Describe an argument you overheard: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who was involved?
When did it happen? What was it about?
How was it resolved?

24 unique answers with expert feedback

How did you feel when you overheard the argument?

I felt quite anxious and scared when I overheard the argument. It was unsettling to see my parents upset, and I worried about the impact it would have on our family dynamic. I wished I could do something to ease the tension between them.

Have you ever had a similar argument with someone?

Yes, I have had disagreements with friends or family members, usually over misunderstandings or responsibilities. However, I try to communicate openly to resolve issues before they escalate into arguments, learning from what I witnessed with my parents.

What do you think is the best way to resolve conflicts?

I believe the best way to resolve conflicts is through open communication and understanding each other's perspectives. It's important to listen actively and find common ground, just like my parents did by scheduling their responsibilities together.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, talking about this particular question, the argument which I overheard earlier, it was argument between my two elder brothers. So they were just discussing about the event which is going to happen related to marriage. And that time my elder brother was not convinced with my one of the elder brothers, so there was argument between them. And moreover this argument continued last two hours. So that time I intervened the argument and tried to resolve it by saying that we will definitely going to look whatever that other person is saying. So if it not get, what I mean trying to say is, if the solution is not appropriate, we will definitely find that other alternatives and we should give a chance to consider their ideas. So through this way I tried to solve the argument. Apart from that I would say that whenever such argument in my family, I used to stay apart from it. What usually happens once we intervene in such argument, this become very difficult to handle it. And sometimes it happens that argument comes to us that we just trap into this argument and lose our temperament. So that's the one reason I usually stay away from such incident. Another thing I would like to say that we should all avoid doing argument.

Follow up questions

How do you usually feel when you overhear arguments?

I often feel uncomfortable when I overhear arguments, especially if they involve family members. It creates a tense atmosphere, and I prefer to stay out of it to avoid getting emotionally involved. I believe it's better to maintain peace rather than getting caught up in disagreements.

What strategies do you think are effective in resolving arguments?

Effective strategies include active listening, acknowledging each person's perspective, and finding common ground. It's important to remain calm and respectful during discussions. Sometimes, suggesting a break to cool down can also help before revisiting the topic with a clearer mind.

Have you ever been involved in an argument? How did you handle it?

Yes, I have been involved in arguments, but I try to handle them by staying calm and focusing on the issue rather than personal attacks. I aim to communicate my point clearly and listen to the other person's viewpoint. If things escalate, I suggest taking a break to avoid saying things we might regret.

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Band 6-7

00:00

Recently, I overheard an argument in my office between one of my colleagues and my manager. The scenario was, she applied for a leave and without stating a reason, my manager rejected her leave application. So, she got so pissed off and directly went to my manager without prior information and she yelled at him in front of everybody. So, my manager felt so embarrassed and then both of them stopped talking for about a week. How the problem got resolved is, in my team, one of my seniors mediated in between my friend and my manager. He made them understand the misunderstanding and both of them had a meeting after that. Both of them apologized and the things got resolved after that. Now, everything is in place. Both of them are in good terms. I came to know about this problem via another colleague and I was so awestruck because how an employee can go and directly yell at her employer, that too in front of everybody. I thought it was a very inappropriate behavior. I think the mistake is on her side.

Follow up questions

What do you think about the way the argument was handled?

I believe the argument could have been handled more professionally. Yelling in front of others is not appropriate and can create a toxic work environment. It's important to address issues calmly and privately to maintain respect and professionalism.

Have you ever been involved in a similar situation?

Yes, I have experienced a situation where a colleague confronted a manager about a decision. It was uncomfortable for everyone involved, and it taught me the importance of communication and resolving conflicts in a respectful manner.

What strategies do you think can prevent such arguments in the workplace?

To prevent arguments, clear communication is key. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can help. Additionally, fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their concerns privately can reduce misunderstandings and conflicts.

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Band 6-7

00:00

Earlier this morning, I overheard an argument. The argument was between my both best friends. They were arguing about the problem on the topic in DSA. They have different opinions to resolve the problem. So, I have suggested them to take this problem to a respected professional in our college to solve the problem in the DSA and they have thought through my suggestion and decided to take the problem to the professor and he clarified the argument between both of them and he suggested a new way to solve the problem. So, my both friends have resolved the argument over there and they worked through the problem they were facing in DSA and the argument is solved.

Follow up questions

How do you usually handle disagreements among friends?

I believe in open communication. I try to listen to both sides and encourage them to express their feelings. Sometimes, I suggest taking a break to cool down before discussing the issue again. It's important to find common ground and work towards a solution together.

What are some common reasons for arguments among friends?

Arguments among friends often arise from misunderstandings, differing opinions, or competition. Sometimes, external stressors can also contribute to conflicts. It's essential to address these issues early to prevent them from escalating into bigger problems.

Have you ever been involved in a similar argument? How did you resolve it?

Yes, I have been involved in arguments with friends over various topics. In one instance, we disagreed on a project approach. We decided to sit down, discuss our viewpoints calmly, and ultimately combined our ideas to create a better solution. It strengthened our friendship.

Band 6-7

00:00

Argument happens in everyone's life but it should not be the reason for you to be far from your relatives or parents because arguing with someone can cause the losing of the requisite bond they carry. So I think we should argue less to the elders but yes if it is happening with you with your friends then you should probably mention your side because justice means a lot. I remember the case when my best friend and one classmate was arguing and I overheard it. Actually eavesdropping is not my type but I overheard their conversation. They were arguing about being skinny and they were body shaming each other. My best friend was skinny and the opponent whom he was arguing with was a muscular man but when they were arguing, my teacher came into it and resolved that whole matter else because body shaming should not be the reason to get biased or feel discomforted with. So my teacher taught a lesson to that person who was teasing my best friend and that was the moment I felt relaxed because punishing him was a sign to everyone that you should not body shame each other. Moreover, my friend was so disappointed but I made him motivated so that he cannot think of himself like a skinny person.

Follow up questions

How do you think arguments can affect relationships?

Arguments can create distance between people if not handled properly. They can lead to misunderstandings and resentment. However, if resolved amicably, they can strengthen relationships by fostering better communication and understanding.

What role do teachers play in resolving conflicts among students?

Teachers play a crucial role in mediating conflicts. They can provide guidance, teach conflict resolution skills, and ensure a safe environment for all students. Their intervention can help students learn important life lessons about respect and empathy.

Why do you think body shaming is a serious issue?

Body shaming can lead to severe emotional and psychological effects on individuals, including low self-esteem and mental health issues. It perpetuates negative body image and societal pressures, making it essential to address and combat this behavior.

Show all 24 answers

Cue 1:Who was involved?

Identify the people involved in the argument clearly.
Mention your relationship to them, if any, to provide context.

Example

I overheard an argument between my two colleagues, Riya and Aman, during a team meeting. They have been working together on a project for the past few weeks, and I could sense some tension between them.

Cue 2:When did it happen? What was it about?

Describe the time and place where the argument took place.
Summarize the main topic of the argument to give a clear picture.

Example

This happened last Friday in our office conference room. The argument was about the direction of our project. Riya believed we should focus on a more innovative approach, while Aman insisted on sticking to the original plan.

Cue 3:How was it resolved?

Explain how the argument was addressed or resolved.
Mention any actions taken by the individuals or a mediator to settle the dispute.

Example

The argument was eventually resolved by our manager, who stepped in to mediate. She suggested that they both present their ideas in a more structured way, allowing the team to vote on which approach to take. This helped them find common ground and move forward.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points of the argument and its resolution.
Reflect on what you learned from witnessing the argument.

Example

In conclusion, witnessing this argument taught me the importance of open communication in a team. It also highlighted how different perspectives can lead to better solutions when managed properly.

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: Ignoring Key Details

Candidates often skip important details about the people involved or the context of the argument. This can make the story less engaging and informative.

Tip

Make sure to include who was involved and the background of the argument to provide a clearer picture.

2: Rushing Through the Resolution

Many candidates quickly mention how the argument was resolved without explaining the process. This can leave listeners confused about the outcome.

Tip

Take time to describe how the argument was resolved, including any discussions or actions taken to reach a conclusion.

Lack of Personal Reflection

Some candidates fail to share their thoughts or feelings about the argument, making their response less personal and relatable.

Tip

Include your perspective on the argument and its resolution to make your answer more engaging and reflective.

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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

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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

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Describe a book you recently read

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Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

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