Describe A Competition You Would Like To Take Part In: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What kind of competition it is?
What would you do in this competition?
Why does this competition interest you?

13 unique answers with expert feedback

What type of cuisine would you like to specialize in if you entered a cooking competition?

I would love to specialize in fusion cuisine, combining elements from different cultures. For instance, I might blend traditional Sri Lankan flavors with modern cooking techniques to create unique dishes that tell a story and reflect my heritage.

How do you think participating in a competition would improve your cooking skills?

Participating in a competition would push me out of my comfort zone and challenge me to think creatively under pressure. It would also provide me with valuable feedback from experienced judges, helping me refine my techniques and expand my culinary knowledge.

What challenges do you think you would face in a cooking competition?

I believe the biggest challenges would be time management and handling the pressure of competition. Additionally, creating dishes that not only taste great but also look visually appealing can be quite challenging, especially when competing against skilled chefs.

Band 7

00:00

A competition that I would like to take part in is Dance India Dance. Dance India Dance is a national level dance competition that is aired throughout the country every weekend. I grew up watching this competition and watching various kinds of people from different parts of Indian subcontinent participating and showcasing their talent and interest in the field of dance. Dance has been a very major part of my life. I first danced when I was in lower kindergarten and since then I have loved every bit of experience I've had in this field. Dance India Dance is a very major competition in India and it has helped in boosting of many people's career in the field of dance. A country like India who has dance as a part of its culture, Dance India Dance has helped elevating the effect dance has on people. I would love to take part in this competition and also showcase my talent in this field. Thank you.

Follow up questions

What type of dance do you enjoy the most and why?

I enjoy contemporary dance the most because it allows for a lot of expression and creativity. The fluid movements and the ability to tell a story through dance resonate with me deeply. I find it liberating and a great way to connect with my emotions.

How do you think participating in competitions affects dancers?

Participating in competitions can significantly boost a dancer's confidence and skill level. It provides exposure to different styles and techniques, helps in networking with other dancers, and can open up opportunities for professional growth in the dance industry.

What do you think is the most important quality for a dancer to have?

I believe the most important quality for a dancer is passion. Without passion, it's hard to stay motivated and dedicated to practice and improvement. Passion drives a dancer to overcome challenges and continuously strive for excellence in their art.

Band 6-7

00:00

I would love to part in the competition which is related to my profession, as I am a trainer. So, this is what a competition where I can see that my training skill, my development, personal attitude, professional etiquettes and skills, because my subject is skill development. So, I would love to part in the competition where I can showcase my skills, my hands on skills, my talent, my technical skills, technical knowledge and science behind it, because it is very important and I would love to part in. So, I can see that where I am, in which level I am and what else I can work towards my skills to become a better version, become a better personality, to become a better trainer. So, that's what I wanted to do in a competition. I want to take a part in this competition and I can polish myself further and I can improve myself and wherever I am lacking any particular area or any particular aspects wherein I can do it, whether it is speaking or performing, because knowledge is something which is very important. Our subject is related to our science, which considered in our main physiology and hard skills and soft skills and training as everyone knows training part is a beautiful, is a novel profession where we can train a lot many people and we can play a very important role in their life, because our training gives them an entire makeover and we are giving them a shape for their future and wherein they can flourish with the help of our training. So, training should be always up to the mark, it should be industry relevant and our students or trainees, whosoever is there,

Follow up questions

What specific skills do you hope to showcase in this competition?

I hope to showcase my hands-on skills in training, my technical knowledge in skill development, and my ability to engage and motivate trainees. Additionally, I want to demonstrate my understanding of both hard and soft skills that are essential for effective training.

How do you think participating in this competition will benefit your career?

Participating in this competition will allow me to assess my current skill level and identify areas for improvement. It will also provide networking opportunities with other professionals in my field, which can lead to collaborations and further career development.

What challenges do you anticipate facing in this competition?

I anticipate facing challenges such as competing against highly skilled trainers, managing performance anxiety, and the pressure to deliver my best. However, I see these challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, which can ultimately enhance my training abilities.

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Band 6-7

00:00

I think this is a great question and I would like to talk about a competition which I'm very much interested to. In fact, I'm planning to participate in next few months. So this competition is called ARC Challenge. So this competition tests the limit of AI where we need to solve a very difficult problem which can't be solved by large language models. So the ARC Challenge also has a great price. So it's almost a $1 million. Today, a lot of AI researchers are participating in this challenge. And this is what I'm very much interested in. So one of the reasons why I'm interested is because it helps us focus on new architectures of AI. Moreover, you know, moreover, it gives me, you know, it also helps even if I participate, it helps my career. Even if I come in top 10 or top 20, it will greatly help my career. So for these reasons, I'm very much interested to participate in this competition. And for this, I'm currently building my skills. I'm trying to solve small challenges so that I can, you know, participate in this challenge and solve complex, more complex problems.

Follow up questions

What skills do you think are essential for participating in the ARC Challenge?

I believe essential skills include strong programming abilities, a deep understanding of AI algorithms, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, familiarity with machine learning frameworks and the ability to think critically about complex problems are crucial for success in the competition.

How do you plan to prepare for the ARC Challenge?

To prepare, I am currently working on smaller AI challenges to build my skills. I also plan to study recent research papers, participate in online forums, and collaborate with peers to exchange ideas and strategies. This will help me gain insights and improve my problem-solving techniques.

What do you think is the impact of competitions like the ARC Challenge on AI development?

Competitions like the ARC Challenge drive innovation in AI by encouraging researchers to push the boundaries of technology. They foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, leading to breakthroughs that can benefit various industries and improve AI applications in real-world scenarios.

Band 6-7

00:00

The competition which I like is swimming because during my school days I used to go to swimming classes. I am a trained swimmer and not only that I also have a lot of medals. Not only that, I used to go for cultural competitions and national level swimming competition I have attended once but I didn't get medal unfortunately. But I used to get a second prize which I think which is still a good thing and the main issue is after my intermediate I stopped taking part in swimming competitions because of my studies. My family decided to not involve me in extracurricular activities because they are afraid it may affect my studies. But I won't say I can't able to participate in a competition because I know I am still able to do. I just need a little bit of practice.

Follow up questions

What benefits do you think participating in competitions brings?

Participating in competitions helps build confidence, improve skills, and provides a sense of achievement. It also allows individuals to meet like-minded people and learn from their experiences, which can be beneficial for personal growth.

How do you balance studies and extracurricular activities?

Balancing studies and extracurricular activities requires good time management. I prioritize my studies but also set aside time for practice and competitions. It's important to find a balance that allows for both academic success and personal interests.

Have you considered returning to swimming competitions in the future?

Yes, I have considered returning to swimming competitions. I believe that with some practice, I can regain my skills. I miss the thrill of competition and the camaraderie with fellow swimmers, so I hope to participate again when I have the time.

Show all 13 answers

Cue 1:What kind of competition it is?

Begin by clearly stating the type of competition you want to participate in, such as a sports event, academic contest, or cultural festival.
Provide a brief overview of the competition's significance and its popularity in your community or country.

Example

I would like to take part in a national-level chess competition. Chess is a highly strategic game that requires deep thinking and planning, and this competition attracts some of the best players from across India.

Cue 2:What would you do in this competition?

Describe the specific actions you would take during the competition, such as preparing, practicing, and competing against other participants.
Mention any strategies or techniques you plan to use to enhance your performance.

Example

In this competition, I would spend several weeks preparing by practicing daily with my coach and participating in local tournaments to sharpen my skills. During the competition, I would focus on staying calm and analyzing my opponent's moves carefully before making my own.

Cue 3:Why does this competition interest you?

Explain your personal connection to the competition, such as your passion for the activity or any past experiences that have motivated you.
Discuss the potential benefits of participating, such as personal growth, recognition, or the chance to meet like-minded individuals.

Example

This competition interests me because I have been playing chess since I was a child, and it has always been a source of joy and challenge for me. Participating at a national level would not only allow me to test my skills but also connect with other chess enthusiasts and learn from them.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, taking part in a national chess competition would be an exciting opportunity for me to showcase my skills, learn from others, and pursue my passion for chess. I believe it would be a valuable experience that could help me grow both personally and as a player.

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 Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the competition to engage the listener and demonstrate your language skills.

Tip

Use descriptive language and specific examples to clearly explain what the competition is and what it involves.

2: Lack of Personal Connection

Failing to connect personally with the competition can make your response less interesting. It's essential to explain why the competition matters to you.

Tip

Share personal experiences or feelings related to the competition to make your answer more relatable and engaging.

Ignoring the Cues

Not addressing all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. Each cue is designed to help structure your response effectively.

Tip

Make sure to answer all the cues provided, ensuring a well-rounded and comprehensive response.

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.