Describe a tall building you like or dislike: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What it is used for
Where it is
What it looks like

1 unique answers with expert feedback

What features do you think make a building visually appealing?

I believe features like unique architectural design, color, and lighting play a significant role. Buildings that stand out, like the helical one in Riyadh, often attract attention due to their creativity and how they blend with their surroundings.

How do tall buildings impact the environment and city life?

Tall buildings can maximize space in urban areas, but they also have environmental impacts. They can create wind tunnels and affect local weather. However, they often provide more housing and commercial space, contributing to a vibrant city life.

Do you think tall buildings are a symbol of progress? Why or why not?

Yes, tall buildings often symbolize progress and modernization. They reflect a city's economic growth and innovation. However, they can also represent challenges like urban overcrowding and the need for sustainable development.

Show all 1 answers

Cue 1:What it is used for

Begin by stating the primary function of the building, such as residential, commercial, or mixed-use.
Mention any specific activities or services that take place within the building.

Example

The tall building I want to talk about is the Lodha World One in Mumbai. It is primarily a residential skyscraper, housing luxury apartments. Besides being a home for many affluent families, it also has amenities like a gym, swimming pool, and even a sky lounge for social gatherings.

Cue 2:Where it is

Describe the location of the building, including the city and any notable landmarks nearby.
You can also mention how accessible the building is in terms of public transport or major roads.

Example

Lodha World One is located in the heart of Lower Parel, a bustling area in Mumbai. It stands tall among other skyscrapers and is easily accessible via the Western Express Highway. The area is known for its vibrant nightlife and proximity to shopping malls, making it a prime location.

Cue 3:What it looks like

Provide a visual description of the building, focusing on its height, architecture, and any unique features.
You can also mention how the building fits into the skyline of the city.

Example

The building is an architectural marvel, soaring to a height of 117 stories, making it one of the tallest residential buildings in India. Its sleek glass façade reflects the sunlight beautifully, and the design incorporates modern aesthetics with a touch of elegance. It stands out in the Mumbai skyline, symbolizing luxury and modern living.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, I admire the Lodha World One not just for its height but for what it represents in terms of modern living in Mumbai. It combines luxury with convenience, making it a remarkable addition to the city's landscape.

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: Lack of Specific Details

Avoid vague descriptions that do not provide specific information about the building. This can make your answer less engaging and informative.

Tip

Include specific details about the building's purpose, location, and appearance to create a vivid picture for the examiner.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Neglecting to address the provided cues can lead to an incomplete answer. This may result in a lower score for coherence and relevance.

Tip

Make sure to systematically cover each cue: its use, location, and appearance to ensure a well-rounded response.

Overly Complex Language

Using overly complex vocabulary or sentence structures can confuse the listener and detract from your message.

Tip

Use clear and simple language to express your thoughts. Focus on clarity rather than trying to impress with difficult words.

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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.