IELTS Cue Cards on Social Issues

The social issues category assesses a candidate's fluency, coherence, and lexical resource by testing their ability to:

• Discuss current social problems and their impact on society.
• Express opinions on important global and local issues.
• Narrate personal experiences or observations related to social concerns.
• Use appropriate vocabulary to describe social change, policies, and awareness campaigns.

The steps to answer the Social Issues Cue Cards are as follows:

1. Use the 5W + 1H Technique for Structuring Responses

This structured approach ensures clarity and depth in your response:

• What – What is the social issue?
• Where – Where is it most prevalent?
• When – When did it become a major concern?
• Why – Why is it important?
• Who – Who is affected by it?
• How – How can it be addressed or solved?

2. Use Descriptive Language to Make Your Answer Engaging

To make your response compelling, describe:

• Impact on People: "Rising unemployment has led to increased homelessness."
• Causes & Effects: "Deforestation contributes to climate change by reducing carbon absorption."
• Solutions & Initiatives: "NGOs have started campaigns to educate people about recycling."

3. Express Opinions and Comparisons

• "In my opinion, stricter laws are needed to combat pollution."
• "Unlike the past, modern society is more aware of mental health issues."
• "I believe investing in education is more effective than short-term aid."

Here’s an expanded IELTS speaking vocabulary table with meanings and example sentences: