Describe a piece of equipment you have at home: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
What is its use? When do you use it?
How is it useful?

26 unique answers with expert feedback

How has your laptop changed the way you work or study?

My laptop has made it much easier for me to work and study from home. I can access online resources, collaborate with others, and manage my tasks efficiently. It has also allowed me to learn new skills through online courses, which has been invaluable for my personal and professional growth.

What are some specific activities you enjoy doing on your laptop?

I enjoy watching movies and series, playing games, and browsing social media on my laptop. Additionally, I love creating digital art and writing in my free time. It’s a versatile tool that caters to both my entertainment and creative needs.

Do you think people rely too much on technology like laptops?

Yes, I believe many people, including myself, can become overly reliant on technology. While it offers convenience and connectivity, it can also lead to distractions and reduced face-to-face interactions. It's important to find a balance between using technology and engaging in real-life activities.

Band 6-7

00:00

One piece of equipment that I have at home is the hair dryer which comes in very handy when I have, when I take a head bath. And I think hair dryers are important because medically you are not supposed to leave your hair wet. And it should be dried immediately after you have washed your hair. And I think hair dryers make our life so much easier because you just have to plug it in and use it as per the requirement. And also hair dryers come in various sizes, shapes and colours. And I think it depends, the hair dryer that you want to purchase depends on the kind of usage that you require because I think the one that I have at home is a small portable hair dryer that comes in handy when I have to pack when I am travelling. And the bigger hair dryers are used extensively in parlours and salons where they have to blow dry the hair. And that just makes their work easier. So hair dryers, I use it, I use the hair dryer whenever I have taken a head bath, when I have washed my hair and I want to dry them. It is useful because I don't have to wait for hours to dry my hair. I can use it whenever I want, wherever I want provided there is a socket and a switch, a plug that is working. And I am ready to dry my hair and rock it because wet hair do give a good look. But I think once you have your hair that's dried.

Follow up questions

What other equipment do you find essential for personal grooming?

Apart from a hair dryer, I find a straightener and a curling iron essential for styling my hair. They help me achieve different looks depending on the occasion. I also think a good quality comb and hairbrush are important to maintain healthy hair.

How do you think technology has changed personal grooming equipment?

Technology has significantly improved personal grooming equipment. For instance, modern hair dryers have features like ionic technology that reduces frizz and enhances shine. Additionally, many devices now come with multiple heat settings and attachments for various styling needs.

Do you think people rely too much on equipment for grooming?

I believe there is a balance. While equipment like hair dryers and straighteners make grooming easier and quicker, it's also important to embrace natural beauty. Over-reliance can lead to hair damage, so moderation is key in using these tools.

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.

Yes, I often use my speakers during gatherings with friends or family. We enjoy playing music that everyone loves, which creates a lively atmosphere. It's also great for hosting movie nights where we can enjoy the sound quality of the speakers for an immersive experience.

Show all 26 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Begin by clearly naming the piece of equipment and providing a brief description.
Mention where it is located in your home.

Example

The piece of equipment I want to describe is my microwave oven. It is a compact, silver appliance that sits on my kitchen countertop, and I use it almost every day.

Cue 2:What is its use? When do you use it?

Explain the primary functions of the equipment and how you typically use it.
Mention specific times or situations when you find it most useful.

Example

The microwave oven is primarily used for heating food quickly. I often use it during busy weekdays when I come home late from work and need to prepare dinner in a hurry. It’s also great for reheating leftovers from previous meals.

Cue 3:How is it useful?

Discuss the benefits of having this equipment at home.
Relate its usefulness to your daily life or routines.

Example

Having a microwave oven is incredibly useful because it saves me a lot of time. Instead of spending a long time cooking, I can simply heat up my food in a few minutes. It also helps me avoid eating out too often, which is healthier and more economical.

Conclusion

Summarize the importance of the equipment in your daily life.
Reflect on how it has improved your cooking or meal preparation experience.

Example

In conclusion, my microwave oven is an essential piece of equipment in my home. It not only makes meal preparation faster but also encourages me to cook at home more often, which is beneficial for my health and budget.

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. It's important to provide specific details about the equipment to engage the listener and demonstrate your vocabulary.

Tip

Use descriptive adjectives and specific examples to clearly explain what the equipment is and its features.

2: Lack of Personal Experience

Failing to share personal experiences can make your response less relatable. The examiner wants to hear about your unique perspective and how you interact with the equipment.

Tip

Include personal anecdotes about when and how you use the equipment to make your answer more engaging.