Describe An Exciting Experience In Your Life: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What is it?
  • When and Where did it occur?
  • What happened?

Band 6-7

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One of the most exciting experiences in my life when was I travelling alone for the first time to a big city. It happened last year when I went from my hometown Tauliawar to Lucknow to meet my sister and her husband who are studying medicine there. I had never travelled such a long distance by myself before so I was both nervous and excited. I took a bus earlier in the morning and the whole journey took about 10 hours. I was responsible for managing everything, buying tickets, keeping my luggage safe and finding the right location. Once I reached the city, these experiences became exciting because it was something new and challenging. I felt a great sense of independence and confidence after reaching safely. Also, when I met my sister and her husband at a station, I felt really proud of myself. It was exciting because I realized I was capable of handling things on my own and it gave me a lot of movement for the future. That journey taught me how to be more responsible and brave in familiar situations.

Follow up questions


What challenges did you face while traveling alone?
While traveling alone, I faced several challenges such as navigating the bus system, ensuring I had the correct tickets, and managing my luggage. At times, I felt overwhelmed, especially when I had to ask for directions in a new city. However, overcoming these challenges made the experience even more rewarding.

How did this experience change your perspective on traveling?
This experience significantly changed my perspective on traveling. I realized that traveling alone can be empowering and liberating. It taught me to trust my instincts and abilities, and I now feel more confident about exploring new places independently in the future.

Would you recommend traveling alone to others? Why?
Absolutely! I would recommend traveling alone to others because it fosters personal growth and independence. It allows you to step out of your comfort zone, learn new skills, and gain confidence. Each journey can be a unique adventure that teaches valuable life lessons.

Band 6-7

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Exciting experiences are very common in every individual's life. Here I would like to speak about an exciting experiences in my life. It was my birthday. During that time, my husband brought a cake and hid it in the fridge. I don't know about that and also my parents and his sisters don't know about that, about the plan, but I don't know about this plan, etc. At the midnight 12 o'clock, I found that cake in the fridge because my husband called me through the phone and he asked me to open the fridge. It was really an amazing experience for me because at that time it was a red velvet cake. It was a very favorite for me, so I'm so excited. Also, he gave me a shoe that was selected by me, but I don't know about that shoe because I'm not bothered about the shoe that he gifted me, etc. So I'm so excited for that.

Follow up questions


What other surprises have you received on special occasions?
I have received several surprises on special occasions, like a surprise party for my anniversary and a weekend getaway for my graduation. Each surprise was unique and made me feel loved and appreciated, adding to the excitement of those moments.

How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
I typically celebrate my birthday with close family and friends. We usually have a small gathering at home with food, games, and of course, a cake. I enjoy spending quality time with loved ones and creating memorable experiences together.

Why do you think exciting experiences are important in life?
Exciting experiences are important because they create lasting memories and strengthen relationships. They bring joy and happiness, break the monotony of daily life, and often teach us valuable lessons about appreciation and love.

Band 5-6

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I still remember in 2015, I had an argument with my grandfather and I decided to leave the home and in my anger I leave the house but I don't know where to go. So at that time I decided to live in my friend's house. 2-3 days I stay there. My mom called me and I tell her that you don't worry. Now I am doing something good and back home after being successful. So 2-3 days I searched college. I had an interest in camera and lighting. So I find a college Asian Academy of Film and Television in Florida. I go and take my admission. At that time I don't have much money. So I pay my college fees in EMI and also I arrange a hostel. So at that time I studied camera and lighting and after when my college is over, I do part time job in a departmental store as a salesman. This experience is scary and so much great for me because it teaches me how to become independent. This experience is a survival. So I pay my college fees by my own and pay my rent.

Follow up questions


What motivated you to pursue a career in camera and lighting?
I have always been fascinated by how lighting can change the mood of a scene and how cameras capture moments. This interest grew over time, especially after I started experimenting with photography as a hobby. I wanted to learn more and turn my passion into a career.

How did your experience of living independently change you?
Living independently taught me valuable life skills, such as budgeting, time management, and self-discipline. It also boosted my confidence, as I learned to solve problems on my own and became more resilient in facing challenges.

What challenges did you face while studying and working at the same time?
Balancing studies and a part-time job was tough. I had to manage my time effectively to ensure I met my academic deadlines while also fulfilling my work responsibilities. There were days when I felt overwhelmed, but it taught me the importance of prioritization and hard work.

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Band 5

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One exciting experience in my life was the moment for publication in a reputed journal after months of research and development. I know now more about what really makes me an engineering student than my passions, and probably even Pomona University. ANand students write more than how many professors there are in engineering. Ans why I love engineering

Follow up questions


What motivated you to pursue research in engineering?
I have always been fascinated by how things work and the potential to innovate. My passion for problem-solving and creating solutions drives me to delve deeper into engineering research.

How did you feel when your work was published?
It was an overwhelming mix of joy and relief. Knowing that my hard work was recognized and could contribute to the field was incredibly fulfilling and motivated me to continue my research.

What challenges did you face during your research?
I encountered several challenges, including time management and technical difficulties. However, overcoming these obstacles taught me resilience and improved my research skills significantly.

Band <5

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00:00

you you you you

Follow up questions


What kind of experiences do you find exciting?
I find experiences that involve adventure and new challenges to be the most exciting. Activities like traveling to new places, trying extreme sports, or meeting new people can really get my adrenaline pumping.

How do exciting experiences impact your life?
Exciting experiences often lead to personal growth and memorable stories. They can boost my confidence and help me develop new skills, as well as create lasting memories that I cherish.

Can you share an example of an exciting experience you had recently?
Recently, I went on a hiking trip to a national park. The breathtaking views and the thrill of reaching the summit were incredibly exciting. It was a challenging hike, but the sense of achievement was worth it.
Show all 9 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

  • Begin by clearly stating the exciting experience you want to share.
  • Use descriptive language to convey your emotions and the significance of this experience.

Example

One of the most exciting experiences in my life was when I went paragliding in Himachal Pradesh. It was something I had always wanted to try, and the thrill of soaring through the sky was exhilarating.


Cue 2:When and Where did it occur?

  • Provide specific details about when and where the experience took place.
  • Mention any relevant context, such as who you were with or what led to this experience.

Example

This adventure took place last summer during my vacation. I was in a small town called Bir Billing, which is famous for paragliding. I went there with a group of friends, and we were all excited to try this thrilling activity together.


Cue 3:What happened?

  • Describe the events that unfolded during the experience, focusing on your feelings and reactions.
  • Share any memorable moments or challenges you faced during the experience.

Example

As I took off from the hilltop, I felt a rush of adrenaline. The view was breathtaking, with the lush green valleys below and the mountains in the distance. For a few moments, I felt like I was flying. However, I was also a bit scared, as it was my first time. The instructor guided me well, and I managed to enjoy the flight completely. Landing safely was a relief, and I couldn't stop smiling for hours afterward.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, paragliding in Himachal Pradesh was not just an exciting experience; it was a moment of freedom and joy that I will cherish forever. It taught me to embrace new challenges and enjoy life to the fullest.


    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: Lack of Detail

    Failing to provide enough detail can make your answer sound vague and uninteresting. Examiners look for engaging stories that showcase your language skills.

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    Tip

    Include specific details about the experience, such as emotions, sights, and sounds, to make your story more vivid and engaging.


    2: Ignoring the Cues

    Not addressing the specific cues can lead to an incomplete answer. Each cue is designed to guide your response and ensure you cover all aspects of the topic.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Make sure to answer each cue clearly: describe what happened, when and where it occurred, and the impact it had on you.


    Overly Simple Language

    Using overly simple language can limit your score. The IELTS exam assesses your ability to use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Try to incorporate varied vocabulary and complex sentences to demonstrate your language proficiency while still being clear.


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    All Answers

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

    Band 6-7

    Exciting experiences are very common in every individual's life. Here I would like to speak about an exciting experiences in my life. It was my birthday. During that time, my husband brought a cake and hid it in the fridge. I don't know about that and also my parents and his sisters don't know about that, about the plan, but I don't know about this plan, etc. At the midnight 12 o'clock, I found that cake in the fridge because my husband called me through the phone and he asked me to open the fridge. It was really an amazing experience for me because at that time it was a red velvet cake. It was a very favorite for me, so I'm so excited. Also, he gave me a shoe that was selected by me, but I don't know about that shoe because I'm not bothered about the shoe that he gifted me, etc. So I'm so excited for that.

    Band 6-7

    One of the most exciting experiences in my life when was I travelling alone for the first time to a big city. It happened last year when I went from my hometown Tauliawar to Lucknow to meet my sister and her husband who are studying medicine there. I had never travelled such a long distance by myself before so I was both nervous and excited. I took a bus earlier in the morning and the whole journey took about 10 hours. I was responsible for managing everything, buying tickets, keeping my luggage safe and finding the right location. Once I reached the city, these experiences became exciting because it was something new and challenging. I felt a great sense of independence and confidence after reaching safely. Also, when I met my sister and her husband at a station, I felt really proud of myself. It was exciting because I realized I was capable of handling things on my own and it gave me a lot of movement for the future. That journey taught me how to be more responsible and brave in familiar situations.

    Band 6

    To describe an exciting experience in my life, it is about one of the lab experience that I have while working in an internship at Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Virology. I was working in a hepatitis lab on gel electrophoresis. It is a technique to determine the DNA bands, whether there are DNA bands or not, what is the size of DNA bands and all these are some of the aspects that we acknowledge by doing that technique. So it happened mostly around last year, 2024 December when I was doing the experiment where I have to test whether there is a DNA or not. So the process while doing that technique, the process is to add some of the reagents. Suppose that if we are cooking, if we are cooking some dishes, okay, if we are cooking that one particular dishes where we need different kinds of ingredients and your mom says that no, you have to put these particular ingredients in the dish and do not put other ingredients. So I got so much freaked out and got confused and stressed that which one ingredient has to put, which one it has did not and did not I have to put. So I got very confused that moment and I put some of the wrong ingredients I assumed and then I checked there was a DNA band and then I realized okay I put a nice good ingredients only just my confusion and assumption.

    Band 6

    An exciting experience that I have experienced in my life is bungee jumping. I really want to do this activity in my life. Recently, one year ago, when I went to Rishikesh with my friends, there are so many activities including bungee jumping also. So I tried that. Firstly, I was so scared to do that because of the height and in the ground, it was all the river and I am not a swimming person. So I don't know how to swim. So firstly, I was scared to do that. But here is a crew man who motivated me to do that. But after sometime when he pushed me to that with the help of the rope, I fell down in the ground. At first, I screamed so much loud. But after that, when the rope is moving around, I felt a little bit nervous that time. But after sometime, it was like you lose a fear and I lose that in that moment. And the moment was so fantastic. I never gonna...

    Band 6

    An exciting memory that I've had probably would be when I received my first certification. So this happened a couple months back and I came across this website and this course called IUSCA which is an international accredited course for strength and conditioning. So I went on to that, I started the course and it was really interesting. I kept I kept wanting to continue to learn more and more and more. In addition it really helped me pass time. I was more engaged in my activities and enhanced my knowledge as well. What happened was because of me completing that course and a certification I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment which I have not felt in a very long time ever since I stopped playing at a competitive level. So yeah.

    Band 6

    Exciting experiences are everlasting memories in everyone's life. In my life also happened in several times. From that I would like to pick up one excited experience. Today I would like to talk about an exciting experience related to my life. That is my 18th birthday party. It was a pleasurable experience and it was a surprise gift from my parents. Actually it happened 10 years ago but still I am remembering each and every moments of that day. It was a good experience for me and on that day we celebrated my birthday with lot of gift and my parents were arranged some colorful materials with my materials in my room. It was conducted in my house and we invited all my family members and my friends. With them we spent lot of quality time with them and we had delicious meal and dinner on that day. After that we participated in several activities like dance, song and moon act. Then most of my family members given me various gifts so it was a thrilling and excited day for me. And my parents also given a wonderful gift that is a mobile phone and it is very pleasurable and unforgettable moment.

    Band 5-6

    I still remember in 2015, I had an argument with my grandfather and I decided to leave the home and in my anger I leave the house but I don't know where to go. So at that time I decided to live in my friend's house. 2-3 days I stay there. My mom called me and I tell her that you don't worry. Now I am doing something good and back home after being successful. So 2-3 days I searched college. I had an interest in camera and lighting. So I find a college Asian Academy of Film and Television in Florida. I go and take my admission. At that time I don't have much money. So I pay my college fees in EMI and also I arrange a hostel. So at that time I studied camera and lighting and after when my college is over, I do part time job in a departmental store as a salesman. This experience is scary and so much great for me because it teaches me how to become independent. This experience is a survival. So I pay my college fees by my own and pay my rent.

    Band 5

    One exciting experience in my life was the moment for publication in a reputed journal after months of research and development. I know now more about what really makes me an engineering student than my passions, and probably even Pomona University. ANand students write more than how many professors there are in engineering. Ans why I love engineering

    Band <5

    you you you you
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