Describe an area of science (biology, robotics, etc.) that you are interested in and would like to learn more about: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Which area it is?
When and where you came to know this area?
How you get information about this area?
And explain why you are interested in this area.

53 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific area of biology are you most interested in?

I am particularly fascinated by genetics. The way genes influence traits and behaviors in living organisms is incredibly intriguing. I would love to learn more about genetic engineering and its potential applications in medicine and agriculture.

How do you think studying biology can benefit society?

Studying biology can lead to advancements in healthcare, environmental conservation, and understanding diseases. It helps us develop new treatments, improve food production, and address ecological issues, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for everyone.

Have you considered pursuing a career in biology?

Yes, I have thought about it. I am considering a career in biomedical research or environmental science. I believe that working in these fields would allow me to contribute to important discoveries and solutions that can positively impact society.

Band >7

00:00

So the area of science that I'm more interested in is probably biology, I think. During my college time, I learnt biology and it seems interesting subject to me at that time. Like learning our own body system and how our body works and what things we should have to keep in our mind to maintain our body and things like that. It creates more interest towards that subject. But as a subject, I feel it was good but I'm not thinking to make career in it. Also some topics seems more interesting to me like reproduction, how female reproductive system works and gaining knowledge about everything related to body. And the most part excites me to learn more about is how our body works, it's also helpful.

Follow up questions

What specific topics in biology do you find most fascinating?

I find topics like genetics and microbiology particularly fascinating. Genetics helps us understand heredity and traits, while microbiology reveals the roles of microorganisms in our health and environment. Both areas have significant implications for medicine and ecology.

How do you think studying biology can benefit your daily life?

Studying biology can help me make informed decisions about my health, such as understanding nutrition and exercise. It also enhances my awareness of environmental issues, enabling me to contribute to sustainability efforts and make better choices for the planet.

Are there any recent advancements in biology that you find intriguing?

Yes, advancements in CRISPR technology for gene editing are incredibly intriguing. They hold the potential to treat genetic disorders and improve agricultural practices. The ethical implications of such technologies also spark my interest in the future of biology.

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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.

Band 7

00:00

I am interested in Artificial Intelligence and I would like to learn more about this specific topic. I think Artificial Intelligence will change the world. I got to know about Artificial Intelligence with the launch of CHAT-GPT in U.S. With the growing trend and developments happening in this specific field is mind blowing and will create immense value for our ecosystem. Artificial Intelligence has evolved in the last many years. With the help of our engineers they built and developed new types of AI. For example, CHAT-GPT is an open source model, we can use that model and create new apps. I think using these versions will be imperative and add value to our society.

Follow up questions

What specific applications of AI do you find most exciting?

I find applications like natural language processing and computer vision particularly exciting. They have the potential to revolutionize industries such as healthcare, where AI can assist in diagnostics, and in customer service, where chatbots can enhance user experience.

How do you think AI will impact job markets in the future?

AI will likely automate many routine tasks, which could lead to job displacement in some sectors. However, it will also create new jobs that require skills in AI development and management, leading to a shift in the job market rather than a complete loss of jobs.

What ethical considerations do you think are important in AI development?

Ethical considerations in AI include ensuring data privacy, preventing bias in AI algorithms, and ensuring accountability for AI decisions. It's crucial to develop guidelines that promote responsible AI use to avoid negative societal impacts.

Band 7

00:00

The area of science that really interests me is astronomy, celestial objects, the vastness of the universe. These are questions that have always been extremely intriguing to me. As a child, my father would always set the telescope on our terrace and on a clear night, we would go up post dinner and look around the vastness of the universe. We would talk about how the planets moved around the sun, how stars were so far away that even light took years to reach there. And all of these ideas, they just became a core part of me. Even now, when I come across any science fiction movies, I make sure that I go to the theaters to watch them. Interstellar being one of those movies which made me realize that I was extremely passionate about space, about all the dark matter that's out there, and how we are just a speck of dust in this huge, huge desert.

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of astronomy fascinate you the most?

I am particularly fascinated by black holes and the concept of dark matter. The idea that there are things in the universe we cannot see but know exist is mind-boggling. I also find the formation of stars and galaxies incredibly interesting, as it shows the beauty and complexity of the universe.

How do you think learning about astronomy can impact our understanding of life on Earth?

Learning about astronomy can help us understand our place in the universe and the conditions that support life. It can also inspire us to protect our planet, as we realize how unique and fragile it is in the vast cosmos. Additionally, it can lead to advancements in technology that benefit life on Earth.

Have you ever considered pursuing a career in astronomy or a related field?

Yes, I have thought about it. While I am currently pursuing a different career path, I often consider taking courses in astrophysics or joining astronomy clubs. I believe that even if I don't work in the field, having a deeper understanding of astronomy can enrich my life and perspective.

Band 7

00:00

I'd like to speak about an area of science that I'm really interested. It is known as advanced manufacturing to be particular additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is also known as 3D printing which happens to be an emerging trend in the manufacturing sector. Initially it falls under the mechanical engineering category but now manufacturing is also known as a separate category. Particularly I would like to talk about the fused deposition modeling, a sub part of additive manufacturing. In this technique objects, products or any material can be 3D printed by using layer by layer deposition method. In this method thin filament of the required material is allowed to pass through a 3D printer. The 3D printer in turn heats the filament and pass it via a nozzle which in turn deposits the heated filament in a layer by layer fashion resulting in a complete object. This became my interest after I came to know about the various techniques of additive manufacturing during my college days. Consequently I decided to do my research project of my final year in additive manufacturing. I worked with top level researchers regarding this where I created models and products made out of thermoplastics reinforced with carbon fiber. I did learn a lot about additive manufacturing by going through a lot of research papers which provided me the exposure to master the subject.

Follow up questions

What are some practical applications of additive manufacturing?

Additive manufacturing has numerous applications, including prototyping, custom parts production, and even in the medical field for creating prosthetics and implants. It's also used in aerospace for lightweight components and in automotive industries for rapid prototyping and tooling.

How do you think additive manufacturing will evolve in the future?

I believe additive manufacturing will continue to evolve with advancements in materials and technology. We might see more sustainable materials being used, faster printing processes, and wider adoption in various industries, potentially revolutionizing how products are designed and manufactured.

What challenges do you think the field of additive manufacturing faces?

Some challenges include material limitations, regulatory hurdles, and the need for standardization in processes. Additionally, ensuring quality control and addressing intellectual property issues are crucial for the growth of additive manufacturing in various sectors.

Show all 53 answers

Cue 1:Which area it is?

Clearly state the area of science you are interested in, such as biology, robotics, or astronomy.
Provide a brief definition or explanation of this area to give context.

Example

I am particularly interested in robotics. Robotics is a branch of engineering and science that deals with the design, construction, operation, and use of robots. It combines elements of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.

Cue 2:When and where you came to know this area?

Share a specific moment or experience when you first learned about this area of science.
Mention any particular event, class, or person that inspired your interest.

Example

I first came to know about robotics during my high school science fair. I saw a demonstration of a simple robot that could navigate through obstacles. This experience sparked my curiosity and made me want to learn more about how robots are built and programmed.

Cue 3:How you get information about this area?

Discuss the resources you use to gather information, such as books, online courses, or workshops.
Mention any specific websites, authors, or institutions that have been helpful.

Example

To gather more information about robotics, I often read books and articles from authors like Daniel H. Wilson. I also follow online courses on platforms like Coursera and YouTube, where I can find tutorials on building and programming robots.

Cue 4:And explain why you are interested in this area.

Explain your personal motivation for wanting to learn more about this area.
Connect your interest to future aspirations or career goals.

Example

I am interested in robotics because I believe it has the potential to revolutionize many industries, from healthcare to manufacturing. I aspire to work in this field to contribute to innovative solutions that can improve people's lives, such as developing robots that assist the elderly or help in disaster recovery.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my interest in robotics stems from a combination of early exposure, continuous learning, and a desire to make a positive impact through technology. I look forward to exploring this fascinating field further and possibly pursuing a career in it.

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 Responses

Providing unclear or general answers can make your response less engaging. Specificity is key to demonstrating your knowledge and interest in the topic.

Tip

Use specific examples and details when discussing the area of science to make your answer more vivid and interesting.

2: Lack of Structure

Failing to organize your thoughts can lead to a confusing response. A well-structured answer helps the examiner follow your ideas easily.

Tip

Follow the cue prompts in order to create a clear structure: start with the area, then discuss when and how you learned about it, and finish with your interest.