Describe your favorite movie.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Which movie is it?
When did you watch it?
What is it about?
How do you feel about it?

57 unique answers with expert feedback

What aspects of the movie made it feel like a live concert experience?

The movie's immersive visuals, combined with the live performances and audience participation, created an atmosphere similar to attending a concert. The energy in the theater, where everyone sang and danced together, contributed to this feeling.

How do you think Taylor Swift's music has evolved over the years?

Taylor Swift's music has evolved significantly, transitioning from country to pop and indie genres. Each era reflects her personal growth and experiences, showcasing her versatility as an artist and her ability to connect with different audiences.

Would you recommend this movie to others? Why or why not?

Absolutely! I would recommend it to anyone who loves music and Taylor Swift. It’s not just a movie; it’s an experience that brings fans together and allows them to celebrate her journey through music in a unique way.

Band 7

00:00

My favorite movie is Chennai Express, which was released in a theater near my home. I had gone with my parents to watch it ten years back. What's interesting about the movie is that it's about a young gentleman, based out of Mumbai, who traveled all the way to Rameshwaram to immerse the mortal remains of his father into the sea. And in the process, while traveling in the train, he meets a group of gangsters along with a young woman, and chaos ensues after that. It's a hilarious movie filled with lots of interesting and enthralling parts, and the characters are equally amusing to watch. The movie has been able to renew my interest in the city of Rameshwaram, and I've added it to my go-to list. I hope I'm able to relive the movie when I get to travel to Rameshwaram.

Follow up questions

What themes in Chennai Express resonate with you?

The themes of family, adventure, and humor resonate with me. The movie showcases the importance of family bonds and how adventures can lead to personal growth. The humor adds a light-hearted touch, making it enjoyable while also conveying deeper messages about relationships.

How does Chennai Express compare to other movies you've seen?

Chennai Express stands out due to its unique blend of comedy and drama. Unlike many other films, it combines humor with a heartfelt story about family and tradition. The vibrant cinematography and catchy music also make it more memorable compared to other movies I've watched.

Would you recommend Chennai Express to others? Why?

Absolutely! I would recommend Chennai Express because it's entertaining and relatable. The humor appeals to a wide audience, and the storyline is engaging. It's a great film for family movie nights, and it also offers a glimpse into Indian culture and traditions, making it educational as well.

Band 6-7

00:00

My favorite movie is Three Idiots, a Bollywood film that beautifully combines humor, emotion and life lessons. It's a movie that I have watched multiple times and it always leaves me inspired. It was directed by Rajkumar Hirani and released in 2009. The film starred Aamir Khan, Madhavan Sharma, Joshi and Kareena Kapoor as key roles. Sit in an engineering college and explore the themes of education, friendship and following your dreams. Make it more personal by sharing how the movie is personal with you. I love this movie because it's not just entertaining but also teaches important lessons about life, such as pursuing your passion instead of blindly following societal exceptions. It really made me think about what success truly means.

Follow up questions

What specific life lessons did you learn from 'Three Idiots'?

One of the key lessons I learned is the importance of pursuing your passion. The film emphasizes that success should be defined by personal fulfillment rather than societal expectations. It made me reflect on my own goals and the importance of following my heart in my career choices.

How does 'Three Idiots' compare to other movies you've seen?

Compared to other movies, 'Three Idiots' stands out because it combines humor with deep emotional themes. While many films entertain, this one also challenges viewers to think critically about education and friendship, making it more impactful and memorable for me.

Have you recommended 'Three Idiots' to others? What was their reaction?

Yes, I've recommended it to many friends and family. Most of them loved it as much as I did! They appreciated the humor and the relatable characters, and many mentioned that it inspired them to rethink their own life choices, just like it did for me.

Practice other cue cards

Band 6-7

00:00

My favorite movie is Maleficent. I watched it when I was younger. It is a mix of many Disney movies. It is a fictional movie and it contains of many characters like the Disney princesses, the evil witches and the fairies. Whenever I try to watch it, it feels like I am reliving my childhood. It is a Disney movie and it is also a very great movie to watch when you are with your family or friends. I have watched this movie several times.

Follow up questions

What themes do you think are important in Maleficent?

Maleficent explores themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. It shows how perceptions can change over time, especially regarding good and evil. The story also emphasizes the importance of family and friendship, which resonates with many viewers.

How does watching Maleficent make you feel about your childhood?

Watching Maleficent brings back nostalgic memories of my childhood. It reminds me of the innocence and wonder I felt while watching Disney movies. The magical elements and the characters evoke a sense of joy and comfort, making me appreciate those simpler times.

Are there any other movies that have a similar impact on you?

Yes, other Disney movies like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast also have a significant impact on me. They evoke similar feelings of nostalgia and joy, and I enjoy watching them with family and friends, as they remind us of our shared experiences growing up.

Band 6-7

00:00

So, my favorite movie, in my opinion, would be Legally Blonde. The storyline of the movie is basically about a girl who is shown in the beginning, is shown that is not very smart in her studies and that is the reason why her boyfriend broke up with her. As a result of this, she wanted to become a lawyer and prove herself that she is not as dumb as she seems to be and in the middle, it shows her journey of how she became a lawyer and then later, in the ending of the movie, you can see that she has turned into such a beautiful person who has made a lot of new connections. For instance, there was this one part where she went to a salon for her manicure and pedicure where she made a really nice friend who was there along with her during the whole movie and the friend I am talking about was the person who was actually doing the manicure for her and what's more than that is how empowering the movie made me feel that I would be able to do anything. It made me feel so motivated and so helpful. It is like a stress buster to me whenever I am feeling overwhelmed by my feelings. I think that is the movie I love because of these reasons.

Follow up questions

What themes in Legally Blonde resonate with you the most?

The themes of empowerment and self-discovery resonate with me the most. The movie shows that intelligence comes in many forms and that determination can lead to success, which inspires me to pursue my own goals despite challenges.

How do you think the movie has influenced your perspective on education?

Legally Blonde has influenced my perspective by highlighting the importance of believing in oneself. It taught me that education is not just about grades but also about personal growth and resilience, encouraging me to embrace learning in all its forms.

Can you share a personal experience where you felt empowered like the character?

Yes, there was a time when I struggled with a challenging project at school. Like Elle Woods, I persevered and sought help from friends. Completing that project successfully made me feel empowered and capable, reinforcing the movie's message about overcoming obstacles.

Show all 57 answers

Cue 1:Which movie is it?

Start by clearly stating the title of the movie and its genre.
Mention any notable actors or directors associated with the film.

Example

My favorite movie is '3 Idiots', a comedy-drama directed by Rajkumar Hirani, featuring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi.

Cue 2:When did you watch it?

Describe the time and setting when you first watched the movie.
Share any specific reason or occasion that led you to watch it.

Example

I first watched '3 Idiots' during my college days, about five years ago, at a friend's house during a movie night. We were all looking for something entertaining and inspiring.

Cue 3:What is it about?

Summarize the main plot or theme of the movie in a few sentences.
Highlight any important messages or lessons conveyed through the story.

Example

'3 Idiots' revolves around the lives of three engineering students and their struggles with the education system. It emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's passion and the idea that success is not solely defined by grades.

Cue 4:How do you feel about it?

Share your personal feelings and thoughts about the movie.
Explain why it resonates with you or how it has impacted your life.

Example

I absolutely love '3 Idiots' because it makes me laugh and think deeply at the same time. It encourages me to chase my dreams and not just follow societal expectations, which is something I often reflect on.

Conclusion

Summarize your overall impression of the movie.
Mention if you would recommend it to others and why.

Example

In conclusion, '3 Idiots' is not just a movie; it's a life lesson wrapped in humor. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for inspiration and a good laugh.

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: Avoid Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear and unengaging. It's important to provide specific details about the movie to create a vivid picture for the examiner.

Tip

Include specific scenes, characters, or themes from the movie to make your answer more interesting and detailed.

2: Don't Rush Your Response

Speaking too quickly can lead to unclear pronunciation and missed points. It may also give the impression that you are unprepared or nervous.

Tip

Take a moment to think before you speak, and pace your words to ensure clarity and coherence in your response.

Avoid Overly Simple Answers

Providing overly simple or short answers can make it seem like you lack depth in your thoughts. This can negatively impact your score.

Tip

Expand on your answers by explaining why you like the movie, discussing its impact on you, or relating it to your personal experiences.

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

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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.