Describe A Photograph You Like: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is in the photo?
What do you like about it?
How was this picture taken?
What does this photo mean to you?

33 unique answers with expert feedback

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

Every time I look at that photograph, I feel a wave of happiness and nostalgia. It reminds me of the carefree moments I shared with my best friend, and it brings back the joy of experiencing snow for the first time. It’s a reminder of friendship and the comfort of being myself.

How do you think photographs can capture memories?

Photographs have a unique ability to freeze moments in time. They capture emotions, expressions, and settings that can evoke memories and feelings long after the moment has passed. A single image can tell a story and transport us back to the experiences we had.

Do you prefer taking candid photos or posed ones? Why?

I definitely prefer candid photos because they capture genuine moments and emotions. Posed photos can sometimes feel forced, while candid shots reflect real interactions and spontaneity. They tell a more authentic story of the experience.

Band 7

00:00

A photograph I would like to describe is my picture of receiving an award in my head office in the head office Max Weber Stiftung Bonn. It is in Germany. The photograph includes me receiving the award from our director and CEO Dr. Hala Trozenbach. I was awarded for my exceptional performance in public relations strategies which helped the company to grow its revenues. I was also awarded as the youngest member in the entire team of Max Weber Stiftung. While this photograph was taken from an iPhone, the quality of the photograph is not the best. However, it's very dear and close to me and I would always keep it in my phone. This moment and this photograph makes me feel very proud and motivated in life. I resonate with this photograph as a historic moment in my entire life where I'll remember and memorize the achievement at such a young age. My parents are extremely proud to see that photograph and are sharing it with all our family and relatives. It gives me immense pleasure to be in the photograph and make my parents proud. That's the USP of photograph.

Follow up questions

What emotions do you feel when you look at this photograph?

When I look at this photograph, I feel a mix of pride and joy. It reminds me of the hard work I put in to achieve this award and the support from my family. It serves as a motivation to continue striving for excellence in my career.

How do you think this award has impacted your career?

Receiving this award has significantly boosted my confidence and credibility in my field. It opened up new opportunities for me and encouraged me to take on more challenging projects, knowing that my efforts can lead to recognition and success.

Do you think photographs are important for preserving memories?

Absolutely! Photographs capture moments that we can revisit and cherish. They help us remember significant events and emotions, making them a vital part of our personal history and a way to share our experiences with others.

Band 7

00:00

So recently I got married, two months back. So I have this portrait of us, which is a couple photo. It was taken during our marriage rites. It's a very beautiful picture because it symbolizes our love. And the pose is specifically of me and him, where he is hugging me from behind. And you know, as we were just recently married, it was a very fresh moment for us. So whenever I look at that picture, it makes me refresh that love or that particular nervousness that we had that day. I really, really love that picture because it symbolizes our bond because we had to wait two years to get married and it was a beautiful picture for me because it was like an award for me. The picture was taken by our photographer, who was really nice to us. And he suggests multiple poses. Among all, I like this one. And this picture came the best among all of them. That's why it's my favorite as well. So yes. Also, this picture also reminds me of how this day gave me all the chills, all the butterflies. That's why I want to capture it with all my heart every time I see it.

Follow up questions

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

Whenever I look at that photograph, I feel a rush of emotions. It brings back the nervousness and excitement of our wedding day. I feel love and gratitude for my partner, and it reminds me of the journey we took to get to that moment. It's a beautiful reminder of our bond.

How do you think photographs impact our memories?

Photographs have a powerful way of capturing moments in time. They can evoke strong emotions and memories that might fade over time. A single image can transport us back to a specific feeling or event, making it easier to relive those cherished experiences.

Do you think it's important to have professional photos taken at events?

Yes, I believe it's very important. Professional photographers have the skills to capture the essence of special moments beautifully. They can create lasting memories that we can cherish forever, and their expertise can make even ordinary moments look extraordinary.

Practice other cue cards

Describe when someone gave you something you really wanted /a gift your received

View answers

Describe a favorite thing you own.

View answers

Describe an expensive item you bought.

View answers

Describe A Line Or A Few Words That You Remember From A Poem Or Song

View answers

Band 7

00:00

A photo that I like the most is the one that I took back in 2024 during February. It was a cold chilly night. It was the day of my brother's engagement. We were on the banks of the Tiri reservoir and we were enjoying the whole ceremony and after that, after a certain period of time passed by, my father and I took one picture together. It was the most mesmerizing, or you could say, the most lovable picture that I have taken up till now because it showed how much bonded we are to each other. It was the most beautiful picture that we have taken together. In that particular photo, we both were wearing traditional outfits. He was wearing a pyjama kurta in black and red color, whereas I was wearing a yellow colored lehenga. Our clothes were quite matching because we thought this would go really well with all the evening theme. So we happened to go with the decision of wearing that particular outfit. That picture means a lot to me because it was one of the only pictures that I have with him.

Follow up questions

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

Whenever I look at that photograph, I feel a deep sense of love and nostalgia. It reminds me of the bond I share with my father and the joy of that special day. The emotions are a mix of happiness and gratitude for having such beautiful moments captured.

How do you think photographs impact our memories?

Photographs serve as powerful reminders of our past experiences. They can evoke emotions and transport us back to specific moments in time. A single image can encapsulate feelings, relationships, and events, making them invaluable for preserving memories.

Do you prefer taking photos or being in them?

I enjoy both taking photos and being in them. Taking photos allows me to capture moments creatively, while being in them helps me cherish the memories with loved ones. However, I think I lean more towards taking photos to document experiences.

Band 6-7

00:00

During my college first year, my aim was to become a photographer. Those days I used to have my... During my college first year, I wanted to become... During my college first year, I wanted to become a photographer. During those days, I used to take the picture of every little thing. My college was filled with full of nature. On one of that day, I took one photo which was my favorite thing. It was raining on that day and I clicked that picture. In that picture, there is nothing special but the beauty of the nature. Though two trees are beside the road, it makes us feel like it is our home where I belong.

Follow up questions

What inspired you to pursue photography during your college years?

I was inspired by the beauty of nature around my college campus. The vibrant colors and changing seasons motivated me to capture those moments through photography. I wanted to express my feelings and experiences through my lens.

How do you think photography can impact people's emotions?

Photography has a unique ability to evoke emotions and tell stories. A single image can transport someone to a different place or time, making them feel nostalgia, joy, or even sadness. It connects people to experiences and memories, often in a profound way.

Do you still enjoy photography, and how has your style changed since college?

Yes, I still enjoy photography, but my style has evolved. I now focus more on capturing candid moments and exploring different themes, such as urban landscapes and portraits. I also experiment with editing techniques to enhance my images.

Show all 33 answers

Cue 1:What is in the photo?

Describe the main subjects of the photograph, including people, objects, and the setting.
Mention any specific details that stand out, such as colors, expressions, or actions.

Example

The photograph I cherish the most features my family at a beach during our last vacation. In the picture, you can see my parents smiling broadly, my younger sister building a sandcastle, and me holding a colorful beach ball. The sun is setting in the background, casting a warm golden hue over the scene.

Cue 2:What do you like about it?

Explain the emotions or memories the photo evokes for you.
Discuss any particular aspects of the photo that you find visually appealing or meaningful.

Example

What I love about this photo is the happiness it captures. It reminds me of the carefree moments we shared as a family, laughing and enjoying each other's company. The vibrant colors and the joyful expressions on our faces make it a beautiful memory that I cherish.

Cue 3:How was this picture taken?

Provide context about when and how the photo was taken, including who took it.
Mention any special moments or circumstances surrounding the photo.

Example

This picture was taken by a friend who joined us on our trip. We were all playing by the shore when she suggested capturing the moment. It was spontaneous, and we all gathered together, laughing as she clicked the photo just as the sun began to set.

Cue 4:What does this photo mean to you?

Reflect on the significance of the photo in your life.
Discuss how it represents your values, relationships, or experiences.

Example

This photo means a lot to me because it symbolizes the bond I share with my family. It serves as a reminder of the importance of spending quality time together, especially in our busy lives. Every time I look at it, I feel grateful for those moments and the love we share.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, this photograph is not just an image; it encapsulates a beautiful memory and the essence of my family. It reminds me to cherish the moments we have together and to always make time for loved ones.

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: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. Candidates often fail to provide specific details about the photograph, which can lead to a lack of engagement from the examiner.

Tip

Be specific about the elements in the photo. Describe colors, people, and actions to create a vivid image in the examiner's mind.

2: Neglecting Personal Connection

Failing to explain why the photo is meaningful can make your response less personal. Candidates often miss the opportunity to share their emotions and connections to the photograph.

Tip

Include personal anecdotes or feelings related to the photo. Explain why it is special to you and what memories it evokes.

Ignoring the Photo's Context

Not discussing how the photo was taken can lead to an incomplete answer. Candidates sometimes overlook the context, which is crucial for a full understanding of the image.

Tip

Briefly explain the circumstances of the photo, such as the location, occasion, and who took it, to provide a richer context.

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.