that that cake was special and that it had a certain warmth to it, a quality which is not found in many things nowadays. The love which it was made with, made sure that the quantity and quality of each ingredient was just-right. From the crumbly flakiness of the sponge to the blissful sweetness in the drizzled frosting, the cake was and will be one of the best things I have ever eaten. When I go back to visit Mussorie, I will without a doubt revisit Lovely Loaves.

Another Similar Cue Card

Describe a special cake you received from others.

  • When did you get it?
  • Who gave you, where and why?
  • What made it special?

And how did you feel?

SAMPLE ANSWER TWO-

Cakes are usually presented on special occasions as a token of dessert, for wishing good and healthy for someone. They are specially ordered from the bakeries as per their appearances, sizes and tastes. I used to get cakes mostly, on my birthdays, till, when I was a young boy. On my 10th birthday, I received a special cake from my parents.

Although, it was presented jointly by my parents but later my father informed me that it was my mother’s exclusive choice. I was surprised to see the size and outlay design of the cake. It was a 3 storeyed chocolate and vanilla cake with my favourite cartoon star impostered on the top of it. My 10th birthday was celebrated in a famous hotel of our city. It was there, that I received my birthday cake as a beautiful present, after all the guests arrived. Usually I used to get a normal sized chocolate cake on my birthdays, but my mother told me that it was special this time because I had entered the double digit zone of my age. This transition made it commemorative, to be occasioned with the special cake.

The very outlook, the way it was designed, with my favourite star standing tall on it, gave it a dazzling view. I was oblivious of this this special gift, therefore, I screamed out of joy and surprise as soon it appeared in front of me. I felt like wrestling with my hero on the cake, there and then. I just kept on looking at it in bewilderment, till I finally cut it in pieces. Delicious chocolate and vanilla turned it into a mouth-watering treat. That night, I even saw that magnanimous cake in my dreams.

STRONG WORDS
Word Meaning
Commemorate remember, celebrate: Gandhiji’s birth anniversary is commemorated on 2nd oct every year.
 Dazzling eye catching: I wore a dazzling suite on my brother’s wedding.
 Bewilderment great surprise: I was bewildered to know about the size of ancient mammoth.
Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Why do you think cake is presented on special occasions?

Sample answer: It was a trend that was set by Britishers in colonial India. It is not a native dish of India and was introduced by them. Later, Indian bakeries flourished and we started making our own cakes. The sophistication involved in baking and the sweet fluffy texture of a cake make it an ideal choice for desserts on any special occasion.

Q. 2 Do children miss something on their birthdays in the absence of a cake?

Sample answer: Yes, Indeed. Cake is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of celebrating a birthday. Candles are placed and lit on this special platform, which are then extinguished by celebratory puff of the birthday boy. So, cake, in a sense occupies the centre stage on this occasion. Therefore, children will definitely complain and miss this treat, if it is absent on their birthdays.

Q. 3 On what other occasions do you take something special to eat?

Sample answer: Well, we, the family, makes it a point to visit a good restaurant on our birthdays and anniversaries. Apart from that, whenever I feel the special appetite of eating something delicious, I request my mother and she will prepare those dishes for me. Sometimes, we visit the restaurants even on weekends, to have a fun outing and tasty food.

Q. 4 Do you consider eating outside a healthy habit?

Sample answer: No, not at all. Outside, in stalls, restaurants or even in hotels, the quality of food prepared is not up to the mark, considering its nutritious and healthy indices. Oil, flour, sugar and so many other ingredients used in food are of genuine brands at home but one cannot verify them at an eatery outside. Eating outside on a regular basis, especially the fast junk foods, can bring a detrimental effect on our health.

phone icon

8439000086

8439000087

7055710003

7055710004

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

IELTS Cue Card Sample Questions # Clothing

Humans started clothing around 1745000 years back. Before that, it is believed that humans moved about naked. The first kinds of clothing were the leaves and the flesh of the animals worn by humans to protect them from the wrath of nature. We have now grown years and our creativity has expanded multifold in terms of clothing. One can now see, people wearing different types of clothes, colors and often even fuss about the brand. This time we are looking at a cue card that talks about clothing.

Talk about a piece of clothing that you received as a gift recently.

You should say:
  • What it was?
  • When you received it?
  • Who gave it to you?

and explain if this gift was important to you.

SAMPLE ANSWER

I am a bookworm so clothes are rarely the items that I do prefer for gifts. However, recently on my 22nd birthday, my parents gifted me one of the best clothes present in my wardrobe currently. For a very long time, I had been longing for a leather jacket and my parents knew about it. However, for certain other responsibilities, it was always out of the budget to be able to buy one.

But on my birthday, my father asked me to go and get ready for a tour of a nearby town and asked me to wear a jacket as it will be cold outside. Initially, I was puzzled about his specificness on the jacket, but I went straight to my room only to be amazed and surprised by the jacket hanging outside my wardrobe. It was a black jacket with the rider look. Next to it was a traveler bag and there was nothing more I could have asked for. I dressed up and hugged my parents for the gift.

It was an extraordinary gift for me simply because it was something my parents gifted me. My brother later told me that they had spent weeks deciding on the clothes that I can have and finally after a lot of discussions decided to go for it. Looking back at it, I still cherish the gift and the moments we spent together. Later when I decided to become a traveler, the jacket was the first thing I had to motivate me to follow my dream.

Vocabulary

Word Meaning
Bookworm a person who enjoys reading
Wardrobe a large, tall cupboard in which clothes may be hung or stored.
SAMPLE ANSWER 2

On the occasion of my 22nd birthday I received a brand new black dress from my mom. It was a perfectly made dress with the finest clothing and fits. The fabric was of matt finish and the colour texture was impressive. I’m so glad on receiving it.

My mother came up to me before the party with a little silver parcel with a red bow. I knew that she had some amazing surprise planned for me. But I had no idea as to what she could possibly get for me. In fact, it was out of my idea that she would bring me a little black dress. She is well aware of the love I have for black clothing’s. My mother is an amazing woman.

She loves to plan surprises for people, I was really impressed with her choice and my mom was equally happy to complete her goal. She bought a matching pair of wedges to go along with the dress. I was so happy that she could cater to all my needs without me asking her to do so.

Of course, it was an extraordinary gift to me. It was from the woman who has always been a source of inspiration to me. She is a very empathetic lady. I admire this quality of her. Besides, it was my birthday gift from her. I tried it on with sheer interest and absolutely loved it. Moreover, the dress was made of the colour I really like. The dress was very admired by all my friends and family. I couldn’t thank her enough for the dress.

(266 words)

Another Similar Cue Card

Speak about an item of clothing that someone gave you.

  • What was that clothing?
  • When did you get it?
  • Who gave you that?

And How did you feel about it?

SAMPLE ANSWER Two-

 

Well, we all receive gifts on some of the special occasions in our lives. Take for instance, we all receive gifts on our birthdays and weddings. This symbolises love, care and friendship others feel for that person. I, too, used to receive gifts on my birthdays, particularly, when I was a child. On one of these occasions, when I turned 12, I received a fabulous item of clothing from my elder sister. I can clearly remember that track suit from Puma, it was white base with light green and blue waves imprinted on it. I was in a boarding school at that time and we have the winter onset just around my birthday. I can clearly remember the peculiar sparky brightness in that track suit that gave it a silk like appearance. It was imported from Singapore and being such an outstanding brand in sports outfits, it was a clearly my favourite in those days.

My sister used to work in an MNC, back then. She often had the opportunities to visit abroad, specially the South East Asia. So, she had a visit just prior to my birthday too. She clearly had in her mind, that I needed a track suit at that time, for my sports in the school. She made that choice for me and brought that suit from Singapore.

Well, as I have already mentioned, that the track suit was an instant favourite for me out of all my previous clothing. Apart from its satiny outlook and light fabric, this jogging suit was extremely warm too, which made it very comfortable to wear. I simply felt fantastic when I received this clothing. I was, kind of, jubilantly marching down my colony lanes, wearing my favourite suit and a big glee on my face. Some of our neighbours gave me the new pinch too. I was feeling very happy and proud of myself at that time. Few days later, when I my school reopened, I had to take that track suit there, for my friends to see the Puma track suit from Singapore. I tried not to rough play with that suit and used to take care of it. I just loved that outfit in my teen days.

STRONG WORDS
Word Meaning
Jubiliant express great happiness: I was jubilant, after I received my IELTS scorecard.
Glee delight: One should always keep that glee in the heart, even in bad days.
Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Do boys like clothing items more or girls?

Sample answer: I think, except for a few common items of dressing, like shirts and jeans, I think both the genders have their respective segments of clothing. Therefore, what I feel is that both, boys as well as girls like the new clothing items.

Q. 2 Do you prefer branded items and why?

Sample answer: Well, I do prefer the branded items. The reason being, their superior quality fabric, comfortable and durable to wear, along with their latest designs and trends. Brands are usually updated on fashion statements and therefore wearing the branded clothing always makes me feel so modern about myself.

Q. 3 Do you never wear the non-branded items?

Sample answer: No, it’s not like that. My preference for branded clothings doesn’t create any immunity for non-branded ones. Whenever I have a tight pocket and I happen to get across some good clothing at reasonable price, I at once go for it, even though it is not branded.

Q. 4 What kind of outfits do you prefer to wear?

Sample answer: Well, we have different set of clothes at different times of the day. While in college or at office, I will obviously be wearing the formal attire. But, once at home, I always prefer the loose open T shirts and not so tight payjamas. That keeps me comfortable and I think comfort is the best fashion in clothing.

phone icon

8439000086

8439000087

7055710003

7055710004

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

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