Describe a unique animal you've encountered.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What animal?
Where & when did you see it?
What makes it unique? How did you feel about it?

27 unique answers with expert feedback

What other unique animals have you encountered?

I have also encountered a sea turtle during a snorkeling trip. Their graceful movements and the way they glide through the water are truly captivating. They have a unique shell structure and can live for many decades, which makes them fascinating creatures to observe.

How do you think animals like chameleons adapt to climate change?

I believe animals like chameleons may struggle with climate change as their habitats are affected. If their environment changes too rapidly, they might not be able to adapt quickly enough. This could lead to a decline in their populations, especially if their food sources are also impacted.

Why do you think people are fascinated by animals like chameleons?

People are fascinated by chameleons because of their extraordinary ability to change color, which is visually stunning. This ability symbolizes adaptability and survival, which resonates with many. Additionally, their unique appearance and behaviors make them intriguing subjects for observation and study.

Band >7

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One of the most unique animals that I have encountered is the smooth-coated otter and I witnessed a smooth-coated otter in the mangroves of Anzir-Leh, Eshcharin, which is located in the western coast of the state of Maharashtra. And otters are relatively very elusive creatures as they do not like to display themselves in the presence of humans and furthermore, the animals are very rare to be encountered in the first place in a wild setting, however, I had the opportunity to witness an otter during one of my study surveys and it was pure by chance that I had the ability or the opportunity to witness an otter and it was one of my, it was one of the most significant experiences of my life because otters are, otters are an endangered species in the IUCN's data list and having the opportunity to witness them, see them as they are in the wild,

Follow up questions

What other unique animals have you encountered in your life?

In addition to the smooth-coated otter, I have encountered various unique animals, such as the Indian pangolin and the Nilgai. Each encounter has been special, but the otter stands out due to its rarity and the circumstances under which I saw it.

Why do you think it's important to protect endangered species like otters?

Protecting endangered species is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. Otters play a significant role in their ecosystems, and their decline can have ripple effects on other species and habitats. Conservation efforts help ensure that future generations can also appreciate these unique animals.

How can people contribute to wildlife conservation efforts?

People can contribute to wildlife conservation by supporting local and global conservation organizations, participating in awareness campaigns, reducing their ecological footprint, and advocating for policies that protect natural habitats. Every small action can make a difference in preserving wildlife.

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, there have been challenges such as figuring out the right diet, dealing with health issues, and ensuring it gets enough exercise. Additionally, managing its behavior and keeping it safe from dangers like snakes can be quite demanding.

Show all 27 answers

Cue 1:What animal?

Begin by naming the animal and giving a brief description of its appearance.
Mention any interesting facts about the animal that highlight its uniqueness.

Example

The unique animal I encountered was a Nilgai, also known as the blue bull. It is a large antelope with a striking blue-grey coat and long legs, which makes it stand out in the grasslands of India.

Cue 2:Where & when did you see it?

Describe the location where you saw the animal, including any relevant details about the environment.
Mention the time of year or occasion when you saw it to provide context.

Example

I saw the Nilgai during a trip to the Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur last summer. It was early morning, and the park was serene, with the sun rising over the wetlands.

Cue 3:What makes it unique? How did you feel about it?

Explain what makes the animal special or different from other animals you have seen.
Share your feelings about the encounter and any thoughts it provoked.

Example

The Nilgai is unique because it is the largest antelope in India and is known for its agility and speed. Seeing it in its natural habitat was exhilarating; I felt a deep appreciation for wildlife and the beauty of nature.

Conclusion

Summarize your overall experience with the animal.
Reflect on how this encounter has impacted your view on wildlife conservation.

Example

In conclusion, encountering the Nilgai was a memorable experience that deepened my respect for wildlife. It reminded me of the importance of protecting such unique animals and their habitats for future generations.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.