Describe An Invention That Is Useful In Your Daily Life: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is the invention?
What can it do?
How popular is it?
Is it difficult or easy to use?
And explain why it is useful.

58 unique answers with expert feedback

How do smartphones impact communication in your daily life?

Smartphones have revolutionized communication by allowing instant messaging, video calls, and social media interactions. They enable me to stay connected with family and friends regardless of distance, making it easier to share experiences and maintain relationships.

What are some apps you find most useful on your smartphone?

I find apps like WhatsApp for messaging, Google Maps for navigation, and Spotify for music streaming to be incredibly useful. They enhance my daily activities, whether it's staying organized, finding my way, or enjoying entertainment on the go.

How do you think smartphones have changed the way we work?

Smartphones have made remote work more feasible by providing access to emails, collaboration tools, and productivity apps. They allow me to work from anywhere, attend virtual meetings, and manage tasks efficiently, which has transformed traditional work environments.

Band 7

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A recent invention is the device Alexa by Amazon. Many people, many homes have it now. But I feel only very few know how to use the full extent of it. Make use of the full extent. Alexa does so many things from adding things to your shopping cart, to controlling your lights, to playing your best music, to waking you up in the morning. And all while not attaching any emotions to her voice, which is a very pleasant thing to hear. I have been using Alexa for a few months now and I think I'll continue using it for a long time. She also comes in many colours and I like the black one personally. My entire family makes use of different aspects of Alexa. She is on most of the time and she responds to voice commands, which makes her very easy to use.

Follow up questions

What other smart devices do you think are useful in daily life?

In addition to Alexa, I believe devices like smart thermostats, security cameras, and smart refrigerators are very useful. They enhance convenience and security in our homes, allowing us to control our environment and monitor our homes remotely.

How do you think technology like Alexa will evolve in the future?

I think technology like Alexa will become more integrated into our daily lives, with improved AI capabilities. Future devices may anticipate our needs better, offer more personalized experiences, and even integrate with more household appliances for seamless automation.

Do you think there are any downsides to using smart devices like Alexa?

Yes, there are potential downsides such as privacy concerns and reliance on technology. Some people worry about data security and how much personal information these devices collect. It's important to balance convenience with awareness of these 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.

The internet has already begun to change how we consume media, with streaming services becoming more popular. However, television still holds a unique place in many households. It may evolve rather than be completely replaced, as it adapts to new technologies and viewing habits.

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Cue 1:What is the invention?

Begin by clearly stating the invention you want to talk about.
Provide a brief background on how you came to know about this invention.

Example

The invention I want to talk about is the smartphone. I first got my hands on a smartphone about five years ago, and it has completely transformed the way I communicate and access information.

Cue 2:What can it do?

List the main features and functions of the smartphone.
Explain how these features are beneficial in daily life.

Example

A smartphone can make calls, send messages, browse the internet, and use various applications. It allows me to stay connected with friends and family, manage my schedule, and even shop online, all from the palm of my hand.

Cue 3:How popular is it?

Discuss the widespread use of smartphones in your community or country.
Mention any statistics or observations that highlight its popularity.

Example

Smartphones are incredibly popular in India, with millions of users across the country. According to recent statistics, over 500 million people in India own a smartphone, making it an essential part of everyday life.

Cue 4:Is it difficult or easy to use?

Share your personal experience regarding the ease of use of the smartphone.
Mention any learning curve or challenges you faced initially.

Example

I found smartphones to be very user-friendly. Initially, I had some trouble navigating the apps, but with a little practice, I quickly became proficient. Now, I can easily use it for various tasks without any issues.

Cue 5:And explain why it is useful.

Highlight the advantages of having a smartphone in your daily life.
Explain how it has improved your productivity or quality of life.

Example

The smartphone is useful because it keeps me organized and connected. I can set reminders for important tasks, stay updated with news, and even video call my relatives who live far away. It has truly made my life more convenient.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, the smartphone is an invention that has significantly impacted my daily life. Its versatility and ease of use make it an indispensable tool for communication, organization, and entertainment.

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: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. Candidates often fail to provide specific details about the invention, which can lead to a lack of engagement from the examiner.

Tip

Be specific about the invention. Use clear examples and details to illustrate its features and benefits.

2: Ignoring Popularity

Neglecting to discuss the popularity of the invention can weaken your response. It's important to show how widely used the invention is in daily life.

Tip

Include statistics or personal observations about how many people use the invention and its impact on society.

Overcomplicating Usage

Describing the invention as overly complicated can confuse the examiner. Candidates should aim to explain how easy or difficult it is to use in simple terms.