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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?
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.

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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.

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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.

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Tip

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

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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.

All Answers

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 6-7

There is the argument I have heard for more than 3 to 4 times is between me and my father. When it always comes to purchasing the products which is used for our home usage like speakers, basically on speakers, you know in some festival times they have offers, we can use it in Amazon or Flipkart and sometimes he cancels the product which I already ordered without any intention, he doesn't know how to order or place a product in Amazon but he used to get clarity of this product from others without even reviewing by itself from Google. So, he usually gets reviews from his friends or tries to get some information about the product which we want to buy. If someone says negative about it, he suddenly cancels the product as soon as any kind of negativity that he gets from the product. That's it.

Band 6-7

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.

Band 6-7

It was a cloudy and rainy day in Bangalore. I was just sitting in the balcony enjoying the views when a couple of vehicles crashed right in front of my house. It was very evident that neither of the drivers were at fault but it was the low visibility that caused the accident. However, while I stood watching the accident and them quarreling over whose fault it was, I saw them getting violent with each other too. This argument led to the police being called at the spot. While the police was there, they made the situation under control by ensuring that both the parties exchange insurance details as the law suggests. After the police left, they continued the argument until the local public had to intervene and disperse the crowd.

Band 6-7

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.

Band 6-7

here i would like to talk about argument which i deal with my two friends yesterday afternoon i went with my two friends at coffee shop and during that day my two friends talk about money how to invest money and how to return money from stocks market and other financial platforms it was about a serious talk between my two friends during a long talk they both argue with each other points and defend their own points and i feel uncomfortable because they loud and it was very bad experience for me but after sometime i gave them suggestion with explanation how to invest money in safe sector and how to get high return from stock market by using AI and ML and after sometime they both agree with my statement and it was very memorable and delightful experience for me

Band 6-7

In mid-February, my college has organized a sports week in that the one big argument has happened between two cricket teams and faculties. The team leaders are telling that they have been not doing any cheating and the faculty members are telling they have been doing cheating while playing the cricket and also the opposing team also telling that they have been doing cheating. So the very big argument happened. It happened because of the five runs got them more than the other team. But after so much of argument, one decision came from the upper high chairman of the college that the match should be rescheduled of the teams on next day and they have to play in the very high strict security and score wards. So the argument has been solved by the faculties and the principals of the schools. But cricket team leaders are not agreed for the rescheduling the matches but when they called up in the office they just agreed to start them to play the match tomorrow again with their team.

Band 6-7

One fine day, my family decided to go outside. After that, one of my sisters, she didn't want to go outside. She talked to me and argued a lot. No need to go outside, now climate is not good. In this time, we don't want to go out. So, stay here at home. I never accepted that. After that, she argued a lot. After few days, I think it's not good for arguing to her. Because he is an elder. So, I need to have respect to her. Because I calmed down. After that, she realized. When she realized, she asked me, Okay, it's okay. Your opinion is correct. Your way is correct. We will go outside. Not now, after that sometime. After that, she realized. When we calm down, and not have any arguments, it will be slowly cooled down, all these issues. So, in my opinion, actually when other person, oppose person raised upper hand, at that time, we will slow down. It is a good solution, in my opinion. Anyhow, on that day, all are cooled down. After one week, we planned to go outside and enjoyed a lot. So, I believe that.

Band 6-7

An argument that I recently overheard was between two of my best friends and my colleagues. It was about choosing a bike for their... One of the recent arguments that piqued my interest was between my friends about comparing Interceptor 650 with Continental 650 which were both bikes produced by the company Royal Enfield in the same segment and they were arguing which one is better. Each of these bikes represented something important to its segment and one is a cruiser while the other one is a sporty type bike and each has the same engine with different aerodynamic features and comfort. So they were arguing that Interceptor is better for long rides while Continental is better for the adrenaline it provides for the riders. And the fact is that each bike represented its own advantages and disadvantages as Continental is rough for city use but good for track usage while Interceptor is good for the city usage and very bad for the track usage. And the kilometers and mileage we get on both bikes differ as Continental tends to give us less mileage than Interceptor because it performs better at a track than at a road. So traffic plays an important role here and we did a little research to solve this problem and we came at a solution that Interceptor is better for long rides while Continental is better in appearance and physical power it gives.

Band 6-7

The argument is between my mother and sister, it is about my sister wearing black to a wedding My mother is a very religious and superstitious person. According to her, wearing black is unlucky. You should not supposed to be wearing black to a wedding because it is a species occasion. So my sister doesn't believe in that at all. So there was a huge argument between them regarding this. My sister said, no, it's completely horse crap because there's no point of... The argument was between my mother and my elder sibling. It happened probably 2-3 weeks before. It was about my sister wearing a black dress to a wedding because my mother is a very religious and superstitious person. She didn't want my sister to wear a black dress to a wedding because it's a very auspicious occasion. I guess this argument happens in most of the Indian households. People think black is a very unlucky colour and you should not supposed to be wearing to any auspicious occasion. It wasn't resolved. My sister doesn't believe in any of those superstitions. So she still wore a black dress to the wedding and my mother was still mad about it.

Band 6-7

Recently I heard an argument in the society on the topic, the main topic is the park of the society. As some of the people wants to construct footpath in the park of the society whereas some of the people left over wants that park to be as it is because it is a open ground and children can play their various kinds of sports like football and cricket without any obstruction. On the other hand some people also suggest that this open ground can also be used for the small functions which they want to organize for functions or gatherings because if they go outside and take the things on banquet halls on rent it will be expensive for them so if the footpath is not constructed there and it is open ground they can utilize that ground for the various activities whereas the other people opinion are to construct the footpath as the geographic people or the net adulthood people can do morning and evening walks in the footpath and in the rainy season the grass is not good for the walk so they can do their physical activities on the concreted footpath so yeah this is the main argument I heard recently in my society and
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