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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 116 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 7

    Well, one of the most memorable dinner I have ever had with my family was during last year's Eid celebration. It took place at our home and the atmosphere was absolutely electric, full of laughter, warmth and that special festival that brings everyone closer together. My mother had prepared a lavish spread that looked like something straight out of food magazine. We had a spread, fragrant chicken biryani, creamy butter chicken, fresh naan and for the dessert there was a vast menu from sheer korma that made with rice to the gulab jamun and shahi tukda and many more. The aroma of spices filled with the whole house making our mouths water even before we sat down. Honestly, it was a feast fit for a king. What made the dinner truly unforgettable wasn't just the food but the company. Everyone in the family was in high spirit, cracking jokes and sharing stories from childhood. After a long time, we all sat together without distractions, no home, no rush, just pure family time. I remember thinking how food really has the power to bring people together. To top it off, my mother's biryani turned out spot on. Most likely cooked rice, tender chicken, just the right amount of spice. Everyone licked their fingers clean and she was over the moon with all the compliments. In a nutshell, the dinner was not just about eating, it was about love, laughter and togetherness. It reminded me how the simplest moment like sharing a meal can become the most precious memories.

    Band 7

    I would like to talk about a post-birthday dinner which I had at a restaurant called Mocambo and it is situated in Kolkata. It is one of the famous restaurants of Kolkata and we ordered variety of dishes there. The dishes included chicken ala kip, my most favourite one, also some crab dishes and some typical Indian dishes including naan, chicken bharta and a chello kebab platter which is one of the exquisite dish of that restaurant. The ambience of the restaurant was very calm and peaceful and an ideal place for family and friends visit. I enjoyed the dinner very much because the people who were present in the dinner were very close to me, it included my parents and my very special friends whom I would like to cherish for my entire life. The food was outstanding and the chicken ala kip, it was so good, the taste was awesome and I would like to have it again, again. I enjoyed the dinner very much and also it is located in one of the posh locations of Kolkata, Park Street. So I would like to have a dinner there and stroll around in Park Street ever if I get an opportunity.

    Band 7

    One of the most memorable dinners I've ever had was a small family gathering to celebrate my parents' wedding anniversary last year. We decided to go to a cozy Italian restaurant in the city called La Bella Vita, which is famous for its authentic cuisine and warm, welcoming atmosphere. There was about 8 of us, my parents, my siblings, and a few close family members, my bad, family friends. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted garlic, which immediately made everyone's mouth water. The place had soft lighting, rustic wooden furniture, and gentle background music creating a relaxed and intimate setting, perfect for the occasion. We ordered a variety of dishes to share, including creamy mushroom risotto, wood-fired pizzas, and homemade pasta with rich tomato sauce. Every dish was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. I especially loved the tiramisu at the end. It was light, fluffy, and perfectly balanced in flavor. What made the evening truly special, though, wasn't just the food, but the atmosphere at the table. Everyone was in high spirits, reminiscing about old memories and laughing over funny family stories. It felt like time slowed down, and we were all completely present in the moment, enjoying each other's company. By the end of the night, I remember thinking that it wasn't just a dinner, it was an experience that brought us all together. It reminded me how important it is to slow down and share meaningful moments with the people who matter most.

    Band 7

    A dinner that I would never forget in my life is the dinner party we had on my mother's birthday. We went to a very fancy restaurant in Coimbatore which was called Dhanahati Mandi. So it's a restaurant which serves Arabian cuisine. It's a very popular restaurant in the city and I wanted to try it out for a long time. So I made, I booked a table on my mother's birthday to give her a surprise. So we went there as a family and we ordered Mandi. Mandi is a very popular Saudi Arabian dish and it's made out of rice and meat. So we ordered it and the food came and what I fell in love with immediately is the way it was presented to us. So there was this server, he came to us with a very good looking utensil, I'm not really sure what the word it is called, it's something in Arabic but it's some kind of utensil in which the food is served. And the moment he lifted the lid, there was charcoal burning inside and smoke was coming out of it and it looked really really good and delicious. The meat, I mean my mouth started watering just looking by the meat. We ate it and the taste was just mesmerizing and I had a really really good feast on that night. We do have plans to go there one day for another birthday party, until then I would just be dreaming about it.

    Band 7

    The shortest route to a person's heart is his stomach and I would agree to that so much because recently I've been enjoying the greatest food of my life from my mom's hand. My mom has always been sick but the recent new development in medical field has allowed her to get back on her feet. I cook food and meal for the entire family and I would thank God for such a blessing and I would thank all the researchers and doctors who have worked towards making this possible because now I can try food from my mother's hand that I've been craving for so long. I would also say we had a great dinner for the New Year's fest this year because our entire family was together. It's not about the taste of the food, it's about the people you're having the food with. These family dinners, the little talks we have about our past, our future, what we want to do in life, how's life, all these kind of things really lighten up the mood, they really lighten up the festival and I really loved and enjoyed the time I spent with my family this New Year.

    Band 7

    So, a great dinner that I enjoyed recently with my friends was at this restaurant named Nusara. Going to this restaurant was not a planned decision but a coincidence. I remember it was my friend's birthday and he wanted to throw us a party. We were looking at different restaurants and comparing their discounts to go to a place which served fancy food but was also light on the pocket. We decided on one restaurant but unfortunately the bookings were full. Then lastly we reached at this restaurant which was located at Juhu near the Juhu beach. Firstly, the impression of the restaurant was as if we had reached China or Japan. It was dimly lit and the seating was really comfortable. The food we ate there was sushi, we tried Chinese and additionally we feasted on a large pizza. My friends accompanied me and there were two males and a female. Overall, the meal was quite good. We ate a lot of food, had a good laughter and left feeling really content. Something that I cherish looking back at that memory is how having a good feast with your friends and sharing a light evening is necessary for a change.

    Band 7

    A great dinner that my friends and family enjoyed would have to be my niece's birthday. On my niece's 7th birthday, we had booked out a reserved table at a hotel called Hayat which is a 5-star restaurant and there were 7 of us present in the dinner gathering. It was a buffet with an exquisite range of desserts. One could easily walk around and choose between the elaborate array of food that was on display. I myself started off with a soup and a small salad and moved on to have a biryani which is a local food that is quite famous in my area. And for dessert, I cannot pick one particular dessert that I had because I went through a lot of them. I came out of it stuffed till my esophagus and the icing on top would have to be the complimentary cake that they gave which we all cut and shared between ourselves. The food was beyond tasty and my niece was extremely happy from the dinner. Everybody left with a full tummy and a content heart, hoping to go back there for the next event that we can think of. One particular dish if I had to pick would have to be the lamb chops. They were marinated in this barbecue sauce and were drooling just at the sight of it.

    Band 7

    Well, to begin with, family meals are not just about food, but also spending quality time together and creating a last longing memory. Here, I would like to talk about a great dinner that I had with my family member a couple months ago on my mother's birthday. On that special occasion, all my family members, including my father, mother, sister, brother, and my cousin brother who came abroad from a long time and we visited a famous restaurant in our locality. When we visited there, we were amazed by the elegant interior and the guard welcomed us with a warm smile and table was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights. My mother was also surprised as she didn't know about this surprise. When she was feel over the moon and her eyes were full of happiness, it was truly a perfect moment for me. Apart from that, we ordered some delicious dishes like butter chicken, dal makhani, and fresh chapatis, my favorite dessert, gulab jamun. The food was so delicious that it surprised our acceptance by leaping the bonds. During dinner, we talked about many things. My cousin shared his experience as they lived abroad and told us about the culture and about the people over there. Apart from that, my brother is a family joker, kept teasing us, which made everyone burst into laughter. If I talk about why I enjoyed it so much, then there are so many reasons. Firstly, the key reason is that it was not just about the food but also about the warmth and togetherness. On the top of that, the surprise for my brother was the ice on the table.

    Band 7

    I would like to talk about a really wonderful dinner I enjoyed with my family for my mother's birthday last month. We decided to celebrate at a cozy Thai restaurant in our neighborhood that we'd all been wanting to try. It was just a small group, me, my parents and my older brother, even though it was simple having us all together and made it feel like a special occasion. The restaurant had a lovely warm atmosphere with soft lighting and traditional Thai music playing. We decided to order a few different dishes to share, which is my favorite way to eat. We had a creamy green curry, some spicy pad thai noodles, a tangy mango salad and steamed jasmine rice. The food was absolutely delicious, everything was so fresh and flavorful. What made the dinner truly special though wasn't just the food, it was the fact that we were all together completely focused on each other. We put our phones away and just talked and laughed for hours. We shared stories and reminisced about old family holidays. I enjoyed it so much because it felt like a genuine connection. In our busy lives, it's rare for all of us to sit down for a meal without any distractions. That evening was relaxed, full of love and a perfect celebration for my mom. It was a simple dinner, but it's a memory I really treasure.

    Band 7

    Let me share a recent dinner I had with my family. It was two weekends before. My mom and my brother were busy with their work and studies and I was also busy with my work for the past few months. So we had a feeling that we should come together at least for dinner. Thus we planned to have a dinner during a Saturday evening at our home itself. It was one of the memorable dinners we had at our home. I cooked some dishes I included. I bought the grocery and I cooked it myself. Therefore it is very important to me. Moreover everyone at the dinner enjoyed it. Usually there will be some tasteless dishes that I make but that dinner included four or five of my dishes and it was great. Everyone praised me. Furthermore we got a lot of time to discuss our family matters, personal merits and our problems. It was a great memory for us. We spent more than three hours at the dinner table discussing our thoughts and interests.
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