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Describe a time when you saw something in the sky: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What you saw in the sky
  • When/where you saw it
  • What it looked like / any details
  • And explain why it was memorable
Show all 72 answers

Cue 1:What you saw in the sky

  • Begin by clearly stating what you saw in the sky, such as a rainbow, a shooting star, or a unique cloud formation.
  • Use descriptive language to create a vivid image of the sight.

Example

I saw a beautiful rainbow stretching across the sky after a light rain shower. The colors were vibrant, with shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet blending seamlessly into one another.

Cue 2:When/where you saw it

  • Mention the specific time and location where you witnessed this sight.
  • Provide context about the weather or the situation at that time.

Example

This happened last summer while I was visiting my grandparents' village in Kerala. It was late afternoon, and the sun was just beginning to set, creating a perfect backdrop for the rainbow.

Cue 3:What it looked like / any details

  • Describe the appearance of the sight in detail, including colors, shapes, and any other notable features.
  • Share any personal feelings or thoughts you had while observing it.

Example

The rainbow was a full arc, and it seemed to touch the ground at both ends. The colors were so bright and clear, almost like they were painted in the sky. I felt a sense of joy and wonder as I watched it, reminding me of my childhood when I used to chase rainbows.

Cue 4:And explain why it was memorable

  • Reflect on why this experience stood out to you and what it meant personally.
  • Connect it to any emotions or memories that it evoked.

Example

This moment was memorable because it reminded me of my childhood and the simple joys of life. It also symbolized hope and beauty after a storm, which resonated with me deeply during a challenging time in my life.

Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, seeing that rainbow was not just a visual treat but also a meaningful experience that brought back fond memories and a sense of hope. It taught me to appreciate the beauty around us, even in difficult times.

    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 Descriptions

    Using vague language can make your answer less engaging and informative. Candidates often fail to provide specific details about what they saw, which can lead to a lack of clarity.

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    Tip

    Include specific details about the object in the sky, such as its color, shape, and size, to create a vivid image for the listener.

    2: Ignoring the Cue Card Structure

    Not following the cue card prompts can result in an unorganized response. Candidates may miss important aspects of the question, leading to incomplete answers.

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    Tip

    Address each cue in order: describe what you saw, when and where, details about it, and why it was memorable to ensure a structured response.

    Overly Short Answers

    Providing overly brief answers can make it seem like you are not engaged or knowledgeable. Candidates often give one-sentence responses that lack depth.

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    Tip

    Expand your answers by adding personal feelings, thoughts, or stories related to the experience to make your response more engaging.

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    IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

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    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
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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.
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    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.
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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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    Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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 8

    One of the most remarkable times when I saw something in the sky was during a trip to the Himalayas. A couple of years ago, I was visiting a small hill station in Himachal Pradesh with my family during winter. One evening, after a long day of trekking, we decided to relax outside our guesthouse and enjoy the crisp mountain air. As the sun began to set, the sky transformed into a breathtaking plateau of orange-pink and purple hues. But what truly left me spellbound was when I saw a massive flock of birds flying in perfect V formation against the backdrop of the sunset. It was an awe-inspiring sight because their synchronized movements looked almost choreographed, as if they were performing a graceful dance in the sky. The sheer precision with which hundreds of birds moved together without colliding was mesmerizing. At first, I just stood there silently, watching and trying to absorb every detail. The sight filled me with a mixture of admiration and tranquility. I felt incredibly connected to nature at the moment. Later that night, while glazing at the stars, I also noticed a shooting star streaking across the sky, which added an element of magic to the experience. Seeing something so rare and beautiful made me reflect on the vastness of the universe and how little we really know about it. It was one of those moments that made me pause and appreciate the simple yet extraordinary wonders of the natural world.

    Band 8

    One unforgettable time I saw something fascinating in the sky was during a family trip to Munnar about 2 years ago. Since I normally live in a busy city, where the night sky is covered by pollution and artificial lights, I hardly ever get a chance to notice stars. However, that night in Amaudin was completely different because the sky was unusually clear. As I looked up, I was stunned to see the Milky Way stretching across the sky like a glowing ribbon. Although I had read about this in books and seen pictures online, I had never imagined that witnessing it with my own eyes could feel so magical. At one point, I even spotted a shooting star, and the moment was so sudden and beautiful that I almost forgot to make a wish. What fascinated me most was not just sight itself, but the realization that those very same stars had been guiding people for thousands of years. Because my cousin had a stargazing app, we were able to identify the constellations like Orion and Cassiopeia, which made the whole experience even more meaningful. Standing under the vast and silent sky, I felt incredibly small, yet at the same time I was filled with a deep sense of wonder about how endless the universe might be. The silence of the night was so profound that it seemed as if nature itself had posed, allowing us to fully absorb the beauty above us. It was such a rare and breathtaking movement that, even though I couldn't capture it perfectly on my phone, the memory became permanent, engraved in my mind. Overall, the night sky is something I will never forget, not only because it was visually stunning, but also because it gave me peace, inspiration and a completely new perspective of life.

    Band 7

    I would like to talk about a time when I saw something really fascinating in the sky. It happened about a year ago, when I was travelling with my friend to a hilly area near my town. We decided to stay overnight and while we were sitting outside, we suddenly noticed a very bright object moving across the sky. At first we thought it was an airplane, but the light was unusually bright and it moved in a straight fast line without making any sound. After watching it carefully, we realized it was probably a satellite or a shooting star. It lasted only a few seconds, but it was an amazing experience because I had never seen something like that so clear before. The sky that night was extremely clear with almost no pollution, so we could see thousands of stars. It felt peaceful and almost magical. My friend and I started talking about space and how small we are compared to the universe. The moment made me think deeply about how advanced technology has become and how much more there is to explore beyond our planet. Overall, watching that bright object in the sky was a memorable experience. It not only surprised me, but also made me appreciate the beauty of nature and the mystery of space. It is one of the most memorable day. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

    Band 7

    I remember a time when I saw a cloud that looked just like an elephant in the sky. I was 5 years old when I saw that. I was with my grandfather at the time. We had just recently visited our village and I have never seen a sky so clear because since I was born and brought up in city, I am so used to the pollution. I had never seen a sky so clear and I remember it was a sunny beautiful day and we had just gone out for walk, me and my grandfather. We were taking a stroll when I realized a cloud that looked exactly like an elephant. I showed it to my grandfather and my grandfather was so happy and so thrilled about it that I could notice an animal and recognize it. It was memorable for me because at the time he clicked a photo of that and he had put it on his refrigerator. It was quite mesmerizing to look at the sky and I feel like I have developed a habit of looking at sky and taking pictures because of my grandfather. I go nuts when I see a very good sunset or sunrise and I feel like I have developed a habit of going to treks to catch such beautiful sights. It was very memorable and I think it is one of the most cold memories I have of him. The cloud looked very beautiful and I was not expecting to find an elephant in the sky and I am sure it might not be looking exactly like an elephant but it was somewhat like an elephant. Now I have a niece with whom I do the same thing. She points out to different clouds and tells me what it looks like.

    Band 7

    A few months ago I witnessed the lunar eclipse which was visible from Asian land and I had the opportunity and the luxury of time to watch it from my own home. It was very late at night when I had climbed up to my terrace and was sitting for the lunar eclipse to occur and witness it up close and personal and it was extremely memorable for me since I had not witnessed a lunar eclipse ever before and in my childhood I was so fascinated by the fact of eclipse and how it occurred. So I was really excited and the little child in me was very excited to see and witness the lunar eclipse in full bloom. So it happened, I witnessed the moon gradually fading into the cover and in due time only a silhouette lingered and there was only a faint red glowing light around the shape of the moon and while the moon was fully covered in shadow and gradually it reappeared and it was beautiful to witness the entire process and to fathom how beautiful natural occurrences are.

    Band 7

    The time when I saw something beautiful in the sky was during a Patan Mohatsav. So now it was a kite festival in my hometown. Usually that is a festival celebrated in January. I remember I was on the roof of my home and everyone was flying kites. There was a proper festival as well but also everyone in our houses, they got on the top and they were flying kites. It was one of the best skies I have ever seen because of January it was a clean blue sky with a lot of sunshine. Everyone was wearing festive clothes. It was one of the best things. Why it was memorable particularly for me was because that was the time I was with my family. All of my family members including my extended family were there. We all cousins were together. We were trying to fly a kite which none of us had done but I tried to do it. We were distributing sweets. Everyone was laughing. We were having tea like everybody else in India. That was one of the best moments not just because it was beautiful sky but it was overall an extremely wonderful experience to be with your loved ones and share that moment with them.

    Band 7

    Hello, recently when I was going through my car to some distant place, I looked across the window of the car in the open sky and saw some pigeons flying in the sky. At that time I noticed how less frequently do we actually appreciate the natural environment around us. So it was a very soothing and very amazing sight to see. It kind of made me feel that in the hustle and bustle of city, we just forgot to realize the natural small beings, small birds around us and the beautiful sky. So at that time, it just made me feel the vastness of the life. How small we are as compared to this nature, as compared to this universe. So that kind of gives you a feeling of relief that all your anxieties and worries are very less as compared to the things which are going around us. So it was a very nice and relieving experience and I would like to explore such more moments. That's why after that very moment, I was planning to have a travel plan so that I can come close to nature a little more and appreciate the beautiful things around us other than our work and our daily routines, which keeps us engaged throughout the day.

    Band 7

    The interesting thing I saw in the sky was the red moon, which is also known as the lunar eclipse. The natural event occurs when the earth rotates around the sun and the moon appears to be reddish. I saw it two months ago when I was traveling to my brother's farmhouse where it is in the outskirts of the city, so the air was clean and there was little less pollution, which led to it being easily visible. I was standing on my balcony along with my younger brother. The sky was quite clear that night and the moon looked larger, more beautiful than usual. At first, the moon looked very normal, but it slowly started changing its color from white to orange and then to a deep red. The sight was memorizing and peaceful. At that time, we stood for nearly an hour to take pictures. We took a lot of pictures of this beautiful moment. The sky was totally in different shades that day. Everyone was looking at that moon. This was the most memorizing moment. We saw something new. It tells us that our nature is big and we know very little about nature.

    Band 7

    So, recently, I observed planets during the planet parade, both by my naked eye and through a telescope. So, when I was in Pondicherry University, the physics department arranged a planet-watching night on the terrace of the department, where all the students from other departments were invited to join the program. Me and my friends went there around 5 p.m. in the evening, and we waited along with all other enthusiasts to watch the planet through the telescope, but the best part was the people who had knowledge about the location of all the planets, they made us first see and look at everything through our naked eye, and told us how to distinguish all of them. Moreover, I was really in awe to visualize the planets through the telescope. The planet parade is basically where 4 or 5 planets are on the same line of their orbits, and all of them looked very distinct through the telescope. I observed Jupiter, which was huge, and Saturn, I observed the ring around it.

    Band 7

    So, what I saw in the sky that is etched in my memory till date is pretty much as simple as the sun, but what made this so special is where I saw it. So, I was on a trip, I was in Switzerland and traveling between the cities on a bus and I was surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Switzerland and I saw the sun right in between two mountains, which reminded me of the painting I used to do as a kid. Whenever I was asked to draw a scenic visual, I would always draw two mountains and a sun in between arising or setting and I believe that most kids these days or at least when I was a kid, most of us used to draw the same picture more or less when asked to draw a scene. So, it's really etched in my heart too and that moment was very memorable for me and till date, if I close my eyes, I can picture that scene of the beautiful orange-yellow sky with the sun in between the two mountains.
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