Describe a place that you would like to learn the culture there (e.g. a library, museum, theatre): IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where it is
How you knew this place
What it is like
And explain how the place is related to culture

15 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific aspects of Emirati culture did you find most interesting?

I found the traditional food practices and the ancient cutleries particularly fascinating. The way they prepared and shared meals reflects their hospitality and community values. Learning about their daily lives and customs gave me a deeper appreciation for their culture.

How does visiting a museum enhance your understanding of a culture?

Visiting a museum allows for a tangible connection to the past. You can see artifacts, read stories, and sometimes even interact with exhibits. This immersive experience helps to visualize and understand the cultural context much better than just reading about it.

Would you recommend visiting museums to others interested in culture?

Absolutely! Museums are treasure troves of history and culture. They provide insights into the lives of people from different eras and backgrounds. I believe that visiting museums can foster empathy and appreciation for diverse cultures, making it a valuable experience for everyone.

Band 6-7

00:00

One of the most unique cultural centers that supports art which is present in the British civilization is the Opera House located in Mumbai city in Fort. It was built in the British invasion era and holds a historical significance thereby and is also considered to be a heritage site in the city India. So artists from all over the world have contributed in enriching its history and have been fruitful in grabbing the audiences thereby and also contributing to the tourism and attraction in Mumbai. People of distinct accolades have been contributing since its inception and have continued to hold the same importance all these years. It's also the only Opera House running in the country.

Follow up questions

What aspects of the culture at the Opera House interest you the most?

I am particularly interested in the diverse performances that showcase various art forms. The blend of traditional and contemporary styles, along with the rich history of the Opera House, makes it a fascinating place to learn about cultural expressions.

How do you think visiting the Opera House can enhance your understanding of Indian culture?

Visiting the Opera House would provide me with firsthand experience of Indian performing arts. It would allow me to appreciate the nuances of storytelling through music and drama, and understand how these art forms reflect the societal values and history of India.

What other cultural places in Mumbai would you like to explore?

Apart from the Opera House, I would love to explore the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which houses a vast collection of artifacts. Additionally, visiting local theaters and art galleries would give me a broader perspective on Mumbai's vibrant cultural scene.

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 6-7

00:00

So, I visited the Mumbai Museum once and I think we get to learn a lot of things. The first time I visited there was with my parents when I was in my early teens. I enjoyed it thoroughly since I am pretty much interested in history and to learn about the cultures of the Indian society and to know more about our ancestors. The Mumbai Museum had many historical artifacts. One object, the Harappan seal, intrigued me the most. It was around 4,000 to 5,000 years old. There were some artifacts, a pillar or an idol of a goddess which was from the 2nd or 3rd century BC. So, I was pretty excited going through all of them. Although I could have learnt more about it if I used their audio-assisted guides, I could not do it due to, I can't remember, I think it might have been a financial issue because I was there with my family and I don't think they must have thought it is important for me to know about it. So, I think due to that reason I could not, but I am planning to visit it this coming month and if I do visit I will use those audio-assisted guides to know more about the artifacts which I see. There were also some paintings of Indian artists from different eras of Indian origin and I think our culture is vast and diverse and deeply rooted into all of us.

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of Indian culture interest you the most?

I am particularly fascinated by the historical evolution of Indian society, including its art, architecture, and traditions. The diversity in languages, festivals, and regional customs also captivates me, as they reflect the rich tapestry of our heritage.

How do you think museums contribute to cultural understanding?

Museums play a crucial role in preserving history and educating the public. They provide tangible connections to the past, allowing visitors to engage with artifacts and artworks that tell stories about different cultures, fostering appreciation and understanding.

What other places would you like to visit to learn about different cultures?

I would love to visit historical sites like the Louvre in Paris or the British Museum in London. Additionally, exploring local cultural festivals and attending workshops or classes in different countries would also enhance my understanding of their cultures.

Band 6-7

00:00

One of the places that I would really like to visit to learn the culture would be a museum. There is a beautiful museum in Mumbai called as Jahangir Museum. I keep asking my friends to come visit. Let's go visit it. The place I would like to visit to learn the culture would be a library. It is actually located in Seoul in South Korea. It is one of the biggest libraries of the world and it is very beautiful. The aesthetics are so pretty and feminine and I think everyone would like it over there. I actually am a big fan of books. One of the places I would like to visit to learn the culture would be a library in Seoul which is located in South Korea. It is one of the most beautiful and the biggest libraries of the world. It has all kinds of books from fictional, non-fictional, autobiographies, biographies, everything. It has every single book and the books are also in English, Korean and maybe they are also in Japanese. I am not really sure about that. I have always been really interested into books. I feel like books take me to a completely different world and books are like my escape to the reality. I would really love to visit the library. The only problem is that I am not working right now so I am not earning any money. I don't want to spend my parents' money on visiting countries. I think that would be really wrong. Spending their hard earned money on visiting places and enjoying myself. So I am just waiting for the day I complete my masters and get a job and maybe get some free time so I can visit other countries and learn the culture.

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of culture do you hope to learn from visiting a museum?

I hope to learn about the history, art, and traditions of the region. Museums often showcase local artifacts, which can provide insight into the lifestyle and values of the people. I believe that understanding these aspects can enrich my perspective on different cultures.

How do you think visiting a library can enhance your understanding of a culture?

Visiting a library allows me to explore literature that reflects the culture's values, beliefs, and stories. Books can provide a deep understanding of societal norms and historical contexts. By reading works from local authors, I can gain a more nuanced view of the culture.

What challenges do you think you might face when trying to learn about a new culture?

One challenge could be language barriers, especially if the materials are not available in English. Additionally, cultural differences might make it difficult to fully understand certain concepts or practices. However, I believe that engaging with locals can help bridge these gaps.

Band 5-6

00:00

As you know, as I would like to learn the culture mostly from the museums, as you know, there is a place in Mumbai, world famous museum, which is situated in the Pandra. As you know, in that museum, there are different kinds of historical monuments, architectures, and also different kinds of ideology, from which we can learn, as well as the information also been explained in that, from which we can also learn about that historical art or certain type of thing, from which we can get to know about it, as you know. Moreover than that, from the architectures, we get to know about the discipline act, how is made, when it was made, by whom, from which idea it was been utilized and which idea it has been used by each.

Follow up questions

What specific historical artifacts would you like to see in the museum?

I would love to see artifacts that represent the rich history of India, such as ancient sculptures, pottery, and manuscripts. These items not only showcase the artistic skills of the time but also tell stories about the culture and daily life of people from different eras.

How do you think learning about culture from museums can impact your perspective?

Learning about culture from museums broadens my understanding of history and human experiences. It helps me appreciate diversity and fosters empathy towards different cultures, allowing me to see the world from various viewpoints and understand the significance of cultural heritage.

What role do you think museums play in preserving culture?

Museums play a crucial role in preserving culture by safeguarding artifacts and historical documents. They serve as educational resources, ensuring that future generations can learn about their heritage. Additionally, they promote cultural exchange and awareness among different communities.

Show all 15 answers

Cue 1:Where it is

Begin by mentioning the name of the place and its location, such as the city or region.
Describe any notable landmarks or features nearby that make it easy to identify.

Example

I would like to learn about the culture in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, is famous for its stunning palaces and forts, such as the Hawa Mahal and Amer Fort, which are easily recognizable.

Cue 2:How you knew this place

Share how you first heard about this place, whether through friends, travel shows, or books.
Mention any personal experiences or stories that sparked your interest in visiting.

Example

I first learned about Jaipur from a travel documentary that showcased its rich history and vibrant culture. My friend also visited last year and shared amazing stories about the local festivals and traditions, which made me even more curious.

Cue 3:What it is like

Describe the atmosphere of the place, including the sights, sounds, and smells.
Mention any specific activities or experiences that are unique to this location.

Example

Jaipur is a bustling city filled with colorful markets, where the aroma of spices fills the air. The streets are lively with the sounds of vendors selling handicrafts and traditional Rajasthani music playing in the background. I imagine exploring the local bazaars and trying authentic Rajasthani cuisine.

Cue 4:And explain how the place is related to culture

Discuss the cultural significance of the place, including its history and traditions.
Mention any festivals, art forms, or local customs that are prominent in the area.

Example

Jaipur is deeply rooted in Rajasthani culture, known for its traditional dance forms like Ghoomar and its vibrant festivals such as Teej and Diwali. The city is also famous for its intricate handicrafts, including block printing and jewelry making, which reflect the artistic heritage of the region.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, Jaipur is a place I would love to explore to immerse myself in its rich culture and history. I believe that experiencing the local traditions and interacting with the people would greatly enhance my understanding of Indian culture.

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. Avoid general statements that do not provide specific details about the place or its cultural significance.