arrow back icon Top Answers

Describe an unusual but interesting building you would like to visit: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • Where it is?
  • How it looks like?
  • Why you went there?
Show all 114 answers

Cue 1:Where it is?

  • Begin by mentioning the location of the building, including the city and country.
  • You can also add a brief context about why this location is significant or interesting.

Example

The building I would like to visit is the Lotus Temple, located in New Delhi, India. It is situated in a beautiful garden area, making it a serene place amidst the bustling city.

Cue 2:How it looks like?

  • Describe the architectural style and unique features of the building.
  • Use vivid adjectives to paint a picture of its appearance and surroundings.

Example

The Lotus Temple is designed in the shape of a lotus flower, with 27 free-standing marble petals. The white marble shines brightly under the sun, and the surrounding pools of water reflect its beauty, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Cue 3:Why you went there?

  • Explain your motivation for wanting to visit this building, whether it's for its architecture, cultural significance, or personal interest.
  • You can also mention any experiences or feelings you hope to gain from the visit.

Example

I want to visit the Lotus Temple because I am fascinated by its unique architecture and the peaceful environment it offers. I have heard that it is a place for meditation and reflection, and I believe it would be a great opportunity for me to experience tranquility away from my busy life.

Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, the Lotus Temple is not just an architectural marvel but also a symbol of peace and unity. I am eager to visit it and immerse myself in its beauty and serenity.

    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. Candidates often fail to provide specific details about the building, which can lead to a lack of interest from the examiner.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Use descriptive adjectives and specific examples to paint a clear picture of the building's appearance and features.

    2: Ignoring the Cues

    Not addressing all the cues can result in an incomplete answer. Candidates sometimes focus on one aspect and neglect others, which can affect their overall score.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Make sure to answer all the cues: location, appearance, and your reasons for wanting to visit the building.

    Overly Simple Language

    Using overly simple or repetitive language can make your response sound unprepared. Candidates may miss the chance to showcase their vocabulary and fluency.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Incorporate a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures to demonstrate your language skills and keep the response interesting.

    calendar icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7.5

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 8

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 6.5

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7.5

    location icon

    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.

    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 7

    Many people enjoy exploring old places, fort or creative structure that are different from modern buildings. Here I would talk about one such grand and royal building and that is the city palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. I went there last week with my family and I was truly amazed by its beauty and history. The palace was originally built in the 15th century by the rulers of Mewar and the royal construction took nearly 400 years to complete. What makes it even more special is that it is built near Lake Pichola, so visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city from the palace. The city palace is now converted into a museum that shows the rich history and royal lifestyle of Rajasthan. The palace includes 11 smaller palaces such as Peacock Courtyard, Krishna Vilas, Ram Vilas, the Palace of Mirror and Glass and many more. I was truly fascinated by the architecture, the interior was decorated with colorful mirror work, silver work and beautiful paintings which made the palace look very grand and attractive. The museum inside the palace displays many ancient items like weapons, jewellery, clothes of king and queen era, handcrafts and many more. I was also impressed by the architecture.

    Band 7

    Since I have been an architect for almost 10 years now and an eminent member of the CTBUH, the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats, I have been attracted to the beautiful skyline of London. In this skyline, one of the most eminent buildings is called the Shard in London, which is a beautiful building that bulges at the bottom while tapering slowly, slightly towards the top and ending in a beautiful spire. This aerodynamic structure allows air to freely flow across it, maintaining the wind resistance as well as maintaining its earthquake stability. I really like the facade of that building, which is built in a curtain wall system. I would really like to visit that because I have seen a lot of beautiful pictures on Pinterest showcasing its modern yet Tuscan-styled interiors. That building, built upon the principles of modern construction and inculcating modern technology, but it also preserves a lot of heritage and culture of the British, which can be seen in its beautiful white-coloured interiors. It's an amazing city to visit and this beautiful building furthermore adds to the visual diora of it. London is known for its amazing tall buildings and this building particularly features a very tensile, dense structural system, which is something I would really want to see again.

    Band 7

    One usual but fascinating building I would like to visit is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is the tallest skyscraper in the world and to me it's a true masterpiece of modern architecture. The building has an incredible silk design. For a distance it looks like a semi-silver needle piercing the sky. Its glass fridge reflects sunlight during the day and at the night. It lights up with a spectacular LED display which makes it look like something out of a science fiction movie. I want to visit it because I have always been fascinated by iconic landmarks and the Burj Khalifa is the ultimate example of human ambition and engineering excellence. There is an observation deck on the 148th floor which offers a panoramic view of the entire city and even the desert beyond. I can only imagine how breathtaking that view would be. What makes the building unusual is its sheer height and the way it dominates the skyline. It's not just a building, it's a symbol of innovation and progress. To me, it represents how fair technology and human creativity have come in the modern era. So, visiting the Burj Khalifa is definitely on my bucket list and I'm sure it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    Band 7

    The building that seemed unusual but interesting to me is located in Kolkata just near my hometown. The building is none other than the National Library which is located in a very short distance from the zoo. Though the surrounding of the building is exhausted with vehicles and the honking sound of the cars, trains and trucks but as soon as you go inside the building, it is calm and quiet. The building looks like none other than a British palace as it was built by the British during their reign in India. It has a number of books to be more precise, it has a wide variety of books like the Oxford and people enjoy a gala time sitting in the National Library and reading different kinds of books but the most unusual haunted event in the entire National Library is that whenever a book or a particular magazine is not kept in the proper place from where it has been taken, it automatically shifts from the table to its racks. This is believed that Lady Gaga who resided there had a disorder for which she couldn't tolerate the books which are not in their own places. This is said to be haunted but it is my most favourite place as I am a bookworm and I like reading books.

    Band 7

    I would like to visit the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The view was breathtaking with its fantastic architecture designed by the same architects who had designed the World Trade Center in Chicago. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and it attracts many tourists from around the globe every year. I would like to visit this place because I was always fascinated by its beautiful and comparable architecture and also it has a wide range of dining facilities at the top most which is one of its special offerings.

    Band 7

    One unusual but fascinating building I would love to visit is the Lotus Temple in Delhi, India. It's shaped like a white lotus flower which really makes it stand out from the crowd. You don't see buildings like this every day. It's truly one of a kind. When I first saw it in a travel magazine, it really caught my eye and I thought to myself this place is a must see. The Lotus Temple is a Baha house of worship but what makes it different is that it's open to people of all faiths. It promotes peace, unity and silence, something we all need in this fast-paced life. The architect is out of this world, made entirely of white marble with 27 petals arranged like a blooming flower. I'd love to visit it one day because I think being there would like a breath of fresh air. It's not just about taking photos or sightseeing. I believe the peaceful environment will help me gather my thoughts and recharge my batteries. Also, visiting such a serene and meaningful place would be once in a blue moon experience for me because I have never visited such a place like this. Most religious places follow strict tradition but this one breaks the mold and that's what makes it so special. I saw pictures and videos of it online and since then it has been on my bucket list. To wrap up, the Lotus Temple is not only an architectural marvel but also a place where people can find peace of mind and I really hope to visit it someday.

    Band 7

    The building which I find very fascinating and interesting is Taj Mahal which is situated in Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh. I have got the opportunity to visit Agra once and witness the magic that Taj Mahal in itself is. Moreover not just the architecture but the kind of ambience that whole place, the compound of the Taj Mahal gives is nothing short of royal and as we know Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world and rightly so. I have been able to witness the magic in front of my eyes. The grand architecture, the intricate details and in addition to that the kind of craftsmanship that is visible on the walls of Taj Mahal is nothing short of magic. Taj Mahal also has a significant appeal among the masses due to the context and the story associated to it. Taj Mahal being one of the wonders or greatest proof of love and I believe that Taj Mahal is a symbol of love, rightly so and youth represents it.

    Band 7

    It's really surprising that you asked me this question. I was really hoping to speak about this particular building. The building that I would really like to visit one day is St. Peter's Basilica of Vatican City. Vatican City, as all you know, is the smallest country in the world, and it is the center of Roman Catholicism and the center of Catholic Christianity. In addition, St. Peter's Basilica is the largest and biggest church of the world, and the architecture of St. Peter's Basilica is remarkable and splendid. Similarly, the architects who built St. Peter's Basilica is renowned architects of the history. Eminent personalities like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and other great contemporaries during that time built St. Peter's Basilica. On the one hand, Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica is filled with so many conspiracies and greatest secrets of the history. But on the other hand, the paintings, architecture, the sculptures, and intricate details in architecture makes St. Peter's Basilica stand alone among other buildings. I'm planning to visit St. Peter's Basilica as soon as possible. The only factor that is hindering me is funding issues and time concerns, since I'm a working professional. To talk more about St. Peter's Basilica, the whole Vatican City is filled with bits and pieces of St. Peter's Basilica. The Sistine Chapel inside St. Peter's Basilica was the conclave of the Vatican.

    Band 7

    An unusual but interesting building which I had visited recently is a fish building which is located at Attapur in Hyderabad. This building is unusual because it is designed in the shape of a fish which is very unusual for a building to be seen. I went there to visit my uncle who works there as a researcher in fish and sea waters. I found the building unusual because of its shape and design. It looks as a ship from the outside but when we go inside and see the surroundings of the building we may get fascinated by all the architectural advances and all the materials which were used in the building are very different from what we commonly use in a building. And in addition to that, there is a terrace on the building which helps us to see the bridge which is in front of the building and we can view a full view of the city from the top of that building. So there are many gardens which are surrounded

    Band 7

    One unusual yet fascinating building I would like, I would love to visit is the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India. I have seen many photos and documentaries about it and it always leaves me in awe because its unique architectural design. The building is shaped like a blooming lotus flower made up of 27 massive marble petals arranged in clusters to form the structure. It has no straight lines or sharp corners which makes it quite different from traditional buildings. Surrounded by lush green gardens and pools of water, the atmosphere around it feels very peaceful and serenity. What makes it even more interesting is that it's Baha, house of worship, open to people of all religions and there is no idol or ritual inside. It's a place meant purely for meditation and silence which I find incredibly beautiful. I want to visit this place not only because of its rare design but also for the spiritual energy it seems to carry. I feel like a place that, I feel like a place where one can disconnect from the noise of the world and connect deeply with inner peace. I think visiting it would be a truly unforgettable experience.
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
    ielts logo

    Get the IELTS Prep App

    Star rating icon

    4.2

    1M+ Installs

     app download banner image

    Get the app link on your phone

    +91

    Or download app from

    google play storeapp store
    master ielts speaking ad