Describe a development in your country like shopping centre, park etcetera: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is the development?
When you heard about it?
How did it influence you?

4 unique answers with expert feedback

What impact has Lulu Mall had on local businesses in Trivandrum?

Lulu Mall has significantly affected local businesses by attracting a large number of shoppers. While some smaller shops may struggle to compete with the mall's variety and pricing, others have adapted by offering unique products or services that cater to niche markets, creating a balance in the local economy.

How do you think shopping malls influence consumer behavior?

Shopping malls like Lulu Mall influence consumer behavior by providing a one-stop shopping experience, which encourages people to spend more time and money. The convenience of having various brands and services in one location, along with promotions, can lead to impulse buying and increased consumer spending.

What are some environmental concerns related to the construction of shopping malls?

The construction of shopping malls can lead to environmental concerns such as increased traffic congestion, loss of green spaces, and higher carbon emissions. Additionally, the development can strain local resources and impact wildlife habitats, making it essential to consider sustainable practices in future projects.

Band 6-7

00:00

In my opinion, India's growth and development lies in rapid urbanization and the growth of new industries, which is supported by the pillars of booming start-up economy which is taking place in the Indian market. Rapid rise in technology and education has also supported the rapid rise in economy and urbanization of the country. Since the past one decade, the GDP of the country is rising and education as well as empowerment for women equal rights is rising in the country. Also due to urbanization, the per capita income of the country is increasing and more and more people are looking forward towards a lavish and a dream life in the country. I believe that India in the next decade will show a rapid rise in economy further, wherein the empowered and a well-educated youth will become the pillars of rapid growth in India. Also the democratic power in India is moving towards a more transparent and a people made

Follow up questions

How do you think urbanization affects the environment in India?

Urbanization can lead to environmental challenges such as pollution, loss of green spaces, and increased waste. However, it also presents opportunities for sustainable development and better urban planning. Balancing growth with environmental protection is crucial for India's future.

What role do you think education plays in economic development?

Education is fundamental for economic development as it equips individuals with skills and knowledge needed for the job market. A well-educated workforce can drive innovation, increase productivity, and attract investments, which are essential for sustained economic growth.

Can you discuss the impact of technology on urban living in India?

Technology significantly enhances urban living by improving access to services, facilitating communication, and enabling smart city initiatives. It can lead to better transportation, healthcare, and education, making cities more efficient and improving the quality of life for residents.

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.

Band 5-6

00:00

I think the most recent development in my country that I have observed is for the airports. In my city most prominently there was no airports and we had to go to Delhi to catch a flight and it is around 200 kilometers from here and we had to travel to

Follow up questions

How has the new airport impacted travel for residents in your city?

The new airport has significantly reduced travel time for residents. Instead of traveling 200 kilometers to Delhi, we can now catch flights locally, making it more convenient and accessible for everyone. This has opened up more opportunities for travel and tourism in our area.

What other developments do you think are needed in your city?

Apart from the airport, I believe we need better public transportation options and more recreational spaces. Improved roads and connectivity would also help in making travel easier. Additionally, parks and shopping centers would enhance the quality of life for residents.

How do you think the airport will affect the local economy?

The airport is likely to boost the local economy by attracting tourists and businesses. It can create job opportunities in various sectors such as hospitality, retail, and transportation. This development could lead to overall economic growth in the region.

Show all 4 answers

Cue 1:What is the development?

Begin by clearly identifying the development you are describing, such as a shopping centre or park.
Include details about its location, size, and the facilities it offers.

Example

The development I want to talk about is a new shopping centre called 'City Mall', located in the heart of Bangalore. It covers a vast area with over 200 stores, a food court, and a multiplex cinema, making it a popular destination for shopping and entertainment.

Cue 2:When you heard about it?

Mention how you first learned about this development, whether through news, social media, or word of mouth.
Provide a specific time frame to give context to your answer.

Example

I first heard about City Mall a few months ago when I saw an advertisement on social media. The buzz around its grand opening was quite exciting, and I was eager to visit as soon as it opened.

Cue 3:How did it influence you?

Reflect on the personal impact this development has had on you, whether it changed your shopping habits or provided new leisure options.
Discuss any social or community benefits that arose from this development.

Example

City Mall has significantly influenced my shopping habits. I now prefer to shop there because it offers a variety of brands under one roof, and the food court has become my go-to place for weekend outings with friends. Additionally, it has created job opportunities for many locals, boosting the economy in our area.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points you discussed about the development.
Reflect on its overall significance to the community and your personal life.

Example

In conclusion, the City Mall is not just a shopping centre; it has transformed the way we shop and socialize in Bangalore. Its presence has brought convenience and joy to many, including myself, making it a vital part of our community.

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: Lack of Specific Details

Avoid vague descriptions. Providing specific details about the development helps to create a clearer picture for the examiner and makes your response more engaging.

Tip

Include specific facts such as the location, features, and purpose of the development to enhance your answer.

2: Ignoring Personal Impact

Neglecting to discuss how the development influenced you can make your response less personal and relatable. This is a key part of the cue card.

Tip

Reflect on your experiences and feelings about the development to provide a personal touch to your answer.

Poor Structure in Response

A disorganized answer can confuse the listener. It's important to structure your response logically to ensure clarity.

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 6-7

Band 6

According to me, development means, it was the first thing which I learnt in my social class. Development means, an individual growing or entity growing or something that we develop or something which is growing into a new forms. This is the first time I learnt what is development and all. But later on, I saw then what is the development in India, what is the development in the country, what is the development in the state, what is the development in area. So this is the general way I started. I started finding out what is the development and what the development have been done towards my areas. Finding this term, my area is called Gurdwara where it was not totally developed town but it was a town with basic facilities like railway station, bus stand and hospitals. But later on, after the emerging of this development in the development nation, my country has started, my state, my area of Gurdwara has started developing a lot. We have many shopping malls. It started of coming with many shopping malls. Before we used to have only one shopping mall and right now we have more than five shopping malls. And even the basic facilities have improved the providing of the services at the railway station. Before we used to have only two platforms but now we are having more than four platforms and a bus station. Before we used to have a small bus stand but right now we are going to build a very good bus stand for Gurdwara as it is one of the junction. So this is what development I have seen in the area. And coming to how development influenced me, development has influenced me a very lot. From my childhood, I was always seeking for a social service and a social development for the people. And by the term development, what I have learned in my class, this made me to realize that it is very important for the country and influenced me a lot and took my steps towards the development. Whatever I do, I am thinking for the country, I am taking for the state. So I started traveling towards the development of my area. I started. So this started to have a very great influence on me and which drived me towards the development of my nation. So if everyone thinks like the same thing and everyone is influenced by the development term, it refers that not only a single person or single area is developing, it refers to the whole country is leading towards the development. That's it. Thank you.

Band 5-6