Describe A Story Or Novel That Was Interesting To You: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What story or novel was it?
  • Where did you come to know about it?
  • When did you read it?
  • How did you feel about it?

Band 7

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A story or novel that I was really intrigued in the recent times would be a book called The Silent Patient. It was given to me by a dear friend called Bhanavi. She also shares the same interest that I have in books. The genre we really love is crime thrillers and something that keeps us engrossed while we are reading the book. She had given it to me on a Saturday and I started reading it on that day itself. The book was so engrossed and captivating that I finished it over the weekend. The plot revolves around a famous painter who has had some trouble in childhood but eventually made her way to the top. She is accused of killing her husband in the living room of their house and since then she does not utter a word from the trial to the end of the book, justifying the title of the book. The novel is written in the perspective of the psychiatrist who is trying to help her come back to her original self and possibly find a few clues about what happened. The writing is brilliant in this book particularly because there is a clue at the end of every chapter. Generally, in books that have crime or suspense in them, there is suspense every few chapters to keep you engrossed and captivated but in this book, there are certain clues that are revealed at the end of every chapter, keeping you at the edge of the seat and wanting you to read more at the end of every chapter, so that is something I really liked in the book. There is a lot of twists and turns throughout the book but the main twist that comes at the end of the book is mind-boggling, it can be something you have never ever even imagined and that is something I really enjoyed.

Follow up questions


What themes did you find most compelling in The Silent Patient?
The themes of trauma, silence, and the complexity of the human mind were particularly compelling. The exploration of how past experiences shape a person's actions and the psychological depth of the characters added layers to the story that kept me engaged.

How did the book's structure enhance your reading experience?
The structure, with clues at the end of each chapter, created a unique reading experience. It built suspense and made me eager to uncover the next piece of the puzzle, which kept me turning the pages quickly and made the story even more thrilling.

Would you recommend The Silent Patient to others? Why?
Absolutely! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers. The intricate plot, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists make it a must-read for fans of the genre. It's a book that sparks discussion and leaves a lasting impression.

Band 6-7

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The novel which I have found very fascinating was The Dark Matter. I don't really remember the name of the author. I have read this book 6 months back and I found this very interesting and engaging because of its genre. The genre of this novel is thriller and it is based on time travel and various realities. Because of that it was very thought provoking. I was thinking what will happen if this is reality. For instance, if there are multiple realities, how would our life will be. Moreover, this book was very exciting and it helped me to think in a different manner. Also, I like to buy books from bookstores because when I physically go into the bookstore and buy the books, it will feel very different and I definitely like that feeling. When I stand in the bookstore, I will feel very happy and energetic.

Follow up questions


What themes did you find most compelling in The Dark Matter?
The themes of time travel and alternate realities were particularly compelling. They made me reflect on the nature of existence and choices. The idea that our decisions could lead to different outcomes in various realities was thought-provoking and sparked my imagination.

How do you think reading thrillers affects your perspective on life?
Reading thrillers like The Dark Matter can heighten my awareness of the unexpected twists in life. They encourage me to think critically about situations and consider multiple outcomes, which can be beneficial in real-life decision-making.

Why do you prefer buying books from physical bookstores?
I prefer physical bookstores because they offer a unique atmosphere that enhances the reading experience. The tactile sensation of holding a book and the excitement of discovering new titles in person create a joyful and energetic feeling that online shopping can't replicate.

Band 6-7

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The favorite novel that was interesting to me is A Thousand Splendid Sons by Halid Hussaini. He is an Afghan author and he talks about the freedom fighting journey of the Afghanistan through this book. It actually says about the miserable life of Afghan women clearly and the chauvinism shown by the men in Afghanistan and also the revolution, the battles and the wars happened in Afghanistan before the freedom happened is clearly depicted in this book and it literally made me cry to the end. The characters named Mariam and Leila, the pathetic life they have faced in Afghan they are deprived of their basic fundamental rights is shown in this book clearly and we just feel like living their life with us and the author has done a great job writing this book. This is such a must read book for a book lover.

Follow up questions


What themes in the novel resonated with you the most?
The themes of resilience and the struggle for women's rights resonated deeply with me. The portrayal of Mariam and Leila's hardships highlights the strength of women in the face of adversity, making it a powerful commentary on societal issues.

How did the author's background influence the story?
Khaled Hosseini's Afghan heritage greatly influenced the narrative. His personal experiences and understanding of Afghanistan's history lend authenticity to the characters' struggles, making the story more impactful and relatable.

Would you recommend this book to others? Why?
Absolutely! I would recommend 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' to anyone who appreciates profound storytelling. It not only offers a glimpse into Afghan culture but also evokes empathy and awareness about women's rights, making it a vital read.

Practice other cue cards

Describe An Invention That Is Useful In Daily Life
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Describe an interesting song.
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Describe your ideal home or place to live.
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Describe a sport you would watch.
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Describe An Object You Find Particularly Beautiful
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Describe a sport that you really like
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Describe a live performance you enjoyed watching
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Describe An Exciting Book That You Enjoy Reading
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Describe something that you can't live without (not a computer/phone)
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Describe A Skill That You Can Teach Other People
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Describe an expensive hobby you can't pursue daily.
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Describe A Writer You Would Like To Meet
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Describe Your Dream Job
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Talk about something you find interesting.
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Describe an activity that you do after school/work
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Describe A Water Sport You Would Like To Try In The Future
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Describe A Special Cake You Received From Others
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Describe A Painting That You Like
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Describe A Water Sport
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Describe Your Favorite Sport
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Band 6-7

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When I was in my final year, I discovered a book named The Something I've Never Told You. It is written by Shravya Binder and this book was a love story of Rohanak and Ayesha. Ayesha was crush of Rohan since his childhood and this is a very beautiful story portraying the two characters and their lives revolving around career, love and their path. They both have separate paths but somehow their life connected them many times. But after achieving Kaavya, Rohan never valued Ayesha. At the end, Ayesha went in coma after meeting an accident because Rohan never paid attention on Ayesha. That's a pretty heartbreaking story but it concludes the second part, The Something I Wish I'd Tell You. It is also written by Shravya Binder. I hope it would be a great story again but I didn't read this book. So it was my first novel on a love story which I liked most.

Follow up questions


What themes did you find most compelling in the novel?
I found the themes of love, sacrifice, and the impact of choices to be very compelling. The way Rohan's neglect affected Ayesha's life really highlighted how important it is to value relationships and the consequences of taking someone for granted.

How did the characters' development influence your perception of the story?
The development of Rohan and Ayesha throughout the story was significant. Rohan's growth from a careless lover to someone who realizes his mistakes made me reflect on personal growth and the importance of learning from our past actions.

Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?
Yes, I would recommend it because it beautifully captures the complexities of love and relationships. The emotional depth and relatable characters make it a worthwhile read, especially for those who enjoy love stories with a twist.

Band 6-7

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00:00

I would like to describe a novel that I read when I was in college and the novel was quite interesting and captivating that I still remember the name of that novel and it is One Night at Call Center by Chetan Bhagat and I came to know about that novel through my best friend who read it and referred me to read this book once. So, I borrowed her book and started reading it. The book was quite gripping and intriguing factors were taking place, incidents were taking place as we read more and more or go through the book whenever I still remember some of its scary incident that took place during the journey of those five friends who all were working in call center and come out to move around at late night and the whole story was captivating and I just finished it at once when I started reading it and the last chapter was quite amazing. It was at that time of my age, it was feeling like I am watching a scary or suspense thriller movie and the author has described the incidents with great interest.

Follow up questions


What themes did you find most compelling in the novel?
The themes of friendship and the challenges of modern life in a call center were very compelling. The way the characters navigated their personal struggles while working together created a strong bond that resonated with me.

How did the novel impact your perspective on friendships?
The novel made me appreciate the importance of friendships, especially during tough times. It showed how friends can support each other and face challenges together, which is something I value in my own life.

Would you recommend this novel to others? Why or why not?
Yes, I would definitely recommend it! The gripping storyline and relatable characters make it an engaging read. It's not just entertaining but also offers insights into life and relationships, which many readers can connect with.
Show all 55 answers

Cue 1:What story or novel was it?

  • Begin by mentioning the title of the story or novel clearly.
  • Briefly describe the main theme or genre of the book.

Example

The novel I found particularly interesting is 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. It is a philosophical story about a young shepherd named Santiago who dreams of finding treasure in Egypt.


Cue 2:Where did you come to know about it?

  • Share how you first heard about the book, whether through a friend, school, or online.
  • Mention any specific recommendations or reviews that influenced your decision to read it.

Example

I first came to know about 'The Alchemist' from a friend who recommended it during our college days. She spoke highly of its inspirational messages, which piqued my interest.


Cue 3:When did you read it?

  • State the time period when you read the book, such as during a specific year or season.
  • You can also mention any particular circumstances that made you choose to read it at that time.

Example

I read this novel about two years ago during my summer vacation. I had some free time, and I wanted to read something that could motivate me.


Cue 4:How did you feel about it?

  • Express your emotions and thoughts after reading the book.
  • Discuss any lessons learned or how it impacted your perspective on life.

Example

After finishing 'The Alchemist', I felt inspired and hopeful. The story taught me about following my dreams and listening to my heart, which has influenced my decisions since then.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, 'The Alchemist' is not just a novel; it’s a journey of self-discovery that resonates with many readers. Its timeless message encourages us to pursue our dreams, making it a memorable read for me.


    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 Descriptions

    Using vague language can make your answer less engaging and informative. It’s important to provide specific details about the story or novel to capture the examiner's interest.

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    Tip

    Include key plot points, character names, and specific themes to make your description vivid and memorable.


    2: Don't Rush Your Response

    Rushing through your answer can lead to unclear explanations and missed details. Take your time to think about each cue and structure your response logically.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Pause briefly to organize your thoughts before answering each cue, ensuring clarity and coherence in your response.


    Neglecting Personal Feelings

    Failing to express your personal feelings about the story can make your answer less relatable. The examiner wants to hear your unique perspective and emotional connection.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Share how the story impacted you personally, discussing your feelings and thoughts to create a more engaging narrative.


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    Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood
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    Anonymous student Band 8

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    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
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    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 6.5

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    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
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    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
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    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.

    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 7

    A story or novel that I was really intrigued in the recent times would be a book called The Silent Patient. It was given to me by a dear friend called Bhanavi. She also shares the same interest that I have in books. The genre we really love is crime thrillers and something that keeps us engrossed while we are reading the book. She had given it to me on a Saturday and I started reading it on that day itself. The book was so engrossed and captivating that I finished it over the weekend. The plot revolves around a famous painter who has had some trouble in childhood but eventually made her way to the top. She is accused of killing her husband in the living room of their house and since then she does not utter a word from the trial to the end of the book, justifying the title of the book. The novel is written in the perspective of the psychiatrist who is trying to help her come back to her original self and possibly find a few clues about what happened. The writing is brilliant in this book particularly because there is a clue at the end of every chapter. Generally, in books that have crime or suspense in them, there is suspense every few chapters to keep you engrossed and captivated but in this book, there are certain clues that are revealed at the end of every chapter, keeping you at the edge of the seat and wanting you to read more at the end of every chapter, so that is something I really liked in the book. There is a lot of twists and turns throughout the book but the main twist that comes at the end of the book is mind-boggling, it can be something you have never ever even imagined and that is something I really enjoyed.

    Band 6-7

    Back in COVID days, when I just graduated from my pre-university college, we had been under lockdown in my house and I had a novel gifted by my principal for being a good student in my PU college. So, it was about Sudha Murthy and her childhood. So, its name goes by how I taught my grandmother to read and I really felt good reading that novel as she described how her childhood went from village and back then they did not have any good technologies. So, she had nothing much exposure to any of the things we have right now like internet or online schooling. So, she had to teach her grandmother by herself and it was a beautiful experience she described through that novel which I really loved about and there were small stories of her childhood, very sweet stories which really makes anyone happy when they read it. So, yeah that was a good novel. Moreover, she described how she went from a small village girl to a big corporate entrepreneur. So, that was really motivating me to get out of my small town and go out and explore new things. So, yeah as she described I did so and finally I am here going abroad.

    Band 6-7

    The favorite novel that was interesting to me is A Thousand Splendid Sons by Halid Hussaini. He is an Afghan author and he talks about the freedom fighting journey of the Afghanistan through this book. It actually says about the miserable life of Afghan women clearly and the chauvinism shown by the men in Afghanistan and also the revolution, the battles and the wars happened in Afghanistan before the freedom happened is clearly depicted in this book and it literally made me cry to the end. The characters named Mariam and Leila, the pathetic life they have faced in Afghan they are deprived of their basic fundamental rights is shown in this book clearly and we just feel like living their life with us and the author has done a great job writing this book. This is such a must read book for a book lover.

    Band 6-7

    Novel always helps us to broaden our perspective. Hence, last year I came across a novel written by Agatha Christie. It is named as Mousetrap. It describes how six people live at a house which is on rent purposes and there happens to be a murder. It is based on a genre of thriller and murder mystery. I like how every person portrayed different characteristic features. It is based on social issues. Also, it is engaging, interesting and a lot of descriptive features can be seen in the book. Last year when I was reading a lot of murder mysteries, I came across the Mousetrap. I loved how anonymously the murder took place and till end we didn't even realize, I didn't even realize that how and who committed the murder. The plot twist was fascinating. I was astonished. I really really loved the book. It was fabulous and an absolutely great work by Agatha Christie. I felt amazing and she will always be my role model.

    Band 6-7

    Because what they did at the end, the later Mughals, they actually used all the kingdom's reserves, the kingdom's funds, and they actually misused the power. They misused the people's money, they misused the funds, they misused the taxes which people paid. And at the end of the century when Britishers were there, by 1857, they actually crumbled in the hands of Britishers. Eventually they gave up, though there were revolts in other parts of the country, however the Mughal Empire or the Mughal Emperor could not withstand the British power. Though he had a lot of allies from other states, from Uttar Pradesh, from Bengal, from other parts of India, but still the Mughal Emperor was captured and was sent to Burma on an exile and that was about the last Mughal Emperor. And the journey described or the dynasties, chapters described by William D'Arumple was, in the beginning, how great the Mughals were, how the India's culture and the Mughal culture mixed up and made a new Mughal culture, Hindu Mughal culture. Akbar was a great king who always was benevolent and liked the Hindu culture. He married a lot of Hindu princes and he had a lot of respect for the Hindu religion. So he was much more benevolent compared to his previous

    Band 6-7

    A novel that I find interesting is Rich Dad Poor Dad which is authored by Robert T. Kiyosaki. It is a self-help novel which explores relevant themes of financial literacy that are not taught in schools. Financial literacy is an important topic in these days or modern times. It needs to be explored in deep detail so that a person can be equipped with the apt skills when he or she becomes an adult. It was interesting because I want to pursue a career in financial analytics data, analytics data science and investment banking. I knew about it from an inspiring school teacher who was my mathematics teacher who taught me how to manage wealth and how to compound your wealth. So, I read the novel Rich Dad Poor Dad in 9th grade. I felt a lot more educated about finance than I was ever by my school. This novel also indicated me financial literacy which I am sure will help me in my future endeavours while managing my financial resources once I become an adult. Hence, this was an interesting novel.

    Band 6-7

    So, a novel that I found extremely interesting was The Wedding List by Lucy Foley. I came across this book actually on ChatGPT. My friend recently allowed me to borrow her Kindle and I wanted to get into the habit of reading again, especially before I sleep because I prefer reading over being on my phone. So, I used ChatGPT to get a list of interesting crime and murder mystery books and this was number one. The book is based in Ireland. It follows the story of a young couple who is about to get married but there are a lot of secrets, a lot of dark twists. There's a lot happening right before the wedding and finally on the wedding day, somebody is murdered and we don't find out who is murdered and who is the murderer by the end of the book. So, for me, I found it extremely interesting because instead of actually helping me sleep, it kept me awake all night thinking about who the killer might be. I also found it interesting because by the end, I think I had some kind of idea about the character that was accused.

    Band 6-7

    I have always been a person who likes to read the stories and enjoy the comics as well. Recently I have read a novel called Aswinner which is a Telugu novel where the story is totally about the person who evolved from a low situation to a high standard. When coming to the novel or the story, it is in this a child who started his schooling and he wants to become an athletic athlete. Also he used to run every day for 4 to 5 kilometers. So whenever there is a district competition, he always used to come second. So he always been thinking of that and he motivated himself. But one day he lost the race with a very slight margin. Then he thought he would study rather than be an athlete. But his father motivated him that failures are the stepping stone to success. And he followed that and he encouraged himself and he used to run for 4 to 5 kilometers. Then he became a successful person and he became an athletic and he was one of the role models for the future generations. So the moral of the story is...

    Band 6-7

    When I was in my final year, I discovered a book named The Something I've Never Told You. It is written by Shravya Binder and this book was a love story of Rohanak and Ayesha. Ayesha was crush of Rohan since his childhood and this is a very beautiful story portraying the two characters and their lives revolving around career, love and their path. They both have separate paths but somehow their life connected them many times. But after achieving Kaavya, Rohan never valued Ayesha. At the end, Ayesha went in coma after meeting an accident because Rohan never paid attention on Ayesha. That's a pretty heartbreaking story but it concludes the second part, The Something I Wish I'd Tell You. It is also written by Shravya Binder. I hope it would be a great story again but I didn't read this book. So it was my first novel on a love story which I liked most.

    Band 6-7

    Yeah, I recently read a book that I borrowed from my friend named the alchemist by the famous writer Paolo Coelho. The book describes us about a young boy who keeps following his dreams and along his way he discovers the true meaning of life. What made me what made it interesting was a line that said if you really want something the whole world conspires to help you achieve it. I found it really motivating. That very line did a lot to me. The story briefs about the young boy named San Diego. Once he had a dream of finding a treasure in those Egyptian pyramids and he keeps following his dreams and along his way he meets lots of people and finally meets an alchemist who teaches him the true meaning of life, the life lessons. The story is based upon that and that very line. I would recommend that book to anyone who needs some motivation. It's an amazing piece of work.
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