Describe a person who likes to make things by hand (e.g. toys, furniture): IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who this person is
What he/she makes
Why he/she likes to make things by hand
And explain how you feel about the person

4 unique answers with expert feedback

What skills do you think are important for a craftsman?

I believe a good craftsman should have attention to detail, creativity, and patience. They need to understand materials and techniques well, as well as have the ability to visualize the final product. These skills help them create high-quality, functional, and aesthetically pleasing items.

How do you think handmade items compare to mass-produced ones?

Handmade items often have a unique charm and personal touch that mass-produced items lack. They can be made with higher quality materials and craftsmanship, which can make them more durable. Additionally, handmade items often carry a story or sentiment that adds to their value.

Do you think more people should learn to make things by hand?

Absolutely! Learning to make things by hand can be very rewarding. It fosters creativity, provides a sense of accomplishment, and can be a great way to relieve stress. Plus, it helps preserve traditional skills and crafts that are becoming less common in our modern, technology-driven world.

Band 5-6

00:00

I know many persons in this world and I love watching the people who is doing work by their hand. If I want to talk about something special person about doing work by hand, I would say about one of my relatives. His name is Raju. He is one of my paternal uncle. I think he is just 41 years old. He looks like very young person. His home is located nearby my village. The village of his name is Palayur. He is very famous for his arts. He is doing work for himself because he is a businessman and he is making a pot, I mean clay pot. He uses his hands to make a clay pot as well as sometimes, I mean some festivals times, he would make toys, I mean clay toys. Obviously, he has to spend a lot of time to make pot or toys with his hand because it is one of the trickiest thing. If he uses some other machines to complete his work quickly, then the precision of the product may be wrong or sometimes it is not possible to get exact shape. That's why he likes to use his fingers rather than depending on any other machines. So, he is one of the persons.

Follow up questions

What are some benefits of making things by hand?

Making things by hand allows for greater creativity and personalization. It often results in unique products that reflect the maker's style. Additionally, hand-made items can be of higher quality and durability, as they are crafted with care and attention to detail.

How do you think technology impacts traditional crafts?

Technology can both help and hinder traditional crafts. On one hand, it can provide tools that enhance precision and efficiency. On the other hand, it may lead to a decline in traditional skills as people rely more on machines. Balancing technology with handcrafting is essential for preserving these arts.

Why do you think people enjoy making things by hand?

People enjoy making things by hand because it can be a relaxing and fulfilling activity. It allows for self-expression and creativity. Additionally, the satisfaction of creating something tangible with one's own hands can be very rewarding, fostering a sense of accomplishment.

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.

Band 5-6

00:00

I have come across plenty of people who are really skilled in making things. One of my favorite person that I like his things or the things he manufacture that is my father. I have come across lot of people who are very good at their work like a skilled worker who are good in carving or making the toys. One of my favorite person was also doing this work he is my grandfather he used to do some furniture works like chairs and tables and it was I know in olden days it was really difficult to do because everything should be done by man made things like they only have to bring the wood and they have to carve it by their hand fortunately as the world evolved there are so many instruments that make the work very easily but I really intrigued by my grandfather that he still works and he has this super fantastic like furnitures that are still in my home it is very good and the quality is really great that it doesn't perish how now a days the furnitures that just degenerate in their designs whereas how my father grandfather used to do was eminent.

Follow up questions

What skills do you think are important for someone who makes things by hand?

I believe patience and attention to detail are crucial. A person needs to be meticulous to ensure quality in their work. Additionally, creativity is important to come up with unique designs, and technical skills are necessary to handle tools and materials effectively.

How do you think handmade items compare to mass-produced items?

Handmade items often have a unique charm and quality that mass-produced items lack. They are usually made with care and attention, which can result in better durability and aesthetics. However, mass-produced items are often more affordable and accessible to a wider audience.

Do you think the skills of making things by hand are still valued today?

Yes, I think there is a growing appreciation for handmade items today, especially as people seek authenticity and uniqueness. Many consumers are willing to pay more for items that are crafted with skill and care, as they often tell a story and support local artisans.

Band 5-6

00:00

My mother likes to knit a lot and she knits cardigans, sweaters for everyone in the family. She enjoys it too much that she always gives in advance some baby sweaters or if there is some program like baby showers or someone invited her to their home and there are babies there so she always gives cardigans and sweaters to them. It's like she gives her magical touch to every child she pets. And for me as well also she likes to prepare different kind of cardigans with different designs and I'm her favorite child in that because my siblings doesn't like to wear hat knit stuff but I do and I really really like them. So when she made anything for me I just wear it immediately when she gave it to me and I always demand different kinds of cardigans to her and she enjoys when she likes it when I made a request to her to make a cardigan for myself and that's a special bond between us and I also want to get the talent from her so sometimes I also try to knit along with her. I can do simple knitting but the patterns and the different kinds of knits she does.

Follow up questions

What other crafts or hobbies does your mother enjoy?

In addition to knitting, my mother also enjoys sewing and occasionally makes quilts. She loves working with fabrics and creating unique pieces. Sometimes, she combines her knitting and sewing skills to create beautiful gifts for family and friends.

How do you feel about handmade gifts compared to store-bought ones?

I cherish handmade gifts much more than store-bought ones. They carry a personal touch and show the effort and love put into them. Each piece my mother makes feels special and unique, making it a treasured item that I can keep for years.

Have you ever thought about starting your own crafting business?

Yes, I have considered starting a small business selling handmade knitted items. I think it would be a great way to share my mother's talent and my own creations with others. It could also help me improve my skills while connecting with people who appreciate handmade crafts.

Show all 4 answers

Cue 1:Who this person is

Introduce the person with a brief background, such as their relationship to you.
Mention any relevant skills or traits that make them passionate about handmade creations.

Example

The person I want to talk about is my uncle, who is a retired carpenter. He has always had a knack for working with wood and creating beautiful pieces of furniture.

Cue 2:What he/she makes

Describe the types of items they create, focusing on specific examples.
Highlight any unique features or techniques they use in their creations.

Example

He makes a variety of items, including intricate wooden toys for children and elegant furniture like tables and chairs. Each piece is crafted with great attention to detail, often incorporating traditional Indian designs.

Cue 3:Why he/she likes to make things by hand

Explain the personal or emotional reasons behind their passion for handmade creations.
Discuss any cultural or familial influences that might inspire this interest.

Example

My uncle enjoys making things by hand because it allows him to express his creativity and connect with his heritage. He believes that handmade items carry a soul and a story, which mass-produced items lack.

Cue 4:And explain how you feel about the person

Share your personal feelings or admiration for this person and their work.
Reflect on how their passion has influenced you or your perspective.

Example

I have a deep admiration for my uncle. His dedication to his craft inspires me to appreciate handmade items more and to value the effort that goes into creating something unique.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points discussed about the person and their craft.
End with a personal reflection or a statement about the importance of handmade creations.

Example

In conclusion, my uncle is a remarkable individual whose passion for making things by hand not only showcases his skills but also enriches our lives with beautiful, meaningful creations. I believe that such craftsmanship should be celebrated and preserved.

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 answer unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the person and their creations to engage the listener.