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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe An Unusual Meal That You Had: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 13, 2024, 05:41

Overview

For the IELTS Cue Card prompt, "Describe An Unusual Meal That You Had," I would like to share my experience of trying a traditional dish while visiting a remote village in India. The meal was unique in its taste, ingredients, and cooking method, and it left a lasting impression on me.


IELTS Speaking has three parts, which remain the same in both tests(academic & general). The cue card round is filled with simple topics such as personal interests, experiences, environmental and societal issues, and general knowledge.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe An Unusual Meal That You Had.

You should say

  • Who were you with?
  • Where did you go?
  • When did it happen?
  • Why was it unusual?
  • How did you feel after eating it?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction:

 

  • Last summer, I had the opportunity to try an unusual meal with some adventurous friends. 
  • We were craving something unusual and decided to explore a unique dining experience together.
     

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Use connectors to organise your thoughts smoothly. Words like “therefore” and “however” make your speech flow naturally and keep your response well-structured.

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Who were you with?
 

  • I was with a group of close friends who shared a love for trying new things, especially regarding food. 
  • We all enjoy pushing our culinary boundaries and seeking novel dining experiences.
     

Where did you go?

 

  • We stumbled upon a small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the city's heart. 
  • It was tucked away in a narrow alley, and if we weren't actively searching for it, we might have missed it entirely.
     

When did it happen?

 

  • It was a warm Saturday evening, the kind of night that just begs for adventure. 
  • We spontaneously embarked on this culinary journey and went to the restaurant without any prior reservations.
     

Why was it unusual?
 

  • What made this meal truly unusual was that the restaurant specialised in insect cuisine. Yes, you heard that right – insects. 
  • From cricket tacos to ant guacamole, the menu was unlike anything we had ever seen. 
  • While it may sound strange to some, we were intrigued by exploring alternative protein sources and embracing sustainability in our diet.
     

How did you feel after eating it?
 

  • I'll admit I was a bit apprehensive at first. The thought of biting into a crunchy cricket or munching on a savoury grasshopper was definitely outside my comfort zone. 
  • However, I was pleasantly surprised once I took that first bite. The flavours were surprisingly delicious, and the textures added an interesting twist to each dish. 
  • By the end of the meal, I felt adventurous and satisfied, knowing that I had expanded my palate and tried something completely new.
     

Conclusion:
 

  • Dining on insect cuisine was a memorable and eye-opening experience. 
  • It challenged my preconceived notions about food and opened my mind to the possibilities of sustainable eating. 
  • Sharing this unusual meal with my friends only added to the fun and excitement of the evening, making it a dining experience that I'll never forget.
Sample Answer 2

Introduction:
 

  • A few months ago, I had an unusual dining experience which was totally unexpected and unforgettable. 
  • That place's food ambience and aura were unusual and made it stand out from all the other places I have been to.  
     

Who were you with?
 

  • I was accompanied by close friends who share my adventurous spirit when trying new foods. 
  • We often seek out unique dining experiences together, and this was no exception.
     

Where did you go?
 

  • We stumbled upon a quaint little restaurant tucked away in a side street of the city, known for its eccentric approach to fusion cuisine. 
  • The place was called "Flavors of the World," promising a culinary journey.
     

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Develop a range of vocabulary for different topics to showcase your skills. Using topic-specific words makes your responses more precise and impressive.

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When did it happen?
 

  • It was a chilly evening in late autumn when we decided to venture into this culinary adventure. 
  • The dimly lit streets and the promise of warmth and flavour drew us into the cosy restaurant.
     

Why was it unusual?
 

  • The chef's bold experimentation with unexpected flavour combinations made this meal truly unusual. 
  • One particular dish caught our attention - curry rice served with a twist. Instead of the traditional Indian or Thai curry, the chef had concocted a fusion of Japanese curry with Mexican influences. 
  • Picture tender slices of beef simmered in a rich curry sauce infused with hints of chipotle peppers and cumin, served over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice. It was a culinary mash-up that we couldn't resist trying.
     

How did you feel after eating it?
 

  • After the first bite, I was pleasantly surprised by the explosion of flavours on my palate. 
  • The creamy texture of the curry combined with the smoky heat of the chipotle created a symphony of taste sensations that left me craving more. 
  • Despite the initial scepticism about such an unconventional pairing, I thoroughly enjoyed every bite.
     

Conclusion:
 

  • That unusual meal not only tantalised my taste buds but also sparked my curiosity about the endless possibilities of fusion cuisine. 
  • It reminded me that the most memorable dining experiences sometimes involve stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing the unexpected.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction:
 

  • Last winter, I had one of the most unusual meals of my life. 
  • It was a memorable experience because of the food and the surrounding circumstances.
     

Who were you with?
 

  • I was with adventurous friends who were always looking for unique dining experiences. 
  • We're all food enthusiasts, so trying something out of the ordinary was right up our alley.
     

Where did you go?
 

  • We stumbled upon a small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant tucked away in a bustling part of the city. 
  • Its unassuming exterior matched its inviting aroma, which drew us in.
     

When did it happen?
 

  • We embarked on this culinary adventure on a chilly evening in winter's heart. 
  • The frosty air made us crave something warm and comforting.
     

Why was it unusual?
 

  • What made this meal stand out was the unconventional combination of flavours. 
  • Instead of something familiar, we decided to try a fusion dish that blended Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines. 
  • It was a shawarma with a twist—it had elements of Korean barbecue infused into it.
     

How did you feel after eating it?
 

  • I have to admit, I was a bit sceptical at first. Mixing Korean and Middle Eastern flavours sounded like a risky experiment. 
  • But after the first bite, I was pleasantly surprised. 
  • The marriage of savoury beef, tangy kimchi, and fragrant spices created an explosion of flavours in my mouth. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted before.
     

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Answer questions fully by including reasons and examples. Adding details shows a clear thought process and boosts your score!

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Conclusion:
 

  • That unusual meal satisfied our hunger and sparked our curiosity and sense of culinary adventure. 
  • It taught me to keep an open mind regarding food because you never know when you'll stumble upon a hidden gem that challenges your taste buds in the best possible way.

Once part 2 begins, you will be handed a cue card and 4 questions related to it. The cue card will look like this:
 

To answer cue card prompts effectively, break them into sections: introduction, key highlights, and conclusion. Provide context in the introduction, add specific examples in key highlights, and summarise your main points in the conclusion.
 

Considering that, here's how we'll break our topic down.
 

Introduction:
 

  • Start by introducing the occasion and setting the scene. Tell me who you've been with, where you've gone, and when it happened.
“Last summer, I had the most unusual meal of my life while on vacation with my friends in Thailand. It was a hot and humid evening, and we decided to explore a local Night market in Bangkok. The vibrant atmosphere and tantalising smells drew us in, and little did we know, we were about to embark on a culinary adventure unlike any other.”

Who were you with?
 

  • Tell us about the people you've been with during that meal. Tell me about your relationship with them and their role in providing memorable food experiences.
“I was with a group of close friends curious about trying new foods. We often embarked on culinary adventures together, eager to discover unique flavours and dishes.”

Where did you go?
 

  • Tell about the location where you ate. Provide information on the setting and any particular characteristics contributing to the meal's strange nature.
“We stumbled upon a quaint family-owned restaurant tucked away in the heart of the village. The rustic ambience and the aroma of exotic spices wafting from the kitchen immediately piqued our interest."

When did it happen?
 

  • Specify the date and time at which this meal was served. All relevant details, such as the season or time of day which add to the uniqueness of this experience, shall be mentioned.
“It was a sunny afternoon in late spring when we decided to venture into the village's culinary scene. The warm weather heightened our appetite for exploration, and we were excited to see what the local cuisine offered."

Why was it unusual?
 

  • Explain why your meal was unusual compared to the typical experience of eating in restaurants. Tell us about any unusual ingredients, cooking techniques or cultural influences that have made them memorable.
“What made this meal truly unusual was the menu's incorporation of uncommon ingredients sourced directly from the village's surroundings. From foraged mushrooms to wild herbs and game meats, each dish offered a taste of the region's rich culinary heritage."

How did you feel after eating it?
 

  • Share your emotions and reactions to having that cuisine or dish. When you eat an unusual meal, share your feelings and thoughts. 
  • Let's talk about how your senses are influenced by the flavours, textures, and experiences you have had.
“After indulging in the eclectic array of dishes, I felt a sense of culinary enlightenment. The bold flavours and unexpected combinations awakened my palate to new possibilities, inspiring me to explore diverse cuisines further.”

Conclusion:
 

  •  Explain your experience and stress the importance of taking on new foods and enjoying food adventures. Tell us how this unusual meal has made you more aware of other cultures and improved your taste for food.
“In retrospect, that unusual meal in the countryside served as a reminder of the joys of culinary exploration. It reinforced the notion that food has the power to connect us with unfamiliar cultures and create lasting memories with loved ones. It was more than just a meal; it was a journey of discovery and delight."

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 specific ingredients were used in the fusion shawarma dish you tried?

Answer 1: The fusion shawarma dish I tried featured a tantalising blend of traditional Middle Eastern spices such as cumin, coriander, and paprika, combined with a fusion twist of ingredients like ginger, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Marinated chicken or lamb was perfectly grilled and served with a medley of fresh vegetables, including crunchy slaw and pickled onions.


Answer 2: In the fusion shawarma dish I experienced, the chef ingeniously combined classic shawarma ingredients with an eclectic mix of flavours. Marinated chicken or lamb was infused with traditional spices like cumin, coriander, and garlic while also incorporating non-traditional elements such as ginger, sesame oil, and hoisin sauce for a fusion twist. 

Q2. How did your friends react to the unusual combination of flavours in the dish?

Answer 1: My friends were pleasantly surprised by the unusual combination of flavours in the dish. Initially hesitant, they quickly became intrigued as they tasted the fusion of traditional shawarma spices with unexpected elements. Their reactions ranged from excitement to delight, with many commenting on how the fusion of flavours created a unique and unforgettable culinary experience.
 

Answer 2: My friends' reactions to the unusual combination of flavours in the dish were overwhelmingly positive. At first, unsure about how the fusion of traditional shawarma ingredients with unconventional flavours would taste, they were pleasantly surprised by the result. Their enthusiastic responses included exclamations of delight and requests for seconds as they savoured the unexpected yet harmonious blend of spices and ingredients.

Q3. Did the restaurant specialise in fusion cuisine, or was this dish an outlier?

Answer 1: My friends were pleasantly surprised by the unusual combination of flavours in the dish. Initially hesitant, they quickly became intrigued as they tasted the fusion of traditional shawarma spices with unexpected elements. Their reactions ranged from excitement to delight, with many commenting on how the fusion of flavours created a unique and unforgettable culinary experience.

 

Answer 2: My friends' reactions to the unusual combination of flavours in the dish were overwhelmingly positive. At first, unsure about how the fusion of traditional shawarma ingredients with unconventional flavours would taste, they were pleasantly surprised by the result. Their enthusiastic responses included exclamations of delight and requests for seconds as they savoured the unexpected yet harmonious blend of spices and ingredients.

Q4. Can you describe the restaurant atmosphere where you had this meal?

Answer 1: The restaurant exuded a cosy yet vibrant atmosphere, with dim lighting casting a warm glow over the eclectic decor. Soft music played in the background, creating a relaxed ambience perfect for enjoying a meal with friends. The seating arrangements were casual yet intimate, encouraging lively conversation and shared experiences. Overall, the atmosphere was inviting and conducive to savouring the delicious food and the company of good friends.
 

Answer 2: Picture a bustling restaurant filled with the aromas of exotic spices and sizzling meats. The decor was a fusion of modern and rustic elements, with colourful tapestries adorning the walls and flickering candles casting a soft light on wooden tables adorned with vibrant tableware. The energetic chatter of diners mingled with the clinking of glasses, creating an atmosphere alive with excitement and anticipation. It was the perfect backdrop for enjoying an adventurous culinary journey with friends.

FAQs

Q. Do IELTS cue cards repeat?

Ans. Yes, IELTS cue cards can repeat, but the topics revolve around the same themes. Practising various cue card topics helps you prepare for potential variations. Getting acquainted with various themes will improve your ability to respond confidently and effectively during the Speaking test.

Q. How should I manage my time during the Cue Card task?

Ans. Use the one-minute prep time wisely during the Cue Card task by jotting down key points. Aim to speak for about two minutes, covering the main aspects of the topic. Stay focused, avoid extra details, manage your time well, and respond effectively.

Q. What are common mistakes in IELTS speaking?

Ans. Some of the common mistakes made during the IELTS Speaking test are:
 

  • Poor pronunciation: Make sure you pronounce words clearly with proper pronunciation. 
  • Lack of vocabulary: Do not use the exact words.
  • Taking too many pauses: Do not take too many pauses between your answers. This might look like you are stammering for words. 
  • Lack of Confidence: Answer confidently and calmly. 
  • Being inaudible: Encouraging candidates to speak audibly and clearly is crucial.
Q. Which part is the most important in IELTS speaking?

Ans. The three parts of your IELTS Speaking test are not marked separately. You will receive a band score for your overall IELTS Speaking test performance. Make sure your ideas are organised logically. Link and explain your ideas using more lexical resources, such as new words and phrases. 

Q. Can I use idioms in my IELTS Speaking test?

Ans. Yes, you can use idioms and phrases in your IELTS speaking test. Using popular idioms relevant to your topic will give a positive impression on your examiner. Idioms are words or phrases that have figurative, non-literal meanings attached to them. Some examples of idioms are ‘beating around the bush,’ ‘the early bird catches the prey,’ and ‘from A to Z.’ 

Q. What is the lowest score in IELTS speaking?

Ans. The band score range for your IELTS Speaking test is 0-9. The lowest score you can get is 0. Here, 0 is the lowest score, and 9 is the highest. The probability of getting a zero is relatively lower. Generally, a score above 6 and 6.5 is considered good. 

Q. Can I change the topic for speaking in IELTS?

Ans. No, you cannot get your topic changed in your IELTS Speaking test. Try to stick to your topic and provide all the related subtopics or points. Remember that the examiner is not checking your awareness of the subject. Instead, the focus is on your language usage and how well you frame it. Even if you do not know much about the topic, try to frame it properly and deliver it confidently with the help of supporting statements.

Q. How can I get an 8.5 on the IELTS speaking test?

Ans. Proper preparation and constant practice are the quickest ways to achieve a higher score on your IELTS Speaking test. Some good practices you can obey are:
 

  • Start with a catchy and pleasant introduction
  • Give definitions, examples, and scenarios for your answer
  • Stick to your topic
  • Use good vocabulary
  • Use proper pronunciation
  • Maintain eye contact and speak confidently with the examiner.
Q. Is there any dress code for speaking in IELTS?

Ans. It might be useful to mention that candidates should choose attire that reflects a professional and respectful demeanour, which contributes to creating a positive first impression.

Q. How do I improve my speaking skills?

Ans. Improving your speaking skills is a long-term process. Some good habits to ensure this are:

 

  • Listen to daily podcasts, movies, news, and other videos in English
  • Interact with native English speakers
  • Listen to a variety of accents and try them
  • Try to watch movies without subtitles and try to figure out the words on your own
  • Try learning new words and applying them in your speech.
Q. What are some tips for performing better in the IELTS Speaking test?

Ans. Some good practices to improve your performance for your Speaking test are:
 

  • Understand the task properly
  • Use the preparation time wisely
  • Do not by-heart your answers
  • Speak clearly and fluently
  • Check that you have not repeated your vocabulary and proofread for grammar mistakes.
Q. What is the duration of the IELTS cue card section?

Ans. Your cue card section will last 3-4 minutes. The first minute is preparation time. You can use this to prepare and structure your answer well. Later, you will be given 2-3 minutes to speak. Speak confidently and make sure your speech is audible, clear, and concise. 

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