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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe Something That Was Broken In Your Home And Then Repaired: IELTS Cue Card

Updated on Sep 03, 2024, 15:08

Overview

The IELTS Speaking test includes a cue card segment where you are given a topic to speak about for 1-2 minutes. This helps assess your ability to speak fluently, coherently, and with relevance to the given topic.


 

Today, we will discuss a topic: "Describe Something That Was Broken In Your Home And Then Repaired".  This prompt requires you to share a personal experience where something in your household stopped working and was later fixed. You should describe what the item was, how it malfunctioned, how you arranged for its repair, and your feelings and reactions during the incident. 


 

Throughout this page, we'll delve into various sample answers for this cue card topic, exploring different scenarios where household items were repaired after being broken.

Sample Answer 1

Introduction ( Covers: What is it?)

 

  • One day, my ceiling fan suddenly stopped working, leaving me sweltering in the summer heat until it was fixed.
  • The refrigerator in my kitchen malfunctioned, jeopardising my food supplies until I managed to repair it.
  • My laptop, essential for both work and leisure, suffered a cracked screen after a fall, disrupting my routine until it was repaired.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest  ( Covers: How was it broken?)

 

  • I noticed the ceiling fan had stopped due to a faulty motor, causing discomfort until an electrician replaced it.
  • The refrigerator stopped cooling properly due to a compressor issue, prompting me to seek assistance for repair.
  • My laptop's screen cracked after falling, impacting my productivity until I got it fixed at a repair shop.

 

Key Highlights ( Covers: How you got it repaired?)

 

  • I called a local electrician who promptly replaced the fan motor, restoring comfort in my home.
  • Seeking help from a technician, I managed to repair the refrigerator's compressor, ensuring my groceries stayed fresh.
  • Visiting a repair shop, I had the laptop screen replaced, bringing back functionality to my essential device.

 

Conclusion (Covers: How you felt about it?)

 

  • Initially frustrated, I felt relieved and grateful once the fan started working again, making the hot weather bearable.
  • Despite the initial worry, fixing the refrigerator brought immense relief, ensuring my food stayed preserved.
  • Feeling anxious during the downtime, seeing my laptop repaired made me grateful for its renewed usability.

 

Sample Answer 2

Introduction  (Covers: What is it?)

 

  • Recently, the water heater in my bathroom suddenly malfunctioned, leaving me with cold showers until it was repaired.
  • A few months ago, a window pane in my bedroom cracked during a storm, causing concerns about safety and insulation until it was fixed.
  • Last year, the washing machine in my kitchen stopped working due to a motor issue, disrupting my laundry routine until it underwent repair.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How was it broken?)

 

  • The water heater ceased heating water properly, likely due to a heating element failure, forcing me to seek professional repair services promptly.
  • The window pane cracked from the force of strong winds during a storm, compromising the room's security and energy efficiency until it was replaced.
  • The washing machine's motor malfunctioned unexpectedly, causing it to stop mid-cycle, necessitating immediate repair to restore functionality.

 

Key Highlights ( Covers: How you got it repaired?)

 

  • Contacting a plumber, I arranged for the water heater's heating element to be replaced swiftly, ensuring hot water was available again.
  • Engaging a carpenter, I had the cracked window pane replaced with a new one, restoring the room's safety and insulation capabilities.
  • Calling a technician, I opted to have the washing machine's motor repaired, allowing me to resume regular laundry tasks without further delay.

 

Conclusion (Covers: How you felt about it?)

 

  • Initially frustrated by the inconvenience, I felt relieved and comfortable once the water heater began functioning again, enabling enjoyable showers.
  • Repairing the window pane brought peace of mind, ensuring security and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment during adverse weather.
  • Seeing the washing machine operational again was a relief, as it simplified household chores and restored daily routine efficiency.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction (Covers: What is it?)

 

  • Recently, the television in my living room unexpectedly stopped displaying images, causing inconvenience until it was repaired.
  • A few weeks ago, a pipe in my kitchen burst, leading to water leakage and potential damage until it was fixed.
  • Last year, the door locked to my bedroom jammed, requiring immediate attention to ensure security and accessibility.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How was it broken?)

 

  • The television screen suddenly went blank due to a faulty internal component, prompting me to seek professional assistance for diagnosis and repair.
  • The burst pipe flooded the kitchen floor due to excessive water pressure, necessitating urgent intervention to prevent further damage and restore functionality.
  • The bedroom door lock became stuck, possibly due to worn-out mechanisms, posing a security risk and inconvenience until it was repaired.

 

Key Highlights  (Covers: How you got it repaired?)

 

  • Contacting a technician specialising in electronics, I arranged for the television's internal components to be inspected and repaired, ensuring its functionality was restored promptly.
  • Engaging a plumber, I had the burst pipe replaced and the kitchen area thoroughly inspected for water damage, ensuring a reliable plumbing system.
  • Consulting a locksmith, I opted to have the bedroom door lock repaired with new parts, ensuring security and ease of access within my home.

 

Conclusion (Covers: How you felt about it?)

 

  • Initially frustrated by the television malfunction, I felt relieved once it was repaired, allowing me to resume enjoying entertainment at home.
  • Repairing the burst pipe brought peace of mind, preventing potential property damage and ensuring a safe living environment.
  • Addressing the door lock issue was a relief, as it restored privacy and security, enhancing my comfort and peace of mind at home.

When the cue card section begins, the examiner will present you with the topic. They will provide you with a cue card containing prompts related to the topic. You will have 1 minute to prepare your response before speaking. 

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe Something That Was Broken In Your Home And Then

You should say:

  • What is it?
  • How was it broken?
  • How you got it repaired?
  • How you felt about it?

 

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Here’s how you can approach the topic "Describe Something That Was Broken In Your Home And Then Repaired”:

 

Introduction:

 

  • Introduce the broken item (e.g., washing machine, smartphone) and how it malfunctioned.
  • Explain the impact of the malfunction on your daily life or routine.
  • Describe why repairing the item was important to you, whether for convenience, productivity, or communication.

 

Describing Your Experience:

 

  • Detail how you first noticed the issue and what steps you took to address it.
  • Share your emotions and thoughts during the repair process.
  • Discuss any challenges faced or relief felt upon resolving the issue.

 

Key Highlights:

 

  • Highlight the item's importance in your daily life or household functioning.
  • Explain how the repair positively impacted your routine or saved costs.
  • Reflect on lessons learned, such as the value of maintenance or the effectiveness of professional help.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Highlight the importance of the repaired item in your daily life.
  • Discuss how the repair impacted your routine positively.
  • Reflect on the lessons learned from this experience

 

By following this structure, you can ensure your response is clear, organised, and within the two-minute limit.

 

Also Read:

 

Describe Something That Was Broken In Your Home And Then Repaired: Follow-Up Questions

In the IELTS Speaking test, after you complete your cue card topic, there is a follow-up question round where the examiner asks additional questions related to the cue card topic. These questions aim to delve deeper into the candidate's thoughts, opinions, and experiences, providing a more comprehensive assessment of their spoken English skills. 

Follow-Up Question 1

Question 1. Are IT-related jobs valued more by society?

 

Answer 1: Yes, IT-related jobs are highly valued in today's society due to their pivotal role in technological advancement and digital transformation across industries. The demand for skilled IT professionals continues to grow as businesses and individuals increasingly rely on technology for communication, commerce, and innovation.

 

 

Answer 2: Society's valuation of IT-related jobs has risen significantly with the expansion of digital services and the integration of technology into daily life. This trend underscores the importance of IT skills in driving economic growth and enhancing efficiency across various sectors.

Follow-Up Question 2

Question 2:  What kinds of things do people like to repair by themselves?

 

 

Answer 1: People often prefer to repair small household appliances like toasters and coffee machines themselves, as these repairs are relatively simple and cost-effective. DIY repairs for gadgets like smartphones and laptops are also common among tech-savvy individuals who enjoy tinkering with electronics.


 

Answer 2: DIY enthusiasts frequently tackle repairs of furniture, such as chairs and tables, enjoying the satisfaction of restoring items to functional use. Some individuals also take on gardening tools and equipment repairs independently to maintain their outdoor spaces.

Follow-Up Question 3

Question 3: Is the quality of products worse than before?

 

 

Answer 1: There is a perception among consumers that the quality of certain products has declined over time, particularly with mass-produced goods. Factors like cost-cutting measures and global supply chain challenges may contribute to this perception.

 

 

Answer 2: While quality standards vary across different product categories, advancements in technology have led to improvements in durability and performance for many products. However, consumer expectations continue to evolve, influencing perceptions of product quality.

Follow-Up Question 4

Question 4: Why do people like to get their mobile phones repaired in specialised stores?

 

Answer 1: Specialised repair stores offer expertise and genuine parts, ensuring reliable repairs that maintain the integrity and functionality of mobile devices. This professional approach instils confidence in consumers seeking effective solutions for their smartphone issues.

 

 

Answer 2: Repairing mobile phones in specialised stores provides access to specialised knowledge and tools necessary for complex repairs, offering convenience and peace of mind to users concerned about device reliability and performance.

FAQs

Q. Which tense is used in cue cards?

Ans. The tense used in the cue card depends on the topic. You may use past tense to describe past events, present tense to describe current situations, and future tense to describe future plans. Use appropriate tenses to convey your message clearly.

Q. How to answer part 2 in IELTS?

Ans. Answer Part 2 by organising your response with a clear introduction, main points, and conclusion. Use the one-minute preparation time to plan your answer and ensure you speak for the full 1-2 minutes. Practice structuring your answers to improve coherence and fluency.

Q. Is there a specific structure I should follow when responding to speaking test topics?

Ans. Yes, follow a clear structure: start with an introduction, elaborate on the main points with examples or details, and end with a conclusion. Use linking words to ensure fluency and coherence in your response. A well-structured answer demonstrates your ability to organise thoughts effectively.


 

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