Describe a subject you loved to study.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Which subject?
When did you study?
What were the lessons like? Why did you enjoy it?

34 unique answers with expert feedback

What inspired your interest in botany?

My interest in botany was sparked by my curiosity about nature and how plants interact with our environment. I was fascinated by the diversity of plant life and their essential role in sustaining ecosystems. This passion grew as I learned more about their importance in agriculture and medicine.

How do you think studying botany can benefit society?

Studying botany can greatly benefit society by improving agricultural practices, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable environmental practices. Knowledge of plants can lead to innovations in biotechnology and conservation efforts, which are crucial for addressing climate change and preserving biodiversity.

What are some challenges you faced while studying botany?

One of the main challenges I faced while studying botany was the complexity of plant biology and taxonomy. Understanding the various classifications and functions of different plant species required a lot of memorization and practical application. However, overcoming these challenges deepened my appreciation for the subject.

Band 7

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The subject that I loved studying was political science. I myself am a political science major. I studied political science during my bachelor's, but right now I want to talk about why I started loving it. It was during my 11th and 12th standard. So I took up arts, but gradually I started to incline more towards political science because it was a very happening subject. I would say, you never run out of politics to talk about. Like it's an ongoing process. It's developing. It is a process that is never ending. And at the same time, my teacher was also such a good teacher who conveyed the process, the theories of political science in such a way that the students never got bored of political science. It was a subject that I always looked forward to. I loved debating with my friends, with even my teacher about certain political topics, giving our own political opinions on it. At the same time, I also like getting to learn about the opinions of other people so that I can evaluate it with my own opinions. These were the reasons why I loved political science and I continue to still love it. But right now I'm moving more into a nuance of the international relations, international politics that I'm going to major on for my PhD. So I'm hoping for the best and I'm excited for my new journey too.

Follow up questions

What specific topics in political science interest you the most?

I am particularly interested in topics like democracy, governance, and international relations. I find the dynamics of how different political systems operate and their impact on global affairs fascinating. This interest drives my desire to explore these areas further in my studies.

How do you think studying political science has influenced your perspective on current events?

Studying political science has significantly shaped my understanding of current events. It allows me to analyze news critically, understand the underlying political theories, and recognize the implications of policies. This perspective helps me engage in informed discussions about global issues.

Can you share an example of a debate topic you enjoyed discussing in class?

One memorable debate topic was about the effectiveness of democracy versus authoritarianism. It sparked intense discussions among my classmates and me, as we explored various viewpoints and real-world examples. This debate deepened my appreciation for the complexities of political systems.

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.

I expect to face challenges such as adapting to a new educational system, cultural differences, and possibly language barriers. Additionally, understanding the local business environment and networking with professionals in Germany will be crucial for my success in the MBA program.

Show all 34 answers

Cue 1:Which subject?

Clearly state the subject you loved and provide a brief reason for your choice.
Mention any specific aspects of the subject that intrigued you.

Example

The subject I loved the most was Mathematics. I was always fascinated by how numbers could explain real-world phenomena and solve complex problems.

Cue 2:When did you study?

Specify the time period when you studied this subject, such as during school or college.
You can also mention any memorable experiences related to studying this subject.

Example

I studied Mathematics throughout my school years, particularly enjoying it in my 11th and 12th grades when I took it as a major subject. Those years were filled with intense learning and preparation for my board exams.

Cue 3:What were the lessons like? Why did you enjoy it?

Describe the teaching style and classroom environment that made the lessons enjoyable.
Explain why you found the subject engaging, perhaps mentioning a favorite topic or project.

Example

The lessons were interactive and challenging, with my teacher often using real-life examples to explain concepts. I particularly enjoyed learning about calculus, as it felt like solving a puzzle. The satisfaction of finding the right answer was incredibly rewarding.

Conclusion

Summarize your feelings about the subject and its impact on your life.
You may also mention how this subject influenced your future studies or career choices.

Example

In conclusion, Mathematics has always been a passion of mine, shaping my analytical skills and paving the way for my career in engineering. I believe the love for this subject will stay with me for a lifetime.

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 Subject Choice

Choosing a subject without explaining why you loved it can make your answer less engaging. It’s important to connect personally with the subject to show your enthusiasm.

Tip

Select a specific subject and share a personal story or experience that highlights your passion for it.

2: Lack of Detail in Lessons

Failing to describe what the lessons were like can leave your answer feeling incomplete. Details help the examiner understand your experience and enjoyment.

Tip

Include specific examples of lessons or activities that made the subject enjoyable for you.