Describe a science subject you are interested in: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What the subject is
When you started learning it
What you learn from it
And explain why you are interested in it

2 unique answers with expert feedback

What are some ethical concerns regarding genetic engineering?

Some ethical concerns include the potential for unintended consequences in ecosystems, the moral implications of altering life forms, and the risk of creating inequalities in food access. It's important to balance innovation with ethical considerations to ensure responsible use of genetic engineering.

How do you think genetic engineering can impact agriculture in the future?

Genetic engineering has the potential to significantly enhance agricultural productivity by creating crops that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and climate change. This could lead to increased food security and sustainability, but it must be managed carefully to avoid negative ecological impacts.

Can you give examples of crops that have been improved through genetic engineering?

Examples include Bt cotton, which is engineered to be resistant to certain pests, and Golden Rice, which has been modified to contain higher levels of vitamin A. These innovations aim to improve crop yield and nutritional value, addressing both economic and health issues in agriculture.

Band 5-6

00:00

Science is basically connected nature ecosystem with human beings and it's also considered living and non-living things. My favorite subject is human anatomy and physiology. Basically I started from 10th standard and now I am in graduation. After my 10 plus 2 I did completed my bachelor in neuroscience and surgery and there I learned lots of things about how do human body control, how do medicines work in our body, how to proper replications, mitigation, cure, reproduction, everything I learned from this. When I studied about science I really feel very enthusiastic because science learn you how body system connected. For instance digestive system. Digestive system basically if we eat anything then first go by oral and then it's moving separate from epiglottis. It's measuring major part in body. They separate food and then stomach, then start absorption, metabolism and up the last step of the digestion is excretion. Apart from this lots of system also consider now some muscles and bones. Whatever you want you can learn about it. You can choose human anatomy and physiology books also available and they will connect you human body by nature and how they work.

Follow up questions

What inspired you to study human anatomy and physiology?

I have always been fascinated by how the human body works. My interest was sparked in high school when I learned about the complexities of the body systems and how they interact. This curiosity drove me to pursue a degree in neuroscience and surgery.

How do you think studying science can benefit society?

Studying science, particularly human anatomy and physiology, can lead to advancements in medicine and healthcare. It helps us understand diseases, develop new treatments, and improve overall health, which ultimately benefits society by enhancing quality of life.

What are some challenges you faced while studying this subject?

One of the biggest challenges was grasping the intricate details of various body systems and their functions. Additionally, the volume of information can be overwhelming, but I found that consistent study and practical applications helped me overcome these difficulties.

Show all 2 answers

Cue 1:What the subject is

Clearly state the science subject you are interested in, such as biology, chemistry, or physics.
Provide a brief overview of what this subject entails and its significance.

Example

The science subject I am particularly interested in is biology. Biology is the study of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, and evolution. It plays a crucial role in understanding life processes and the environment.

Cue 2:When you started learning it

Mention when you first encountered this subject, whether in school or through personal interest.
Share any specific experiences or classes that sparked your interest.

Example

I started learning biology in high school, specifically in the 10th grade. I remember being fascinated during my biology class when we studied the human body and its systems. My teacher made the subject come alive with interesting experiments and discussions.

Cue 3:What you learn from it

Discuss the key concepts or topics you have learned in this subject.
Explain how this knowledge has impacted your understanding of the world.

Example

From studying biology, I have learned about various topics such as genetics, ecology, and human anatomy. This knowledge has deepened my understanding of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment, which is essential for addressing issues like climate change and health.

Cue 4:And explain why you are interested in it

Share your personal reasons for being drawn to this subject.
Connect your interest to future aspirations or career goals.

Example

I am interested in biology because it helps me understand the complexities of life and the natural world. I aspire to become a doctor, and I believe that a strong foundation in biology is essential for my future career. The idea of helping people through medical science excites me.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, biology is a fascinating subject that has captured my interest since high school. The knowledge I have gained not only enriches my understanding of life but also motivates me to pursue a career in medicine, where I can make a positive impact on people's lives.

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: Avoid Vague Responses

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the science subject you are discussing to engage the listener.

Tip

Use specific examples and details about the subject, such as experiments or concepts you find interesting, to make your answer more vivid.

2: Don't Rush Your Answer

Speaking too quickly can lead to unclear pronunciation and missed points. Take your time to articulate your thoughts clearly.

Tip

Practice speaking slowly and pausing between points to ensure clarity and give yourself time to think.

Neglecting Personal Connection

Failing to explain why you are interested in the subject can make your answer less engaging. Personal connections help create a memorable response.

Tip

Share a personal story or experience related to the subject to illustrate your interest and make your answer more relatable.

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.