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Describe something you own that you want to replace?: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What it is
  • Where it is
  • How you got it
  • Explain why you want to replace it.
Show all 21 answers

Cue 1:What it is

  • Begin by clearly identifying the item you want to replace.
  • Provide a brief description of its features and condition.

Example

The item I want to replace is my old smartphone. It's a basic model that I've been using for over four years now. While it still functions, the battery life has significantly decreased, and it often lags when I try to use apps.


Cue 2:Where it is

  • Mention where you usually keep this item.
  • Describe the significance of its location in your daily life.

Example

I keep my smartphone on my bedside table when I’m at home. It’s the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I look at before going to sleep. It’s essential for my daily communication and staying updated.


Cue 3:How you got it

  • Share the story of how you acquired this item.
  • Include details about any special memories or occasions related to it.

Example

I got this smartphone as a gift from my parents on my birthday. It was a special moment for me because it was my first smartphone, and I felt very excited to finally have one. I remember how thrilled I was to explore all its features.


Cue 4:Explain why you want to replace it

  • Discuss the reasons for wanting to replace the item, focusing on its limitations.
  • Mention any specific features you are looking for in a new item.

Example

I want to replace my smartphone because it can no longer keep up with my needs. The camera quality is poor, and I often miss capturing important moments. I’m looking for a new phone with a better camera, longer battery life, and faster processing speed to enhance my daily experience.


Conclusion

  • Summarize your feelings about the item you want to replace.
  • Express your anticipation for the new item you plan to get.

Example

In conclusion, while my old smartphone has served me well, it’s time for an upgrade. I’m excited about the prospect of getting a new phone that will not only meet my current needs but also make my daily life more enjoyable.


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: Being Vague About the Item

Candidates often provide unclear descriptions of the item they want to replace. This can lead to confusion and a lack of detail in their response.

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Tip

Be specific about the item. Use descriptive words to explain what it is and its features to engage the listener.


2: Neglecting the 'How You Got It' Part

Many candidates skip explaining how they acquired the item, which can make their answer feel incomplete and less personal.

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Tip

Include a brief story or context about how you got the item. This adds depth and makes your response more interesting.


Focusing Too Much on Negatives

Some candidates concentrate only on the negative aspects of the item they want to replace, which can make their answer sound unbalanced.

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Tip

While explaining why you want to replace it, also mention any positive experiences you had with the item to create a well-rounded response.


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Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country
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Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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
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Anonymous student Band 8

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

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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
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Anonymous student Band 7

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Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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 5-6

I currently have a electric guitar and it is in my hometown and that electric guitar I got as a birthday gift from my father but now I want to replace that electric guitar because I now want an acoustic guitar because I don't usually play the rock music I want to play soothing sounds with my guitar and usually many people like acoustic versions more than the electric versions that's why I want to replace the guitar and I want to replace this guitar because I don't like electric ones and its color is also red I want something like woody finish and some texture and it is of low quality but I want good quality guitars that is why I want to replace because I am going to Canada and there people like acoustic guitars more than electric guitar that is why I want to replace the guitar.
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