Talk About A Special Day Which Was Not That Expensive: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What is the occasion?
  • Where did you go?
  • Who did you celebrate with?
  • Why it didn’t cost you much?

Band 6-7

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A few days earlier it was Eid and I was celebrating my Eid without being at home. I was at my friend's home and it didn't cost me much because I was just going to my friend's home and eating their food. And I celebrated Eid by going for namaz. Then I returned from namaz. Then I visited few more friend's home where I ate biryani, sevai and few more things. It was a very special day for me because it was the first time when I was not at my home on Eid and I was expecting it to be very bad but the Eid went right. I did had a lot of fun. I enjoyed the Eid.

Follow up questions


What other special days do you celebrate with friends?
I celebrate various special days with friends, such as birthdays and New Year's. These occasions allow us to bond and create lasting memories together, often involving food, games, and shared experiences that strengthen our friendships.

How do you usually prepare for Eid celebrations?
Preparation for Eid usually involves shopping for new clothes, buying sweets, and planning meals. I also like to decorate my home and prepare gifts for friends and family. It's a time of excitement and anticipation, as I look forward to the festivities.

What is your favorite food to eat during Eid?
My favorite food during Eid is definitely biryani. It's a flavorful rice dish that is often made with spices, meat, and sometimes vegetables. I also love sweets like sevai, which is a traditional dessert made from vermicelli, milk, and sugar. They make the celebration even more special.

Band 6

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The special day was the farewell of my 12th grade. This was special because this was the last day of our school and I had my chance to say goodbyes to my friends and family and my teachers. Moreover we took a lot of photos which were memorable and will last forever. This was during the COVID time, that is the reason why it was more special because we met after almost one month of lockdown and this was definitely emotional. There were a lot of events that had taken place, for example there were juniors dancing for us, there were many professional DJs that had come to perform, there were more singers such as DJ Snake that came to perform a live event, additionally there were even stand up comedians who performed on the last day of my school. This particular event was free of entry, that is also one of the reasons why this is special. This happened in my school backyard, there was a small hockey ground that was there. Our juniors had built a professional set up, a stage and even arranged a lot of chairs to accommodate us. We had a chance to say goodbyes to our teachers.

Follow up questions


What emotions did you feel during the farewell?
I felt a mix of happiness and sadness. It was joyful to celebrate with friends, but also bittersweet knowing we were parting ways. The emotional weight of the moment was heightened by the fact that we had been apart for so long due to COVID, making the reunion even more meaningful.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your farewell?
The pandemic made the farewell more significant because we had been in lockdown for a month. It was a rare opportunity to gather and connect with everyone after such isolation. We appreciated the moments more, knowing how quickly things could change and how important those connections were.

What was your favorite part of the farewell event?
My favorite part was definitely the performances by the juniors. Seeing them dance and entertain us brought a lot of joy and laughter. It felt like a celebration of our time together, and the energy they brought made the day unforgettable. The live music and comedy added to the fun atmosphere.

Band 6

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Talking about the special day which was not expensive was the day when I got my dog. I was not sure that we were not sure that we needed a dog but we just went there to see the puppies, golden retriever puppies and Lucy just came up to us, our female dog in from all the puppies she was the one who came up to us and sat in front of us that is how I knew that I was going to adopt her. She was the first born female and she was the healthiest pup and the naughtiest one and I went at my friend's house to adopt Lucy, I went at my friend's house to adopt Lucy. Over there, there were several puppies and this day is not expensive because it was full of joy and it did not require any expenditure to travel to my friend's house as he was living nearby. It was the best day of my life.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you think make a day special?
A special day often includes moments of joy, connection with loved ones, and memorable experiences. It's not always about spending money; sometimes, it's about the feelings and memories created. For me, the day I got Lucy was special because of the bond we formed instantly.

How do you think pets can impact our lives?
Pets can bring immense joy, companionship, and even emotional support. They can help reduce stress and loneliness. In my case, Lucy has become a part of my family, providing love and happiness every day. The bond we share has enriched my life significantly.

Can you describe another memorable day in your life?
Another memorable day was my birthday last year when my friends surprised me with a small gathering. It was simple but filled with laughter, games, and heartfelt moments. Like the day I got Lucy, it was not about the cost but the love and joy shared with friends.

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Band 6

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00:00

A special occasion was my birthday when I planned to go on a trip to Paris which is a spiritual destination. Since it was my birthday and I am quite a spiritual person, I chose to go to that place and have my calm time there. It was really a great trip. It had adventure and it had great experience. Getting out of my work schedule which was quite hectic, it was really a good experience to have by going to the temple which I always wanted to. Since it was my birthday, I did some special rituals in the temple and I was on a cloud nine when I had this special opportunity to be on my favourite temple on the special occasion of my birthday. I was with a stranger who joined me by the roads of the transportation. It didn't cost me much because I usually use public transportation and I am a backpack traveller. I met people, I opened up to people by asking them about what's the best option for stay, travel and transport. It didn't cost me much and since it was a temple trip, there were no much expenses compared to other leisure activities or whatever we do on other special days. Meeting a stranger and travelling with him to the temple was quite some experience because he was elder to me and he shared most of his life experiences to me which gave me insights and opened up my mind.

Follow up questions


What other budget-friendly activities do you enjoy on special occasions?
I often enjoy going for nature hikes or picnics with friends. These activities allow me to celebrate without spending much. I find that being in nature brings a sense of peace and joy, making them special in their own way.

How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
I like to keep my birthday celebrations simple. I often spend time with close friends or family, sharing a meal or going on a small trip. It's more about the company and experiences rather than extravagant parties or gifts.

What did you learn from your experience traveling with a stranger?
Traveling with a stranger taught me the value of human connection. Hearing his life stories gave me new perspectives and made me appreciate the wisdom that comes from different experiences. It reminded me that we can learn from everyone we meet.
Show all 4 answers

Cue 1:What is the occasion?

  • Begin by clearly stating the special day you are referring to, such as a birthday, anniversary, or festival.
  • Share a brief background about why this day was significant to you.

Example

The special day I want to talk about is my younger sister's birthday. It was her 18th birthday, which is a significant milestone in our culture as it marks the transition into adulthood.


Cue 2:Where did you go?

  • Describe the location where you celebrated the occasion, whether it was at home, a park, or a local restaurant.
  • Mention any special features of the place that made it suitable for the celebration.

Example

We celebrated at our home, which was decorated with balloons and lights. We chose to stay in because it allowed us to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere, perfect for family gatherings.


Cue 3:Who did you celebrate with?

  • List the people who were part of the celebration, such as family members or close friends.
  • Explain the significance of their presence and how it contributed to the joy of the occasion.

Example

I celebrated with my family and a few close friends. Having them around made the day even more special, as we shared laughter, stories, and created beautiful memories together.


Cue 4:Why it didn’t cost you much?

  • Explain the choices you made that kept the costs low, such as homemade food or simple decorations.
  • Highlight the importance of enjoying the day without spending excessively.

Example

We kept the celebration budget-friendly by preparing homemade food instead of ordering from a restaurant. We also used decorations we already had at home, which made it a heartfelt celebration without the high costs.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, my sister's 18th birthday was a memorable occasion that didn't require a lot of money to be special. It taught me that the joy of celebrating comes from the people we are with and the love we share, rather than the amount we spend.


    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 Occasion

    Candidates often give unclear descriptions of the occasion, making it hard for the examiner to understand its significance. This can lead to a lack of engagement in the response.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Clearly state the occasion and provide specific details about what made it special to you. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture.


    2: Neglecting to Describe the Location

    Failing to mention where the celebration took place can leave the answer feeling incomplete. The location can add context and depth to your story.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Include specific details about the location, such as its atmosphere or why it was chosen. This helps create a more engaging narrative.


    Not Explaining Cost Factors

    Candidates often forget to explain why the day was not expensive, which is crucial for this cue card. This can make the response feel disconnected from the prompt.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Discuss specific choices you made that kept costs low, such as DIY elements or free activities, to show thoughtful planning and creativity.


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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

    A few days earlier it was Eid and I was celebrating my Eid without being at home. I was at my friend's home and it didn't cost me much because I was just going to my friend's home and eating their food. And I celebrated Eid by going for namaz. Then I returned from namaz. Then I visited few more friend's home where I ate biryani, sevai and few more things. It was a very special day for me because it was the first time when I was not at my home on Eid and I was expecting it to be very bad but the Eid went right. I did had a lot of fun. I enjoyed the Eid.

    Band 6

    The special day was the farewell of my 12th grade. This was special because this was the last day of our school and I had my chance to say goodbyes to my friends and family and my teachers. Moreover we took a lot of photos which were memorable and will last forever. This was during the COVID time, that is the reason why it was more special because we met after almost one month of lockdown and this was definitely emotional. There were a lot of events that had taken place, for example there were juniors dancing for us, there were many professional DJs that had come to perform, there were more singers such as DJ Snake that came to perform a live event, additionally there were even stand up comedians who performed on the last day of my school. This particular event was free of entry, that is also one of the reasons why this is special. This happened in my school backyard, there was a small hockey ground that was there. Our juniors had built a professional set up, a stage and even arranged a lot of chairs to accommodate us. We had a chance to say goodbyes to our teachers.

    Band 6

    Talking about the special day which was not expensive was the day when I got my dog. I was not sure that we were not sure that we needed a dog but we just went there to see the puppies, golden retriever puppies and Lucy just came up to us, our female dog in from all the puppies she was the one who came up to us and sat in front of us that is how I knew that I was going to adopt her. She was the first born female and she was the healthiest pup and the naughtiest one and I went at my friend's house to adopt Lucy, I went at my friend's house to adopt Lucy. Over there, there were several puppies and this day is not expensive because it was full of joy and it did not require any expenditure to travel to my friend's house as he was living nearby. It was the best day of my life.

    Band 6

    A special occasion was my birthday when I planned to go on a trip to Paris which is a spiritual destination. Since it was my birthday and I am quite a spiritual person, I chose to go to that place and have my calm time there. It was really a great trip. It had adventure and it had great experience. Getting out of my work schedule which was quite hectic, it was really a good experience to have by going to the temple which I always wanted to. Since it was my birthday, I did some special rituals in the temple and I was on a cloud nine when I had this special opportunity to be on my favourite temple on the special occasion of my birthday. I was with a stranger who joined me by the roads of the transportation. It didn't cost me much because I usually use public transportation and I am a backpack traveller. I met people, I opened up to people by asking them about what's the best option for stay, travel and transport. It didn't cost me much and since it was a temple trip, there were no much expenses compared to other leisure activities or whatever we do on other special days. Meeting a stranger and travelling with him to the temple was quite some experience because he was elder to me and he shared most of his life experiences to me which gave me insights and opened up my mind.
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