Talk about a time you learned a new skill.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What skill was it?
When did you learn it?
Where did you learn it?
How do you feel about it?

23 unique answers with expert feedback

What challenges did you face while learning to drive?

Initially, I found the concept of driving quite confusing. I struggled with coordinating the pedals and steering. It took me a while to feel comfortable behind the wheel, especially in busy traffic. However, with practice and guidance from my instructor, I gradually overcame these challenges.

How did you feel after you learned to drive?

After I learned to drive, I felt a great sense of accomplishment and freedom. It was empowering to know I could travel independently. I also felt more confident in my ability to handle various driving situations, which made me enjoy driving even more.

Do you think learning to drive is essential for everyone?

Yes, I believe learning to drive is essential for many people, especially in areas where public transport is limited. It provides independence and flexibility in daily life. However, it also comes with responsibilities, such as ensuring safety on the road and being aware of traffic laws.

Band 6-7

00:00

So, I recently come to know that I have a skill and that is called content creator. So, I love to create new videos and it's my dream to become a star. I used to get inspired by lots of actor and actress and I have learned it from there to how to roll on camera. Furthermore, I started learning it when I was a child, I was using my phone and I don't know how the front camera got open and I literally saw myself for like more than 5 to 7 times and that day I realized I am not afraid of camera. So, I started shooting myself and I created so many videos and I uploaded them on internet and I got so good response from the audience and if I have a future in this, I will definitely going to take a part. In addition, it will also help my parents, they will also get the fame from it like me. It was my childhood dream to shoot and upload and now I can easily upload any stuff related to my home, related to cosmetic.

Follow up questions

What challenges did you face while learning to create content?

Initially, I struggled with understanding how to edit videos and what content would engage my audience. It took time to learn about lighting, sound quality, and how to present myself on camera. However, with practice and feedback, I gradually improved my skills.

How do you think being a content creator can impact your future?

Being a content creator can open many doors for me, such as collaborations with brands, opportunities in acting, and even creating my own projects. It can also help me build a personal brand and connect with a wider audience, which could lead to a successful career.

What type of content do you enjoy creating the most?

I enjoy creating lifestyle and cosmetic-related content the most. It allows me to express my creativity and share tips that can help others. I love experimenting with different styles and formats, whether it's tutorials, reviews, or vlogs about my daily life.

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.

I would like to learn a programming language, such as Python. I believe that coding skills are increasingly important in various fields, and learning it would open up new opportunities for me in technology and data analysis.

Show all 23 answers

Cue 1:What skill was it?

Clearly state the skill you learned and provide a brief description of it.
Explain why you chose to learn this particular skill.

Example

I learned how to play the guitar. I had always been fascinated by music and wanted to express myself creatively through playing an instrument.

Cue 2:When did you learn it?

Mention the time frame when you started learning the skill.
Include any specific events or circumstances that motivated you to begin learning at that time.

Example

I started learning the guitar about two years ago during the lockdown. With more free time at home, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to pick up a new hobby.

Cue 3:Where did you learn it?

Describe the setting where you learned the skill, whether it was formal or informal.
Mention any resources you used, such as online classes, tutorials, or a teacher.

Example

I learned the guitar primarily through online tutorials on YouTube. I also enrolled in a virtual class with a local music teacher who guided me through the basics.

Cue 4:How do you feel about it?

Share your feelings about learning this skill and how it has impacted your life.
Reflect on any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example

Learning the guitar has been a rewarding experience. Initially, I struggled with finger placements and strumming patterns, but with practice, I became more confident. Now, I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I play my favorite songs.

Conclusion

Summarize the significance of the skill in your life.
Mention any future plans related to this skill.

Example

In conclusion, learning to play the guitar has enriched my life and provided a creative outlet. I plan to continue improving my skills and perhaps even perform at local events in the future.

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 Responses

Providing vague or unclear answers can make it difficult for the examiner to understand your experience. Specific details help create a clearer picture of your learning process.

Tip

Use specific examples and details about the skill, such as what it was and how you learned it, to enhance your response.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Neglecting to address all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. Each cue is designed to guide your response and ensure you cover important aspects of your experience.

Tip

Make sure to address each cue in your answer, providing a structured response that flows logically from one point to the next.

Overly Short Answers

Giving overly short or one-word answers can come across as unengaged or uninterested. This limits your opportunity to showcase your language skills and personal insights.