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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe a Time You Moved to a New Home/School

Updated on Oct 18, 2024, 08:02

Overview

A cue refers to a call for action. And a cue card is a card given to the candidate by the examiner, which mentions a particular cue. 

 

The cue card or task card will display a topic on which you are supposed to speak. The card will also provide 2-4 pointers on which you can elaborate on. The duration of the cue card section is 3-4 minutes.

 

During the given preparation time, structure your answer correctly. The examiner will provide you with a pencil and paper. You can take notes of your essential points and refer to them later.

 

After the one-minute preparation time, the examiner will instruct you to start answering. 

 

Your Speaking results are given as band scores, which range from a band 0 to a band 9. Each whole and half band score corresponds to a level of English-language competence. 

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe a Time You Moved to a New Home/School

You should say

  • When did you move to the new home/school?
  • Where did you move from and to?
  • Why did you move into the new home/school?
  • How did you feel about moving?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction:

 

  • I clearly remember the time when I moved into my new school. It was a very unique experience for me. 

 

When did you move to the new home/school?

 

  • It was during my high school days. I was fourteen back then. 

 

Where did you move from and to?

 

  • I did my early schooling at Duns Model School in Dehradun. I did my kindergarten and elementary studies there. It was a very serene and peaceful place. After my eighth class, I moved to Delhi for my higher education. I did the rest of my schooling at Delhi Public School. 

 

Why did you move to the new home/school?

 

  • I had to move to Delhi because my father got a transfer to his Delhi office. So, my whole family relocated there. 

 

How did you feel about moving?

 

  • It was a difficult time for me. It took quite a while for me to adjust to the new place. All my childhood, I lived in a small town that was very quiet and less crowded. On moving to Delhi, the city life felt completely new to me. 

 

Conclusion: 

 

  • However, I adjusted to the new setting after a couple of months. I made new friends in Delhi and slowly got used to the city vibes. Now, I have completely turned into a person who enjoys city life. 
Sample Answer 2

Introduction:

 

  • My apartment is my comfort place. Even though I love travelling and hanging around outside, I always rush into my flat by the end of the day. 

 

When did you move to the new home/school?

 

  • I bought my apartment a few years ago. If I remember correctly, it was in 2018. 

 

Where did you move from and to?

 

  • Earlier, I used to stay with my parents in Gurgaon. I recently bought this new apartment, which is situated in the centre of New Delhi city. 

 

Why did you move to the new home/school?

 

  • The main reason I shifted my flat is that earlier it was much more difficult for me to travel to my office every day. Now I live near my workplace. It is much easier for me to reach my office directly. 

 

How did you feel about moving?

 

  • Initially, it took some time for me to find a good place with a proper view and lighting. Once I moved in, I loved it. It is so comfortable and cosy for me to live there. I got to experience several new things. 

 

Conclusion: 

 

  • Although adjusting to the new setting took a while, it was amusing and new for me. I would recommend living alone because it gives you a chance to experience several new things and you will also learn to manage things on your own. 

The first key to answering a cue card topic is structuring your answer within the given time. During your preparation time, plan your answer appropriately. 

 

You can obey the following practices for better execution:

 

  • Note down your main points in the paper, such as the examples, definitions and references. 
  • Do not take a lot of time to make notes. 
  • Write down the keywords for your reference. 
  • Start your answer with a short introduction to the topic. 
  • Then, move to the explanation part. Explain with instances.
  • In the end, give a short conclusion. 

 

You can answer your cue card in any way convenient to you. One of the most recommended methods is to break down the topic into questions and answers. 

 

Break down your topic into 3-4 basic questions. Then, answer each one of them in order. This will help you to cover all the main points under the given topic. 

 

Let us break down the topic "Describe a Time You Moved to a New Home/school" into questions.

 

Major questions to cover:

 

  • When did you move to the new home/school?
  • Where did you move from and to?
  • Why did you move into the new home/school?
  • How did you feel about moving?

 

After breaking down into questions, answer each one of them. We have compiled a few sample answers for your reference. Check out how the answers are structured. Try to cover all the questions within the given time. 

Follow-Up Questions

After completing the cue card section, the discussion section is the third part of the IELTS Speaking test. The examiner will ask you a few questions based on your cue card.

 

Remember that it is the language of your answer that is relevant rather than your opinions. Make sure you answer with proper language structure, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. 

 

We have provided sample questions for the cue card topic “Describe a Time You Moved to a New Home/School”. You refer to the sample answers to learn how to frame your sentences.

 

Check out the sample questions and their answers below. 

Q1. What is the biggest challenge when moving to a new place?

Answer: The biggest challenge in moving to a new place can be subjective. For me, the most challenging task is to adjust to the cultural setting of the place. People who migrate or move into a foreign country often complain about the cultural shock. It can be challenging to understand and adjust to new faces. 

Q2. What is a common reason why people move places?

Answer: People can move places for several reasons. Some of the common reasons are work and studies. People even migrate to a different country for better job opportunities and payments. These days, we see many students opting for foreign universities for their higher education. 

Q3. What are the advantages of moving to a new place?

Answer: Moving to a new country or place opens up several new possibilities for you. It gives you a fresh start. You can try new food and try visiting new places. Moving to a new place also allows you to create new relationships.

FAQs

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

Ans. The marking scheme for the IELTS speaking test is based on the following criteria:
 

  • Fluency in the language
  • Grammar accuracy
  • Punctuation
Q. What is the duration of the IELTS speaking part 2?

Ans. The duration of the IELTS speaking part 2 or cue card section is 3-4 minutes. The whole section is further divided into two parts:
 

  • Preparation time: 1 minute.
  • Speaking time: 2-3 minutes.
Q. What is the duration of the speaking test?

Ans. The total duration of the speaking test is 11 to 14 minutes. The speaking test is divided into three parts.
 

  • Part 1: the introduction round (4-5 minutes)
  • Part 2: the cue card section (3-4 minutes)
  • Part 3: the discussion round (4-5 minutes)
Q. How do you prepare your answer for 2 minutes in IELTS speaking?

Ans. When the examiner gives you the cue card, it also contains hints related to the topic. So, during the preparation of 1 min, you should strategise your answer and write any phrases or keywords that come to your mind. You should use the time to structure and frame the answer. Once your speaking time starts, start with the answer directly and complete it within the time allotted in the right tone.

Q. What are the other commonly asked cue card topics?

Ans. The other commonly asked cue card topics are:

 

  • Describe an activity that you do after school/work cue card
  • Describe a long car journey you went on cue card
  • Describe a person who you believe dresses well
  • Describe A Cafe You Like To Visit IELTS Cue Card
  • Describe an invention changed the people’s life IELTS cue card
  • Describe a person who impressed you in primary school cue card.
Q. Is the speaking test for Academic and General the same?

Ans. Yes, there is no difference between the academic and general speaking tests. The duration of the speaking test is 11-14 minutes in total. The speaking test is usually based on a one-to-one interview with the examiner. The speaking test is done in 3 rounds:
 

  • The introduction round.
  • The cue card section or long run individual round.
  • The discussion round.
Q. How do you frame your answer in 1 minute?

Ans. You can frame your answer during the preparation time of 1 minute. You should divide your topic into sub-parts and try to frame your answer accordingly.

Q. What are the fees for the IELTS test?

Ans. The fee for the IELTS test is 16,250 INR. The computer test fee for the IELTS test has been revised to 16,500 INR. Please note that the test fees are subject to change, and you should keep checking the official website for further information.

Q. Can I disagree with the examiner’s opinion?

Ans. Yes, you can disagree with the examiner’s opinion. You should know that your views are not considered in the evaluation. The examiner evaluates the factors such as:
 

  • Fluency 
  • Pronunciation
  • Accuracy of grammar
Q. Can I exceed the time limit during the speaking test?

Ans. You cannot exceed the time limit during the speaking test. If your answer is too long, the examiner can stop you from answering and move on to the next question. It is the natural process of the exam, and your marks won’t be deducted. 

Q. How do you find resources for practising cue-card topics?

Ans. The various resources that are available for practising cue-card topics are:
 

  • Online Platform
  • Books
  • IELTS prep by Leap Scholar website.
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