Describe a favorite thing you own.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
How did you get it?
How do you use it? Why is it your favorite?

34 unique answers with expert feedback

What emotions do you associate with the pen gifted by your grandfather?

The pen reminds me of my grandfather's wisdom and love. Every time I use it, I feel a deep connection to him and his teachings. It evokes feelings of nostalgia and gratitude, making me appreciate the memories we shared.

How has writing with this pen influenced your writing style?

Using this pen has made my writing feel more personal and meaningful. It encourages me to take my time and be thoughtful with my words. I find that I write more creatively and expressively when I use it, as it feels like a part of my writing journey.

Do you think material possessions can hold sentimental value?

Absolutely! Material possessions can carry deep emotional significance, especially when they are linked to loved ones. They can serve as reminders of important relationships and experiences, making them invaluable beyond their physical worth.

Band 7

00:00

The favorite thing I own is the baton awarded to me by the National Cadet Corps India as I was the best cadet in the Bangalore B Group Division. As a part of the best cadet competition, I had to involve myself in various activities like swimming, practical firing tests, personal interviews and written examinations and as I aced all the levels with ease and performing exceptionally in the drill competition, the officer's baton or the cane was awarded to me in the NCC day function of my college.

Follow up questions

How did you feel when you received the baton?

I felt incredibly proud and honored to receive the baton. It was a recognition of my hard work and dedication throughout the competition. The moment was very special to me, and it motivated me to continue striving for excellence in all my endeavors.

What skills did you develop while participating in the NCC?

Participating in the NCC helped me develop various skills such as leadership, teamwork, discipline, and time management. I also improved my physical fitness through activities like swimming and drill practice, which taught me the importance of perseverance and commitment.

Do you think participating in such activities is important for young people?

Absolutely! Activities like those in the NCC instill valuable life skills in young people. They promote teamwork, leadership, and a sense of responsibility. Additionally, they help build confidence and prepare individuals for future challenges, both personally and professionally.

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 6-7

00:00

Oh my favorite thing I it is Okay, my favorite thing is teddy bear The one which I have recently purchased It's not So My favorite thing is my teddy bear which I have purchased when I was in my teens and I bought it with my first salary. That's why it's very important to me and apart from that the best part about it is It always listens to me like whenever um whenever I get boredom or I get I feel lonely I speak with him and Uh, he's he's like my friend So and he even listens to me without giving any opinions or Suggestions without even judging me and that's very important for me Because I always wanted someone who could understand me and I think he does it well so that's why uh I'm very comfortable with him. I sleep I even while I eat, uh, my teddy bear is with me and I take good care of him and It's like there's a there's an Unseen bond between us. I don't know what it is but uh, but he's also very cute like We both have same height. He's up to my height and I just love him like I can easily hug him whenever I want so that's that make him more cute and Uh, moreover I Um, I was very attracted to him when I saw him for the first time and I thought I should buy it and When I bought it, I was actually very satisfied with it That's all

Follow up questions

Why do you think sentimental items like your teddy bear are important?

Sentimental items like my teddy bear are important because they provide comfort and companionship. They remind us of special moments and can help us cope with loneliness. Having something that listens without judgment is invaluable, especially during tough times.

How do you think people can benefit from having a favorite possession?

People can benefit from having a favorite possession as it can serve as a source of emotional support. It can enhance feelings of security and happiness, and provide a sense of identity. Such items often hold memories that can uplift our spirits during difficult times.

Do you think it's common for adults to have favorite childhood toys?

Yes, I believe it's common for adults to cherish childhood toys. These items often represent a simpler time and evoke fond memories. They can serve as a reminder of our childhood innocence and the joy we experienced, making them special even in adulthood.

Band 6-7

00:00

so the favorite thing I own would be my laptop which I got as a birthday gift from my parents in my 21st birthday so I think it is my favorite thing only because not only because of the services it provide but also because I really like the aesthetic of it like how it looks it has a clean sleek look on it and the best thing I would say about it is that I get to play a lot of games like growing up I always had a fascination towards game plays so I always wanted to play games on like PCs or laptops or computers but I didn't have one so my parents decided to get me one so now I can like play games watch game plays and also can like watch movie and yeah like stream games with my friends it is a very fun experience as I can also do my academic related works on my laptop like sending emails to my professors writing repos or making a word file anything like that like recently I have made a list of universities I wanted to apply for my master's application on a word file which is a bit difficult to make on your phone so a laptop or a PC is necessary to make that so yeah a few facilities like that are very beneficial for me as a student and also like I get to enjoy a lot of services it provides

Follow up questions

How has your laptop changed your daily routine?

My laptop has significantly improved my daily routine. I can easily manage my academic tasks, like writing reports and sending emails, which saves me time. Additionally, I can unwind by playing games or watching movies, making it a versatile tool for both work and leisure.

What features do you look for in a laptop?

When choosing a laptop, I prioritize performance, battery life, and design. I want a device that can handle gaming smoothly while also being portable. A sleek design is important to me as I appreciate aesthetics, and a good battery life ensures I can use it for long periods without charging.

Do you think technology affects how we socialize?

Absolutely! My laptop allows me to connect with friends through gaming and streaming. It creates a shared experience, even when we're apart. However, I also believe it's important to balance online interactions with face-to-face communication to maintain strong relationships.

Band 6-7

00:00

Being a sports player, I always strived to participate in competitions and play different types of sports. I have been playing sports since my childhood and one of my favorite sports is badminton. I have taken professional classes for it and I have been practicing for it day and night. That is something that I have been doing dedicatedly and once I was in class 11th and I got selected for the state tournament. That is when I was going to represent my state Maharashtra in the nationals. I was very happy but the man who did all of these things for me was my father and he was very proud of me. He made sure that I do have everything properly, I do have a pair of good shoes, excellent equipment and at that point of time he gifted me my own badminton racket and that was something which is very special for me and has a special place in my heart. I was just so mesmerized by looking at the racket, it was so beautiful and it was so strong. The racket was a very expensive one and the power that the racket had was everything. Now after 4 years I still have that racket and I still have the same amount of love and respect for that racket because I won my tournaments with that racket and that is something my father has gifted me so I will be keeping it with me for the whole of my life. The racket is very special because my father gave it to me and I am very happy and I am very much blessed that my father is someone who is also interested in sports as I am and I have a father who motivates me to do everything I like.

Follow up questions

How has your badminton racket influenced your performance in sports?

My badminton racket has greatly influenced my performance. It provides me with the precision and power I need during matches. The confidence I gain from using a high-quality racket allows me to focus on my techniques and strategies, which has helped me win several tournaments.

What other sports do you enjoy playing besides badminton?

Besides badminton, I enjoy playing basketball and cricket. Each sport offers a different challenge and helps me stay fit. I love the teamwork involved in basketball and the strategy in cricket, which complements my skills in badminton.

How do you think your father's support has impacted your sports journey?

My father's support has been crucial in my sports journey. His encouragement and belief in my abilities motivate me to push my limits. He has always been there to guide me, whether it's through training or attending my matches, which has boosted my confidence immensely.

Show all 34 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Begin by clearly identifying the item and providing a brief description.
Mention any unique features or qualities that make it special to you.

Example

My favorite thing is my vintage guitar. It’s a beautiful acoustic guitar with a rich, warm tone and intricate woodwork that makes it stand out.

Cue 2:How did you get it?

Share a personal story about how you acquired the item, whether it was a gift, a purchase, or something else.
Include any emotions or significance related to the acquisition.

Example

I got this guitar as a gift from my father on my 18th birthday. He knew how much I loved music, and it was a dream come true for me to receive such a special instrument from him.

Cue 3:How do you use it? Why is it your favorite?

Explain how you use the item in your daily life or during special occasions.
Discuss the emotional connection or memories associated with it that make it your favorite.

Example

I play my guitar almost every evening after work. It helps me relax and express my feelings through music. This guitar is my favorite because it reminds me of my father and the countless hours we spent playing together.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about the item and its significance in your life.
End with a personal reflection on how it has impacted you.

Example

In conclusion, my vintage guitar is not just an instrument; it’s a symbol of my passion for music and a cherished connection to my father. It brings joy to my life and serves as a reminder of the beautiful moments we shared.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.