Describe a time you used your cellphone/smartphone to do something important: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What happened?
When it happened?
How important the cellphone/smartphone was?
And explain how you felt about the experience.

21 unique answers with expert feedback

How do you think smartphones have changed the way we communicate?

Smartphones have revolutionized communication by making it instant and accessible. We can connect through calls, texts, or social media, regardless of distance. This has enhanced our ability to maintain relationships but also created challenges like reduced face-to-face interactions.

What are some important features you look for in a smartphone?

I prioritize features like a good camera for photography, a long-lasting battery for convenience, and ample storage for apps and documents. Additionally, a user-friendly interface and regular software updates are crucial for a smooth experience.

Do you think people rely too much on their smartphones?

Yes, I believe many people have become overly reliant on smartphones for daily tasks, from navigation to reminders. While they offer convenience, this dependency can lead to issues like reduced memory retention and social skills, as well as distractions.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, since I am a camera science graduate, I am very habituated to using my laptop more than my cell phone. This is in my final semester when we had to do a major project. We had a team of four people and we were taking guidance of our professor. But since our professor used to live nearby, we would visit him during the evenings and learn more about our project. So when we went there, there was a time when I forgot my laptop and so did my friends because the project was in my laptop initially. I remember my mom was at home and how my smartphone helped me in this situation is, I connected to my mom over call and I asked her, I instructed her how to open my laptop and how to browse through my project. She helped me do that and that's how I was able to present my project to the professor. In addition to that, I think smartphone really helped me in multiple ways in this situation. First things first, it helped me call my mom. Second of all, it helped me with the video call option that smartphones and the different applications that I have these days that could display my project on the screen, although my laptop was not with me. And it just saved a lot of time, instead of me going to my house and building my laptop.

Follow up questions

How do you think smartphones have changed the way we communicate?

Smartphones have revolutionized communication by making it instant and accessible. We can connect with anyone, anywhere, through calls, texts, or video chats. This immediacy allows for quicker problem-solving and collaboration, as seen in my project situation where I could reach my mom for help right away.

What are some other important tasks you can do with your smartphone?

Smartphones are incredibly versatile. Besides making calls, I can manage emails, schedule appointments, access educational resources, and even collaborate on projects through various apps. They serve as a portable office, allowing me to stay productive on the go.

Do you think people rely too much on their smartphones?

While smartphones are essential tools, there is a risk of over-reliance. People may become less engaged in face-to-face interactions or forget basic skills, like navigating without GPS. It's important to find a balance and use smartphones as aids rather than crutches.

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.

Yes, while smartphones are incredibly useful, they can lead to distractions and over-dependence. People might find it hard to focus without their devices, and there's also the risk of misinformation if we rely solely on online sources for important decisions.

Show all 21 answers

Cue 1:What happened?

Begin by describing the situation where you needed to use your cellphone or smartphone.
Mention the specific task or action you took that was important.

Example

I remember a time when I had to book a last-minute train ticket to attend my cousin's wedding. My family was already on their way, and I realized I had forgotten to book my ticket.

Cue 2:When it happened?

Provide a clear timeframe for when this event took place.
Include any relevant details about the day or occasion.

Example

This happened just two days before the wedding, on a Friday evening. I was at home, feeling anxious because I didn’t want to miss the celebrations.

Cue 3:How important the cellphone/smartphone was?

Explain the role of your cellphone in this situation.
Discuss how it made the process easier or more efficient.

Example

My smartphone was crucial in this situation. I quickly opened the railway app, which allowed me to compare train schedules and book my ticket in just a few minutes. Without it, I would have had to go to the station, which would have taken much longer.

Cue 4:And explain how you felt about the experience.

Share your emotions during and after the experience.
Reflect on the importance of technology in your life.

Example

I felt a wave of relief wash over me once I successfully booked the ticket. It was a reminder of how technology can save us in critical moments. I was grateful for my smartphone, as it allowed me to be part of my family’s special day.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, using my smartphone to book that train ticket was a significant experience for me. It highlighted the importance of technology in our daily lives and how it can help us stay connected with our loved ones, especially during important events.

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

Avoid being too general when describing your experience. Vague answers can make it hard for the examiner to understand the significance of your story.