Describe a useful website.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What website is it?
What does it contain? How often do you visit it?
Why do you think it is useful?

37 unique answers with expert feedback

How has YouTube changed the way you learn new information?

YouTube has revolutionized my learning by providing visual and auditory resources. I can watch tutorials, lectures, and demonstrations that enhance my understanding of complex topics. This multimedia approach makes learning more engaging and effective compared to traditional methods.

Can you share a specific example of a video that helped you with a project?

Certainly! For my college research project on climate change, I found a documentary on YouTube that explained the science behind it. The visuals and expert interviews provided me with valuable insights and data that I incorporated into my project, making it much more comprehensive.

What do you think are the pros and cons of using YouTube for learning?

The pros include access to a vast array of information and diverse teaching styles, which cater to different learning preferences. However, the cons are the potential for misinformation and distractions, as not all content is reliable or educational. It's essential to critically evaluate sources.

Band 6-7

00:00

A website that I often visit is, I don't really recall the name of the website, but it is a language learning website basically for Spanish. So I use this website for learning new words, basically vocabulary, collocations or I would say colloquial words that I don't have knowledge of and idioms and phrases as well. So as I said, it is a Spanish website, so I get all the information regarding the Spanish language, whether it is grammar or it is pronunciation or it is vocabulary. So I, moreover I visit this site frequently. I like to know more about the language, so whenever I had any doubt in my mind or I want to use a better vocabulary or a better way to say it, either idioms or phrases, I use this website. Moreover, there is an app for the same as well. I guess I have the app too for this website and it is called something like Spanish something and it has a Spanish name, Espanol blah blah blah. So that is one of the best app I have used for learning language. Not only it helps me improve my pronunciation, my vocabulary, but also the grammatical things. All that I have learnt till now, I guess it has a big role, this app, that I would definitely consider it the best application from the rest of them and I would definitely recommend it to the people who are learning new language, especially Spanish.

Follow up questions

What features do you find most helpful on the language learning website?

I find the vocabulary sections and idioms particularly helpful. They provide examples and context, which makes it easier to remember and use them in conversation. Additionally, the grammar explanations are clear and concise, which helps me understand the rules better.

How has using this website improved your Spanish skills?

Using this website has significantly improved my vocabulary and pronunciation. I feel more confident speaking and writing in Spanish. The interactive exercises help reinforce what I've learned, and I can see my progress over time, which motivates me to keep learning.

Do you think online resources are better than traditional language classes?

I believe online resources offer more flexibility and a variety of learning styles. While traditional classes provide structure and interaction, websites allow me to learn at my own pace and focus on specific areas I want to improve, making them very effective for my learning.

Band 6-7

00:00

A website that has been extremely useful to me, which I have personally used over the years for academic and non-academic purposes, is Canva. As a business student, I really feel that presentation skills and designing skills are extremely essential to excel at a job role, considering the fact that I worked in market research and marketing roles throughout my internships. I really learnt over time that Canva is a tool that helps you excel and make your presentations much better than you can using PowerPoint and therefore I started learning how to use the website from the first year of my college and I got more experience using this website through the years from business fests that I participated in where I was asked to create presentations for simulations of the corporate world and I had to present it to a set of judges and they gave me a lot of pointers on how I could make my PPTs better, what points I could add, how I could brand my content better to make it more interesting and engaging for the audience and using all these tips, I decided that I should sit down and put some time and effort into going on to a website and learning more about the platform and therefore I signed up for a Canva course on this website called Coursera that gave me a one month long plan on mastering the use of the website itself and over time I could see myself improving with the way I created PPTs, with the way I designed posters, with the way I designed social media content and all of this ended up coming to use in my internship experiences.

Follow up questions

What specific features of Canva do you find most helpful for your presentations?

I find the templates and design elements extremely helpful. They save time and provide a professional look. The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to customize designs, and the ability to collaborate with others on projects is also a great feature that enhances teamwork.

How has using Canva impacted your academic performance?

Using Canva has significantly improved my presentation skills, which has led to better grades in group projects and presentations. I feel more confident presenting my ideas, and the visual appeal of my work has impressed both peers and professors, contributing to my overall academic success.

Have you explored any other websites similar to Canva for design purposes?

Yes, I've tried Adobe Spark and Visme, but I find Canva to be more user-friendly and versatile for my needs. While Adobe Spark has great features, Canva's extensive library of templates and ease of use make it my preferred choice for quick and effective designs.

Practice other cue cards

Band 6-7

00:00

So, the website is IELTSMED.com, it has more past question papers related to IELTS and some also some practical question papers that is generated by Cambridge Universities. It is very helpful for me to practice for the IELTS exams and also daily I am practicing through that and also some other websites but I think for me IELTSMED made me to have a good understanding of those assessments and exams.

Follow up questions

How has IELTSMED.com improved your exam preparation?

IELTSMED.com has significantly improved my preparation by providing a wide range of past papers and practical questions. This variety helps me understand the exam format better and identify areas where I need to focus more.

What features of IELTSMED.com do you find most beneficial?

The most beneficial features include the extensive collection of past question papers and the practical questions generated by Cambridge. These resources allow me to practice effectively and simulate real exam conditions, which boosts my confidence.

Are there any other websites you recommend for IELTS preparation?

Yes, besides IELTSMED.com, I also use websites like IELTS Liz and British Council's official site. They offer valuable tips, sample questions, and practice tests that complement my study routine and enhance my understanding of the IELTS format.

Band 6-7

00:00

Today I will discuss about the website LeapScholar. It proves to be very useful for me. I downloaded it for my preparation for IELTS exam. The website contains IELTS exam preparation and improvement in English. Today I am talking about the website LeapScholar. This website contains the IELTS exam preparation and improvement in English exam. I downloaded this website for my IELTS exam preparation. It contains the live sessions, mock tests for all types of modules with my grammatical mistakes, pronunciation and all the things. It is the best website for the one who wants to save their time as well as your money. This website contains the teachers which are sophisticated in their fields and which provides the brief description, information about each and every topic. I love to use this website very much because it saves my time and my English is also improving with the help of this. LeapScholar is the best website for the students who want to improve their English with least cost and with saving in time.

Follow up questions

What specific features of LeapScholar do you find most helpful?

I find the live sessions and mock tests to be the most helpful features. The live sessions allow me to interact with teachers and clarify my doubts in real-time, while the mock tests help me assess my progress and identify areas where I need improvement.

How has using LeapScholar changed your study habits?

Using LeapScholar has made my study habits more structured. I now have a clear plan with scheduled live sessions and regular mock tests, which keeps me accountable and focused on my goals for the IELTS exam.

Would you recommend LeapScholar to others? Why or why not?

Yes, I would definitely recommend LeapScholar to others. It offers a comprehensive approach to IELTS preparation at an affordable price, and the quality of teaching is excellent, which has significantly improved my English skills.

Show all 37 answers

Cue 1:What website is it?

Begin by naming the website clearly and mentioning its primary purpose.
Share a brief personal experience about how you discovered this website.

Example

The website I find extremely useful is 'Quora'. I discovered it a few years ago while searching for answers to some questions I had about my career.

Cue 2:What does it contain? How often do you visit it?

Describe the types of content available on the website, such as articles, forums, or videos.
Mention how frequently you visit the site and what prompts you to go there.

Example

Quora contains a vast range of topics where users ask questions and receive answers from experts and enthusiasts alike. I visit it almost daily, especially when I need quick information or insights on various subjects.

Cue 3:Why do you think it is useful?

Explain the benefits of the website, such as the quality of information or community engagement.
Share a personal anecdote about how the website has helped you in a specific situation.

Example

I find Quora useful because it provides diverse perspectives on any topic, which helps me think critically. For instance, I once read an answer about effective study techniques that significantly improved my exam preparation.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about the website and its usefulness.
Express your overall opinion about the website and its impact on your life.

Example

In conclusion, Quora is a fantastic resource that not only offers valuable information but also connects me with a community of knowledgeable individuals. It has greatly enriched my learning experience.

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 the website. Vague answers can make it hard for the examiner to understand your point.

Tip

Provide specific details about the website's content and features to make your answer more engaging and clear.

2: Lack of Personal Connection

Not sharing your personal experience with the website can make your answer less interesting. It's important to connect personally.

Tip

Include anecdotes or reasons why you visit the site regularly to show your personal connection and its impact on you.

Ignoring the 'Why' Question

Failing to explain why the website is useful can leave your answer incomplete. This is a key part of the cue card.

Tip

Clearly articulate the benefits of the website and how it helps you or others to ensure a comprehensive response.

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.