Describe a rule you did not like in school.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was it?
How did other feel about this rule?
Did you ever violate this rule?

33 unique answers with expert feedback

How did you feel about the strict rules in your school?

I felt that the strict rules were sometimes beneficial as they instilled discipline, but they could also be overwhelming. While I understood the importance of rules, I wished there was more flexibility, especially regarding personal choices like lunch.

Did you ever discuss the lunch rule with your teachers?

Yes, I did bring it up with a few teachers. I explained how it was challenging for my mother to prepare rice every day. Some teachers were sympathetic, but the rule remained in place. They believed it promoted a sense of unity among students.

What alternative lunch options would you have preferred?

I would have preferred to bring a variety of foods, like sandwiches or fruits. This would allow students to enjoy their meals more and cater to different dietary preferences. It would also relieve some pressure on parents who had to prepare specific meals.

Band 6-7

00:00

One rule that I hated when I was in school was to wear white uniform during Saturdays. I disliked it because I need to be very careful because white catches stain easily and as a result of which I do not participate in various sports such as football, cricket etc. in the fear of getting my white uniform dirty. And it was not just me, there were a lot of students from my class as well as from the junior and senior batch who really disliked this rule and have even appealed to the administration to revoke this rule. But sadly the decision makers didn't took us seriously and this rule prevails even today. I remember that once I forgot to wear the white uniform because of some examination pressure and because of which I was given punishment of standing in front of the entire school in the morning assembly. That was extremely embarrassing and as a child it made a strong impression in my mind that never ever tend to violate any rule otherwise you know I'll be prone to embarrassment.

Follow up questions

How did you feel about the punishment you received for not following the uniform rule?

I felt extremely embarrassed and humiliated standing in front of the entire school. It was a moment that made me very conscious of my actions and reinforced my desire to always follow the rules, even if I disagreed with them.

What other rules in school did you find difficult to follow?

Apart from the uniform rule, I found the strict regulations on mobile phone usage quite challenging. We weren't allowed to use our phones during school hours, which made it hard to stay connected with my family and friends.

Do you think school rules are important? Why or why not?

Yes, I believe school rules are important as they help maintain discipline and order. However, it's also essential for schools to listen to students' feedback to ensure that the rules are fair and reasonable.

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.

Students can voice their opinions through student councils, suggestion boxes, or by organizing discussions with teachers and administrators. It's important for schools to create an open environment where students feel safe to express their concerns and suggestions regarding rules.

Show all 33 answers

Cue 1:What was it?

Clearly state the rule you disliked and provide context about it.
Explain why you found this rule unreasonable or difficult to follow.

Example

One rule I really disliked in school was the strict dress code. We were required to wear uniforms that were not only uncomfortable but also didn’t allow for any personal expression. I felt it stifled our individuality and made us all look the same.

Cue 2:How did others feel about this rule?

Mention the general sentiment among your classmates regarding the rule.
Share any specific instances or discussions that highlight their feelings.

Example

Most of my classmates shared my sentiments about the dress code. We often talked about it during lunch breaks, and many felt that it was outdated. Some even organized a petition to allow more freedom in our clothing choices, but it didn’t gain much traction.

Cue 3:Did you ever violate this rule?

Discuss any instances where you or your peers broke this rule.
Explain the consequences you faced or the reactions from teachers.

Example

Yes, I did violate this rule a couple of times. Once, I wore a colorful T-shirt under my uniform shirt. I was called out by a teacher and had to change into my uniform. It felt embarrassing, but I was willing to take that risk to express myself a little.

Conclusion

Summarize your feelings about the rule and its impact on your school experience.
Reflect on how this experience shaped your views on rules and regulations.

Example

In conclusion, while I understand the need for rules in school, I believe that some, like the dress code, can be overly restrictive. This experience taught me the importance of balancing discipline with personal expression, which is something I value even today.

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

Avoid being too vague when describing the rule. General statements can make your answer less engaging and informative, leading to a lower score.

Tip

Provide specific details about the rule, including what it was and why it was unpopular among students.

2: Ignoring Others' Opinions

Neglecting to mention how others felt about the rule can make your response seem one-sided. It's important to show awareness of different perspectives.

Tip

Include at least one or two examples of how your classmates reacted to the rule to enrich your answer.

Lack of Personal Experience

Failing to share your personal experience with the rule can make your answer less relatable. Personal stories can enhance your response significantly.