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 specific topics in botany did you find most interesting?

I found topics like plant physiology and ecology particularly fascinating. Understanding how plants interact with their environment and the physiological processes they undergo was enlightening. It helped me appreciate the complexity of plant life and its significance in ecosystems.

How do you think studying botany can impact environmental conservation?

Studying botany equips us with knowledge about plant species and ecosystems, which is crucial for conservation efforts. It helps us understand biodiversity, the importance of native plants, and how to restore damaged ecosystems, ultimately contributing to environmental sustainability.

What career opportunities are available for someone with a degree in botany?

A degree in botany opens various career paths, including roles in research, environmental consulting, agriculture, and education. Graduates can work in laboratories, botanical gardens, or even in government agencies focusing on conservation and sustainable practices.

Band 7

00:00

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 international relations and how different countries interact with each other. I enjoy studying diplomatic strategies, conflict resolution, and the impact of global organizations on politics. These topics fascinate me as they shape the world we live in.

How do you think political science can impact society?

Political science plays a crucial role in shaping policies and governance. It helps citizens understand their rights and responsibilities, encourages civic engagement, and fosters informed debates. By studying political science, we can contribute to a more just and equitable society.

Can you share an experience that deepened your interest in political science?

One experience that deepened my interest was participating in a model United Nations conference. It allowed me to engage in real-world political discussions, negotiate with peers, and understand the complexities of international diplomacy. It was an eye-opening experience that solidified my passion for the subject.

Band 6-7

00:00

The subject that I loved to learn in school was English, ironically. The best part about my English classes was how we were always encouraged to think out of the box, to look for meaning into things that are normally considered mundane, and to see different perspectives. I started studying English from, I think, when I was four years old, till about, I think, 17 years of age, yeah. So throughout our school...

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of English did you enjoy the most?

I particularly enjoyed literature and creative writing. Analyzing poems and stories allowed me to express my thoughts creatively and understand deeper meanings behind the texts.

How has studying English influenced your life outside of school?

Studying English has greatly improved my communication skills, which has helped me in various aspects of life, including building relationships and expressing my ideas clearly in both personal and professional settings.

Do you think English is an important subject to learn? Why?

Absolutely! English is a global language that opens up many opportunities for communication, travel, and career advancement. It also helps in understanding different cultures through literature and media.

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Describe an indoor or outdoor place where it is easy for you to study

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Describe a job that is useful to society

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Describe a person you have met who you want to work/study with

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Describe a person you would like to study or work with

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Describe An English Class Lesson That You Enjoyed

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Band 6-7

00:00

I started to study science in my 5th class. That was my favourite subject. Because this is the subject when I used to learn some new things which is related to our day to day life. But we cannot focus on them very deeply as it is explained in science books. So that subject was so interesting. And it took my attention when I first time heard about physics. So in our day to day life, some kind of actions we do and we can recognize them. Like if we do this, this will happen. But in scientific terms, we can more deeply understand all the things. Like how one force can act and produce another force. And these kind of things are so useful and important to learn. To make our life very easy going. So in my opinion, science is the subject in which everybody should take interest. And learn more and more about it. So that we can progress our minds. And we can learn so many things from this subject. So it is my favourite subject.

Follow up questions

What specific topics in science did you find most fascinating?

I found topics like physics and chemistry particularly fascinating. Physics helped me understand the laws of motion and energy, while chemistry introduced me to the reactions and interactions of different substances. These topics made me curious about how the world works.

How do you think studying science can benefit people in their daily lives?

Studying science can benefit people by enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It helps us understand the principles behind everyday phenomena, making us more informed citizens. For instance, understanding health and nutrition can lead to better lifestyle choices.

Did you have a favorite science experiment or project during your studies?

Yes, one of my favorite experiments was the one where we created a simple circuit. It was fascinating to see how electricity flows and powers devices. It made the concepts I learned in class come to life and sparked my interest in pursuing more hands-on science activities.

Band 6-7

00:00

In my opinion, I think the most interesting subject was business. It's because my father is a businessman. And since my childhood, I am observing the things of business. I observed my father, how he can work so hard for our family and for me. So, now my father wants me to pursue that particular family business in future. So, since my childhood, I am more interested in business. So, I choose arts and economics in my plus two. And I am more involved in the budget things and calculating, purchasing, profit, loss. And one of my friends suggests me to go for commerce. But I am not that much intelligent or not up to date for the math subject. So, I go for my arts and take the subject of economics. I think business studies are like, business studies is my cup of tea. And I love exploring business of other countries also. So, I now after my graduation, I decided to go abroad and do my further studies in MBA Global, where I explore the global level business and marketing schemes, selling prizes, as well as I also need to explore the business and the culture of Germany. So, most particularly, I prefer to go Germany for my MBA Global. I choose my MBA Global subject as prior when I am in my final year.

Follow up questions

How has your father's influence shaped your interest in business?

My father's hard work and dedication to his business have inspired me greatly. Observing him manage challenges and succeed has motivated me to learn more about business and pursue it as a career. His passion for his work has instilled a similar passion in me.

What specific aspects of business do you find most fascinating?

I find budgeting, profit and loss analysis, and market strategies particularly interesting. Understanding how businesses operate financially and how they adapt to different markets captivates me. I also enjoy learning about different cultures' approaches to business.

Why do you prefer studying business in Germany specifically?

Germany has a strong economy and is known for its innovative business practices. I believe studying there will provide me with valuable insights into global business trends and practices. Additionally, I am eager to learn about the German culture and how it influences business.

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.

Ignoring the 'Why' Factor

Not explaining why you enjoyed the subject can make your response seem superficial. The 'why' adds depth and shows your personal connection.

Tip

Reflect on and articulate the reasons behind your enjoyment, such as the subject's relevance to your life or future goals.

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.