Describe an interesting video: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When and where you watched it
What it is about
Why you watched it
And explain how you feel about it

2 unique answers with expert feedback

What do you find most appealing about classical authors?

I find classical authors fascinating because their works often reflect the complexities of human nature and society. Their writing styles and themes are timeless, and understanding their backgrounds helps me appreciate their literature even more.

How has watching these videos influenced your reading habits?

Watching these videos has reignited my passion for reading. They provide context and insights that enhance my understanding of the texts. Now, I feel more motivated to explore the works of authors I previously overlooked, like Sylvia Plath.

Do you think animated videos are effective for learning about literature?

Absolutely! Animated videos can simplify complex ideas and make learning more engaging. They combine visuals with storytelling, which helps retain information better and makes the subject matter more accessible to a wider audience.

Band 6

00:00

During last month while preparing for my final year university examination, I was preparing for a neurology subject and I really needed a video presentation. So that's why I watched a video called Brain Signaling. I searched it on YouTube and I watched it and I really found it very fascinating like how our brain consists of millions of neurons and how the neural transmission takes place. I think that video really helped me to gain a proper knowledge regarding the new transmission system. Also it fascinated me and it made me think that how amazing our body is that it performs such high level functions without even being failed and which are necessary for normal day-to-day life.

Follow up questions

What other topics do you find interesting in neurology?

I find topics like neuroplasticity and the effects of brain injuries very interesting. Understanding how the brain can adapt and recover is fascinating. Additionally, the impact of mental health on neurological functions is another area that intrigues me.

How do you think videos help in learning complex subjects?

Videos can simplify complex subjects by providing visual aids and demonstrations. They can illustrate processes like neural transmission in a way that textbooks may not. This multimodal approach caters to different learning styles, making it easier to grasp difficult concepts.

Have you ever created or shared educational videos yourself?

Yes, I have created a few educational videos for my classmates on various topics. Sharing knowledge through videos helps reinforce my understanding and allows others to learn in an engaging way. It's a rewarding experience to contribute to others' learning.

Show all 2 answers

Cue 1:When and where you watched it

Begin by mentioning the specific time and place where you watched the video.
Include any relevant details about the environment that made the experience memorable.

Example

I watched the video last Saturday evening at home, sitting comfortably on my couch. It was a rainy day, which made it perfect for staying indoors and enjoying some good content.

Cue 2:What it is about

Provide a brief summary of the video's content, focusing on the main theme or topic.
Mention any key elements that stood out to you, such as the storyline or the message.

Example

The video was a documentary about the wildlife of India, showcasing the diverse ecosystems and the various species that inhabit them. It highlighted the importance of conservation and featured stunning visuals of animals in their natural habitats.

Cue 3:Why you watched it

Explain your motivation for choosing this particular video.
Share any personal interests or connections you have to the topic.

Example

I chose to watch this video because I have always been fascinated by nature and wildlife. Additionally, I wanted to learn more about the unique species found in India, as I plan to visit some national parks soon.

Cue 4:And explain how you feel about it

Share your emotional response to the video, discussing what you liked or disliked.
Reflect on how the video impacted your thoughts or feelings about the subject.

Example

I felt truly inspired after watching the documentary. The breathtaking visuals and the powerful message about conservation made me appreciate our natural world even more. It motivated me to consider ways I can contribute to wildlife protection.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, watching this video was not only enjoyable but also enlightening. It deepened my understanding of wildlife conservation and left me feeling motivated to take action in my own life.

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 Structure in Response

Failing to organize your answer can make it hard for the examiner to follow your thoughts. A clear structure helps convey your message effectively.

Tip

Use the cues provided to create a clear outline. Start with when and where, then move to the content, reason for watching, and your feelings.

2: Being Too Brief

Giving short answers may not showcase your language skills or provide enough detail. This can lead to a lower score in fluency and coherence.

Tip

Expand on each cue with examples and personal reflections. Aim for at least 1-2 minutes of speaking to fully develop your ideas.

Ignoring Personal Connection

Not sharing your personal feelings or connections to the video can make your response less engaging. Personal insights can enhance your answer.

Tip

Include why the video resonated with you personally. Share specific emotions or thoughts you had while watching to make your answer more relatable.

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.