Describe a story someone told you.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was it about?
Who told you this story?
Why do you remember it?
How do you feel about it?

31 unique answers with expert feedback

What other stories did your grandmother tell you?

My grandmother had a treasure trove of stories. She often shared tales about her childhood, including adventures with her siblings and funny incidents involving our family pets. Each story was unique and filled with life lessons, making them memorable and enjoyable.

How did your pet dog react after the encounter with the monkey?

After the encounter, Jimmy was quite scared and avoided going outside for a while. He would bark at any noise, thinking it might be the monkey again. Eventually, he became more confident, but that incident left a lasting impression on him, and he was more cautious around other animals.

Why do you think stories from childhood are important?

Childhood stories are crucial as they shape our imagination and understanding of the world. They often carry moral lessons and help strengthen bonds with family. These stories also create lasting memories that we cherish and share with others as we grow older.

Band 6-7

00:00

Me and my friend Moshin have a lot of conversations regarding difficulties that we face in life and even the problems that we face because we are very vulnerable with each other and that's why I think we have that vibe and the zone in which things do come out in a flow. Once a story that I didn't remember was told by Moshin to me when I told him that I had a lot of pressure at home regarding my wedding and I was not quite ready for it. He told me one thing about how to react when your family is putting a pressure and that really stayed with me even throughout these years. To begin with, me and him met in a cafe and we are casually talking when he said that there was something different about me and he noticed that a while back and he really wanted to meet me regarding that. Eventually, we had a conversation where I had refused to tell what it is and brushed it off like it was nothing. However, he has been my friend for years so he noticed that there was something wrong when he asked me and after that he told me that I was going through a hard time and he wanted to give me an advice I was open for. He told me that if the other people have a conduct and personality in a wrong way, it doesn't mean that you turn into that and parents are parents. You cannot deny the fact that they are a generation apart from you and your mindset so you have to adjust with that and just be okay and obey them and try to make them understand what is your perspective. This was a lesson for life for me and I will always stick by that and I have been more lenient towards my parents thinking that they are human beings before they are my parents and they can make mistakes, they might not understand things as well as I can. That one particular incident

Follow up questions

How do you think storytelling impacts friendships?

Storytelling can deepen connections between friends by fostering understanding and empathy. When friends share personal stories, it creates a safe space for vulnerability, allowing them to support each other better. This bond can lead to more meaningful conversations and strengthen their relationship.

What other life lessons have you learned from friends?

I've learned many life lessons from friends, such as the importance of resilience, the value of honesty, and the need for self-care. Each conversation brings new insights, and these lessons often shape my perspective on life and help me navigate challenges more effectively.

How do you handle pressure from family expectations?

I try to communicate openly with my family about my feelings and perspectives. It's important to express my thoughts while also being respectful of their views. Finding a balance between meeting their expectations and staying true to myself is crucial for my well-being.

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.

We can apply this lesson by being open-minded in our interactions and experiences. For instance, when meeting new people or learning new skills, we should set aside our biases and assumptions. This approach can lead to richer experiences and deeper connections with others.

Show all 31 answers

Cue 1:What was it about?

Begin by summarizing the main theme or message of the story.
Include any interesting details that make the story engaging.

Example

The story was about my grandfather's journey during the partition of India. He shared how he had to leave everything behind and travel to a new land, facing numerous challenges along the way.

Cue 2:Who told you this story?

Mention the person who shared the story and your relationship with them.
Highlight any relevant background about the storyteller that adds depth to the story.

Example

My grandfather told me this story during one of our evening chats. He is a wise man with a lot of life experiences, and I always find his stories captivating.

Cue 3:Why do you remember it?

Explain the emotional impact the story had on you.
Discuss any lessons or insights you gained from the story.

Example

I remember it vividly because it opened my eyes to the struggles faced by many during that time. It taught me the importance of resilience and the value of family.

Cue 4:How do you feel about it?

Share your feelings regarding the story and its significance to you.
Reflect on how it has influenced your perspective on life.

Example

I feel a deep sense of respect for my grandfather after hearing his story. It makes me appreciate my own life more and reminds me of the sacrifices made by previous generations.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points of the story and its impact on you.
End with a personal reflection or a thought that ties back to the story.

Example

In conclusion, my grandfather's story is a powerful reminder of resilience and the importance of family bonds. It has left a lasting impression on me, inspiring me to cherish my own experiences and those of my loved ones.

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