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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 >7

    Last weekend, my friends and I gathered for one of the most memorable dinners we had in a long time. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, inside jokes, and the kind of conversations that only happen when we are completely comfortable with each other. The table was set beautifully, and the aroma of the freshly cooked dishes instantly made us hungrier. We shared plates of delicious food. Everyone had their favorites, from spicy starters to warm, comforting main courses. What made it even more special was that we kept passing dishes around, making sure no one missed out on tasting anything. Along with the food, there were glasses clinking and endless chatter about college memories, future plans, and random funny stories. What stood out wasn't just the meal itself, but the feeling that surrounded it. The laughter was so loud at that time that people at nearby tables tended to smile at us. By the end of the evening, none of us wanted to leave. We sat there, enjoying the last bites of dessert, and promising that we'd make dinners like this tradition. It wasn't just dinner, it was a reminder of how good life feels when shared with the right people.

    Band 7

    One of the best dinners I had was a few months ago, when my family and I went out to celebrate my mother's birthday, we chose a rooftop restaurant in my city, and it was in the evening, so the view was absolutely beautiful with the lights all around. All of my close family members were there, my parents, my brother and my grandparents. It was very special because we don't often get a chance to sit together during everyone's busy schedule. We ordered a variety of dishes including chicken mandi, garlic naan, prawns, chicken 65, apollo fish, and some of the desserts like kunafa and cheesecake. The food was really delicious, but what made me more special was the way we shared everything and enjoyed each bite together. At the end, we surprised my mother with a cake, and the staff even sang for her, which makes her very happy. I enjoy the dinner not only because of the taste of food, but also because of the quality time I have spent with my family. We laughed a lot, clicked photos, and had meaningful conversations. That evening reminded me how important family bonding is, and that's why it always remains a memorable dinner for me.

    Band 7

    It's been a long time since we've had a family dinner together but the last that I remember was on my father's birthday which is in July. He had travelled to Chennai for some work and he was coming back in a flight. I got to the airport, I picked him up and we came home freshened up a bit and we went to Nini's kitchen for dinner. Now that was the first time when I had taken my parents out for dinner and paid for their bills. It was a very proud moment for me as well as them. It was truly beautiful and I cannot describe the feeling that you have when you get to do something for your parents. So that was the day when we went there and my family usually likes Punjabi cuisines. They are fond of Indian cuisines more than foreign I would say. Other cuisines like Mexican, Thai, Chinese are less preferred by them. So we went to an Indian subcontinental restaurant and it offered a variety of food. We ordered roti, sabzi, we also ordered a variety of soups and additionally we also had a pasta dish which was truly surprising because we never imagined that an Indian restaurant like this could make such tasty pasta. That is when my parents were truly astonished by the way the restaurant was managed, the way they served us, the kind of services that they provided. The hosts were very welcoming and we had a wonderful time. We sat there for about two hours. We gossiped about what my dad did on his trip and how he spent a week without him.

    Band 7

    One of the most memorable and meaningful dinners that I have ever had was last year. It was Mother's Day, and I had the opportunity to take my mother out for an elaborate dinner. It was a restaurant outside of town, on a small hill, very close to nature, which oversaw the whole city, and the view was so immaculate. One could only imagine. Me and my mother were alone during that time, as my sister and my father were living out for work and studies. So, I had this deep urge to surprise and to give my mother a memorable experience, because she usually does not have a lot of chances to explore or travel or go outside. During the dinner, we just sat there, we talked a lot about the beauty, the amenities, and the overall environment. It was so serene and beautiful. On top of it, as I am more inclined towards eating Chinese, I also suggested the same to my mother. We ordered some jasmine rice and burnt garlic rice for the dinner, along with pineapple yogurt as dessert, and some vegetable Manchurian since she is vegetarian. We talked a lot, we sat there for a good 2-3 hours, and then we drove back through the woods, and it was just a beautiful experience that I will always remember.

    Band 7

    I've been to this upscale restaurant in Hyderabad called the Joel of Nizam that served authentic Hyderabadi food such as biryani and kebabs. I specifically remember this experience because it was a very high-end restaurant and also I've been there with my parents. We went to that restaurant on the occasion of our father's birthday and as far as I remember it has been such a great experience be it the dining or the food and the taste and everything. So basically the restaurant was located right in the heart of the city and it was in an elevated place where we could view the outline of the city and the whole structure of it. It was such a great view to dine in. Coming to the food and its taste, the hospitality was really great, the staff was very understanding of our requirements. They also bought out a cake in the end actually to celebrate our dad's birthday with us. The taste wouldn't do justice to be honest. The food was so good, it was well prepared, the biryani had succulent flavor and the meat was so tender that we could only think how great the food was. That was our whole thinking and how the food is tasted is what we've been thinking. We felt that to be a great experience because our parents and us likewise have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we've made a great day out of it. I would 100% like to be in that position where I'd enjoy the food from there.

    Band 7

    A great dinner for me and my family members was when it was my brother's birthday. He was turning 18 years old at that time and all of my family were present. Because in India 18th birthday is seen as a major transition from a child to an adult. So whenever we celebrate an 18th birthday we always try to make it as grand as possible. Similarly my brother also had a very big celebration for his 18th birthday. We all went to a very fancy and nice restaurant that was 15 minutes away from my house. At that point my brother had also gotten accepted to a university in Canada and he was moving away. So my parents were super proud of him and the dinner was in celebration of both his birthday and him getting into college. We ate a lot of food that day but one food that I still remember is biryani. I have never been a very big fan of rice but biryani was something that made me fall in love with rice. It is made with rice, chicken and seasoning and it tasted so delicious to me that I practically begged my mother to take me to that restaurant every year on my birthday. My family and I we all thoroughly enjoyed that dinner and at that moment I was very content and happy because of the food and the celebration both.

    Band 7

    Last month, I had a wonderful dinner with my college friends. We went to a small restaurant near our campus that is famous for biryani. The atmosphere was casual and lively. We ordered different dishes like biryani, butter chicken and naan. The food was delicious and we kept sharing jokes and stories. I really enjoyed the evening because it was a nice break from studies. It was not a very fancy dinner but spending time with my friends made it memorable. What made the dinner special was not only the tasty food but also the laughter, conversation and the way my friends surprised me with the small cake and gift. It is still one of my happiest memories for me that the dinner was not just about the food but about the bond of friendship and feeling of achievement.

    Band 7

    I have recently been to a dinner party with my friends and family alongside. I enjoyed various dishes including continental, Indian, desi cuisine, Italian cuisine. The food was amazing and what made it special was having it with my own colleagues, my nearest family members and my joyful friends. There were so many special items that I had during my dinner. The most enjoyable and delicious dish was pizza since it is one of my favorite dishes every time and it is one of my go-to-go snack as well. Apart from all this, there were so many good mocktails and cocktails to sip on and to have fun along.

    Band 7

    First of all, thank you for this lovely question. Now, the great dinner I had was on 19th January 2024. It was my birthday, a special day for me. Me and my friends had planned to go out for dinner party and my sister had organized a beautiful surprise for me in Royal Folar restaurant. We all went there and experienced a very mesmerizing and very wonderful surprise and the food of the Royal Folar is famous in my city. So, we had ordered my favorite chicken Tikka, Kadai Chicken, then Dosa also and some barbecues for the starter. We enjoyed every bit, every part of that dinner party like there was a lot of gossip, fun, dance and yes, of course, the best part of that dinner was the birthday celebration. The cake was so beautiful. I was shocked to see that there was a girl who was using the social media as I am a social butterfly and social media alcoholic. The theme of that cake was social media alcoholic.

    Band 7

    The latest time when we as a family met together was the time when we celebrated my brother and my sister-in-law's anniversary. On that day we ordered chicken biryani, we ate as a family and we also invited our family friends, family relatives, my uncle, my aunt, my sister, my brother-in-law and my niece. We had a very excellent time together. We enjoyed talking with each other. We shared our feelings and emotions with each other. We shared our thoughts, our perceptions and we talked a lot about each other's lives and we guided each other on what can be done. We had an excellent time because we were able to share, we were able to fellowship, we were able to praise and worship together. We sang songs, we worshipped, we enjoyed, we ate food, we had a very nice time with the little niece that we have. It was a pleasant time, it was a pleasant evening that we spent together. Nevertheless, the family time that we spent together is very beautiful.
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