Describe an unforgettable experience that you had: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What the experience was?
  • When and where it happened?
  • What made it memorable?
  • And explain how it changed you.

Band 6-7

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That's actually quite interesting. Back when I was in college, we had an industrial visit and we were taken to the Himachal Pradesh, which is basically a place in India. And there was a day when activities were planned out for all the students and we were taken to a big park. So this park basically consisted of multiple rides. And I am a person who is quite scared of these roller coasters and rides, etc. But there was this one particular ride, which was called as the trust fall. And I was not really interested to take that ride. But unfortunately, I didn't have an option because my friends were really forcing me to take the ride. So I ended up taking the ride and it was very scary, but it would be one of the most beautiful experiences that I have had. Because one, it really boosted up my confidence after that. I was a child who was afraid of heights. And after getting on that ride and experiencing the fall, which is not very aware to us, we are just waiting there and the fall happens at any random moment. So to experience that kind of ride with my friends would be one of the most memorable experiences. And I would never really forget that day. Because that was the day when I would have possibly overcome my fear of heights. And everyone really appreciated me because I was this scary little person who didn't want to get on the ride, but eventually went on it. And the best part about the whole experience was I got to do all of this with my own college friends, who I am still in touch with and are beautiful people who

Follow up questions


How did your friends influence your decision to take the ride?
My friends were really supportive and encouraging. They kept telling me that it would be fun and that I shouldn't miss out on the experience. Their enthusiasm made me feel more comfortable, and I eventually decided to join them, which turned out to be a great decision.

What other activities did you enjoy during the industrial visit?
Apart from the trust fall ride, we had various activities like team-building games and nature walks. Each activity was designed to help us bond and learn more about teamwork. I particularly enjoyed the nature walk, where we explored the beautiful scenery of Himachal Pradesh.

How has this experience impacted your life since then?
This experience significantly boosted my confidence. Since that day, I've been more willing to face my fears and try new things. It taught me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone, and I've carried that lesson into other aspects of my life, both personally and professionally.

Band 6

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00:00

Yeah, I think the most memorable thing was a trip to Wunderla with my school friends. It was quite memorable due to it being the last trip we had at the end of our 10th grade. It was quite an experience playing and enjoying around the park, water park actually, yeah. It's quite good when you feel it's the moment of time when you are alone with your friends and you'll never meet in the future. You may think it's quite good, but I do love the time I spend with my friends. I have changed a lot by that experience. I think it's a water park, cum dry park. It has both the sides, yeah. I played with my friends, mainly my best friend called Srinivas and other Kashyap. We played a lot in the water park and teased my other friends and went on a rampage throughout the week where we have spent in the Wunderla.

Follow up questions


What activities did you enjoy the most at the water park?
I really enjoyed the water slides and the wave pool. We spent hours going down the slides and laughing together. The thrill of racing each other down the slides was unforgettable, and the wave pool was a great way to relax and have fun with my friends.

How did this experience impact your friendship with your school friends?
This trip really strengthened our bond. We shared so many laughs and created lasting memories together. It made me realize how important these friendships are, especially since we were all going our separate ways after school. It was a bittersweet moment.

Would you like to revisit this place in the future?
Absolutely! I would love to go back to Wunderla, not just for the fun but to relive those memories with my friends. It would be interesting to see how things have changed and to experience the park again, perhaps with new friends or family.
Show all 2 answers

Cue 1:What the experience was?

  • Begin by clearly stating the unforgettable experience you had.
  • Make sure to include specific details that highlight why this experience stands out to you.

Example

One unforgettable experience I had was when I went on a solo trip to the beautiful hill station of Manali in Himachal Pradesh. It was my first time traveling alone, and I was both excited and nervous.


Cue 2:When and where it happened?

  • Provide the time frame of your experience, including the month and year.
  • Describe the location in a way that helps the listener visualize it.

Example

This trip took place in June 2022, during the summer holidays. Manali is a stunning place surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys, which made it the perfect getaway from the heat of the plains.


Cue 3:What made it memorable?

  • Share specific moments or events that made this experience special.
  • Explain your feelings during these moments to convey the significance of the experience.

Example

What made this trip memorable was the sense of freedom I felt while exploring the local culture, trying adventure sports like paragliding, and meeting new friends from different parts of India. One evening, I sat by the river, watching the sunset, and I felt a deep sense of peace and happiness.


Cue 4:And explain how it changed you.

  • Reflect on the personal growth or insights you gained from this experience.
  • Discuss how this experience has influenced your perspective or future decisions.

Example

This experience changed me by boosting my confidence and independence. I learned that stepping out of my comfort zone can lead to wonderful experiences. It inspired me to travel more and embrace new challenges in life.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, my solo trip to Manali was not just a vacation; it was a transformative experience that taught me valuable life lessons and helped me grow as a person. I will always cherish the memories I made during that trip.


    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 less engaging and informative. It's important to provide specific details about your experience to capture the listener's interest.

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    Tip

    Include specific names, places, and emotions to create a vivid picture of your unforgettable experience.


    2: Lack of Structure

    A disorganized response can confuse the listener. It's essential to follow a clear structure to ensure your answer flows logically and covers all cues.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Use the provided cues as a guide to structure your answer: start with the experience, then the time and place, followed by what made it memorable, and finally how it changed you.


    Overly Short Answers

    Providing overly brief answers can make it seem like you have nothing to say. This can lead to a lower score as it may not demonstrate your speaking ability.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Expand on each cue with detailed explanations and personal reflections to showcase your language skills and depth of thought.


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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

    That's actually quite interesting. Back when I was in college, we had an industrial visit and we were taken to the Himachal Pradesh, which is basically a place in India. And there was a day when activities were planned out for all the students and we were taken to a big park. So this park basically consisted of multiple rides. And I am a person who is quite scared of these roller coasters and rides, etc. But there was this one particular ride, which was called as the trust fall. And I was not really interested to take that ride. But unfortunately, I didn't have an option because my friends were really forcing me to take the ride. So I ended up taking the ride and it was very scary, but it would be one of the most beautiful experiences that I have had. Because one, it really boosted up my confidence after that. I was a child who was afraid of heights. And after getting on that ride and experiencing the fall, which is not very aware to us, we are just waiting there and the fall happens at any random moment. So to experience that kind of ride with my friends would be one of the most memorable experiences. And I would never really forget that day. Because that was the day when I would have possibly overcome my fear of heights. And everyone really appreciated me because I was this scary little person who didn't want to get on the ride, but eventually went on it. And the best part about the whole experience was I got to do all of this with my own college friends, who I am still in touch with and are beautiful people who

    Band 6

    Yeah, I think the most memorable thing was a trip to Wunderla with my school friends. It was quite memorable due to it being the last trip we had at the end of our 10th grade. It was quite an experience playing and enjoying around the park, water park actually, yeah. It's quite good when you feel it's the moment of time when you are alone with your friends and you'll never meet in the future. You may think it's quite good, but I do love the time I spend with my friends. I have changed a lot by that experience. I think it's a water park, cum dry park. It has both the sides, yeah. I played with my friends, mainly my best friend called Srinivas and other Kashyap. We played a lot in the water park and teased my other friends and went on a rampage throughout the week where we have spent in the Wunderla.
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