Describe a piece of technology that you find difficult to use.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When did you get it?
What did you get it for?
How often do you use it?
How do you feel about it?

6 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific features of the PCR machine did you find most challenging?

The most challenging features were the complex settings and the precise calibration needed for different types of DNA amplification. Understanding the various modes and their applications took time, as each project required different parameters to be set correctly.

How has learning to use the PCR machine impacted your studies or work?

Learning to use the PCR machine has significantly enhanced my understanding of biotechnology. It has allowed me to participate in more advanced projects and has improved my confidence in handling complex laboratory equipment, which is crucial for my career in the field.

Are there other technologies you find difficult to use?

Yes, I also find bioinformatics software quite challenging. The interface can be overwhelming, and understanding the data analysis processes requires a steep learning curve. However, I am motivated to learn and improve my skills in this area as well.

Band 6-7

00:00

So a piece of technology that I found difficult to use was QGIS. QGIS stands for Quantum Geographic Information Systems. So the thing is I hail from a background of Geo-Informatics from my Bachelor of Technology in Andhra University and we were trained with ample hands-on experience in ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap and EDAS Imagine which happen to be GIS softwares and also QGIS is one of those softwares but we were never given hands-on in that software. But for the first time I have used it was when I had to extract spatial data from the schools which happen to be the main resource for our Bachelor's thesis project and so as I was new to that software I found it very difficult to use because the interface I couldn't recognize the interface and it was a bit of a difficult thing and so I am practicing regularly doing some small little bit of tasks so that I could increase my fluency with that topic that software.

Follow up questions

What specific features of QGIS do you find most challenging?

I find the layering system and the way to manipulate spatial data quite challenging. Unlike ArcGIS, QGIS has a different approach to managing layers, which can be confusing. Additionally, the tools for data analysis are not as intuitive for me, making it harder to perform tasks efficiently.

How do you plan to improve your skills in using QGIS?

I plan to improve my skills by taking online courses and watching tutorial videos. I also intend to practice more by working on small projects that require the use of QGIS. Engaging with online forums and communities can also help me learn from others' experiences and tips.

Have you considered alternatives to QGIS for your projects?

Yes, I have considered using ArcGIS since I am more familiar with it. However, I want to become proficient in QGIS because it is open-source and widely used in the industry. Learning it will enhance my skill set and provide more options for future projects.

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 have considered taking formal classes, especially for software like Power BI. I think structured learning could provide me with a deeper understanding and help me become more proficient in using various applications on my laptop.

Show all 6 answers

Cue 1:When did you get it?

Mention the specific time or occasion when you acquired the technology.
Provide context about your initial excitement or need for the technology.

Example

I got my first smartphone about three years ago as a birthday gift from my parents. I was really excited because I wanted to stay connected with my friends and family more easily.

Cue 2:What did you get it for?

Explain the primary purpose you intended to use the technology for.
Share any specific features you were looking forward to using.

Example

I got it mainly for communication, social media, and to access the internet. I was particularly looking forward to using apps like WhatsApp and Instagram to share moments with my friends.

Cue 3:How often do you use it?

Discuss the frequency of your usage and any challenges you face.
Mention any specific tasks that you find particularly difficult.

Example

I try to use it daily, but I often struggle with navigating the settings and downloading new apps. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed by the number of features available.

Cue 4:How do you feel about it?

Express your feelings about the technology, both positive and negative.
Share any frustration or satisfaction you experience while using it.

Example

Overall, I feel frustrated because I can't fully utilize its features. While I appreciate the connectivity it offers, the complexity makes me wish for something simpler.

Conclusion

Summarize your overall experience with the technology.
Reflect on whether you would recommend it to others or not.

Example

In conclusion, while my smartphone has great potential, my difficulties with it make me hesitant to recommend it to someone who isn't tech-savvy. I hope to learn more about it in the future.

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 Responses

Being vague can lead to unclear answers. Candidates might not provide enough detail about the technology, making it hard for the examiner to understand their experience.

Tip

Use specific examples and details about the technology, such as its features and your personal experiences with it.

2: Don't Rush Your Answer

Rushing can lead to incomplete thoughts and unclear communication. Candidates may skip important details or fail to express their feelings about the technology.

Tip

Take a moment to think before speaking. Organize your thoughts and ensure you cover all the cues provided.

Avoid Overly Technical Language

Using too much technical jargon can confuse the examiner and detract from your overall message. It's important to communicate clearly.

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 6-7

Band 6

well a piece of technology that I feel difficult to use would be a drone I got it recently from online store because I was fond of it but flying a drone and controlling it taking good photographs or videos whatever you want is really really hard and you really have to have some technical skills to do that but I am learning quite fast maybe yeah but I really don't have time to learn it once in a while like in a week once in a week I practice flying it controlling it and yeah I am improving quite a lot now but it's really really hard for me to learn because I am unable to give enough time to learn it yeah that's it

Band 5-6