Describe A Rule That Is Important In Your School Or At Work: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is the rule about?
What happens when people break the rule?
Why do you think it is an important rule?
And explain how you feel about the rule.

54 unique answers with expert feedback

How do you think punctuality affects teamwork in your university?

Punctuality greatly enhances teamwork as it ensures that all members are present and ready to collaborate. When everyone arrives on time, it fosters a sense of respect and accountability, allowing for more effective communication and coordination during group projects or discussions.

Can you share an experience where punctuality made a difference?

I remember a group presentation where one member arrived late. This caused confusion and disrupted our flow. If everyone had been punctual, we could have presented more cohesively and confidently, highlighting the importance of being on time for group efforts.

What challenges do students face in maintaining punctuality?

Students often face challenges like traffic, personal commitments, or poor time management skills. Balancing academic responsibilities with social life can also lead to delays. However, developing good habits and planning ahead can help overcome these obstacles.

Band 7

00:00

A rule that is important in my work would be the weekly reporting to the supervisor about the work done in the week. If one breaks this rule, it would be affecting their efficiency and keeps the managers dubious about our efficiency. To be specific, this rule is important to keep our supervisor confident as well as track our performance ourselves. Hence I consider this rule is important in my work.

Follow up questions

How do you feel about the weekly reporting rule?

I believe the weekly reporting rule is beneficial as it keeps everyone accountable. It allows us to reflect on our progress and identify areas for improvement. However, some may find it stressful, especially if they have a heavy workload.

What other rules do you think are important in your workplace?

Apart from weekly reporting, I think punctuality is crucial. Arriving on time shows respect for others' time and helps maintain a productive work environment. Additionally, clear communication is vital to ensure everyone is on the same page.

How do you ensure you meet the reporting requirements each week?

To meet the reporting requirements, I keep a daily log of my tasks and accomplishments. This helps me stay organized and makes it easier to compile my report at the end of the week. I also set reminders to ensure I don't forget to submit it on time.

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 7

00:00

I work at a school and we have an online platform called Veracross which is used to track student attendance, provide lesson plans for the week for parents and any resources that are to be updated for the students. Our school has a rule to ensure that the Veracross portal for all classes is updated on a weekly basis. If a teacher fails to update Veracross, we typically hear back from parents who would want to know the progress of the child in the week and we may also get a call from our manager reminding us to update the platform. It is extremely important for the platform to be updated regularly so that students can keep a track of the work that is done at school. In case a student absented themselves on a particular day, it will be very easy for them to go back and take the notes for that particular day. I am quite prompt and regular with updating Veracross because I feel that it also provides me a lot of clarity in the work that I am doing and helps me organize my work very well. Hence, I feel that the rule should be enforced for all the teachers, even the ones who might sometimes not pay much attention to this. It's important the rule is enforced and people are expected to update the platform regularly. I feel digital technology is such a boon in these cases where parents, students and teachers get a common platform where they can access the resources and ensure that their child is learning well.

Follow up questions

How do you think technology has changed the way teachers communicate with parents?

Technology has significantly improved communication between teachers and parents. Platforms like Veracross allow for real-time updates on student progress, making it easier for parents to stay informed. This transparency fosters a collaborative environment where parents can support their child's learning effectively.

What challenges do teachers face in adhering to this rule?

Some challenges include time constraints, especially for teachers with heavy workloads. Additionally, not all teachers may be tech-savvy, leading to difficulties in using the platform effectively. Ensuring consistent training and support can help mitigate these issues and encourage compliance with the rule.

In your opinion, what other rules could improve the learning environment?

Other rules that could enhance the learning environment include regular feedback sessions between teachers and students, mandatory professional development workshops, and clear guidelines for classroom behavior. These rules can promote a more structured and supportive atmosphere for both teaching and learning.

Band 6-7

00:00

As per my point of view, as from my point of view, the main important rule in this school was timing. Because if the person is not punctual, how can he study well? In my school as well as my workplace, the timing is the most important aspect of the rule. Another rule in school and work is the attendance. People have to have at least 75% of attendance in their total academic year. Otherwise, they will not get promoted. In many cases, due to attendance, they get demoted too, like in school.

Follow up questions

Why do you think punctuality is crucial for success?

Punctuality is crucial because it sets a tone of responsibility and discipline. When individuals are punctual, they demonstrate respect for others' time and create a productive environment. It also helps in managing time effectively, allowing for better focus on studies or work tasks.

How do schools enforce attendance rules?

Schools often enforce attendance rules through strict policies, such as tracking attendance records and requiring students to submit excuses for absences. They may also have consequences for poor attendance, such as extra assignments, meetings with parents, or even restrictions on participation in extracurricular activities.

What impact does poor attendance have on students?

Poor attendance can significantly impact students' academic performance, leading to gaps in knowledge and understanding. It can also affect their grades and overall motivation. Additionally, it may hinder their social interactions and relationships with peers, making it harder to integrate into the school community.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, I believe that we should follow the rules and regulations in our school and as well as in our work. There are numerous rules are there in our school and as well as our work and I am going to talk about such a rule in my college. Well, I was studied in a college which is far away from my house and I stayed in hostel. So in my college, our smartphones are strictly restricted inside the campus and we should not use our mobile phone for anything. Firstly I was so frustrated about this rule because phone is one that I can't live without. Even me and my friends, we were once broke that rule and our head of department gives us a warning but after that I followed that rule. I think it's important in a college with such a rule because it helps to keep away the distractions from the students and help them to concentrate more on their studies. The distractions like the social media and other communication calls. Students have lot of distractions these days. So it helps to concentrate.

Follow up questions

What other rules do you think are important in schools?

Apart from the smartphone restriction, I believe rules regarding attendance and academic integrity are crucial. Attendance ensures that students are present for important lessons, while academic integrity promotes honesty in assignments and exams, which is vital for a fair learning environment.

How do you think rules affect student behavior?

Rules play a significant role in shaping student behavior. They provide a framework for expected conduct, helping students understand boundaries. When rules are enforced consistently, they can lead to a more respectful and focused learning environment, reducing conflicts and distractions.

Have you ever disagreed with a school rule? Why?

Yes, I have disagreed with the smartphone rule initially because I felt it limited our communication and access to information. However, I later understood its purpose in minimizing distractions, which ultimately helped me focus better on my studies and improve my academic performance.

Show all 54 answers

Cue 1:What is the rule about?

Clearly state the rule and its purpose in your school or workplace.
Provide context about how this rule is applied and who it affects.

Example

One important rule in my school is that students must submit their assignments on time. This rule is crucial because it helps maintain discipline and ensures that everyone is keeping up with the syllabus.

Cue 2:What happens when people break the rule?

Explain the consequences of breaking the rule.
Mention how these consequences affect both the individual and the group.

Example

When students fail to submit their assignments on time, they usually receive a penalty, such as a reduction in marks. This not only affects their grades but also disrupts the learning process for others, as teachers have to spend extra time addressing late submissions.

Cue 3:Why do you think it is an important rule?

Discuss the benefits of having this rule in place.
Relate it to broader values such as responsibility and time management.

Example

I believe this rule is important because it teaches students the value of responsibility and time management. Learning to meet deadlines is a skill that will benefit us in our future careers, where punctuality is often crucial.

Cue 4:And explain how you feel about the rule.

Share your personal feelings about the rule, whether positive or negative.
Explain how it has impacted your own experience in school or work.

Example

Personally, I appreciate this rule because it has helped me become more organized. Initially, I struggled with deadlines, but over time, I learned to manage my time better, which has reduced my stress levels significantly.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, the rule of submitting assignments on time is vital in my school. It not only fosters discipline but also prepares us for future responsibilities. I feel that such rules are essential for personal growth and academic success.

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 rule, leading to a weak response.

Tip

Be specific about the rule. Explain it clearly and provide examples to illustrate its importance.

2: Ignoring Consequences

Not discussing the consequences of breaking the rule can weaken your answer. Candidates often overlook this aspect, making their response less engaging.

Tip

Clearly explain what happens when the rule is broken. This adds depth to your answer and shows its significance.