Describe a person who has strong opinions: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who this person is
How you know him/her
Why you think he/she is a person who has strong opinions
What kinds of strong opinions this person has
And explain how you feel about his/her opinions

20 unique answers with expert feedback

How do you think strong opinions can influence discussions?

Strong opinions can lead to more engaging discussions, as they encourage debate and critical thinking. However, they can also create tension if people are unwilling to consider other viewpoints. It's important to balance strong beliefs with openness to foster constructive dialogue.

Do you believe it's important to have strong opinions?

Yes, having strong opinions can help individuals express their beliefs and values clearly. It can also motivate them to take action on issues they care about. However, it's crucial to remain flexible and willing to adapt one's views based on new information or perspectives.

How can someone respectfully disagree with a person who has strong opinions?

Respectful disagreement involves listening actively and acknowledging the other person's viewpoint. One can express their own opinion calmly, using 'I' statements to share personal feelings without dismissing the other person's beliefs. This approach fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Band 6-7

00:00

The person name was Mohana Priya, we call her Mouni. She is my childhood friend, we both went to the same school from the childhood. She always makes the strong opinion because she always points out and gives the right statement and also her opinion is always right. So it is good to listen to her opinion because she is always right. One time, once upon a day, when I was struggling after my 12th standard graduation, I was struggling which field I have to choose. So I asked her opinion about which field I have to choose. She told me that I am good at Mathematics, because I too know that I am good at Mathematics. I used to teach her and I used to teach her before the exam last minute and she gets smart because of that. So she said me, you are good at teaching field and you are also good at Mathematics other than other subjects, so you should follow that. So I followed her opinion, now I am a Mathematics teacher, I have 3 degrees in Mathematics. So from this I have learned that we should be determined in what we are doing, we should get good respect from others.

Follow up questions

How do you think strong opinions can influence decision-making?

Strong opinions can significantly influence decision-making by providing clarity and direction. When someone expresses a well-founded opinion, it can help others see different perspectives and make informed choices. In my case, Mouni's opinion on my career path guided me towards becoming a Mathematics teacher.

Can having strong opinions lead to conflicts? Why or why not?

Yes, having strong opinions can sometimes lead to conflicts, especially if others disagree. People may feel defensive or challenged when their beliefs are questioned. However, if expressed respectfully, strong opinions can foster healthy discussions and lead to better understanding among individuals.

Do you think it's important to have your own opinions? Why?

Absolutely, having your own opinions is crucial as it reflects your individuality and critical thinking. It allows you to express your beliefs and values, contributing to discussions and decisions. Forming your own opinions helps you grow and develop a sense of identity in various aspects of life.

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.

Some drawbacks include the potential for closed-mindedness, where one may dismiss other viewpoints. This can lead to isolation or conflict with others. Additionally, strong opinions can create stress in situations where compromise is necessary, making it harder to work with diverse groups.

Show all 20 answers

Cue 1:Who this person is

Introduce the person by name and relationship to you.
Mention a few key characteristics that define this person.

Example

The person I want to talk about is my uncle, Rajesh. He is a retired professor and has always been known for his strong views on various subjects.

Cue 2:How you know him/her

Explain your relationship with the person and how long you have known them.
Share a brief anecdote that highlights your interactions.

Example

I have known my uncle Rajesh since I was a child. Growing up, I spent many weekends at his house, where we would discuss everything from politics to philosophy over cups of tea.

Cue 3:Why you think he/she is a person who has strong opinions

Discuss specific instances where he/she expressed their opinions passionately.
Mention how these opinions have influenced others around them.

Example

My uncle is a person with strong opinions because he never hesitates to voice his thoughts, especially during family gatherings. He often encourages debates and is not afraid to challenge others' views, which has made him a respected figure in our family.

Cue 4:What kinds of strong opinions this person has

Identify the main topics he/she is passionate about.
Provide examples of specific opinions he/she holds.

Example

He has strong opinions on education reform and environmental issues. For instance, he believes that the education system in India needs a complete overhaul to focus more on critical thinking rather than rote learning.

Cue 5:And explain how you feel about his/her opinions

Share your personal feelings about his/her opinions.
Discuss whether you agree or disagree and why.

Example

I admire my uncle's opinions because they are well-researched and thought-provoking. While I don’t always agree with him, his perspectives challenge me to think critically about important issues.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about the person and their opinions.
Reflect on the impact this person has had on your own views.

Example

In conclusion, my uncle Rajesh is a person with strong opinions who has significantly influenced my thinking. His passion for education and the environment inspires me to be more aware and engaged in these issues.

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: Avoid Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your response unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the person and their opinions to engage the listener.