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Describe a place where you saw animals: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What the place was?
  • Which animals you saw?
  • What you did while there?
  • And explain how it felt to see them.
Show all 134 answers

Cue 1:What the place was?

  • Begin by describing the location where you saw the animals, such as a zoo, wildlife sanctuary, or national park.
  • Mention any specific features of the place that made it special or memorable.

Example

The place I visited was the Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bangalore. It’s a vast area filled with lush greenery and various habitats for animals. The park is well-known for its safari rides and the chance to see animals in a more natural environment.


Cue 2:Which animals you saw?

  • List the different types of animals you encountered during your visit.
  • Share any interesting facts or behaviors you observed about these animals.

Example

During my visit, I saw a variety of animals including majestic lions, playful elephants, and colorful peacocks. The lions were lounging in the sun, while the elephants were splashing water on themselves, which was quite amusing to watch.


Cue 3:What you did while there?

  • Explain the activities you participated in while at the place, such as taking a guided tour, feeding animals, or taking photographs.
  • Share any memorable experiences or interactions you had.

Example

While at the park, I took a guided safari tour which allowed me to see the animals up close. I also enjoyed feeding some of the deer in the petting area, which was a delightful experience. I captured many photos to remember the day.


Cue 4:And explain how it felt to see them.

  • Describe your emotions and thoughts while observing the animals.
  • Reflect on the overall experience and what it meant to you.

Example

Seeing the animals in their natural habitats was an exhilarating experience. I felt a deep sense of connection to nature and a greater appreciation for wildlife. It was heartwarming to see them thriving in such a beautiful environment.


Conclusion

    Example

    Overall, my visit to the Bannerghatta Biological Park was unforgettable. It not only allowed me to see amazing animals but also reminded me of the importance of wildlife conservation. I left the park feeling inspired and grateful for the experience.


    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: Being Too Vague

    Candidates often provide unclear or general descriptions of the place and animals, which can make their response less engaging and informative.

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    Tip

    Be specific about the location and the types of animals you saw. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture for the examiner.


    2: Neglecting Personal Experience

    Some candidates forget to share their personal feelings or experiences, which can make their answer sound robotic and uninteresting.

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    Tip

    Include your emotions and thoughts about seeing the animals. Explain how the experience affected you personally to create a more compelling narrative.


    Lack of Structure

    A disorganized response can confuse the listener and make it hard to follow your story, leading to a lower score.

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    Tip

    Organize your answer by following the cue prompts clearly. Start with the place, then the animals, what you did, and finally your feelings about the experience.


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    All Answers

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

    Band 8

    One of the most memorable places where I saw animals was the Dachigam National Park which is located just outside Srinagar in Kashmir. I visited it last autumn during a family outing when the weather was pleasantly cold and the leaves had turned beautiful shades of red and gold. The park is famous for its diverse wildlife but the highlight of my visit was spotting the endangered Hangul deer which is native to the Kashmir valley. I also saw black bears, several species of birds and few Himalayan langur jumping playfully between the trees. Watching these animals in their natural habitat was completely different from seeing them in a zoo. It felt more authentic and respectful. What impressed me was the tranquility of the place, the sound of rustling leaves and distant bird calls made it almost magical. I felt a deep sense of appreciation for nature and it also made me realize how important conversation efforts are in preserving such species. Overall it was not just a trip but a reminder of how interconnected humans and wildlife are. I came back with a fresh perspective and a strong desire to support environmental protection in whatever small way I can.

    Band 8

    One of the most magical places I've ever visited was a butterfly garden in Sharjah, the Elnur Islands. I went there last spring during a weekend trip with some friends. It wasn't a zoo or a farm, but a specially designed dome filled with thousands of colorful butterflies flying freely among tropical plants and flowers. As soon as we entered, it felt like walking into a fairy tale. The air was warm and fragrant, and butterflies were everywhere, landing on flowers, people's shoulders, and even my hands. I saw many different species, from bright blue morphos to delicate white and yellow ones. Some were so tiny, while others had really large, patterned wings. The experience was very peaceful and calming. It was amazing to see those creatures in a natural-like setting, not behind glass. I felt more connected to nature and learned a lot about how butterflies live and feed. Overall, it was a beautiful and memorable experience, a reminder of how stunning and gentle nature can be.

    Band 7

    Now there are two places where we commonly find animals. One is at the zoo and one is in the jungles. Now I had actually seen animals at the former. Now the zoo that I had visited was the Mysore Zoo which is located in Karnataka. I had gone there with my family back in 2020 just before COVID had hit. Now the zoo had a variety of different animals ranging from zebras to long-necked giraffes to majestic lions to ferocious tigers and also a variety of other slithering animals and amphibians like snakes, crocodiles etc. Now definitely it gave me a sense of joy to see the animals in the zoo but it also saddened me to see them in such a state where they are not really present in their natural habitat. But the zookeeper had informed us that all of these animals were present in the zoo for a purpose. Because of increase in industrialization and urbanization all of these animals had lost their homes or were being hunted down by poachers. This was one of the main reasons why they were being kept in enclosures and zoo is just nothing but a form of enclosure where people can get entertained as well as as well as study about the animals for their own research purposes. Thank you.

    Band 7

    Very recently, I went on a trip to Masai Mara, which is in Kenya, Africa. There I went on a safari visit and I got to experience a huge variety of animals. It's a unique place and I got to see very different, very distinct species of animals, particularly zebras, impalas, warthogs, single horned rhinos, lions, hyenas. I could just go on. The experience that I had in the safari was surreal because I felt one with nature and I realized the magnificence of nature at Masai Mara. Meaning thereby, I got to experience animals which were very native and rare to South Africa, to Africa. The place was very beautiful, picturesque and most importantly, you got to be closest to nature at Masai Mara because the way that you are able to experience the animals, their habitat, their life through your eyes, it's a very unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was fortunate enough to have gone there on a safari visit and experienced the wide variety of animals there. It was a very beautiful experience and I felt amazed at the beauty and the magnificence and the magnanimity of nature while I was there.

    Band 7

    Let me tell you an instance where I went to the zoo for a school trip. It was the first time I was going to a zoo. I was 9 years old in grade 4 and I was completely shocked to see all the animals in the zoo. The minute I entered the zoo, on my right, there was a huge open area where there were many tigers. It was the first time I saw a tiger in real life and I was surprised to see that they weren't as scary from far away as they are portrayed in movies. Next I saw elephants and I was awestruck seeing how huge those elephants were. After that, we went to an area where there were many types of snakes and I can easily say that I hate snakes. Just looking at snakes sends shivers down my spine. After that, we visited the bird sanctuary where there were different types of birds, all colourful, different sizes and the chirping of the birds really soothed my ears. After that, me and my friends, we all had lunch alongside a cage where they kept a jaguar. The jaguar's cage smelled horrible but we could see that humongous cat just sleeping there on the stone. I was extremely happy during that time and I wish I am able to visit the zoo once again but this time with my family.

    Band 7

    I recently visited Orisho which is the best kept secret of India and it consists of a huge diversity in flora and fauna and the animals that I saw were black duck, chinkara, golden deer, saltwater crocodile, ghariyal, peacock, a variety of snakes like cobra, python, anaconda. All I did was I clicked photos of those animals, didn't try to disturb them nor did I try to litter the area. I viewed the animals from a distance and I parked the car to a safer side so that the animals don't get disturbed. I also noticed some elephants and a herd of baby elephants and it felt great to see the variety in flora and fauna in Orisho. It made me feel satisfied and refreshed that we care for the animals and plants in our country and provide a safe zone for them by building sanctuaries, national parks, etc.

    Band 7

    The place where I saw animals was Gir in Gujarat. This incident took place around 6 years ago when I was in my 11th grade. We had went there with my family to visit a jungle. It was a safari. We spotted many animals like cheetah, deer, buffalo and other wild animals. It was a long duration stay in Gujarat but we stayed near the Gir forest for two days. It was a memorable journey. I feel quite nostalgic when I think about it. The experience I had was unique. When I saw the animal I felt I was a bit frightened but also it was quite refreshing to see such wild animals in free roaming around. We looked at them through the tree. Also we did not go near them much. We stayed afar and looked at them. It was quite a memorable experience and I experienced it during my teen years. I think I would like to visit that place sometime again and hopefully explore more animals aside from cheetahs and buffalos. There might also be tigers as the local person had suggested but we could not spot any tigers at that time.

    Band 7

    Yes, for the last time I saw wild animals during a tour. The year was 2021. I went to North Bengal during a Durga Puja vacation to have a forest safari there. And while our car was crossing the forest roads, we encountered many animals, many wild animals like some deers and some buffalos, some elephants and some forest monkeys as well. So, it was a very exciting, it was a very, very exciting experience because those glances are actually very unusual when you are in a city life. And experiencing their glances, those encounters in such a natural, wild environment, that actually gives you goosebumps. So, when I got the first glimpse of a forest buffalo, I became a bit afraid. But my mother gave me a lot of courage. And my aunt was also there. She was also actually inspiring me to take the pictures of the animal instead of being afraid at its glance. But later I enjoyed and I was filled with joy when I saw the deers. They were drinking water.

    Band 7

    A few years back, my mother and I got the chance to visit a small sanctuary that was run by a veterinarian on the outskirts of my city. There I met orphaned animals of various kinds such as leopards, snakes, tigers, deers, raccoons, etc. Here, the person in charge of the place made us aware about different behavioral patterns that can be observed in various animals, how these animals interact with their habitat and the overall ecosystem in which they reside, most importantly, I got to know how human activities are harming these animals and what we as humans should undertake to prevent man versus nature conflicts. This place gave a memorable experience because it was the first time I could see these animals outside the wild and get to interact with them, observe them. However, this experience often leaves me wondering how and why these animals face the challenges they do.

    Band 7

    So, recently I went on a trip to Bangalore, wherein I had a chance to visit the Banirkatta Zoo, which is at the outskirts of Bangalore, where there are various kinds of species, you know, lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, zebras, various types of birds, some of which I can't recall right now. I remember going into a caged bus as we were visiting non-domestic animals, and it wouldn't be safe for us to go via foot. I enjoyed and I tried to understand the history behind each animal, how it was discovered, found, you know, what it is famous for. I also took efforts to go out and beyond and ask the workers of the property as to how they handle their diet, what kind of medication they require, how do they analyse if they are not well, what kind of medication, again, differs from animal to animal. Talking about birds, I had seen various kinds of birds. Of course, the chirping and all always excites you, it makes you feel that you have come away from the city boundaries and you are in, you know, the outskirts. It's so fascinating to see sometimes, you know, the feathers and how beautiful they are just created by God, and that's something which really bamboozles me and I'm so happy to see this creation from God.
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