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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe a Competition You Would Like to Take Part In: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 13, 2024, 05:50

Overview

Describe a Competition you would like to take part in’ is a popular IELTS Cue-card topic. The total duration of the Individual Long turn task is 3-4 mins. Followed by part 2, in a two-way discussion round, the examiner will ask questions related to the topic given to you in the cue-card section.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe a Competition You Would Like To Take Part In

You should say

  • What kind of competition it is?
  • What would you do in this competition?
  • Why does this competition interest you?
Sample Answers 1

Introduction:

 

  • The competition I eagerly want to take part in is the World Chess Championship.
  • Some of the top chess players take part in the tournament. It takes place after every two years, and the timing for the same can vary. 
     

Describe the competition:

 

  • The opportunity of facing off against the best players on the global stage is a thrilling challenge that aligns with my goals to push my strategic thinking to its limits.
  • Seeking guidance from experienced chess coaches and participating in local tournaments were integral parts of my preparation.

 

Describe what you learn from the competition:

 

  • The level of competition would expose me to diverse playing styles and innovative strategies, fostering a deeper understanding of the game. 
  • The intense mental strain, the need for adaptability to different playing styles, and the pressure to perform at the highest level pose significant hurdles. 

 

Conclusion:

 

  • The World Chess Championship represents the pinnacle of chess excellence, and a deep-seated love for the game fuels my aspiration to participate in it. 
  • The preparation required is rigorous, but the potential for learning and growth is immense.
Sample Answers 2

Introduction:

 

  • I strongly desire to participate in the International Culinary Olympics, a renowned culinary competition typically held every four years. 
  • The timing may vary, but it is a grand celebration of culinary artistry and innovation.
     

Describe the competition:

 

  • The competition offers a chance to showcase my expertise and an unparalleled opportunity to learn from other culinary maestros and immerse myself in the world's diverse culinary traditions.
  • I spent months experimenting with new ingredients, refining my techniques, and perfecting the presentation of my signature dishes to prepare for the examination.
     

Describe what you learned from the competition:

 

  • Exposure to a global array of culinary styles and techniques would broaden my culinary repertoire. 
  • The feedback from renowned judges and exchanging ideas with fellow participants would contribute to my continuous growth as a chef. 
     

Conclusion:

 

  • The International Culinary Olympics is a platform that resonates with my culinary passion. 
  • The preparation involves a meticulous blend of creativity, technique, and adaptability. 
  • The competition promises the thrill of showcasing culinary artistry and the invaluable experience of learning from and contributing to the global culinary community.
Sample Answers 3

Introduction:

 

  • I participated in the National Robotics Challenge held in April 2023.
  • The competition aimed to bring together robotics enthusiasts from across the country to showcase their skills and innovative creations in the field of robotics.
  • The participants were required to design, build, and program their robots to navigate through complex environments and complete predefined tasks.
     

Describe the competition:

 

  • I decided to participate in the National Robotics Challenge because of my passion for robotics and the opportunity it provided to test my skills against some of the brightest minds in the field.

 

Describe what you learned from the competition:

 

  • I gained insights into problem-solving, collaboration, and the importance of adaptability in a competitive environment. 
  • The competition also enhanced my technical skills, particularly in robotics programming and design.
     

Conclusion:

 

  • The National Robotics Challenge was a rewarding experience that tested my technical abilities and provided a platform for learning, growth, and networking in the robotics community. 
  • The challenges during the competition strengthened my problem-solving skills and highlighted the importance of resilience in facing unexpected obstacles. 

Once part 2 begins, you will be handed a cue card and 4 questions related to it. In our case, the cue card will look something like this: 


We have divided the answer for our topic, ‘Describe a competition you would like to take part in,’ into 4 parts. 
 

Introduction:

 

  • Set some context on when was the competition?
  • What was the competition?

 

Describe the competition:

 

  • Reason for participating in the competition.
  • Explain how you prepared for the competition.
     

Describe what you learn from the competition:

 

  • What are the challenges you faced during the competition?
  • Share your observations of the competition.
     

Conclusion:

 

  • Summarise the context.

Follow-Up Questions

Part 3 of the IELTS speaking section is the two-way discussion round. The examiner will ask you related questions to the topic given to you in individual long-turn tasks. 

 

In this section, you will discuss the topic in general, showcasing to the examiner that you can justify your opinions and your ability to discuss the topic in depth. The discussion round's duration, part 3, will be 4-5 mins. 

Q1. What kind of activities/competitions do people like to participate in?

Answer 1: People enjoy engaging in a variety of activities and competitions, ranging from sports like soccer and tennis to cultural festivals, science fairs, and gaming tournaments.
 

Answer 2: The activities people prefer are diverse, including cultural events, sports competitions, gaming tournaments, and creative pursuits like writing or photography contests. It ultimately depends on individual interests and passions.

Q2. What kinds of competitions are prevalent in your hometown?

Answer 1: In my hometown, sports competitions like football leagues and annual marathon events are prevalent, along with cultural festivals featuring dance, music, and art competitions.
 

Answer 2: Competitions in my hometown often revolve around sports, with soccer tournaments being particularly popular. Additionally, we have annual talent shows and local art exhibitions that showcase the creative talents of our community.

Q3. Why do you think there are many competitive programs on TV today?

Answer 1: Competitive programs on TV are popular because they offer viewers a thrilling and engaging form of entertainment, tapping into the human fascination with challenges, skills, and the triumph of competitors in various fields.
 

Answer 2: The abundance of competitive programs on TV can be attributed to the desire for content that evokes excitement and viewer involvement. These shows leverage the universal appeal of competition, fostering a sense of suspense and enjoyment among audiences.

Q4. Do you think competitions at the workplace are important?

Answer 1: Yes, workplace competitions are essential as they encourage employees to strive for excellence, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and heightened productivity.
 

Answer 2: Competitions in the workplace can be beneficial as they inspire healthy competition, motivating employees to excel, collaborate, and contribute to the overall success of the organization.

FAQs

Q. Can I use informal language during my cue card task?

Ans. While there are no strict rules against using informal language or slang during the cue card task, sticking to a more formal language and tone is advisable. This is because the IELTS is designed to evaluate your proficiency in using English in formal and academic contexts. Therefore, excessive use of casual language may not be suitable for the test.

Q. What vital language elements should I remember while attempting the cue card section?

Ans. The vital language elements you should remember while attempting the cue card section are:

 

  • Punctuation
  • Fluency
  • Language
  • Pronunciation
Q. Is there any dress code for speaking in IELTS?

Ans. There is no specific dress code for the speaking test in IELTS. As such, you can wear comfortable and casual clothes to the test. There is no need to wear a suit or tie. However, it is important to dress appropriately and ensure you are well-groomed for the test.

Q. What are some of the common cue card topics?

Ans. Some of the common cue card topics are:
 

1. Describe a Famous Person that you are interested in: IELTS Cue Card

2. Describe an activity that you do after school/work: IELTS Cue Card

3. Describe a person who impressed you in primary school: IELTS Cue Card

4. Describe an invention that changed people's life: IELTS cue card

5. Describe a person who you believe dresses well: IELTS Cue Card

Q. Can I use informal language during my cue card task?

Ans. While there are no strict rules against using informal language or slang during the cue card task, sticking to a more formal language and tone is advisable. This is because the IELTS is designed to evaluate your proficiency in using English in formal and academic contexts. Therefore, excessive use of casual language may not be suitable for the test.

Q. What is the difference between IELTS speaking parts 2 and 3?

Ans. The IELTS speaking parts 2 and 3 are distinctly different. IELTS part 2 is also known as the Cue card section, and part 3 is the discussion round. In part 2, a topic is given by the examiner, and you are given 1 minute to prepare the answer. After completing the time, you are asked to speak about the topic for 3-4 minutes. In part 3, the examiner asks questions related to the topic given to you in part 2. 

Q. What if I fail my IELTS speaking test?

Ans. The IELTS speaking test can be retaken if you have failed. You will need to repay the fees and then sit for the exam. But before you blindly plan to retake the exam multiple times until you don’t reach the score, you need to analyse your mistake and understand what went wrong in the exam. 

Q. What is the marking scheme for the IELTS speaking test?

Ans. The marking scheme for the IELTS speaking test includes:
 

  • Fluency
  • Coherence 
  • Lexical resource 
  • Grammatical range 
  • Accuracy
  • Pronunciation
Q. How can I get 8.5 in IELTS speaking?

Ans. You can get an 8.5 band score in IELTS speaking with the following tips:
 

  • Build up your accent. 
  • Maintain eye contact while answering the questions.
  • Practice previous topics that are likely to come in the IELTS exam.
  • Practice speaking by talking to the mirror; it will build confidence.
Q. Can I exceed the time limit during the speaking test?

Ans. It is crucial to remember that the speaking test has a strict time limit, and if your answer exceeds the time limit, the examiner may interrupt you and move on to the next question. However, this is a normal exam, and your scores won't be affected.

Q. What is the duration of Part 2 speaking IELTS?

Ans. The total duration of Part 2 IELTS speaking is 3-4 mins

 

  • Preparation time: 1 min
  • Speaking time: 3-4 mins.
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