Describe an Exciting Book that you Enjoy Reading: IELTS Cue Card 2024

IELTS is a highly trusted and most popular English-language Test in the world and is preferred by governments, universities and employers globally. Approximately 3 million people take IELTS annually to study, work, or migrate to their preferred destination abroad.

The IELTS test has 4 main modules: 

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking
• Listening 

The IELTS Speaking test is 11-14 minutes long, and the candidate is evaluated on their speaking skills, vocabulary, and grammar.

The IELTS Cue Card task is part of the 3-part IELTS Speaking test. ‘Describe an Exciting Book that You Enjoy Reading’ is a part of the IELTS Long Turn or the Cue Card Task (Part 2).

Under the IELTS Cue Card task, you’ll be given a topic to speak about. You get one minute to prepare for it and 2 minutes to speak about it. 

The examiner will follow up with questions to discuss the topic in depth as a part of IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Typically, IELTS Cue Card topics ask you to describe certain experiences and your interests. One commonly prompted topic is ‘Describe an Exciting Book you Enjoy Reading.’

In this blog, we’ll explore ways to answer this topic in the best way possible. Let’s dive in!

Describe an Exciting Book that you Enjoy Reading: Model Answers

It’s important to familiarise yourself with the IELTS Speaking syllabus before you dive into the topics. So, here is a quick rewind:

• The IELTS Speaking test is an 11-14 minute in-person interview with an examiner.
• The Speaking test consists of 3 parts.
• Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test is an introductory round, where you’re asked questions about your personal life, interests and experiences.
• Part 2 is the Long turn/Cue card task. Here, the examiner presents you with a topic you must discuss.
• Part 3 follows up with questions related to part 2.

The ideal answer for an IELTS Cue Card must contain a good introduction, some context regarding the topic, an explanation about how you relate to it, and a description of why it’s important to you. 

Remember, the IELTS Speaking test evaluates your opinions/thoughts, grammar, and choice of words (vocabulary) with a special emphasis on your fluency and pronunciation. It’s important to pay attention to what you say and how you articulate it.

Regarding our topic ‘Describe an Exciting Book that You Enjoy Reading’, here are some things you can include in your answer. 

We’ve broken each answer into these 4 parts to make it easier for you.

Introduction: 

• Describe your interest in reading books.
• Quote a famous line to create an interesting hook.
• Talk about the joy of reading. For instance, if you love to read fiction, you could talk about how reading transports you to a different world. 

Overview of your favourite book: 

• After building some context about the books you like to read, state the name of your favourite book. 
• Explain a little bit about the book. For example, what genre is it? 
• Briefly describe the book, like what the plot revolves around.

Talk about what makes this book exciting for you: 

• Talk about the features in the book that stood out to you.
• Describe your favourite characters/scenes from the book.  
• Try to bring out the personal connection you share with the book. Why is it so important to you? What emotions did the book evoke in you? 

Conclusion: 

• Summarise the key points and discuss why you’d recommend it to others.

Here are three model answers to help you. 

Pro Tip: Memorising answers is a big NO! Take a cue from these answers, and write your own by adding a personal twist!

Describe an Exciting Book that you Enjoy Reading: Model Answer 1

Introduction: 

• Books are one of the truly cherished treasures of my life. One quote that is really close to my heart is from George R.R. Martin. It says, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.” 

• I relate to this as each book transports me to a world of its own, and I get to put myself in the character’s shoes. 

Overview of the book: 

• One such book was Harry Potter. Harry Potter is a fictional book that revolves around a young wizard and his friends defeating an evil wizard. 

• The author of the book, J.K Rowling, has created an interesting world of magic so different from reality and completely filled with intrigue! 

Features that make it exciting: 

• Though Harry Potter was initially written as a children’s book, I think it stands out to people of all ages. 

• The most exciting thing about this book is the story of friendship and how, against all odds, good wins over evil. I felt really drawn to the characters and their individual stories.

Conclusion: 

• Even though Harry Potter had an obvious ending from the beginning, the way the plot unravels into a web of different stories within a story appeals to me. 

• I strongly believe this book is timeless and recommend everyone read it at least once. The movies are equally entertaining.

Describe an Exciting Book that you Enjoy Reading: Model Answer 2

Introduction: 

• Books are my best friends. I picked up the habit of reading from my parents, who happily filled my childhood with various kinds of books. 

• One of the genres that I enjoy is Mystery and thriller. Naturally, Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors. 

Overview of the book:

• Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is one of the books I enjoy reading. The book begins on a luxurious train and takes a surprising turn when someone is killed.

• The lead in the book is the famous detective, Hercule Poirot.

Features that make it exciting: 

• One of the main features that is so exciting about the book is the storyline. The killer roams free on the train, and it’s up to the detective to find him/her before they run free. 

• Most of Agatha Christie’s books maintain the suspense until the very end. Putting yourself in the shoes of a detective and solving the mystery is a lot of fun.

Conclusion: 

• Murder on the Orient Express has interesting characters, thrilling settings and many mysteries!

• It’s a page-turner. If you like thrillers like me, it’s worth the read. 

Describe an Exciting Book that you Enjoy Reading: Model Answer 3

Introduction: 

• I’m new to reading. I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of reading, so I’m trying to cultivate it as a habit in my life. 

• I have not read that many books, but whenever I do read, I enjoy the activity to the fullest. 

Overview of the book: 

• One of the first books I read was ‘The Diary of a Young Girl.’ I read it in school as a part of my curriculum. 

• The book is filled with diary entries of Anne Frank, a young girl in a hidden annexe with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. 

Features that make it exciting: 

• ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ is not conventionally exciting. It is a devastating book filled with fear, torment, sorrow and many tragedies. 

• But it is memorable to me because the book is touching and is filled with emotions. Anne Frank’s ability to look for joy even in a dire situation was a lesson to me.

Conclusion:

• Reading about the tragedies of the Holocaust from a young girl’s perspective was eye-opening to me. It is a book I will never forget.

Also Read:

Describe A Cafe You Like To Visit

Describe a Long Car Journey You Went on

Describe a Time When You Observed the Stars

Describe a Difficult Thing You Did

Describe an Exciting Book that you Enjoy Reading: Follow-Up Questions

The follow-up questions related to ‘Describe an Exciting Book that You Enjoy Reading’ come under part 3 of the IELTS speaking test. 

IELTS Speaking Part 3 lasts for 4-5 minutes. In this round, the examiner will discuss points from your previous response. 

The key here is to be concise and answer to the point. However, definitely avoid giving single-line answers. Try to add a couple of supporting statements to add context and completeness to your answer.

Here are some common questions and sample answers about ‘Describe an Exciting Book that You Enjoy Reading.’

Question: Do you prefer books or movies?

Answer A: I find books to be more impactful than movies. I find that it is easier for me to immerse myself fully in books than in the movies. Books provide enough space for the characters and story to develop, whereas movies are fast for my taste. 

Answer B: I choose depending on the genre. Reading romance, drama, and self-help books is a fulfilling experience. But, when it comes to fiction, such as sci-fi and fantasy, I love the visual experience that movies provide.

Question: Is reading the book before watching the movie version essential?

Answer A: Yes. I think reading the book provides you with a full picture. Since most movies cut out scenes and characters from the book, you might miss out on the full experience if you don’t read the book before you watch the movie. 

Answer B: Not really. Books may be important to the story sometimes. But reading it before watching every movie may not be necessary. Cinema has developed greatly over the years and can provide a good overall experience. It just depends on individual preferences.

Question: What is your favourite genre of books?

Answer A: I love fantasy books. It’s thrilling to travel to another world and lose yourself in the pages of a book. I think fantasy books allow you to experience a completely different perspective. And, of course, who could not like a story filled with magical, mystical characters? 

Answer B: I have recently been enjoying self-help books. Non-fiction sounds less exciting for many, but it’s fun once you find something you like. Self-help books add to your personal and professional growth. I love the experience, wisdom and lessons that self-help books offer. 

Question: Do boys and girls like the same kinds of books?

Answer A: It depends more on the person than the gender. My friends and I have many favourite books in common. Boys and girls can like the same books, but they can also enjoy books that are distinct to their interests. It depends on their personality, experiences and interests. 

Answer B: It is a common scenario that boys and girls enjoy different kinds of books. But I believe it should not be the norm. Boys and girls should be able to read and enjoy the same kind of books if they want to. Books are for all genders and nationalities.

Tips to Ace the IELTS Cue Card Task!

The IELTS Speaking test is simple to score in if you prepare right. And how do you prepare right? Well, you practise! Verbal language skills can only be improved by practising enough. 

Here are some additional tips straight from our expert’s desks. 

• Practise speaking every day: Pick a prompt and speak about it for 5-10 minutes a day. If you don’t have an audience, feel free to speak in front of a mirror. 
• Build your vocabulary: Learn new words, then learn how to use them in the right context. When you choose the right words, your message becomes clearer and much more impactful. 
• Speak clearly: Practice speaking in a flow. Avoid using words that break the flow, such as ‘um’ and ‘like.’ Take a quick pause if you need to think, but try to speak in complete sentences. 
• Stick to the topic: Answer to the point. You have only 2 minutes to speak, so ensure you answer the question addressing the subject directly. Avoid incomplete and single-line answers.
• Ask for clarification if necessary: If you fail to hear or understand the question, you may ask the examiner to repeat the question. 
• Manage your time: You get only 1 minute to prepare for the answer, so use that time to brainstorm about the topic, gather key points, and organise your thoughts.

Need more help? Sign up for our IELTS Masterclass and get access to expert training, mock tests, IELTS resources, speaking evaluations and more! 

Frequently Asked Questions