Study Abroad
IELTS
Sign in
Sign Up
Updated on Nov 12, 2024, 08:25
In the IELTS Speaking Test, the topic “Describe Your First Day at School” prompts you to recall a personal memory and share your experience in detail. This topic tests your ability to describe emotions, settings, and specific events clearly. When preparing for this cue card, focus on highlighting key aspects like your feelings, the people you met, and the new environment. It also allows you to practise expressing past events with accurate tenses, a crucial skill to achieve a higher IELTS score.
Practising this topic will help improve your fluency and coherence, two important criteria in the IELTS Speaking section. By focusing on structuring your response with an introduction, key moments, and a conclusion, you’ll gain the confidence to handle other cue card topics effectively. Additionally, sharing personal experiences in this manner enhances your ability to narrate events naturally, which can be beneficial in boosting your IELTS band score.
Introduction (Covers: Describe your first day at school.)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How did you feel on your first day of school?)
Key Highlights (Covers: What significant events occurred on your first day of school?)
Conclusion (Covers: What did you learn from your first day of school?)
Introduction (Covers: Describe your first day at school.)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How did you feel on your first day of school?)
Key Highlights (Covers: What significant events occurred on your first day of school?)
Conclusion (Covers: What did you learn from your first day of school?)
Introduction (Covers: Describe your first day at school.)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How did you feel on your first day of school?)
Key Highlights (Covers: What significant events occurred on your first day of school?)
Conclusion (Covers: What did you learn from your first day of school?)
Also Read: Idioms for IELTS Speaking Test 2024
When the cue card section starts, the examiner will hand you a card with a topic written on it. You will have one minute to prepare your response, and then you will need to speak about the topic for one to two minutes. This is your opportunity to showcase your ability to speak fluently and coherently on a given subject.
The best way to answer these cue cards is by breaking down your response into four parts: Introduction, describing your experience/opinion/interest, key highlights, and conclusion.
Introduction (Covers: Describe your first day at school.)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How did you feel on your first day of school?)
Key Highlights (Covers: What significant events occurred on your first day of school?)
Conclusion (Covers: What did you learn from your first day of school?)
By following this structure, you will be able to deliver a well-organised, comprehensive and engaging response within the time limit of two minutes.
In IELTS Speaking Part 3, the examiner will ask follow-up questions based on the topic you discussed in Part 2. In this case, we will focus on the topic “Describe Your First Day At School”.
These questions will require you to provide more detailed and complex answers, indicating your ability to discuss a topic.
We have provided some follow-up questions along with sample answers for better understanding.
Answer 1: My first day at school significantly impacted my education. It helped me to adjust to the new environment and set the tone for the rest of my academic journey. It also taught me the importance of being open and friendly to new people and experiences.
Answer 2: My first day at school set a positive tone for my educational journey. The welcoming environment and friendly classmates helped me develop a love for learning. It made me feel comfortable and excited about going to school every day, which has been crucial for my academic success.
Answer 1: Schools should aim to balance academic excellence and social development. While academic excellence is essential, social development is equally crucial as it helps students develop essential life skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership.
Answer 2: I believe schools should strike a balance between academic excellence and social development. Both are essential for a student’s overall growth. While academic knowledge is important, social skills help students interact effectively and build meaningful relationships.
Answer 1: Schools can take several steps to make new students feel more comfortable on their first day. For instance, they can assign a student or staff member to guide and show the new student around the school. Additionally, they can encourage students to get to know each other better.
Answer 2: To make new students feel comfortable, schools can create a welcoming environment with ice-breaking activities. Teachers can also give special attention to new students, helping them settle in and feel part of the school community quickly.
Answer 1: Technology has significantly changed how students experience their first day at school. For instance, schools can use virtual tours and online resources to show students what to expect on their first day. Additionally, students can use technology to connect with other students before the first day, which can help to ease their anxiety.
Answer 2: Technology has made the first day at school more engaging and interactive. Digital tools like virtual tours of the school and online orientation programmes help students familiarise themselves with the new environment before they even arrive.
Ans. The IELTS exam can be a challenging but rewarding experience for Indian students. Students can improve their language skills and perform well in the exam with dedication and hard work. The IELTS exam is an opportunity for students to showcase their English proficiency and gain access to various academic and professional opportunities. With the proper preparation and mindset, Indian students can overcome challenges and achieve their desired scores in the IELTS exam.
Ans. To practice for the IELTS speaking test, you can start by speaking English with friends or family. Record yourself speaking and listen to it to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, you can listen to English podcasts, watch English films or TV shows, and read English books to improve your vocabulary and grammar.
Ans. You must display advanced English language skills to get an 8 score on the IELTS speaking test. This includes using a variety of complex sentence structures, precise vocabulary, and fluency. You should also express your opinions and ideas coherently and accurately. Practice speaking English with a native speaker, listen to English news and podcasts, and familiarise yourself with common IELTS speaking topics to improve your chances of getting a high score.
Ans. To prepare for a cue card in one minute, read the topic carefully and make some notes. Plan your answer by organising your thoughts and focusing on the main points. Use simple and relevant vocabulary to express your thoughts clearly. Practice speaking fluently and confidently to deliver your answer in a structured manner.
Ans. To start Part 3 in the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner will ask you questions related to the topic presented in Part 2. These questions are designed to delve deeper into the topic and assess your ability to express your opinions and ideas fluently and coherently. Listen carefully to the questions and take a moment to organise your thoughts before responding. It’s crucial to answer the questions honestly and in detail, using a range of vocabulary to showcase your language skills.
Ans. In the IELTS Speaking test, the Cue Card is a card that features a specific topic which the test-taker has to speak about for two minutes. The test-taker is given 1 minute to prepare before start talking. The topics generally revolve around personal experiences or opinions, and the objective is to evaluate the test-taker's ability to express their thoughts fluently and organise their ideas effectively.
Ans. The IELTS exam fee in India varies depending on the test type and location. As of 2023, the Academic or General Training test fee is INR 16,250. However, the computer-delivered IELTS test is more expensive than the paper-based test. It’s recommended to check the official IELTS website for the latest fees and payment methods.
Ans. The IELTS cue cards are an essential part of the IELTS Speaking Test. These cue cards are updated after every 4 months, and 50% of the topics are changed every April, September, and December. This means there will always be new topics to discuss, making it more challenging for candidates to prepare. Additionally, you can find sample cue cards online to help you prepare for the test.
Ans. In the IELTS Speaking test, each section holds a different weightage. Part 2 (Individual Long Turn) has the most significant weightage, which is 50% of the overall speaking test. This section assesses your ability to speak fluently, organise your thoughts, and use various words effectively. Part 1 (Introduction And Interview) holds a 30% weightage and is an introduction where the examiner asks general questions. Part 3 (Discussion) has a 20% weightage and involves a detailed discussion between you and the examiner on the topic presented in Part 2.
Ans. To speak perfectly in the IELTS speaking test, practising regularly is essential. You can improve your speaking skills by listening to English speakers, repeating their words, and practising pronunciation. Expand your vocabulary and learn useful expressions that will help you on the test. Finally, try to remain calm and confident during the test and speak clearly and fluently.
Ans. Yes, you can ask the examiner to repeat the question in the IELTS speaking test if you don’t understand it or need clarification. It’s better to ask for repetition than to give an incorrect answer or not answer at all. Just politely say, “Excuse me, could you please repeat the question?” and the examiner will repeat it for you.
Ans. The IELTS Speaking test is a personal interview with a certified examiner. It has 3 parts and takes around 11-14 minutes to complete. In Part 1, the examiner asks general questions to introduce you. In Part 2, you receive a cue card with a specific topic to speak about for two minutes. In Part 3, the examiner asks deeper questions related to the topic in Part 2.
Get the IELTS Prep App
4.2
1M+ Installs
Get the IELTS Prep App
4.2
1M+ Installs
Get the app link on your phone
Or download app from
IELTS Exam
IELTS Exam Date
IELTS Exam Fee
IELTS Modules
IELTS Listening Practice Test
IELTS Speaking Practice Test
IELTS Reading Practice Test
IELTS Writing Practice Test
IELTS Test Centres
IELTS Results
Types of IELTS
IELTS Pattern
IELTS Exam Eligibilty
IELTS Slot Booking
IELTS Band Score
IELTS Registration
IELTS Books
IELTS Preparation
IELTS Practice Test
IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Hyderabad
IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Bangalore
IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Chennai
IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Amritsar
IELTS Centre and Dates in Ludhiana
IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Mumbai
IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Ahmedabad
IELTS Centre and Dates in Delhi
IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Chandigarh
IELTS Center and Dates in Pune
Describe a Skill That you can teach other people
Describe a Place you Visited Where the Air was Polluted
Describe a Famous Person that you are Interested in
Describe a Course That You Want to Learn
Describe a Person who Solved a Problem in Smart Way
Describe a Prize That You Received
Describe a Volunteering Experience You Have Had
Describe a Piece of Good News
Describe Something you Taught to Your Friend
Talk About an Interesting Old Person you Met Recently
Describe a Daily Routine That You Enjoy