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Describe a rule you dislike and would like to change in the future: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What the rule is?
  • Where or when it applies?
  • Why you dislike it?
  • And explain what you would change and why.
Show all 111 answers

Cue 1:What the rule is?

  • Clearly state the rule you dislike, making sure to explain what it entails.
  • Provide context about where this rule is commonly applied.

Example

The rule I dislike is the strict dress code in my college, which requires students to wear formal attire every day. This rule applies to all students and is enforced during classes and college events.

Cue 2:Why you dislike it?

  • Explain your personal feelings about the rule and how it affects you.
  • Mention any specific incidents or experiences that highlight your dislike.

Example

I dislike this rule because it stifles our individuality and self-expression. For instance, I feel uncomfortable wearing formal clothes every day, especially when I prefer casual wear. Once, I had to attend a class in a hot summer, and wearing formal attire made me feel very uneasy and distracted.

Cue 3:What would you change and why?

  • Suggest a more flexible alternative to the current rule.
  • Explain the benefits of your proposed change for students and the college environment.

Example

I would change the rule to allow students to wear smart casual attire instead of formal clothes. This change would make students feel more comfortable and confident, which could enhance their learning experience. It would also promote a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere on campus.

Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, while rules are important for maintaining order, I believe that some, like the strict dress code in my college, can be re-evaluated. Allowing more freedom in our attire would not only reflect our personalities but also create a more enjoyable learning environment.

    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. It's important to provide specific details about the rule you dislike to engage the listener.

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    Tip

    Use clear examples and specific situations to illustrate the rule and your feelings about it.

    2: Lack of Structure

    Failing to organize your response can lead to confusion. A structured answer helps convey your thoughts more effectively.

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    Tip

    Follow the cue prompts in order: state the rule, its application, your dislike, and your proposed change.

    Overly Emotional Responses

    Being too emotional can detract from the clarity of your argument. It's important to express your feelings while remaining composed.

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    Tip

    Balance your emotional response with logical reasoning to explain why the rule should change.

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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 >7

    A rule that I dislike the most is the gender equality. I think both men and women must be treated equally in this society because as a society we have undergone many changes, human beings have evolved through centuries and I think we should accommodate certain rules and change existing rules with regard to gender equality. Most laws that we have today are not gender equal. For example, most laws are addressed towards male and the patriarchal society. I think laws should be made to support, to encourage the women's society too. Both male and female should be given equal opportunity, be it job or be it any talent or any skill, they must be given equal opportunity to participate and try their best. So I would like to change the gender equality rule that is existing today and would promote equal rights for both men and women. Also, this rule must be adopted in schools.

    Band 7

    In India, a rule that I would like to disband in the future is marital rape being legal. As a girl who is about to become a woman, this is a serious violation of every girl's privacy in this country. It's a threat to self-empowerment and it takes away a right to our own bodies and it affects more than just the general population of women. It also affects the general population of men because I think about the men that stand by women's sides when they're crying about how their own husbands have not been treating them the way they're supposed to. I think about how there are safety concerns not just for myself but for all of my friends and all of my family members that could be affected by this in the future or are currently being affected by this now but don't have the mentality or the power to speak up about it and stand up for themselves. The backward and conservative nature of our country with regards to this specific matter is something that has always taken me aback and will continue to take me aback until this rule has been changed for the better. I read somewhere that in all of the states men have the same rights but women don't, differing on the state, and that fact truly compels me to say that some people in this country don't appreciate or give women the same level of equality and respect that they do, that they deserve, that they give men. This sort of disparity is the reason why so many women are going into depression these days and so many of them are facing mental health issues.

    Band 7

    One rule I strongly dislike is the strict dress code policy that was enforced in my school. We were required to wear a very formal uniform every single day, including blazers and ties. Even during the summer months, when the temperatures were extremely high, the rule was applied without exception, and students could be punished for even small deviations like wearing sports shoes or forgetting their tie. I first encountered this rule when I started high school. At first, I understood the logic behind it. It was meant to promote discipline and quality among students. But over time, I felt unnecessarily rich and even uncomfortable. During hot days, wearing a full uniform made it hard to concentrate, and many students would feel exhausted or even fall sick because of the heat. What bothered me most was the administration seemed more focused on enforcing the rule than listening to student concerns. If I had the chance to change this rule, I would introduce a flexible dress code, especially during summer. Students could be allowed to wear neat, comfortable cloths like polo shirts or school-branded t-shirts without compromising discipline. I think rules should adapt to real-world situations rather than being blindly enforced. To me, a good rule is one that serves as a purpose without making people feel restricted or ignored. While uniforms have their place, forcing students to wear the exact same thing in all conditions feels outdated. A more practical and empathetic approach would make a huge difference in the world.

    Band 7

    The rule I dislike is the recent rule regarding the ban on abortion. I know it's a sensitive topic but I have to say this because this is the only rule that really bamboozles me. The thing is, women have been struggling for their rights, their basic human rights, the rights over their body for centuries. And all of this has been achieved by constant struggle for so many years. And all of a sudden, America, the country that everyone looks up to, is changing the view that the world has on women. It is telling that women have no control over their body by giving a ban to abortion. That has to be very desensitizing to everybody and it is really a war on women. And I think I would like to change it. I would love to change it. And I want to furthermore add on that you cannot force the thoughts and your beliefs onto somebody that is not willing to inculcate those ideas. Like if they do it with their own perception or with their own understanding, it is fine, great. But you cannot force somebody, by law, by the government to do something they are not willing to do. So this forcing parenthood on women that do not want it is rude and deeply violating to women. So yeah, I would like to change it and I wish the government itself changes it.

    Band 7

    One rule I genuinely dislike is the strict dress code enforced in many schools. I understand that uniforms promote discipline and equality, but I think they often come at a cost of individuality and self-expression. Students should have the freedom to express their identity through what they wear, as long as it's appropriate and respectful. I believe in a more flexible dress policy, maybe allowing students to wear clothes of their choice on certain days, or giving them more options with the uniform system. In the future, I'd like to see the institutions or the schools to adopt a more modern and inclusive approach that balances discipline and with personal freedom. So this is a thing that I really dislike.

    Band 7

    One rule that I truly dislike is how there is confusion or not enough clarity on the legality of marital rape in India. It says that marital rape is illegal if the wife is under the age of 18 years, but the legal age of marriage itself is 21. So it does not make sense that the legality of rape would be based on the age of the victim regardless of the fact that it is a brutal crime in itself. Hence I think that is something that I want to change because this allows and provides space for many men to abuse their wives and force sexual intercourse on them, leading to emotional and physical abuse of women in most Indian marriages. Penalising marital rape thoroughly will ensure that such incidents do not take place or at least give a platform for such incidents to be spoken about and for justice to be served. Women will finally feel like they have a support system in place by the government itself, which is why I think this is something that has to be changed and this needs to be done by women-led organisations and groups that take this issue to the government and resolve it.

    Band 7

    One rule I really dislike is the no in late entry policy in colleges, especially during morning lectures. This rule usually applies in many Indian colleges, including the ones where I have studied. If a student arrives even 5 or 10 minutes late, they are not allowed to enter the class regardless of the reason. It's enforced quite strictly and the attendance is often tied to internal marks. I personally dislike this rule because it's rigid and lacks flexibility. Sometimes being late is not due to laziness or carelessness. It could be because of genuine reasons like traffic, delayed buses or even health issues. Instead of helping students stay engaged, this rule often pushes them away and wastes an entire lecture. If I could change it, I would suggest introducing a grace period where students can quietly enter without disturbing the class. Another option could be allowing a limited number of late entries per month that don't affect attendance. I believe rules should promote learning, not just discipline. In this case, a small change could help reduce stress and increase participation, especially for sincere students who occasionally face unavoidable delays.

    Band 7

    One rule which I dislike the most is the lack in severity of punishments given to people who commit sexual harassment crimes. I personally believe that there should be a more severe punishment for these crimes but the fact that many individuals are able to get away with few months or even a few years of jail time or get out within a few months is really saddening. There should be a standardized set of laws and regulations which exclusively operates for sexual harassment cases for both men and women in order to safeguard them from other people who try to commit these. Moreover, this severity in punishment would discourage a lot of people with similar thoughts to think twice before committing a crime like this. This would also ensure the safety of people in the country and given the population and the current status of our country, I really think this is needed for our nation at this time. Furthermore, this would also bring a sense of security and peace within the population where one can go out with a sense of safety at any time, anywhere without having to worry about anyone and this is the main reason why I believe this rule should be changed.

    Band 7

    As a law student, I have studied various criminal laws and it would be shocking for you to know that marital rape in India is not criminalized. It is completely legal for marital rape to occur in India. Our lawmakers have been hiding behind the notion of privacy to allow this heinous crime to occur throughout our country in various homes. People find it hard to feel safe in their own homes because the laws of our own country are not there to protect them. It is disheartening for me as a law student to learn that our legal system is failing so hard in protecting its own people in their own homes. I completely disagree with the idea of hiding behind the notion of privacy of a person in their own homes to make it an excuse or a justification for not giving them the protection or safeguards of being able to complain about the abuse and assault that they go through in their own homes. The criminalization is only limited to domestic violence. It is not expanded to marital rape yet because the courts say that what happens between a husband and a wife is completely their own business and that they have no right in interfering with it. But do you really think that not interfering with the lives and the safety of a woman is how this country should move ahead? I have one of my main aims as a law student is to work towards criminalizing marital rape and forming very strict laws that punish the people who commit such crimes.

    Band 7

    The rule that I would like to change and the one that I really dislike is somewhat an unwritten rule in our society. It's that girls, when they are menstruating, they are not supposed to enter temples or churches. I find it very discriminating. It is one thing to choose not to go to church or temples on the days you are menstruating, but to be forced and not allowed into the temples and churches by your nearest and dearest family members on such days. I find it very discriminating and very old school. It is something that has to be changed. It's a very regressive rule. I know it's not a written rule, it's an unwritten rule, but it is something that is still being followed by many people in my society. So I think that is something I would really love to change for the future generation. I understand that nowadays these kids don't follow them and they are trying to bring up the discussion with their family to change the idea around menstruation, but certainly there is a long way to go about this.
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