Describe your favourite way to relax.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
How effective is it for you?
When and how do you relax?

67 unique answers with expert feedback

How often do you listen to music or meditate?

I listen to music daily, especially when I need to unwind after a long day. Meditation is something I do a few times a week, particularly before important events or exams to help clear my mind and focus.

What type of music do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy various genres, but I particularly love classical music for relaxation and pop music for a boost of energy. Each genre serves a different purpose in my relaxation routine.

Have you ever tried other relaxation methods?

Yes, I've tried yoga and reading as relaxation methods. While they are effective, I find music and drawing to be more fulfilling and enjoyable for me.

Band >7

00:00

My favourite way to relax is travelling. Although many people say that travelling would be very hectic because you have to create a very detailed itinerary, but my favourite way to do the travelling is slow travelling. When I travel, it unravels all the peace in the world and it unravels all the stress I've gone through in a whole month. I love it because I live a stressful day to day life where the work is very stressful and I've tried many other ways to relax but I've found comfort in travelling. It gives you a moment of peace. We can slow down our movement when we go into a different world where we travel to new places, we meet new people. It shows how life can be, how others' lives can be. It doesn't have to be stressful. We can meet new people, we can be away from all our problems. It is a very good way, it is a very good form of relaxation. You can do whatever you want, you can do whoever you want to be. Although I can't do it all the time, I do create my schedule in such a way that I give priority for travelling because without travelling I cannot relax and without relaxing I cannot do my work properly. If I ever had a chance to do a remote work, I would definitely give all my time to travelling because it is the best form of relaxation for me. Travelling gives me peace, it's like meditation for me and when you're stressful you have to relax and travelling does that for me.

Follow up questions

What destinations have you found most relaxing?

I find places like the serene beaches of Thailand and the quiet mountains of Switzerland to be incredibly relaxing. The natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere allow me to unwind completely. Each destination offers a unique way to connect with nature and escape the hustle of daily life.

How do you plan your travel itineraries?

I prefer to keep my itineraries flexible. I usually outline a few must-see places but leave plenty of room for spontaneous adventures. This way, I can fully immerse myself in the experience without feeling rushed or stressed about sticking to a strict schedule.

What other activities do you enjoy while traveling?

Besides exploring new places, I love trying local cuisines, engaging with locals, and participating in cultural activities. These experiences enrich my travels and help me relax even more, as they allow me to connect with the world around me in a meaningful way.

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.

When I want to relax, I enjoy cooking simple dishes like pasta or stir-fried vegetables. Cooking allows me to be creative and focus on the process rather than my worries. I also love baking desserts like cookies or cakes, which are fun and rewarding to make.

Show all 67 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Begin by clearly stating your favourite way to relax, such as reading, meditating, or watching movies.
Provide a brief explanation of why this activity is your preferred method of relaxation.

Example

My favourite way to relax is by reading books. I find that immersing myself in a good story allows me to escape from the stresses of daily life and enter a different world.

Cue 2:How effective is it for you?

Discuss the benefits you experience from this activity, such as reduced stress or improved mood.
Mention any specific instances where this method of relaxation has helped you cope with challenges.

Example

Reading is incredibly effective for me as it helps me unwind after a long day at work. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, diving into a novel not only distracts me but also lifts my spirits. For instance, after a particularly stressful week, I read a gripping mystery that kept me engaged for hours.

Cue 3:When and how do you relax?

Describe the times when you usually engage in this relaxing activity, such as in the evenings or on weekends.
Explain your routine or environment when you relax, like a cozy corner at home or a park.

Example

I usually relax by reading in the evenings, right after dinner. I have a cozy nook in my living room with a comfortable chair and a warm lamp, which creates the perfect atmosphere for getting lost in a book. On weekends, I also enjoy reading at a nearby park, surrounded by nature.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about your favourite way to relax.
Reiterate why this method is significant to you and how it contributes to your overall well-being.

Example

In conclusion, reading is my favourite way to relax because it transports me to different worlds and helps me manage stress effectively. It is a cherished part of my daily routine that contributes significantly to my mental well-being.

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 Too Vague

Candidates often give very general answers without specific details. This can make the response less engaging and informative, leading to a lower score.