Talk about something you find interesting.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
Why do you find it interesting?
How & when did you learn more about it?

30 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific planet fascinates you the most and why?

I find Mars particularly fascinating because of its potential for past life and current exploration missions. The idea that it may have once had water and possibly microbial life intrigues me. Plus, the ongoing missions to explore its surface and gather data keep me engaged with the subject.

How do you think space exploration impacts our understanding of Earth?

Space exploration greatly enhances our understanding of Earth by providing insights into climate change, natural disasters, and the planet's history. Observing other planets helps us learn about Earth's formation and the conditions necessary for life, which can inform our environmental policies.

What role do you think private companies will play in future space exploration?

Private companies are likely to play a significant role in future space exploration by increasing competition and innovation. They can reduce costs and accelerate missions, making space more accessible. Companies like SpaceX are already revolutionizing how we approach space travel and research.

Band 6-7

00:00

I find video games to be very interesting because they have this ability to transpose us into a different world, they take us into a different reality and it guides us into the learning, with its learning curves and also gives us an escape from reality which is what makes it very interesting. With improvement in technology, there has been significant advancement in the quality of games that are being released by every company. This has led to development in the gaming sector which led to a lot of job opportunities and a lot of incremental employment which has been witnessed in the past few years and surprisingly gaming has contributed to about 0.3% of the GDP of India. This can indicate that there are a lot of creative minds available in India which should be put to better use.

Follow up questions

What specific video games do you find most interesting and why?

I find games like The Last of Us and The Witcher 3 particularly interesting due to their rich storytelling and character development. They not only provide entertainment but also provoke thought and emotional engagement, making the gaming experience more immersive.

How do you think video games can be used for educational purposes?

Video games can be excellent educational tools by incorporating problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. Games like Minecraft and Portal 2 encourage creativity and logical reasoning, making learning fun and engaging for students of all ages.

What are some potential downsides of the growing gaming industry?

While the gaming industry offers many benefits, potential downsides include addiction, social isolation, and the impact on mental health. It's important to find a balance and ensure that gaming is enjoyed in moderation, alongside other activities.

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 6-7

00:00

Working out and hitting the gym is something which I find always interesting because I've never got bored of it and right now it's become a part of my life where I'm happy, I want to work out, I'm sad, I want to go hit the gym and if I'm feeling low I definitely want to hit the gym because it helps me stay calm, it helps me with decision making and it helps me think straight and I've never come out of the gym half way or mid way from the workout, it's always like let's go hit the gym, complete the workout and come out and I find it interesting because we find a lot of people who are in the same zone or who are in the same mindset and it's nice to be around people and it's nice to motivate people and help people, talk to them, sort out what they are up to and what they are with.

Follow up questions

What specific exercises do you enjoy doing at the gym?

I particularly enjoy weightlifting and cardio exercises. Weightlifting helps me build strength, while cardio keeps my heart healthy. I also like trying new classes like spinning or yoga to keep my routine fresh and engaging.

How has working out impacted your daily life?

Working out has significantly improved my mood and productivity. It helps me manage stress better and gives me more energy throughout the day. I feel more focused and motivated to tackle my tasks after a good workout session.

Do you prefer working out alone or with others?

I enjoy both! Working out alone allows me to focus on my personal goals, but I also love the camaraderie of working out with friends. It creates a supportive environment where we can motivate each other and share tips.

Band 6-7

00:00

Something that I find interesting when it comes to my field is aquatic therapy. I am a physiotherapist myself. So in the last few years I have found aquatic therapy to be very interesting. I recently discovered my interest in aquatic therapy when it was introduced to me by one of my closest friends in college. I actually went through many research papers and many studies which indicated how aquatic therapy helps to improve patient condition in a lesser amount of sessions and it provides better quality of care to the patient as well. So aquatic therapy basically involves treating patients in a heated swimming pool and devising exercise programs for them inside the pool. I found it interesting because since last many years conventional physiotherapy practices have always been practiced on land. So we focus more on making the patients exercise on bed or more of static exercises but introducing aquatic therapy allows the patient to recover more faster and to have a speedy recovery basically and to even improve the strength of the patient. So in aquatic therapy we have various branches like Aichi, Badruga's ring method and water specific therapy. These techniques help to improve the patient conditions at a faster rate. I have always been interested in swimming so actually attaching it with aquatic therapy

Follow up questions

What specific benefits have you observed from aquatic therapy?

I have observed that patients often experience reduced pain and increased mobility after just a few sessions. The buoyancy of water helps alleviate pressure on joints, making it easier for patients to perform exercises that would be difficult on land. This leads to quicker recovery times and improved overall outcomes.

How do you think aquatic therapy compares to traditional physiotherapy?

Aquatic therapy offers a unique environment that can enhance recovery. Unlike traditional physiotherapy, which often involves static exercises, aquatic therapy allows for more dynamic movements. The water provides resistance and support, which can lead to better muscle engagement and faster rehabilitation.

What challenges do you face when implementing aquatic therapy?

One challenge is ensuring access to suitable facilities with heated pools. Additionally, not all patients may feel comfortable in water, which can limit participation. There’s also the need for specialized training to effectively design and implement aquatic therapy programs tailored to individual patient needs.

Band 6-7

00:00

I find cars as interesting things for me as I grew up in a place where there are a lot of cars and there were many modified cars over there. I was probably eight. I used to wander around the cars and think how these machines work. Then later when I grew up slowly then I started learning about them how these machines work in a great way. Simultaneously I learned how to drive a car and got my driving test. Then I started exploring how these machines are used to run across the world. Then I realized these machines are run through many paths combined and which help us to produce some power in it and so that it can move. Slowly I started learning more and more about it and I pioneered to make an engine. The engine which I made was absolutely amazing. I got some eight pistons in it and it's a V6 engine which made me feel so exciting. I often used to see how bad people are driving in it. I used to get really scared where it's gonna lead us to. I was ambitious to make more and more more cars.

Follow up questions

What specific features do you find most interesting in modified cars?

I find the customization options fascinating, like unique paint jobs, body kits, and performance upgrades. Each modification reflects the owner's personality and creativity, making every car unique. Additionally, the engineering behind performance enhancements, like turbochargers and suspension systems, intrigues me.

How do you think cars will evolve in the future?

I believe cars will become more automated and environmentally friendly. With advancements in electric vehicles and self-driving technology, we might see a shift towards sustainable transportation. Innovations in materials and design will also likely enhance safety and efficiency, making cars smarter and more connected.

What challenges do you think car enthusiasts face today?

Car enthusiasts today face challenges like rising costs of modifications and maintenance, as well as stricter regulations on emissions and modifications. Additionally, the shift towards electric vehicles may make it harder to find parts for traditional cars, which can be frustrating for those who love classic models.

Show all 30 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Begin by clearly stating what the interesting thing is, providing a brief description.
Mention any specific aspects that make it stand out to you.

Example

One thing I find particularly interesting is astronomy. The vastness of the universe and the mysteries it holds captivate me, especially the study of stars and planets.

Cue 2:Why do you find it interesting?

Explain your personal connection to the topic and why it resonates with you.
Share any emotional or intellectual reasons that enhance your interest.

Example

I find astronomy interesting because it makes me feel connected to something much larger than myself. The idea that there are billions of galaxies out there inspires awe and curiosity in me.

Cue 3:How & when did you learn more about it?

Describe how you first got introduced to the topic and any significant experiences.
Mention any resources, such as books or documentaries, that helped deepen your understanding.

Example

I first learned about astronomy in school during a science class. Later, I watched documentaries like 'Cosmos' and read books by Stephen Hawking, which expanded my knowledge and fascination with the subject.

Conclusion

Summarize your feelings about the topic and its impact on your life.
Encourage the listener to explore the topic further, if appropriate.

Example

In conclusion, astronomy is not just a hobby for me; it’s a passion that encourages me to keep learning. I believe everyone should take a moment to look at the stars and ponder the universe’s wonders.

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 provide unclear or general answers, which can make their response less engaging. Specific details help to illustrate your interest and make your answer more memorable.

Tip

Use specific examples and details to explain what makes the topic interesting to you. This will create a more vivid picture for the examiner.

2: Lack of Personal Connection

Failing to connect the topic to personal experiences can make your answer feel impersonal. Sharing personal stories can enhance your response and show genuine interest.

Tip

Include a personal anecdote related to the topic to demonstrate your connection and passion for it. This adds depth to your answer.

Ignoring the Cues

Overlooking the provided cues can lead to incomplete answers. Each cue is designed to guide your response and ensure you cover all aspects of the topic.

Tip

Make sure to address each cue in your response. This will help you stay organized and ensure you provide a comprehensive answer.