Describe an interesting song.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What song is it?
What is it about?
Why do you think it is interesting?
How do you feel about it?

53 unique answers with expert feedback

What themes do you think are common in Taylor Swift's songs?

Many of Taylor Swift's songs explore themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth. She often writes about her own experiences, which makes her music relatable. Additionally, she touches on themes of friendship and self-discovery, allowing listeners to connect with her on various levels.

How does music influence your mood or emotions?

Music has a profound impact on my emotions. It can uplift my spirits, help me relax, or even evoke nostalgia. For instance, listening to a happy song can instantly improve my mood, while a melancholic tune might resonate with my feelings during tough times, providing comfort and understanding.

Do you think lyrics are more important than the melody in a song?

Both lyrics and melody play crucial roles in a song's impact. Lyrics convey the message and emotions, while the melody enhances the overall experience. A powerful combination of both can create a memorable song. However, some may prefer one over the other based on personal taste.

Band >7

00:00

So, one of the interesting songs I have heard recently is Let It Go from the animated movie known as Frozen. The movie tells the story of Elsa and Anna, two sisters who are ruling a kingdom and this song shows the immense feelings of the character Elsa who has magical powers in the movie. I like this song very much because it gives us that feeling to let go of whatever heavy things that are in our mind. To let it go, all the distractions, all the tough things, all the hardships, all the problems that we are facing in our life just to keep our life easy and to have some time for ourselves And through this song, the main character, the protagonist is understanding how the power that power of freezing or power of frozen is giving her all sorts of magical establishment to being a better person rather than cursing herself just as a different one from all other people. The song is actually an empowerment of this character in the movie. She identifies her powers and how she can use it for the good and it cannot be used as an evil one. This song is a song of realization as I think and it is easy for us to learn and sing too. It starts with how she undoubtedly thinks her power is going to destroy her and later she develops a feeling of empowerment and establishment by the end of the song. Let it go, let it go.

Follow up questions

What other songs do you find empowering?

I find songs like 'Fight Song' by Rachel Platten and 'Stronger' by Kelly Clarkson empowering. They both convey messages of resilience and strength, encouraging listeners to overcome challenges and believe in themselves, much like 'Let It Go' does.

How does music influence your mood?

Music has a profound impact on my mood. Uplifting songs like 'Let It Go' can boost my spirits and help me feel more positive. Conversely, slower or sadder songs can help me process emotions when I'm feeling down, providing a sense of comfort.

Do you think songs from movies are more impactful than regular songs?

I believe songs from movies can be more impactful because they are often tied to powerful visuals and stories. They resonate with the audience on a deeper level, as they evoke emotions related to the characters and their journeys, making them memorable.

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.

Yes, I attended a Bruno Mars concert last year, and it was an unforgettable experience. The energy in the crowd was electric, and hearing my favorite songs live made me appreciate his music even more. It was a great way to connect with other fans and enjoy the music together.

Show all 53 answers

Cue 1:What song is it?

Start by naming the song and the artist or band who performed it.
Mention when you first heard the song and any personal connection you have to it.

Example

The song I find particularly interesting is 'Tum Hi Ho' by Arijit Singh. I first heard it during a friend's wedding about five years ago, and it instantly struck a chord with me.

Cue 2:What is it about?

Briefly summarize the theme or story of the song.
Highlight any specific lyrics or elements that resonate with you.

Example

'Tum Hi Ho' is a romantic ballad that expresses deep love and longing. The lyrics beautifully convey the idea that the singer's life is incomplete without their beloved, which I find very relatable.

Cue 3:Why do you think it is interesting?

Discuss what makes the song stand out compared to others.
Mention any unique musical elements or emotional impact it has on you.

Example

I think this song is interesting because of its soulful melody and Arijit Singh's powerful vocals. The way he conveys emotion through his singing makes the song unforgettable and often brings tears to my eyes.

Cue 4:How do you feel about it?

Share your personal feelings or memories associated with the song.
Explain how it affects your mood or mindset when you listen to it.

Example

Whenever I listen to 'Tum Hi Ho', I feel a wave of nostalgia and warmth. It reminds me of my own experiences of love and loss, and it often lifts my spirits when I’m feeling down.

Conclusion

Summarize your overall feelings about the song.
Mention its significance in your life or why you would recommend it to others.

Example

In conclusion, 'Tum Hi Ho' is more than just a song to me; it’s a beautiful reminder of love's power. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who appreciates heartfelt music.

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: Avoid Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer less engaging and informative. It's important to provide specific details about the song to capture the listener's interest.

Tip

Include specific examples from the song, such as lyrics or themes, to make your description more vivid and relatable.

2: Don't Rush Your Answer

Rushing through your response can lead to unclear explanations and missed points. Take your time to think about each cue and respond thoughtfully.

Tip

Pause briefly between points to gather your thoughts and ensure you cover each cue clearly and completely.

Neglecting Personal Feelings

Failing to express your personal feelings about the song can make your answer less impactful. Personal connections can resonate more with the examiner.