IELTS speaking cue cards and model answers
1. Describe a time when you encouraged someone to do something that he/ she did not want to do
- Who he or she is
- What you encouraged him/her to do
- How he/she reacted
- Why did you encourage him/her
2. Describe a skill that you can teach other people
- What is it
- How you learn it
- How can you teach others this skill
- How do you feel about this skill
3. Describe a time when you helped a friend
- When it was
- How you helped him/ her
- Why did you help him/ her
- How did you feel about it
4. Describe an art or craft activity that you had
- What you made
- How you made
- What it looked like
- How did you feel about this activity?
5. Describe something you own which is very important to you
- Where do you get it from
- How long you have had it
- What you use it for
- Explain why it is important to you
I feel privileged to have all things I need. But one thing that I consider vital for me is my laptop. I bought it about three years ago from a shop in my city during the festival season. It is made by Hewlett Packard. Due to its superior configuration, it is a fast computer. Until now, I have never faced any problem with this laptop. I bought this computer because one of my friends recommended buying it. I use it for many purposes: doing work, contacting my friends, and surfing the internet. Since the day I bought it, It has become an important part of my life. During my college days, I used it for my study purposes, such as learning online, making assignments, sending and receiving necessary documents from my friends. Now, I am working in an information technology (IT) company as a software engineer. All of my work is on the computer. I can say it is the equipment of my earning. I cannot sustain my professional life even a day without this machine.
6. Describe an occasion when many people were smiling
- When it happened
- Who you were with
- What happened
- Explain why people were smiling
In recent times, it is hard to see many people smiling. We can see people debating, quarrelling, or squabbling more frequently. But I remember an event when several people had been smiling. It happened around a month ago at a farewell party in my company. One of my colleagues was going to be retired on the 31st of October. The company’s management had decided to organise a part for that event. On that day, after having lunch, all employees gathered in the auditorium hall where our retiring colleague gave a speech, and I was among them. He talked about the good and bad experiences he got in the company. But ultimately, he was happy and appreciated the management and all the employees. His applause to the company and all the staff made happy to everyone, and everyone smiled. All members were clapping. When he left the stage, all employees had a big smile on their faces. We gave him bouquets and bid adieu.
7. Describe an interesting discussion you had as a part of your work or studies.
- What was the subject of the discussion?
- To whom did you discuss the subject?
- What opinions were expressed?
- Explain why you found the discussion interesting?
Having an interesting discussion is rare at the workplace because everyone has to work and discuss the same things every day. But about six months ago we discussed some interesting matters at my office. The topic of the discussion was how to do acting in an advertisement. This advert was for the company’s product. I am a clothing designer and work with a team of other designers. Our manager told us to play a role in the advertisement. He chose three people from the team. We all had to act for a leading role by wearing the company-made suit. We all three people discussed how and what pose we should make, what colour of clothes we must choose and how to make clothes more focused than any other thing.
We also planned an arrangement of things in the room. My opinion was related to the colour of clothes everyone should wear. I suggested they should choose bright colour clothes. All this conversation was unconventional for us. After finalising all things, we started practising. We did it for three days, and on the 4th day, the advert was shooted. Even after the production of the advertisement, we kept talking about it. It was interesting because we never thought that we would play a role in an advertisement. We came out from our everyday work and discussed and did something different.
8. Describe a book that you enjoyed reading because you had to think a lot.
You should say
- what this book was
- why did you decide to read it
- what reading this book made you think about
and explain why you enjoyed reading this book.
I like reading books. Sometimes, I read academic books, but most of the time, I enjoy reading entertaining books. About a month ago, I read a historical fiction book: The Alchemist. That book was about a young shepherd who had travelled through many countries in search of a treasure. I decided to read this book because it has many good reviews. People who read this book recommend it highly to others. In this book, the writer talks about chasing dreams without bothering others’ opinions. He writes how people abandon their goals due to family and societal pressure. While reading this book, I thought incessantly about the dreams I had not pursued because of other’s negative opinions. Meanwhile, I regretted it but also thought of fulfilling my dreams, which made me feel joyous. I enjoyed that book a lot because of its nicely scripted story, the method used to encourage people, forced people to think about their lives, and interesting characters.
9. Describe someone you know who has started a business
You should say:
- Who this person is
- What work this person does
- Why this person decided to start a business
and explain whether you would like to do the same kind of work as this person.
Several friends of mine have their own business. But one of my friends, whose name is Ronny, started a cloth manufacturing company lately. Before opening this company, he had been working as a software developer in a local company. The main reason for starting this work is his passion for apparel. Although he is an information technology graduate, he fascinates by garment brands and trending textile. This passion led him to create his clothing brand. Thus, he started this work. If I talk about my desire to start such a company, I am not interested in it. I want to join administrative services in any government organization and serve the people of my nation. So I would not like to start a business like my friend.
10. Describe a website you have bought something from
- What the website is
- What you bought from this website
- How satisfied you were with what you bought
- Explain What you liked and disliked about using the website
For years, I have been using the internet for many purposes, such as learning, entertainment, socialisation and shopping. Last month, I made an online order on xyz.com. It is a big e-commerce website. One of my friends told me that there had been a big sale on that site. I opened the website and saw some exciting offers. There was a huge discount on mobile phones. While exploring the website, I saw that my favourite mobile was at thirty per cent off. To grab that offer, I order the mobile phone. Ultimately, I can say that I am satisfied with that deal because this mobile is working well without any problem. This mobile was difficult to buy at that price in the market. However, there were some problems related to the website. First of all, I got the order confirmation mail very late: about three hours later. I remained worried until I got the confirmation email as the payment was deducted from the bank account. Also, I got the mobile two days later than the delivery date. But the packing of the mobile was good. It was packed nicely to save it from any damage. Also, the delivery boy was polite and cordial.
11. Describe a hotel that you know
- Where this hotel is
- What this hotel looks like
- What facilities this hotel has
- explain whether you think it is a nice hotel to say in.
I have stayed in many hotels in my country and other nations. I also had chances to see and visit hotels. But a hotel about which I know more than any other one is Hotel ABC (name any hotel). This hotel is in central Delhi. First I came to know about this place is from my friend, who suggested staying there. Now, every time I go to Delhi, I stay in this hotel.
This hotel looks amazing not only from the inside but also outside. It has a grander building. The most interesting thing about this hotel’s structure is that it is in a pyramid shape, which catches everyone’s attention. The whole building is covered with toughened glass. From the inside, it looks like a king’s palace. There are statues in every corner imported from around the world. It has Italian marble floors. The aura of this hotel mesmerises everyone.
The hotel provides every type of facility, from serving meals to arranging long and short stays. They also hold marriage, birthday and anniversary parties. Businessmen also organise meetings there. A big parking space, a gym, swimming pool, spa and a tennis court is also present in this hotel. If you are an avid reader, this hotel has a small library where you can go.
I consider this hotel the best place to live if you visit Delhi. It is situated in a strategic location. Every famous place is easily accessible from this hotel. The hospitality service at this hotel is unmatchable. The staff is cordial, polite and friendly. Moreover, they provide free breakfast for 24 hours stay.
12. Describe a very difficult task that you succeeded in doing as a part of your work or studies.
- What task you did
- Why this task was very difficult
- How did you work on this task
- and explain how you felt when you completed this task.
I am a student, and until now, I have worked on many projects and assignments. With the help of my teachers and classmates, I completed all of them successfully, no matter how difficult they were. But once, I had to complete an environmental project without the help of any teacher or student. In this project, I had to describe the collection, disposal, reuse, and recycling process of garbage in my city.
It was difficult for me as I did not heed this process before. This process was unknown to me. I did not know where this garbage went once it was collected from my home. Besides, I could not get the help of anyone in this project. Only one person who collected trash from my home could help me with this project. This project was tough as I had to go to many filthy and stinky places. Moreover, it was the summertime, and staying at these places in hot weather was intolerable. Writing, drawing and explaining this process alone was arduous.
I somehow collected information from where I could know everything about my city’s garbage collection and disposal system. Then I knew that I should visit the Municipal Corporation office. I went there and met an employee in that office and explained the project. He assured me to help me and told me the location of every site involved in this process. I visited the garbage collection site where the trash from all over the city is collected. Afterwards, I visited all the other places where trash is segregated, recycled and reused. I noted everything about it in a copy and made diagrams of machines used in this process.
My toil brought success to me. I got ninety-five per cent marks on this project, and my teacher also appreciated it. I was elated as I got good scores. At the same time, I also felt confident because I learned many new things that my classmates might not have known even today.
13. Describe a review you read about a product or service.
- Where you read the review
- What the product or service was
- What information did the review give about the product or service?
- Explain what you did as a result of reading the review?
Reviews can give a better insight into a product or service if they are genuine. Now, when the business of eCommerce websites is at its peak, rating and reviews can help people buy a good product. I also read people’s feedback before purchasing a product online. About two weeks ago, I read some reviews on a famous e-commerce website xyz.com. I usually buy most of the products from this website. But before procuring them, it is my habit to check people’s comments about the item.
I wanted to buy new sports shoes for running. I run every day, so I have to buy new running shoes every six to eight months. I was looking for a pair of shoes that could be used for at least a year, even if I run ten miles a day. Then I saw a pair of nice-looking running shoes. I liked them a lot. But before ordering, I looked at its rating and reviews.
I found a lot of useful information in the review that helped me select this product. Many professional runners had bought them before, and some had even purchased them for the third time. A person had been using these shoes for two years. They were said to be lightweight, comfortable and durable.
As a result of reading people’s comments about those shoes, I ordered them. Now, I use those shoes every day. They are comfortable and lightweight. But I cannot tell how long they will work.
14. Describe a special cake you received from others
When it happened
Where it happened
Who did you get the cake from
And explain why it is a special cake
I usually receive cakes on my birthday. My friends and family members always bring a cake for me on that day. But one cake which was unexpected and special for me was when, last month, I stood first in my senior secondary education.
On the result day, I was nervous and anxious about the result. I did well in the exams but still fearing of my result. My result was going live at 5 in the evening. I was sitting at my home in front of the computer from 4 pm and checking the result website again and again. At 5 pm sharp, the result was live, and I started finding my name on the list. Luckily, my name was on the merits list. I was surprised to see that I stood first in the district. Everyone at my home was surprised about my performance. All my family members started congratulating me. My neighbours also started coming to my house to congrats me.
Suddenly, my brother went out of the home without telling anything to anyone. For half an hour, we did not bother about him. But everyone started asking about him after an hour. We tried calling him, but he was not picking up the call. After some more minutes, he came back to the home with a big 3-tier cake. Everyone was surprised after seeing this big cake, but I was more surprised than anyone else.
This cake was special for me as it was an unexpected cake. I could not believe that in less than 2 hours, my brother returned with a beautiful customised cake. People usually receive cakes on occasions or special days, but such surprise and special cakes people rarely receive.
Follow Ups
Q. What are the differences between special food made in India and other countries?
India is a diverse country, every state has its special foods and festivals. Apart from that, special foods are made on other special occasions and days. The main difference between special Indian food and other countries’ food is that most of the special foods of India are spicy or sweet. And they are almost vegetarian. But in other nations, foods are less spicy but savoury. They also have sweet food but not as flavoury as Indian foods.
Q. Is there any food in your country which is eaten on special occasions on special times?
Yes, in Punjab, yellow-coloured rice is eaten at the start of the spring season. Almost every house in Punjab makes this dish. Sometimes, people distribute this cuisine with their near and dear ones. This type of rice also contains dry fruit and is flavoured with jaggery.
Q. Why are some people willing to spend a lot of money on meals on special occasions?
Special occasions come only once or twice a year. Everyone wants to make it memorable. Also, at such events, people want to call all of their relatives and friends to celebrate them. So to serve them better, a lot of money is spent on meals.
Q. Do you think it is good to communicate with family while eating?
It is said that people should not speak while eating. Sometimes, foods we eat can be clogged into the windpipe and can cause serious injury. So, people should not speak with anyone while eating.
15. Describe an enjoyable experience you had in the countryside
You should say:
When and where you went
Who do you go with
What you did there
And explain why you think it was enjoyable.
I live in a town and reaching a countryside area is an easy task for me. Several times, I visited the countryside areas to visit my friends and relatives. Most of the time this was a good experience. But one visit is unforgettable.
During the last year of my senior secondary education, the biology teacher instructed us to go to a nearby village and count the number of trees and their type. We had to arrange them according to their family type, season suitable for their growth, precipitation required and its uses, if any. For this project work, the whole class went to the village.
First of all, we met the chairperson of the village administration and got permission to do this work. They allow us to do so. We were divided into a group and instructed by the teacher to find a specific type of plant. We took pictures of plants and trees, took their photos and collected other information we were asked to gather. During the noon, we enjoyed having lunch together under the shade of a big tree and felt close to nature.
This visit was extremely joyous because that was the first time I went to a village with my class friends. Also, the task was extremely interesting, and we did it with much enthusiasm. Everyone was helping each other. We also got a lot of information about trees. We also found some rare insects that one had seen before.
Follow-Ups
Q. Do young people enjoy living in the countryside?
I do not think that the young like to live in rural areas because they like eating a variety of foods, watching movies, and going to shopping malls and amusement parks. But all these facilities are unavailable in the countryside area. They may feel bored while living there.
Q. Do old people prefer to live in the countryside or the city?
The old like to live in villages as they consider them the best place to live there because of the countryside environment, no pollution, friendly people, fewer risks of getting injured in an accident and open space for moving around
Q. Why do many people move from small towns to big cities?
Big towns are the hub of opportunities. These are the places where people can get every type of job, whether it is unskilled or skilled. Moreover, education opportunities are uncountable in metropolitan cities where youngsters can attain higher education. For aged people, health facilities are abundant. All these reasons cause people to move to big cities.
Q. What’s the difference between living in the countryside and living in the city?
I think living in a city means living a fast-paced life where people have less free time and more time is devoted to work. People have less interaction with others, and most people are introverted. But villages have an open social environment where people meet each other every day and enjoy their life more. They live a slow-paced life and do not rush to do anything.
16. Describe a long walk you ever had
You should say:
When this happened
Where you walked
Who were you with?
Explain how you felt about this walk.
I am a fitness enthusiast and like to run and walk. Every day, I run for 5 kilometres or walk many miles. It is in my fitness routine. On weekends, I walk or run more. But a few months ago, one of my cousins’ brothers came to my home. He is a marathon runner, and he won many races. On one Saturday, we planned to go for a walk of 20 miles.
First of all, we decided to walk this distance on a track in the ground of my village. We started walking on this track. After walking for some minutes, we found it monotonous to revolve around the ground. Then, we got out of the ground and started walking on an unpaved road that leads to nearby villages and farms.
Before starting this walk, we tried to convince our other siblings, but no one got ready to go. So, for the whole journey, we were alone.
I find this walk motivating, inspiring, amusing and knowledgeable. The reason for these benefits is that I was accompanied by a professional runner. He told me the many benefits of this walk and taught me how to improve my walking and running stamina. He kept motivating me when I wanted to go back. It was amusing because we also talked about our lives, professions, and future goals. Moreover, we sang and told jokes to each other. I also learned about many new species of plants and birds that we saw on the way.
This visit was extremely joyous because that was the first time I went to a village with my class friends. Also, the task was extremely interesting, and we did it with much enthusiasm. Everyone was helping each other. We also got a lot of information about trees. We also found some rare insects that one had seen before.
Follow-Ups
Q. What outdoor activities do people like?
Although outdoor activities among people have reduced, many people still like to play cricket, football and tennis. Apart from that, some individuals like to run in the park or playground or simply go for a walk. Some young children go to the playground to play various games.
Q. What are the differences between the outdoor activities children did in the past and now?
In the past, the knowledge of sports among children was less, or they did not have the equipment to play. So, they played with only balls or went for running. But now, the times have changed; children know all sports. They learn about them from the internet and play with their friends.
Q. Is leisure important to everyone? Why?
Of course, free time is important for everyone as it can help people get free of stress, give time to themselves and do what they enjoy. If people do not have free time, they might contract diseases due to stress. Having no free time might be detrimental to their health.
Q. Do women have more leisure than men?
It was true in the past, but not now. Now, all women work in offices and factories along with doing household chores. They also have a responsibility to care for children. They handle multiple tasks. So, women are now busier than men.
17. Describe a city that you think is very interesting
You should say:
Where it is
What it is famous for
How you knew this city
And explain why you think it is interesting
Every city has its importance. Some are interesting from their historical viewpoint while others are for their modern developments. But one city that I find interesting is Delhi. It has been the Capital of India since the Britishers ruled this nation.
This city developed over the centuries. Many rulers have ruled this city since ancient times. Every emperor contributed to the development of this city by making several architectures. But the most famous buildings in Delhi are Qutub Minar, Red Fort, and Jantar Mantar. Delhi is not only popular for its historical buildings but also parks. Lodhi Garden and Mughal Gardens are worth visiting. Apart from that, Delhi is also famous for its food markets. The Chandni Chowk area has many shops that serve delicious food items. Street Markets of Delhi are also famous, where people from all around the world come to shop for artefacts.
I know this city for many reasons. First of all, since my childhood, I have been reading about this city in academic books because it is the capital of India. It also remains in the news because administrative buildings of the Government Of India are situated in this city. I have also been to Delhi many times for educational and personal work purposes.
I find this city interesting as we can see people of all religions, cultures, areas, and traditions there who enjoy celebrating each other’s festivals. Delhi also has religious places of every religion. People who cannot get employment anywhere can get work easily in this city. This city is also interesting for its nightlife as many carnivals, functions and parties are organised in different areas, which are open to everyone. Anyone can go there and enjoy.
Follow-Ups
Q. Why do some people like to visit historical places?
Reasons for visiting historic places can be many, but I think the most common one is to enjoy the beauty of the place in reality. Most of the historical places are magnificent. For example, the Golden Temple and Taj Mehal are visited by thousands of people every year to see their beautiful buildings and craft work done in these places.
Q. Why do people go to the modern city?
Modern cities attract people for different reasons than historical towns. These cities have shopping malls where people like shopping for branded clothes and shoes. Along with that, amusement parks are also attraction points as they have exotic swings and rides that children enjoy the most.
Q. What are the problems caused by maintaining a historical city?
Maintaining historical cities is not an easy task because they require a lot of money to preserve. Historical buildings in these cities require extra care and safety. They should be repaired from time to time. Also, they have historical significance, so they cannot be destroyed to widen the roads and to do other developments.
Q. Do you think having too many tourists is a positive thing for historical attractions?
It has both negative and positive aspects. If a visit to such places is paid, the government can earn a lot of money from them. This income can be used to maintain historical attractions. But too many visitors also cause damage to the fragile architecture of this building. Consequently, they cannot be kept in their pristine condition for long.
18. Describe a daily routine that you enjoy
You should say:
What it is
Where and when you do it
Who do you do it with
Explain why you enjoy it
I am a student and do many activities throughout the day. Some are related to my studies, household work or leisure. But one activity that I do and enjoy the most is running. I go for a run every day except for Sundays.
I get up at 5 am, and after brushing my teeth, I have a light meal and go out of my home to run. There is a big park around 1 mile away from my house. A track is built around this park, which has a span of around 800 metres. After walking one round on this track, I start running. I chose this track because it is surrounded by a variety of trees and plants. The whole track has a natural environment.
When I started running one year ago, we were two friends. But a few months ago, my friends went abroad for higher education. Since then, I have been running alone. Sometimes, my younger brother accompanies me for this activity. However, most of the time, I go alone.
I enjoy this activity for many reasons. Firstly, I found running fun, and it makes me feel energetic and active throughout the day. I also get a sense of fulfilment after running 8 kilometers. When I feel tired while running, I motivate myself to reach my daily distance goal. This motivation also pushes me to work hard in my studies. Apart from that, before starting to run, I had felt that my legs were not strong enough, but now they are strong. For these reasons, I enjoy running.
Follow-ups
Q. Should children have learning routines?
Yes, routines are extremely important to develop discipline in children. If parents make a routine for children and they have to study as per this schedule, they can learn more. This habit can make children successful as they can learn to build a learning routine from childhood that is also crucial in professional life.
Q. What are the advantages of children having a routine at school?
Having a routine in school can make children ready for what they will face in succeeding classes. They may not feel uncomfortable and can prepare themselves for the lessons they might learn. Children will not face any uncertainty that may make them afraid of learning.
Q. How do people’s routines differ on weekdays and weekends?
Some people have different routines for weekdays and weekends, while others have the same. Most Individuals do work or study on weekdays but go shopping, meet relatives, visit hill stations or eat out on weekends. Others only take a rest at home on weekends.
Q. What daily routines do people have at home?
In their daily routine, people do household chores, eat meals, talk to friends, use social media, watch television or take a nap in the afternoon. However, the routines of men are different from the women’s routines.
Q. What are the differences in people’s daily routines now and 15 years ago?
I can say that people’s routines are almost the same, but using technology has been added. People now spend hours scrolling social media, making video calls and doing chat. Apart from that, people have become health conscious and going to the gym and doing exercise are now also part of their routine.