Describe A Painting That You Like: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where and when did you see the painting?
What does it look like?
Explain why did you like it?
How did you feel about the painting?

36 unique answers with expert feedback

What emotions does the painting evoke for you?

The painting evokes feelings of love and loyalty. It reminds me of the deep bond between Shah Jahan and Mumtaz, which resonates with my own experiences of love. Every time I look at it, I feel a sense of warmth and connection to my partner.

How has your mother's art influenced your view on creativity?

My mother's art has greatly influenced my appreciation for creativity. Seeing her passion and dedication in creating the painting inspires me to express myself artistically. It shows me that art can convey deep emotions and stories, which is something I value.

Do you think art can impact relationships? How?

Absolutely! Art can reflect emotions and experiences that strengthen relationships. For instance, my mother's painting symbolizes love, which reminds me of the importance of loyalty and affection in my own relationship. It serves as a constant reminder of those values.

Band 6-7

00:00

Although, I like numerous paintings, one of them is special and worth mentioning here. I saw this painting in my school, when I saw this painting, I was surprised and while watching its beauty. The painting is about the pressing problem related to the environmental issues in our society. It is divided into three parts, first part of the painting focus on the air pollution and it depicts that vehicles cause a lot of pollution. One of the right side, there is a solution, switching to the public transportation with the beautiful metro train shown on it. The middle part focuses on the water pollution, showing how plastic bags are damaging and closing our drains and reaching the ocean through various water bodies. The solution provided is banning plastic bags and switching to jute bags. The third and the last one part of the painting is the sound pollution, which shows various vehicles blowing horns and some people playing loud music. The solution provided is an awareness campaign to tell about the adverse effects of the excessive sounds. All in all, this was the painting I liked the most and I am keen into it, because the global warming is the main cause of pollution.

Follow up questions

What emotions did the painting evoke in you?

The painting evoked a mix of emotions in me, primarily sadness and concern. Seeing the environmental issues depicted made me reflect on the impact of pollution on our planet. However, the solutions presented also gave me a sense of hope and motivation to contribute to positive change.

How do you think art can influence people's views on environmental issues?

Art has a powerful ability to convey messages and evoke emotions. It can raise awareness about environmental issues by visually representing the problems and solutions, making them more relatable and impactful. This can inspire people to take action and change their behaviors.

Have you ever created any artwork related to environmental issues?

Yes, I have tried my hand at creating artwork focused on environmental themes. I made a collage using recycled materials to highlight the importance of reducing waste. It was a fun way to express my concerns and promote sustainability through creativity.

Band 6-7

00:00

I have different hobbies in my life. One of my hobbies is painting and drawing. Here I would like to say about a painting that which I like was almost 10 years ago when I was a kid. At that time me and my family was travelling to Dubai as that was one of our business trips. By the reaching there we had a lot of changes like visiting many tourist places, staying out in different hotels like that. After day 1, I think day 2 we visited a museum there. The work was held only for 2 days. We visited there and we saw many beautiful paintings, many beautiful drawings, many artists, many movies like stage movies which they really performed well. At that time I saw a painting which was drawn by a famous painter named Charles Norbert. The painting was really awesome. I liked the painting because of the colour and the colours which was used in that painting. I was really much excited and happy by seeing that. The painting gives us a mood change like we were in a sad mood or my family all were in a dull phase. By seeing it, it gives us joy to our face. The painting looks like it's a greenery one which consists of everything like mountains, lakes, roadways, flights.

Follow up questions

What emotions do you think art can evoke in people?

Art has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions in people. It can bring joy, sadness, nostalgia, or even inspiration. A painting like the one I saw can uplift spirits and change moods, making people feel more connected to their surroundings and to each other.

How do you think visiting museums influences people's appreciation of art?

Visiting museums allows people to experience art up close and understand the context behind it. It can deepen appreciation for artists and their techniques. Museums also provide a space for reflection and discussion, which can enhance one's understanding and enjoyment of art.

Have you ever tried to recreate a painting you liked? How did it go?

Yes, I have tried to recreate some paintings that inspired me. It was challenging but also rewarding. It helped me appreciate the skill involved in painting. While my recreations were not perfect, the process taught me a lot about color mixing and brush techniques.

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Band 6-7

00:00

Okay, so the painting I like was made by my sibling and it was a portrait of a lady and it took him around a week to complete and I was mesmerized with how much detailing he did in it. Like, it has everything and anything similar and exactly same as the photo of the lady and specially the eyes, it felt like it was real. It's not even on the paper and because he used charcoal pencil, whenever a light reflects on it, it shines, it makes it more pretty, according to me.

Follow up questions

What emotions does the painting evoke for you?

The painting evokes a sense of admiration and pride for my sibling's talent. It also brings a feeling of nostalgia, as it reminds me of the person in the portrait and the memories associated with them. I feel a connection to both the artwork and the artist.

How do you think art influences people's emotions?

Art has a profound impact on emotions; it can evoke joy, sadness, or nostalgia. A well-crafted piece can resonate with viewers, allowing them to connect with their own experiences. It can also inspire creativity and provoke thought, making it a powerful form of expression.

Have you ever tried painting or drawing yourself?

Yes, I have tried painting a few times, but I don't have the same skill as my sibling. I enjoy it as a hobby, and it helps me relax. While I appreciate art, I find it challenging to capture details like he does, but I admire the process and creativity involved.

Band 6-7

00:00

One of the paintings which I have recently liked is the one which my friend has drawn. It is a normal painting with a scenic view, but I personally believe that painting is just not an art, but a way of expressing ourself. I like that painting a lot because it just not only depicted the calmness of the nature, but it also shows the person and the life of a person, how we can relate it to nature. If we talk about the painting, it is a painting with a scenery and a person who is trying to cross the river in his boat. Now frankly speaking, I personally believe it is a kind of painting which depicted my current situation. That is the reason I love the most because that painting shows the loneliness of that person and to be honest, when I saw that painting, I was really down and I was going through a lot in my personal life, so maybe that is the reason it has created a long lasting impact in my mind and my life and that is the reason I still remember that painting. It has not been painted by any great artist like I have mentioned earlier. One of my friend has painted that painting, but as I said, it was one of the most beautiful paintings which I have ever seen because it depicted the personal life of any person looking at that painting.

Follow up questions

What emotions do you feel when you look at that painting?

When I look at that painting, I feel a mix of calmness and nostalgia. It reminds me of my own struggles and the solitude that often accompanies them. The serene scenery contrasts with the loneliness of the person in the boat, which resonates deeply with my personal experiences.

How do you think art can impact our emotions?

Art has a profound ability to evoke emotions and reflect our inner feelings. It can serve as a mirror to our experiences, allowing us to process our emotions. In my case, that painting helped me confront my feelings of loneliness and provided a sense of connection to nature and my own life.

Do you think art can be a form of therapy?

Absolutely, I believe art can be therapeutic. It allows individuals to express their feelings and thoughts in a non-verbal way. Creating or viewing art can provide comfort and a sense of understanding, helping people navigate through difficult times, just like that painting did for me.

Show all 36 answers

Cue 1:Where and when did you see the painting?

Begin by describing the location where you first encountered the painting, such as a gallery or a friend's house.
Mention the time frame, whether it was during a specific event, a casual visit, or a school trip.

Example

I first saw the painting at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi during a school trip last year. It was a bright sunny day, and the gallery was filled with students and art enthusiasts, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Cue 2:What does it look like?

Provide a detailed description of the painting, including colors, shapes, and the overall theme.
Mention any specific elements that stood out to you, such as the style of painting or the emotions it conveys.

Example

The painting is a beautiful landscape featuring a serene lake surrounded by lush green hills. The artist used vibrant blues and greens, which made the scene come alive. There are soft brush strokes that create a dreamy effect, and a small boat can be seen floating on the lake, adding a sense of tranquility.

Cue 3:Explain why you liked it?

Discuss the personal connection you felt with the painting and what it represents to you.
Mention any specific feelings or memories that the painting evoked.

Example

I liked this painting because it reminded me of my childhood trips to the hills with my family. The peacefulness of the scene resonated with me, and it made me feel nostalgic. I appreciate how art can evoke such strong emotions and memories.

Cue 4:How did you feel about the painting?

Share your emotional response to the painting, whether it was joy, calmness, or inspiration.
Explain how the painting impacted your thoughts or feelings about art in general.

Example

Looking at the painting filled me with a sense of calm and happiness. It inspired me to explore more about art and even try painting myself. I realized how powerful art can be in expressing emotions and connecting with people.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, this painting not only captivated me with its beauty but also left a lasting impression on my heart. It serves as a reminder of the peace found in nature and the joy of childhood memories, making it a piece of art that I will always cherish.

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: Being Vague About Details

Candidates often give vague answers without specific details about the painting. This can make their response less engaging and informative.

Tip

Include specific details about the painting's colors, style, and elements to create a vivid image for the listener.

2: Neglecting Personal Feelings

Some candidates forget to express their personal feelings about the painting, which is crucial for a more heartfelt response.

Tip

Share your emotions and thoughts about the painting, explaining why it resonates with you personally.

Rushing Through the Cues

Candidates often rush through the cues without fully addressing each one, leading to incomplete answers.

Tip

Take your time to address each cue thoroughly, ensuring you provide a well-rounded description and explanation.

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