Describe an interesting discussion you had with your friend: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was the discussion about?
What opinions you and your friend had?
Why do you think the discussion was interesting?
And how you felt about it.

16 unique answers with expert feedback

What challenges did you face while preparing for your government job exams?

While preparing for the government job exams, we faced several challenges such as managing our time between coaching and post-graduation studies. Additionally, the competition was intense, and we had to stay motivated and focused despite the pressure. We also had to adapt to different study materials and exam formats.

How did your friendship influence your career choices?

Our friendship played a significant role in our career choices. We supported each other in making decisions and shared resources for studying. Having someone to discuss our options with made it easier to explore different paths and stay committed to our goals, which strengthened our bond.

What advice would you give to others about choosing a career path?

I would advise others to thoroughly research their options and seek guidance from experienced professionals. It's important to consider your interests and strengths while making a decision. Networking with people in your desired field can provide valuable insights and help you make informed choices.

Band 6-7

00:00

Me and one of my friends, Ashwin Shankar, we always have an... One day when I was coming back home from one of my friend's house from Cochin to Cherthala, in a car, his car, his name is Ashwin, and we had a discussion about atheism and belief. For me, I always believe in atheism, and my friend is vice versa. He doesn't... He always believe in God, existence of God. But for me, I... I would say one of the best discussion I ever had with one of my best friend, Ashwin, was about atheism and belief, belief in God, belief in God. And I always... I always love to take things in a scientific manner, and he always believes in Godly manner, and for me, it was a good discussion. And actually, you know, we every know, everyone knows that a discussion always gives us knowledge, and will give more information about the current scenarios and all the things which are happening all over the world. And, you know, our discussion was like hectic, and I always stick on to my point of view that... about the belief, about the atheism. Atheism is actually... What I believe is that we should believe things which are scientifically proven, and he is one of the best. You know, the scientific things is the... Scientific scenario is the only thing which we can relate. You know that everything around us is followed, focused by scientific things, and he always thinks that whenever we go to God and we pray there, all the things will happen according to that prayer, and I always disagree with that thing, because you know that, you know, everything...

Follow up questions

How do you think discussions about beliefs can impact friendships?

Discussions about beliefs can strengthen friendships by allowing friends to understand each other's perspectives better. They can foster respect and open-mindedness, even if the friends hold opposing views. However, if not handled carefully, such discussions could also lead to disagreements or tension.

What are some other topics you enjoy discussing with friends?

I enjoy discussing various topics with friends, such as current events, technology, and philosophy. Each topic brings a different perspective and can lead to engaging conversations. I also like discussing personal experiences and travel stories, as they often provide valuable insights and laughter.

Do you think it's important to have discussions on controversial topics?

Yes, I believe it's important to discuss controversial topics as they challenge our thinking and help us grow. Engaging in such discussions encourages critical thinking and allows us to explore different viewpoints, which can lead to a deeper understanding of complex issues.

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.

I developed several skills, including teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. Organizing the event required me to take initiative, delegate tasks, and think critically about how to overcome obstacles, which has been beneficial in other areas of my life.

Show all 16 answers

Cue 1:What was the discussion about?

Begin by introducing the topic of discussion clearly and concisely.
Mention the context in which the discussion took place, such as during a casual meet-up or over a phone call.

Example

Recently, I had an interesting discussion with my friend about the impact of social media on our lives. We were sitting in a park, enjoying some snacks, and the topic came up naturally as we were scrolling through our phones.

Cue 2:What opinions you and your friend had?

Share your perspective on the topic and how it differs or aligns with your friend's view.
Use specific examples to illustrate your points, making the discussion more relatable.

Example

I expressed my belief that social media can be both beneficial and harmful. I think it helps us stay connected with friends and family, especially during the pandemic. However, my friend argued that it often leads to anxiety and unrealistic comparisons. We both agreed that moderation is key.

Cue 3:Why do you think the discussion was interesting?

Explain what made the discussion engaging, such as differing viewpoints or personal experiences.
Highlight any new insights or realizations that emerged from the conversation.

Example

The discussion was interesting because we both had different experiences with social media. My friend shared a story about how it affected her mental health, which made me reflect on my own usage. It was enlightening to hear how our backgrounds shaped our views.

Cue 4:And how you felt about it.

Convey your feelings during and after the discussion, emphasizing any emotional impact.
Mention how the discussion influenced your thoughts or actions moving forward.

Example

I felt a mix of emotions during our conversation. At first, I was defensive about my social media habits, but by the end, I felt grateful for the honest exchange. It encouraged me to be more mindful of my online presence and its effects on my well-being.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, discussing social media with my friend was not only enjoyable but also thought-provoking. It reminded me of the importance of open conversations about topics that affect us deeply. Such discussions can lead to personal growth and a better understanding of each other.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.