Describe something that you can't live without (not a computer/phone): IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
What do you do with it?
How it helps you in your life?
And explain why you can't live without it.

59 unique answers with expert feedback

How did you first get into swimming?

I started swimming at a young age, taking lessons at a local community pool. My parents encouraged me to join a swim club, and I quickly fell in love with the water. Over the years, it became a regular part of my routine, and I found it to be a great way to relax and stay fit.

What benefits do you think swimming has over other forms of exercise?

Swimming is low-impact, which means it's easier on the joints compared to running or weightlifting. It works out all major muscle groups and improves cardiovascular health. Additionally, being in water has a calming effect, making it a great way to relieve stress while getting fit.

Do you prefer swimming alone or with others?

I enjoy both, but swimming alone is my favorite. It gives me time to reflect and find peace. However, swimming with friends can be fun and motivating. It creates a social aspect that makes the experience enjoyable, especially during group workouts or pool parties.

Band 7

00:00

A fridge. I cannot imagine life without one. Especially if you are a working woman and live long. Although my working hours are not that long, I do tend to get tired at the end of the day. I would just love to come back home and unwind after a busy day at work. Probably by reading a book or by watching a Netflix series. What I would not like to do is spend 1-2 hours in the kitchen making a healthy nutritious meal. Because eating healthy has also become a priority in this age of fast food and sedentary living. Therefore, I prefer to eat fresh nutritious food with a lot of vegetables and fruits included in my diet. This is not possible if you do not cook elaborately. So what I do is, I cook a big batch of food and keep it in the fridge so that I am comfortable for the next 2-3 days to come. I can also just whip up batter for crepes or pancakes and leave it in the fridge which would remain good to go for the next couple of days. This saves a lot of my time, effort and it also contributes to healthy eating even at the end of a busy day. So having a fridge is absolutely inevitable and I would suggest it to anybody who is working and who would love to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Follow up questions

How do you think a fridge impacts your daily routine?

A fridge significantly streamlines my daily routine. It allows me to prepare meals in advance, saving time after work. I can store healthy ingredients and leftovers, making it easier to maintain a nutritious diet without spending hours cooking each day.

What are some of your favorite meals to prepare in advance?

I love preparing dishes like vegetable stir-fry, soups, and casseroles in advance. These meals are nutritious, easy to store, and can be quickly reheated. I also enjoy making breakfast items like overnight oats or pancake batter that I can keep in the fridge for convenience.

How do you ensure you eat healthily despite a busy lifestyle?

I prioritize meal prepping on weekends, cooking large batches of healthy meals. I also keep plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in the fridge for quick snacks. This way, I can easily grab nutritious options even on my busiest days, avoiding unhealthy fast food.

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.

Band 7

00:00

Music is something I cannot live without, other than a computer or a phone. It gives me a peace of mind and sometimes I even dance to it. Yes, I love dancing and dancing is my passion. For me, music is the base for dance, which means we need music for dance. Not just for that purpose, but still, it's something I cannot avoid. After a tiring day, be it at school or work, music is something that relieves the stress out of me and keeps me sane. When we talk about music, I listen to different genres, ranging from melodies to dance pops. The mediums that I listen to currently are Spotify, YouTube and Jio7. In those, I've created multiple playlists, namely dance, classical, English, Hindi and there are multiple languages that I listen to. And it includes English, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, English and what not. Anything that soothes my mind, be it pop songs or melodies, I love them. I even notice music and the background scores of movies and I just enjoy listening to them. It gives a good impression. And apart from that, I love singing. I'm classically trained and I've learned music, Carnatic music, for 8 years. And I even completed my Arranged, which adds to my special taste to music.

Follow up questions

How does music influence your mood?

Music significantly influences my mood. It can uplift me when I'm feeling down or help me relax after a stressful day. The right song can change my entire perspective and make me feel more positive and energized.

What role does music play in your daily routine?

Music is an integral part of my daily routine. I listen to it while commuting, studying, or even during workouts. It helps me focus and keeps me motivated throughout the day, making mundane tasks more enjoyable.

Can you share a memorable experience related to music?

One memorable experience was performing at a local event where I sang a classical piece. The energy from the audience and the joy of sharing my passion for music made it unforgettable. It reinforced my love for music and performing.

Band 7

00:00

The one thing that I can't do without is a book. I love reading books. If I don't have any books around me, I'll end up reading the newspapers as well because there is something I have to read for the whole day. So it is like having a coffee. Reading keeps me updated. It makes me feel liberated and informed. I read a lot of books like The Mountain is You, Atomic Habits, Alchemist, Ikigai, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and The Fire and Glove. Robin Sharma is my favorite author but Raskin Bond has my heart. It feels like there is a soul added to every short story he writes and also it is the best time killer to me. I enjoy reading and I just love myself to be involved into reading. I read a lot of books and I read a lot of novels too. To be more precise, I read articles and in a regional newspaper which is Inado, there is a particular column which is dedicated to the authors or the new writers. I make sure that every Saturday I do get a look of it and if there is anything I want to give as a gift to anybody that would definitely be a book. Also I would like to say and I'm proud to say that I have a membership in the nearby library. I usually visit it on every Saturday, spend some time there and update my knowledge. It feels very refreshing to go inside and walk out.

Follow up questions

What genres of books do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy a variety of genres, but I particularly love self-help, fiction, and motivational books. Books like 'Atomic Habits' and 'The Alchemist' inspire me, while novels provide an escape into different worlds. I appreciate both the wisdom in self-help and the creativity in fiction.

How has reading influenced your life?

Reading has profoundly influenced my life by broadening my perspective and enhancing my knowledge. It helps me think critically and understand different cultures and ideas. The stories I read often inspire me to make positive changes in my life and motivate me to pursue my goals.

Do you prefer physical books or e-books, and why?

I prefer physical books because I love the feel of turning pages and the smell of paper. There's something special about holding a book in my hands that e-books can't replicate. Plus, I find it easier to focus and immerse myself in a physical book without digital distractions.

Band 7

00:00

Something that I cannot live without is strength training, because I initially started strength training because I was very skinny and frail. So I was very insecure about my own body. And I started going to the gym, then I put on a little more muscle, and that's when I actually started to gain more confidence. So the way I do strength training right now is that I'll go to the gym four days in a week to lift weights and train different body parts on different days. I generally like to prioritize major lifts like squat, bench press, and deadlift, and then followed by a few accessory exercises, which are meant to be done for single joint and smaller muscle groups. Strength training has its own effects in terms of the physiological changes that happen in the bone structure and muscle. But the main thing that I think strength training offers is greater pain tolerance and greater resilience, because you learn how to overcome an increasingly difficult challenge. I think that creates a significant amount of transformation in you mentally also. I feel really great that I'm able to do strength training, and I wish to be able to do it until the last day of my life. So yeah.

Follow up questions

How has strength training changed your daily routine?

Strength training has become a fundamental part of my daily routine. I schedule my workouts four times a week, which helps me stay disciplined and organized. It also encourages me to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, as I want to maximize the benefits of my training.

What challenges have you faced while strength training?

Initially, I faced challenges like soreness and fatigue, especially when starting out. There were times when I felt discouraged due to slow progress. However, overcoming these challenges has taught me resilience and the importance of consistency in achieving my fitness goals.

Do you think strength training can benefit everyone?

Absolutely! Strength training can benefit people of all ages and fitness levels. It improves physical health, boosts confidence, and enhances mental resilience. However, it's important for individuals to start at their own pace and consult professionals to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Show all 59 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Begin by clearly stating what the item is and its significance in your life.
Provide a brief background on how you came to value this item.

Example

The item I can't live without is my journal. I started writing in it during my college days as a way to express my thoughts and feelings.

Cue 2:What do you do with it?

Describe the activities you engage in with this item.
Mention any specific routines or practices you have developed around it.

Example

I use my journal daily to jot down my thoughts, plan my day, and reflect on my experiences. Every morning, I spend about 15 minutes writing about my goals and what I am grateful for.

Cue 3:How it helps you in your life?

Explain the benefits this item brings to your life, both emotionally and practically.
Share any personal anecdotes that highlight its importance.

Example

My journal helps me manage stress and anxiety. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I write down my worries, which makes them feel more manageable. It also helps me track my personal growth over time.

Cue 4:And explain why you can't live without it.

Conclude with a strong statement about the emotional connection you have with this item.
Reflect on how your life would be different without it.

Example

I can't live without my journal because it serves as my emotional outlet. Without it, I would struggle to process my thoughts and feelings, which would negatively impact my mental health.

Conclusion

Example

In summary, my journal is more than just a book; it is a vital part of my daily routine and mental well-being. It helps me stay organized, reflect on my life, and cope with challenges, making it truly irreplaceable.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.