Tag: IELTS Speaking

IELTS Cue Card #Discuss a long drive by car that you remember vividly

IELTS Cue Card #Discuss a long drive by car that you remember vividly

Discuss a long drive by car that you remember vividly.
You should say:

  • When did you take it and with whom?
  • How did you plan it and what was the route of the journey?
  • What makes it different from other car rides?

And how did you feel then and how do you think of it now?

IELTS Cue Card #Discuss a long drive by car that you remember vividly

Sample Answer :

As I am fond of driving and often take up the joy rides in the car, I would love to inform you about one such drive that I remember vividly. It was my third year in college. Back then, I didn’t know to drive a car. My friend, Rohit, used to possess a second hand Tata sedan. Although it was a little old, but it had a good performance and outlook. So, this memorable drive of mine was with him, Rohit, in his car.

It was my curiosity to drive my maiden one that basically erupted out on one fine evening in college campus. There was no premeditated plan as such, although we were thoughtful of the place to go. Mussorie was our first and last choice, as no other place had that comparable scenic beauty which Mussorie had in our choice of close destinations. I remember, I all of a sudden, barged into Rohit’s room and asked him to join me for an adventitious ride to Mussorie. Youngsters, as they usually crave for adrenalin shoots; Rohit agreed upon impulsively.

I had the basic know how of car mechanics but was driving for the first time. Rohit was with me so I rushed out my anxieties without any fear, in no time. Sun was just setting beneath the horizon and we hit the road in our red. This trip definitely stays in my memories most prominently because of that euphoric feeling I experienced for the first time, sitting behind the wheels. For a moment, I felt like flying. Rohit was careful in offering punches of driving tips in between. Cool wind was rushing through the aisles and we were in seventh heaven with our music in car stereo. With the headlights gleam in the thick forest road that we crossed in the night, drive turned into the thrill mode. My spookiness visible in my first drive was adding to it.

I was overwhelmed by joy at that ride. It was a feeling of a blisslike thrill. Company of my best friend kept me cool as well as warm. Even now, sometimes in the threads of my thoughts, I ponder over my insouciant heedlessness to tale up a hilly terrain in my maiden drive but then, I feel amused at the joy and spontaneity of the adventurous spirit we used to possess.

STRONG WORDS
Word Meaning
Spookiness enjoyable entertainment: Children like to watch spooky ghost stories.
Insouciant casual lack of concern: Insouciant behaviour is harmful to organizations.
Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Do people like long drives? Why?

Sample answer: Yes, in general it is my common observation that people like to go for long drives. This is because it provides a much needed hilarious break from the monotonous mundane routine activities. Joy and carelessness on a long drive simply add to this momentum of enjoyment in long drives.

Q. 2 Why long drives are enjoyed more than short ones?

Sample answer: As I have mentioned just now, long drive offers a pleasant break. In a short drive, there are few intermittent junctions and joy driving is reduced temporally. Moving in a car for long becomes a new environment altogether and this novelty factor becomes the point of joy and excitation whereas in a short drive, one is not able to happily adapt to the new feel because of time shortage and anxiety for the destination and therefore the joy of long ride is amiss here.

Q. 3 Which conveyance would you prefer for a journey more than a day long? Why?

Sample answer: Without a single iota of doubt I would prefer the train as my conveyance for a very long journey. It is all about the space and comfort offered by a train as compared to the vehicles plying on road. Moreover, variety of people encountered in a train along with their interesting social discussions make it a unique travelling commune. Washing facilities and proper sleeping births make trains an ideal mode of transport for long journeys.

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 #Describe a place in a village that you visited

IELTS Cue Card #Describe a place in a village that you visited

Describe a place in a village that you visited.
You should say:

  • When did you go and where?
  • Who went along with you?
  • What did you do there?

And how was your experience.

IELTS Cue Card #Describe a place in a village that you visited

Sample Answer :

Gandhiji once said that soul of India rests in its villages. Villages, in true essence, represent the actual aboriginal habitations. Earlier, there used to be a remarkable difference in the access of amenities between a village and a city. But, over the time, with globalization and digital media, the difference has shrunk to the bare minimum and villages along with their suburbs hold every item of necessity and luxury. Still, they remind of their rustic routine and scenic beauties with ample of open spaces in fields. I visited my village the last Diwali. I heard a lot about art and craft fair, organized by the locals of few neighbouring villages on the eve of Diwali. It was a 3 hrs journey from my hometown.

I went along with my close friend, whom I informed about the festivity in advance. He was my college mate and like me, he too was overly interested in exploring the village culture and traditions. We together went in my car. We were received by my relatives living there with great warmth. After that we were offered the traditional village winter food at home, which we both enjoyed thoroughly.

It was noon then. After taking food, we went on to stroll around the village. I took my friend round the corner, to see the open fields. They were, at that time, laden with wheat harvest still in the ripening stage. Thereafter, we played with cattle and stray dogs. Watching crimson sunset with the clear horizon past the fields was a beautiful experience. In evening, we went to the place where this fair was organized. Already, it had turned into an entertainment zone with the shouts of vendors and exciting shrieks of children, eating sweets and riding different swings. Artefacts that were being sold, were generally made up of mud or wood. Some metal articles were also present.

It went till 10pm. Fair was organized amid the brilliant fireworks played on that panoramic evening. I was too absorbed in that peculiar scent, emanating from the households and cattle sheds in evenings. We bought some beautiful craft articles and ate jalebis prepared out of desi ghee. It was, indeed, a great bash for us. We had finally witnessed the lively village fiesta on Diwali, which made me tremendously joyful.

STRONG WORDS
Word Meaning
Suburbs surrounding area: In suburbs of Dehradun, we can easily find wild animals.
Panorama wide view: Scenic photos usually contain the panoramic view of landscapes.
Dwindle diminish rapidly: rate of population growth in our country will dwindle in coming years.
Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Do you like going to villages?

Sample answer: Yes, after a prolonged exposure to noisy and polluted cities, I always wish to go to quite surroundings of the village. Although, long electricity outages and lack of city comforts start pinching after a few days stay but I always wish to visit a village intermittingly.

Q. 2 What changes do you witness in villages nowadays?

Sample answer: Villages have been getting their facelift for the past few years. Every home in village, now has a toilet and bathroom. Even the govt was very keen on it for personal hygiene. Nearby towns have started including almost every facility, that is available in big cities. Literacy rates have improved significantly and students are selected in competitive exams from villages too. Pucca houses are built in villages nowadays. Broadband connection is reaching there, which in turn makes villagers aware of the latest trends and styles. Therefore, villages are no more the representations of backwardness and obsoleteness.

Q. 3 Why do you think people migrate from villages?

Sample answer: Primarily, people migrate from villages in search of better livelihood opportunities. In villages, there is a lack of infrastructure and apt productive facilities, due to which there is a great pressure on farming resources. To easen this pressure and earn a decent living, people travel to cities.

Q. 4 Do you think urbanization has destroyed the spirit of villages?

Sample answer: Yes, I strongly feel that rapid urbanization had severely damaged the villages’ image and spirit. Organic solidarity, simple lives, intense cooperation are the virtues of bygone days only. Noiseless pollution free lanes in a village is a rarity to be seen today. Tradition of joint families and livestock domestication is also giving way to the individual style of living. Urbanization, definitely has the advantages too but govt should have been careful in sketching the nation’s growth trajectory in such a way so as not to encroach upon the fertile village ecosystem, which used to have its own unique sustainability.

Q. 5 What do you think is the future of villages?

Sample answer: Villages, with their true character and flavour, are already dwindling at a rapid pace. These are, in turn becoming the extensible arms of the neighbouring towns and cities. This process is Rurbanization, which encompasses the physical territories of a rural area into the folds of urbanization. Therefore, we might be calling some places as villages in the future but they will merely be the reflections of cities only.

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

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