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Describe a great dinner you and your friends or family members enjoyed: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • Where/when the dinner was
  • Who was there
  • What you ate / what made it special
  • And explain why you enjoyed it
Show all 103 answers

Cue 1:Where/when the dinner was

  • Begin by describing the location of the dinner, whether it was at home, a restaurant, or a special venue.
  • Mention the date or occasion that made the dinner memorable, such as a birthday, festival, or reunion.

Example

The dinner took place at my home last Diwali, which is a significant festival in India. We decided to celebrate with a family gathering, as it’s a time for togetherness and joy.

Cue 2:Who was there

  • List the people who attended the dinner, focusing on family members or close friends.
  • Share a brief detail about the relationships you have with them to add a personal touch.

Example

My parents, my younger sister, and a few close friends were there. It was lovely to have my best friend from college join us, as we hadn’t seen each other in a while.

Cue 3:What you ate / what made it special

  • Describe the food that was served, highlighting any special dishes or homemade items.
  • Explain what made the meal unique, such as traditional recipes or a special chef.

Example

We enjoyed a feast of traditional Indian dishes, including biryani, paneer tikka, and a variety of sweets like gulab jamun. My mother made her famous biryani, which always brings back fond memories of our family gatherings.

Cue 4:And explain why you enjoyed it

  • Reflect on the atmosphere of the dinner and the feelings it evoked.
  • Mention any memorable moments or conversations that contributed to your enjoyment.

Example

I truly enjoyed the dinner because of the warmth and laughter shared among us. We reminisced about old times, shared stories, and played games, which created a joyful atmosphere that I will cherish forever.

Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, this dinner was not just about the delicious food but also about the love and connection we shared as a family and friends. It reminded me of the importance of togetherness, especially during festive occasions.

    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 Detail

    Providing vague answers can make your response less engaging. Specific details help paint a vivid picture of the dinner experience.

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    Tip

    Include specific information about the location, the people present, and the dishes served to make your story more interesting.

    2: Ignoring the Emotional Aspect

    Failing to express why the dinner was enjoyable can make your answer feel flat. Emotions connect your experience to the listener.

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    Tip

    Share personal feelings or memorable moments from the dinner to convey why it was special to you and your friends or family.

    Rushing Through the Answer

    Speaking too quickly can lead to unclear communication and missed details. It's important to pace your speech for better understanding.

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    Tip

    Take your time to articulate each point clearly, ensuring you cover all the cues without feeling rushed.

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    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7.5

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 8

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 6.5

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7.5

    location icon

    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.

    All Answers

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

    Band 8

    One of the most memorable dinners I have had was a family dinner we enjoyed at home a few months before I completed my law degree. It was not a fancy restaurant or a big celebration, it was simply an evening where everyone happened to be relaxed, free and genuinely present, which is quite rare. We cooked together which made the evening feel even more special. My father prepared his signature dishes and I helped him with the starters while talking about my plans for higher studies abroad. The atmosphere felt warm and light and our parrots and sparrow kept chirping in the background with something very typical in my house and as a homely hum. What made that dinner truly great was the kind of conversation we had. My parents shared stories from their youth and we spoke openly about my career goals in corporate law and governance. They were excited, a little emotional and extremely supportive and that meant a lot to me as I was stepping into a new phase of my life. We did not do anything which was high-fi, we just laughed, ate good food and sat together long after dinner was over. It felt like one of those rare moments where everything slows down and you realise how comforting family can be. Even now that dinner stands out in my mind because it reminded me of what home truly feels like. All the warmth, support and the simple joy of being surrounded by all the people who genuinely care, love and show affection for you.

    Band 8

    The most unforgettable dinner I shared with friends occurred last December at a quaint rooftop restaurant that offered a stunning view of the city. To start with, there were six of us, all long-time university friends, and the ambience was immediately welcoming with warm lighting, soft music and an engaging conversation creating the perfect atmosphere. We kicked off the meal with a lavish selection of appetizers, fragrant dumplings, a zesty cabbage and a dinner platter of tapas that catered to every taste. Additionally, the main dishes were outstanding. I opted for a slow braised lamb shank and served in a rich and velvety sauce, while others enjoyed a delicate seafood risotto that was bursting with briny flavors. What truly made the evening memorable was not just the food but the companionship between courses. We exchanged stories, laughed until we were in stitches, and savored the desert as if time had come to a standstill. The desert, a deconstructed chocolate tart with a touch of sea salt, was simply divine and elicited appreciative murmurs around the table. Moreover, the service was unobtrusive yet attentive, which elevated the overall dining experience without being intrusive. Looking back, that dinner is remarkable because it blended outside cuisine with an authentic camp camaraderie. It felt like a personal celebration of friendship and fine dining, leaving me with a lasting sense of satisfaction and warm nostalgia.

    Band 7

    I went to a cafe called Una Villa located in Alvapet. I visited it with my parents on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. The cafe served continental food and it was very famous for its pizzas and pastas which was made fresh. I absolutely loved the pesto pasta that I ordered. It was served piping hot with melted cheese and a good amount of vegetables. Since I am a health conscious person, they also made sure in the menu that they added the calorie serving of each meal which was surprising. It is very hard to see that gesture in a lot of restaurants and the service was impeccable. The value for money is quite good. The ambience is very well established and it is tucked away in the middle of the city in a quiet place filled with lots of candle lights. My parents really enjoyed it and the dish was made with so much of love that it just melts in your mouth. We also called the chef who had prepared our food and personally thanked him because the food was really good and that's it.

    Band 7

    One of the most memorable dinners I had was about 3 months ago when my family and I celebrated my cousin's birthday at a cozy rooftop restaurant in my city. It was a special evening because all of us were meeting together after a long time. To start with, the atmosphere of the place was amazing. The restaurant had warm lights, soft music and a beautiful view of the city. We chose an outdoor table so we could enjoy the cool breeze and the scenario what happening outside. Everyone was in relaxed and cheerful mood and that made the dinner even more enjoyable. We ordered a variety of dishes but the main highlight was a large platter that included grilled vegetables, paneer tikka and perfectly roasted chicken. The flavors were rich and smoky and the food was served fresh and sizzling. For drinks, we had fresh fruit juices and mocktails. Finally, we ended the dinner with a delicious chocolate lava cake which everyone loved. What made the dinner truly great wasn't just the food but the conversations we shared. We laughed a lot, talked about our childhood memories and even made plans for our next trip. I felt like we had all reconnected after a long gap. Overall, it was a wonderful dinner because it brought everyone together. The food was excellent and the atmosphere made the night unforgettable. I still look back at the evening with a smile. Thanks for watching and don't forget to like and subscribe!

    Band 7

    The last time I enjoyed a great dinner was with my family on the occasion of Deepavali. Deepavali is the biggest festival of Hindus and we celebrate it with a lot of enthusiasm. I want to tell one more thing that my elder sister's birthday also happens to be in Deepavali. So it's like the double celebration. So we went for a dinner and there we celebrated her birthday. We did the cake cutting ceremony and we also had a very delicious dinner. We have a special spot or a special restaurant where we often go for a family dinner. That place is Annapurna restaurant. It's a pure veg restaurant as we are vegetarian. And they serve very very yummy and delicious and mouthwatering veg dishes. So we had ordered butter garlic naan with paneer tikka and kolhapuri veg. So paneer tikka is basically very creamy and the kolhapuri veg is quite spicy. And so both the curries were really really really good. They were, the quality was top notch. And it was so tasty that we were licking our fingers while eating. And we also had, after finishing the...

    Band 7

    Recently, after getting married, my husband and I, we took our parents to a five-star hotel for dinner. It was Taj Coromandel. It is located in Chennai. It is a very popular five-star hotel. Something very special about this experience is that the luxury, the kind of environment we were in. From the entry to the serving of dishes to the final feedback by the chef, everything was so very well planned that it gave us a different kind of a feel. It was mostly a one-of-a-kind experience. I really enjoyed having this particular dinner with my family because we were able to sit and talk as a family after a long time, after all the hustle and bustle of the wedding. We had a very relaxed time. There was a soothing music playing in the background. We ordered our favorite dishes, be it the entree, the main course, everything was a traditional South Indian dish. And I thoroughly enjoyed tasting the dessert called Elanir Payasam, which is mildly sweet and very refreshing as a dessert. And everybody tried it and they also enjoyed it. It was quite expensive when it came to the pricing, but as a family being together and having a kind of experience like this made me feel so happy that I really wish we could do this very often.

    Band 7

    One of the most memorable dinners I enjoyed with my family happened a few months ago when we all decided to have a small celebration at home. It wasn't a special occasion but everyone was finally free after a long time so we wanted to spend the evening together and enjoyed a nice homemade meal. My mother cooked a variety of dishes but the highlight of the dinner was a delicious Indian style chicken curry and fresh rotis. My father helped by preparing a simple salad and I made a dessert, fruit custard which is one of our family's favorite. The whole house smelled amazing and the atmosphere felt warm and comforting. What made that dinner truly special wasn't just the food but the experience we had. We sat together at the dining table, talked about funny childhood memories and updated each other about our lives. Everyone was relaxed and laughing which doesn't happen very often because we all have our own busy schedule. The food tasted incredible, everything was homemade and we could feel the love and efforts behind it. Even the simplest dishes felt special because we made them and enjoyed it together. After dinner we listened to some old songs and continued chatting for almost an hour. This dinner stands out in my mind because it reminded me how meaningful family time is. It wasn't expensive or fancy but it felt perfect because we were all together, happy and truly present in the moment. It's the kind of evening I will always remember fondly.

    Band 7

    Last month, I had a wonderful dinner with my close friends at a cozy rooftop restaurant called Skyline Bistro. Located in the center of my city, we went there on a Saturday evening because all of us were finally free after a busy week. There were five of us, including my best friend Arjun who had two college classmates and one of my childhood friends. We hadn't met for a long time, so it already felt like a small reunion. We ordered a variety of dishes, but the ones I enjoyed the most were the wood-fired pizza, creamy alfredo pasta, and platter of grilled vegetables. For dessert, we shared a molten chocolate lava cake, which was so delicious that we almost argued over who would get the last piece. What made this dinner really special was the atmosphere and the mood we were all in. The rooftop had small, soft, gentle lighting, good music, and a beautiful view of the city at night. Most importantly, all of us were relaxed, cheerful, and full of funny stories to share. We spent hours laughing, talking about our plans for the future. I enjoyed it so much because it felt like a break from the usual stressful routines. It reminded me how refreshing it is to spend quality time with people who truly understand and support me. Even now, we still talk about the dinner because it was such a perfect blend of good food, great company, and lovely environment. I believe this was one of the times I spent my evenings on and it was really amazing. Overall, it was a wonderful evening because it reminded me how important it is to take breaks and spend time with people who matter. Even today, whenever we meet, we still talk about the dinner and how perfect it felt.

    Band 7

    So, I want to tell you about an interesting dinner I had. The dish I had was called Biryani. I had it about 2 years ago in this beautiful place called Hyderabad. I was visiting Hyderabad for the first time, we were travelling around the cities of Chamina and we found this hotel called Shara. They said it was very famous over there and we decided to give it a try. When we sat down in the restaurant and there was a waiter giving us the menu and telling us the specials. After looking at it, I decided it was the go-to thing, I have to order it. And then, the Biryani arrived. At the first moment when I saw it, it was presented very well. There was this rice with spices on it, there were onions and coriander alongside the chicken. When I first gave it a try, my mouth exploded. The flavours were very rich and complex and the spices were neutralising with the curd. Since the last visit, I have decided I have to try this food again. I would say this particular dish is famous of Hyderabad. I think it is celebrated along with the culture of Hyderabad.

    Band 7

    My family and I went to ITC Grand Chola located in Chennai to celebrate my 18th birthday. When we arrived at ITC Grand Chola, we saw how the restaurant was decorated with. It has a grand traditional variety of decorations and it has a very calm and vibrant nature. So we ordered our dinner and it was served with very beautifully decorated plates and a grand texture. What was so unique about that restaurant is the way they prepare the food. It was completely organic and it had a very delicious taste. It was served with a very beautiful presentation and it was very authentic to have a great dinner at a very special occasion. So my family and I enjoyed the dinner and throughout our dinner there were pleasant musics playing around. It was a very wonderful evening to spend a time and have a great variety of options to eat with. So I recommend my friends and family to visit that place once in a lifetime and to never miss a great opportunity to be there.
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