Describe a rule that you don't like.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
Why don't you like it?
How do you feel about it?

25 unique answers with expert feedback

How do you think society can change this cooking stereotype?

I believe society can change this stereotype by promoting shared responsibilities in households. Education plays a crucial role; teaching children that chores are not gender-specific can help break these norms. Additionally, media representation of men cooking and sharing household duties can influence public perception.

What impact do you think this rule has on men's roles in the household?

This rule can limit men's roles in the household by making them feel that cooking and chores are not their responsibilities. It creates a divide where men may not feel encouraged to participate in domestic tasks, which can lead to an imbalance in family dynamics and shared responsibilities.

Can you suggest ways to empower women in such situations?

Empowering women can start with education and awareness. Encouraging women to pursue their interests and careers outside of household chores is vital. Support groups and community programs can also help women share their experiences and find strength in numbers, promoting a more equitable distribution of responsibilities.

Band 6-7

00:00

One rule that I never liked is the marriage age for a woman is above 18. I think a woman whose age is 18 means she is just pursuing his or her, sorry, she is just pursuing a B.Tech or any degree. Nowadays, a woman does not have any proper idea in that age. So, I think it's not a correct idea of getting married after 18. And I think it also restricts her freedom and her parents never allowed her to do what she wants to achieve in her future. So, I think the age of a woman to get married should be extended like 21 or 22, at least after her B.Tech or degree so that they will have some knowledge of society and life and they also can improve their personality so that they can achieve something in their life and there should not be any pressure from parents till then about marriage so that many women can achieve whatever goals they can and pursue their own ambitions just like men because they are also a citizen of the world and they are the future, they are even capable just like men, however, only few women are coming up nowadays, so more consent should be there for women too about the marriage age limit. If the rules are strong then automatically parents also mindset will change and they can be allowed to do whatever they want.

Follow up questions

What impact do you think early marriage has on women's education?

Early marriage can significantly hinder a woman's education. When a girl marries young, she often has to prioritize family responsibilities over her studies, which can lead to a lack of qualifications and limited career opportunities. This perpetuates a cycle of dependency and restricts personal growth.

How can society change perceptions about marriage age?

Society can change perceptions about marriage age by promoting awareness of women's rights and education. Campaigns that highlight the importance of personal development and career aspirations for women can help shift mindsets. Additionally, involving men in discussions about gender equality can foster a more supportive environment.

What role do parents play in a woman's decision to marry?

Parents play a crucial role in a woman's decision to marry, as they often influence her values and beliefs. Their expectations can create pressure to conform to societal norms regarding marriage age. Encouraging open communication and supporting their daughter's ambitions can help parents foster independence and informed choices.

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

I respect all the rules of our country, there is no such rules which I am not respecting. I respect all the rules, the rules were made by our ancestors, by lots of studies, these all rules were made for our benefit itself. So I don't think so that, I don't think that any rules are bad and it prevents us from doing something. So whichever the rules may be, like marriage act, child labor act or other rules like daughter should be given the share in the land, properties of father, all those acts, I think that's all benefit for the society itself. Like marriage, marriage act was done, there is a rules on marriage that the girl should attain 18 years old and the boy should attain the 21 years because before that if you marry, you will not be matured enough to understand the concept of marriage, that's the reason the government has done such a rule and like even the child labor that it was abolished because the reason is you will not get the education proper and you will be abused and go for like go through the bullying this thing, so this is, this should be avoided, other than that like share in the land.

Follow up questions

What do you think about rules that are outdated?

While I respect all rules, I believe some may become outdated over time. It's essential to review and update laws to reflect current societal values and needs. For instance, certain regulations regarding technology or social media may need adjustments to remain relevant.

How do you think rules can be improved in society?

Rules can be improved through public consultation and feedback. Engaging citizens in discussions about laws can help identify areas that need change. Additionally, educating people about the purpose of rules can foster respect and compliance, leading to a more harmonious society.

Can you give an example of a rule that has changed for the better?

One example is the change in laws regarding same-sex marriage. Many countries have recognized the importance of equality and human rights, leading to the legalization of same-sex marriage. This change has positively impacted many lives and reflects a more inclusive society.

Band 6-7

00:00

I don't like the rule as you know in the education system in India we have rule of various entrance for the colleges where majority of seats are allotted to the reserved categories for instance open doesn't have any seats whereas general categories have 50% of seats which are allotted on the basis of less marks also so this kind of things create different sort of students we don't have same brains in the class few students who have worked immensely hard and the deserving students don't get a chance in that college just because of their caste and I think majority of the caste people nowadays are earning well so this rule should be actually changed to to on the basis of economic criteria or from the which area they belong from for instance from if they belong from rural area they deserve to be here or like from very economically weak background because they don't they can't afford extra classes or tutors that's mean they may they might be scoring less but when it comes to employability and the deserving candidates not getting the seats in the university and colleges this will create depression among students because I was a 90% scorer in JEE but I was still not qualified because I was in the general category there are students who are just like

Follow up questions

How do you think this rule affects students' motivation?

This rule can significantly demotivate students who work hard but feel their efforts are undervalued. When deserving candidates see less qualified peers gaining admission due to reservation, it can lead to frustration and a sense of injustice, ultimately affecting their academic performance and mental health.

What alternative methods could be used for college admissions?

Instead of caste-based reservations, colleges could implement a system based on economic background or academic performance. For example, a combination of entrance exam scores and socioeconomic factors could provide a more equitable approach, ensuring that deserving students from all backgrounds have a fair chance.

Have you seen any positive aspects of the reservation system?

While I strongly oppose the current reservation system, I acknowledge that it was designed to uplift marginalized communities. It has provided opportunities for some students who might otherwise be excluded from higher education. However, the implementation needs to be more balanced and fair to all students.

Band 6-7

00:00

In our country, there is one rule which has to be followed strictly, because government already put the rule on smoking, if the person fine while smoking, they have to pay the fine of 1000 rupees, but still some people are not maintaining and adopting that rule and they are breaking that rule and I don't like that kind of rule breakers, because it creates air pollution and many of the time, the person who are sick and specially young kids, they suffer from this reason and many of us are suffering by this smoking, first of all, the government should put one special team to detect, special team to find out who is smoking in the open areas like garden, foods and travelling places like bathrooms, police, railway station and whenever we see, we find many people who are smoking in the open area, they don't care about the other person who are suffering from this issue, the person who is smoking, he is also harming himself from inside, that's why I feel that the government should strictly put the rule of fine more than 1000 rupees and arrange one team, special team to find out the person who is breaking the rules and put the surveillance camera more to find out that.

Follow up questions

What other rules related to health do you think should be enforced?

I believe there should be stricter regulations on fast food advertising, especially targeting children. Additionally, rules promoting physical activity in schools and workplaces could help combat obesity and related health issues. These measures could create a healthier environment for everyone.

How do you think public awareness can help in following such rules?

Public awareness campaigns can educate people about the dangers of smoking and the importance of following rules. By sharing stories of those affected by smoking, especially children, we can foster empathy and encourage compliance. Social media can be a powerful tool for spreading this awareness.

What are the consequences of not following health-related rules?

Not following health-related rules can lead to severe consequences, such as increased healthcare costs, higher rates of diseases, and a decline in public health. It can also create a burden on the healthcare system, as more people require treatment for smoking-related illnesses and other health issues.

Show all 25 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Clearly state the rule you dislike and provide a brief context about it.
Mention where this rule is applied, such as at school, home, or workplace.

Example

One rule that I really dislike is the strict dress code at my college. We are required to wear formal attire every day, which feels quite unnecessary for a learning environment.

Cue 2:Why don't you like it?

Explain the reasons for your dislike, focusing on how it affects you or others.
Share any personal experiences that highlight your feelings about this rule.

Example

I find this rule frustrating because it limits our self-expression. For instance, I feel more comfortable and confident in casual clothes, and wearing formal attire makes me feel out of place and less productive.

Cue 3:How do you feel about it?

Describe your emotional response to this rule, whether it causes frustration, anger, or indifference.
Consider discussing any actions you have taken or would like to take regarding this rule.

Example

This rule makes me feel quite annoyed and stifled. I often wish I could speak to the administration about it, but I hesitate because I fear it might not change anything. Overall, it leaves me feeling disheartened about my college experience.

Conclusion

Summarize your main points about the rule and your feelings towards it.
End with a reflection on how rules can impact our daily lives.

Example

In conclusion, while rules are often put in place for a reason, I believe that some, like the strict dress code at my college, can hinder our individuality and comfort. It’s important for institutions to find a balance between maintaining order and allowing personal expression.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.