Describe an area of science (biology, robotics, etc.) that you are interested in and would like to learn more about: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Which area it is?
When and where you came to know this area?
How you get information about this area?
And explain why you are interested in this area.

92 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific area of biology are you most interested in?

I am particularly fascinated by genetics. The way genes influence traits and behaviors in living organisms is intriguing. I would love to learn more about genetic engineering and its potential applications in medicine and agriculture.

How do you think studying biology can impact your future career?

Studying biology can open up various career paths for me, such as medicine, research, or environmental science. Understanding biological processes is crucial in fields like healthcare, where I could contribute to advancements in treatment and patient care.

Can you share an interesting fact you learned about biology?

One interesting fact I learned is that the human body contains around 37.2 trillion cells, each performing specific functions. This complexity highlights the incredible organization and efficiency of life, making biology a truly captivating field to explore.

Band >7

00:00

So the area of science that I'm more interested in is probably biology, I think. During my college time, I learnt biology and it seems interesting subject to me at that time. Like learning our own body system and how our body works and what things we should have to keep in our mind to maintain our body and things like that. It creates more interest towards that subject. But as a subject, I feel it was good but I'm not thinking to make career in it. Also some topics seems more interesting to me like reproduction, how female reproductive system works and gaining knowledge about everything related to body. And the most part excites me to learn more about is how our body works, it's also helpful.

Follow up questions

What specific topics in biology do you find most fascinating?

I find topics like human anatomy, genetics, and the reproductive system particularly fascinating. Understanding how our organs function and the genetic factors that influence our health intrigues me. I also enjoy learning about the processes of reproduction and how they impact overall health.

How do you think studying biology can benefit your daily life?

Studying biology can help me make informed decisions about my health and wellness. It allows me to understand nutrition, exercise, and the importance of mental health. This knowledge can lead to better lifestyle choices and a deeper appreciation for how my body functions.

Are there any recent advancements in biology that you find interesting?

Yes, advancements in genetic engineering, such as CRISPR technology, are fascinating. They have the potential to revolutionize medicine by allowing us to edit genes and treat genetic disorders. Additionally, research in stem cells and regenerative medicine is exciting and could change how we approach healing and recovery.

Band 7

00:00

I'm really interested in Artificial Intelligence and one field that I'm particularly passionate about is the field of Reinforcement Learning. It's a branch of Artificial Intelligence where an AI model is taught not through datasets but by self play training. That is, it is rewarded when it does good actions and it is punished when it does bad actions. It is similar to teaching a child. Now I came to know about this from an AI called AlphaZero that was developed by Google to play the game of chess. Now this bot unlike other chess bots was actually taught to play chess by playing with itself. Now this AI learned the game of chess by playing around 10 million games of chess against itself and through self play it was able to reward itself for good moves and punish itself for bad moves and ended up becoming a really good so much so that it could beat actual classically trained AI bots. Now I learned a lot about this from the internet, YouTube and AI models like GPT and I feel like this is the future of AI. Reinforcement Learning has applications in other fields too such as self-driving cars. Tesla, the company that released self-driving cars in USA has actually tested out Reinforcement Learning and feels like it is the future even though it can't be implemented right now because of the computational limitations that we have in today's world. Now I personally used Reinforcement Learning to train an AI to play the game of connect 4 for my college final year project. I am also releasing a research paper in a well-known science journal of the same.

Follow up questions

What are some challenges in implementing Reinforcement Learning in real-world applications?

One major challenge is the need for vast amounts of data and computational power. Reinforcement Learning requires extensive training, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Additionally, ensuring safety and reliability in critical applications like self-driving cars is crucial, as errors can have serious consequences.

How do you think Reinforcement Learning will evolve in the next few years?

I believe that as computational power increases and algorithms improve, Reinforcement Learning will become more efficient and applicable in various fields. We might see advancements in real-time decision-making systems, better training methods, and more robust AI models that can handle complex tasks with minimal human intervention.

Can you explain how you applied Reinforcement Learning in your college project?

In my project, I designed an AI that played Connect 4 using Reinforcement Learning. I implemented a reward system where the AI received points for winning moves and penalties for losing ones. This self-play approach allowed the AI to learn strategies over time, improving its gameplay significantly.

Practice other cue cards

Describe an ideal and perfect place where you would like to stay (e.g. a house, an apartment)

View answers

Describe your ideal home or place to live.

View answers

Describe a sport you would watch.

View answers

Describe your favourite way to relax.

View answers

Band 7

00:00

I am interested in Artificial Intelligence and I would like to learn more about this specific topic. I think Artificial Intelligence will change the world. I got to know about Artificial Intelligence with the launch of CHAT-GPT in U.S. With the growing trend and developments happening in this specific field is mind blowing and will create immense value for our ecosystem. Artificial Intelligence has evolved in the last many years. With the help of our engineers they built and developed new types of AI. For example, CHAT-GPT is an open source model, we can use that model and create new apps. I think using these versions will be imperative and add value to our society.

Follow up questions

What specific applications of AI do you find most exciting?

I find applications like natural language processing and computer vision particularly exciting. They have the potential to revolutionize industries such as healthcare, where AI can assist in diagnostics, and in customer service, where chatbots can enhance user experience.

How do you think AI will impact job markets in the future?

AI will likely automate many routine tasks, which could lead to job displacement in some sectors. However, it will also create new job opportunities in AI development, maintenance, and oversight, requiring a shift in skills and education for the workforce.

What ethical concerns do you think are associated with AI?

There are several ethical concerns, including data privacy, bias in AI algorithms, and the potential for misuse of AI technologies. It's crucial to address these issues to ensure that AI is developed and used responsibly for the benefit of society.

Band 7

00:00

The area of science that really interests me is astronomy, celestial objects, the vastness of the universe. These are questions that have always been extremely intriguing to me. As a child, my father would always set the telescope on our terrace and on a clear night, we would go up post dinner and look around the vastness of the universe. We would talk about how the planets moved around the sun, how stars were so far away that even light took years to reach there. And all of these ideas, they just became a core part of me. Even now, when I come across any science fiction movies, I make sure that I go to the theaters to watch them. Interstellar being one of those movies which made me realize that I was extremely passionate about space, about all the dark matter that's out there, and how we are just a speck of dust in this huge, huge desert.

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of astronomy fascinate you the most?

I am particularly fascinated by black holes and the concept of time dilation. The idea that time can behave differently in various gravitational fields is mind-boggling. I also find the search for exoplanets and the possibility of extraterrestrial life incredibly exciting.

How do you think advancements in technology have impacted astronomy?

Advancements in technology have revolutionized astronomy. Telescopes have become more powerful, allowing us to see farther into space. Space missions, like the Hubble Space Telescope, have provided invaluable data, and new technologies like AI are helping us analyze vast amounts of astronomical data.

Do you think studying astronomy can help us understand our place in the universe?

Absolutely! Studying astronomy helps us comprehend the scale of the universe and our tiny role within it. It encourages a sense of humility and curiosity about our existence, prompting questions about life beyond Earth and the future of humanity in the cosmos.

Show all 92 answers

Cue 1:Which area it is?

Clearly state the area of science you are interested in, such as biology, robotics, or astronomy.
Provide a brief definition or explanation of this area to give context.

Example

I am particularly interested in robotics. Robotics is a branch of engineering and science that deals with the design, construction, operation, and use of robots. It combines elements of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.

Cue 2:When and where you came to know this area?

Share a specific moment or experience when you first learned about this area of science.
Mention any particular event, class, or person that inspired your interest.

Example

I first came to know about robotics during my high school science fair. I saw a demonstration of a simple robot that could navigate through obstacles. This experience sparked my curiosity and made me want to learn more about how robots are built and programmed.

Cue 3:How you get information about this area?

Discuss the resources you use to gather information, such as books, online courses, or workshops.
Mention any specific websites, authors, or institutions that have been helpful.

Example

To gather more information about robotics, I often read books and articles from authors like Daniel H. Wilson. I also follow online courses on platforms like Coursera and YouTube, where I can find tutorials on building and programming robots.

Cue 4:And explain why you are interested in this area.

Explain your personal motivation for wanting to learn more about this area.
Connect your interest to future aspirations or career goals.

Example

I am interested in robotics because I believe it has the potential to revolutionize many industries, from healthcare to manufacturing. I aspire to work in this field to contribute to innovative solutions that can improve people's lives, such as developing robots that assist the elderly or help in disaster recovery.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my interest in robotics stems from a combination of early exposure, continuous learning, and a desire to make a positive impact through technology. I look forward to exploring this fascinating field further and possibly pursuing a career in it.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Vague Responses

Providing unclear or general answers can make your response less engaging. Specificity is key to demonstrating your knowledge and interest in the topic.

Tip

Use specific examples and details when discussing the area of science to make your answer more vivid and interesting.

2: Lack of Structure

Failing to organize your thoughts can lead to a confusing response. A well-structured answer helps the examiner follow your ideas easily.

Tip

Follow the cue prompts in order to create a clear structure: start with the area, then discuss when and how you learned about it, and finish with your interest.

Overly Technical Language

Using too much jargon or complex terminology can alienate the listener. It's important to communicate your ideas clearly and simply.

Tip

Explain concepts in simple terms and avoid overly technical language to ensure your audience understands your passion for the subject.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.