Cue Card 2

Describe a friend from your childhood
You should say:
How did you first meet?
How long have you been friends?
What did you two do together?
What made you like him/ her?
and explain your friendship

Follow-up Questions:
Why childhood is important for us?
What changes have you gone through from your childhood?
What are the differences between childhood friends and college friends?
Possible Answer:
Childhood has its specialty and magic and sometimes childhood friends are unforgettable.
One such friend I recall was Masud who I still remember. Our friendship lasted only for a
year and after that he moved to a different city with his parents. I met him at our first day in
school. I was late for school due to a bad traffic and when I reached my classroom, I thought
that all of the seats have been occupied and I was desperately looking for a place to sit. The
class teacher asked my name and announced to make a seat for me. I found that one of the
boys was asking me to go over there and sit beside him. This very boy was Masud and I was
grateful to him.
In the Tiffin time I shared my foods with him and talked about lots of things. From that next
day we started sitting next to each other and our friendship began to flourish. I found that he
collects stamps as a hobby and I was excited to find this common hobby between us. We were
very close friends and after one year I heard that he would be moving to a new city as his
father has been transferred there. I did not know his postal address and as a consequence I
could not communicate him. We did not meet each other after that but he was such a good and
close friend that I still miss him sometimes.
We did a lot of interesting and fun stuffs together. At school we played footballs and other
games in the interval period. We made kites and flew them together, we went to many places
to buy stamps, we went to library to read book, we went to river to swim, we climbed in trees,
we played crickets, we walked in the streets and told stories to each other and did many other
things together.
He was a lively and helpful boy who liked me very much. We had many things in common
and we helped each other on our studies. Since I enjoyed doing stuffs with him, I liked him as
a friend as well. We had a strong bonding and intimate friendship between us. We tried to help
each other whenever needed.
Tips for answering this cue card question:

This topic is very similar to the cue card "Describe a friend who you really like to spend time
with" except that you should talk about a friend from your childhood.
There is a good possibility that you no longer meet him/her very often but as a childhood
frined, you keep in touch.
This topic is very similar to the cue card "Describe a friend who you really like to spend time
with", except that you should talk about a friend from your childhood. There is a good
possibility that you no longer meet him/her very often but as a childhood friend, you keep in
touch.
Following are some points you can mention to answer this cue card topic:
1. You had lots of fun stuffs together in childhood and you enjoyed his/ her company.
2. You went school together, you played together and you spend lots of time together.
3. You meet him/her whenever you visit your hometown and you still enjoy his friendship.
4. You two have strong bonding as your friendship go matured over time.
5. You two had lots of common interest and you learned many things from him/her.
6. Describe what you did together in the childhood, how you spent time then and how you two
started living in two different places.
7. Not necessarily you two have two live in two different places; you can mention that you
two are still close and meet very friendly.
8. Say 1-2 interesting memories you two had together.
9. Talk about some reasons you liked him.
If you can answer this cue card you should also be able to answer the following cue card
topics:
1. Describe one of your long term friends.
2. Talk about a friends you really like.
3. Talk about your best friend.
4. Describe a friend who helped you.
5. Describe a friend from your school.
A speech that somebody delivered and you heard.

You should say:
Who gave the speech?
What was the central topic of the speech?
Why did it touch you?
and explain why did you like / dislike the speech

What are the difference between a political speech and a speech given by a nonpolitical person?
What are the important aspects of a good speech?
What makes a person a good speech giver?
Possible Answer:
I have heard numerous speeches, lectures, commentaries on various topics and issues
throughout different stages of my life and among them the speech that was given by our
primary school teacher on occasion of our fare-well is the most influential one and I still
vividly recall it. The teacher who gave the speech was Mr. Mark Augustine and he was at his
late forties at that time. As fifth grade school going kids we did not comprehend quite clearly
what was the school fare-well all about. We knew that this is going to be our last day at our
primary school and we would start our new school soon. Mr. Mark was already a revered
teacher for his teaching style, good manor, humour and honesty. Rumour had that, he was
much more qualified to be a college professor rather than being a primary school teacher.
On the day, we had our parents present in school and we had been enjoying everything. As
part of the farewell speech Mr. Mark approached to the stage and started mentioning what
funny things we had done in the last 5 years. We as well as our parents started laughing on the
things he mentioned. He mentioned how a kid started screaming in the sight of a cockroach,
how a kid of class two expressed his friendship to a girl, how we tried to play amid of the
class and many more interesting and funny events.
He then moved on topics that I still hear in my mind. He told how study is our primary
responsibility, how we should listen to our parents, how have we achieved our liberation as a
nation, how to respect the Mother Nature and all the honestly and bravery we should possess
in our heart. The topics and his way of presenting them vibrated us heavily. I can still
remember how the advises came back to my life time to time. As a kid those advises and
moralities were probably way to heavy to grasp but I still believe that the speech had a great
impact in my life as well as the lives of the other kids who were present there.
Tips for answering this cue card topic:

Think about a speech that you heard and liked/ disliked. Usually people remember speeches
which are interesting, which were delivered with great eloquence and have lasting
impressions. Such speech can be something you heard in person or watched on TV or heard
on radio. Sometimes the speeches given by a famous person remain alive in generations and
you can also mention one such speech that affected the whole nation. If you want to talk about
a speech you heard on radio and TV, mention a famous speech by leader of your country. If
you want to talk about a speech that you heard, look for the following options that may match
the speech you are thinking about:
A speech given by your school teacher.
A speech given by your debate team leader/ class captain/ sports team leader/ football,
cricket, rugby coach etc.
A speech delivered by a local politician that addresses a public issue.
A speech given by a social worker that touched you.
A speech delivered by the presenter of a social program.
You should avoid personal speeches like advices from your parents, grandparents, teachers
that was aimed to advice you. Those are usually considered to be personal advices not as
speeches in broader sense.
Follow the below structure chronologically to effectively answer this question:
1. Name of the person who gave the speech and his/her identity.
2. The occasion and reason the person gave the speech and how old you were then.
3. What was the topic of the speech and who were the audiences of this speech.
4. What was the topic(s) of the speech and how good the person was delivering his/her
messages.
5. how the speech was accepted and praised.
6. How people commented on the speech and how they reacted after they heard the speech.
7. How you accepted the speech and what are your personal opinion on the issues addressed
by the speech giver.
8. How you felt and what was your reaction.
9. How the speech touched you and what valuable things you learned from that.
10.How the speech affected you in your later course of action in life.
If you mention that you disliked the speech you can mention following points:
1. The speech giver took a long time and repeated the same topics over and over again.
2. The topics was not interesting at all and you did not believe everything he/ she said.
3. That was a politically biased speech that concealed some truth.
4. The speech was manipulated to give misleading information to the audiences.
5. People were horrified with the lies delivered in the speech.
6. The person who gave the speech was not an exemplary and honest person.
If you can answer this cue card you should be able to answer the following cue card topics as
well:
1. Talk about a speech delivered by a famous person.
2. Describe an event when you were greatly touched.
3. Describe a speech that has a great influence in your life.
4. Talk about a speech you watched on TV or heard on radio.
5. A famous speech you heard and still remember.
Describe a hotel you have stayed in

You should say:
Where is the Hotel?
Why did you stay at that particular hotel?
Give details description of the hotel and the view from it?
and explain what makes the hotel special?

What are some good hotels in your city?
What are the difference between staying in a hotel and staying in a relative's house?
What qualities make a hotel a good one?
Possible Answer:
The hotel that I stayed in 2 years back while my visit to India is Westin. I had an official tour
to Pune, India and my office arranged the stay in Westin. The reason I stayed in this
particular hotel is mostly because my office arranged our stay there. But that was a really
great experience. Since Westin is a renowned hotel chain and I have experienced their superb
service in our country, I was excited to be in Westin in Pune as well.
The hotel has been placed in a distinctive location in the beautiful Koregaon Park along the
Mula Mutha River, and is just five kilometers from the airport. Westin is also in the vicinity is
Magarpatta and Hadapsar, an information technology hotspot. Industrial parks lie within a 25kilometer radius of this hotel. The staying rooms are subtly designed and give comfort to be
there. The hotel includes club rooms, attractive and heavenly spa and workout gym, meeting
room and exclusive restaurant. The rooms feature soft and comfortable bed and a eye-catching
views overlooking green surroundings Mula Mutha River.
The Westin is a renowned hotel chain that offers exclusive customer experience. The view, the
stay, the foods and facilities makes the hotel a different experience.

You need to describe a hotel where you have stayed. If you pick a famous hotel, your
description should be close to the original facts regarding this hotel. But you are free to pick a
hotel and give a superficial description as well. Mention the name of the hotel first and then
tell your reason for staying there. People usually stay at hotels when they visit a place where
there are no relatives present. Sometimes they go to a foreign country or a distant city of the
same country and stay at a hotel. The stay usually lasts for few days and then people take their
departure after the intended task is done. You can mention a trip you took and stayed in hotel
or maybe you can state that your office arranged a business trip and picked the hotel for you.
Describe the following information to answer this cue card correctly:
1. Name and location of the hotel. If this is 4 star / 5 star hotel, mention that as well.
2. Specify the reason you stayed there.
3. How long you stayed there.
4. What type of room you stayed in and the facilities you got from the hotel.
5. Mention if this was the first time you stayed there or went there before.
6. Say if you have stayed there on your own choice or because the trip planner, office
authority arranged that.
7. Give some interior and exterior description as well as the surrounding of the hotel.
8. There must be some distinctive points and things about the hotel; mention those. For
instance: the food was delicious, the cost was very reasonable, they offered some free
services, the location was excellent, the staffs were very cordial etc.
If you can answer this cue card topic you should also be able to answer the following topics:
1. Describe a building that attracted you.
2. Describe a tour you have taken.
3. Describe a hotel which you like.
4. Talk about a hotel in your city that you would recommend to others.
5. Describe a hotel you often go to.
Describe an important letter that you received.

You should say:
Who wrote it to you?
What the letter was about?
How you felt about the letter?
And explain why it was important.

What are the difference between email and hand written letters?
Will the hand written letters become obsolete in the future? Why?
Why should we write letters to friends and relatives?
What are the important qualities of a good letter?
Possible Answer:
Though People mostly send emails now-a-days for official and personal communication, the
handwritten letter has its own importance as well. Today I would like to talk about a hand
written letter that I received when I was 14 years old. This particular letter was written by my
father and I was so excited to receive it that I read it several times. The letter was about the
scholarship result and my father wrote me to inform me that I got the scholarship. In his letter
he congratulated me and wrote that he was proud of me.
I was staying at a relatives house after my final and scholarship exam with my mother and
sister and one day I found that a post office peon delivered a letter to my uncle. My uncle
handed over me the letter as it was addressed to me. I found that it was written by my father. I
read the letter quickly and was very excited to learn the news. I read it again and then
informed my mother and relatives about it. My mother read it and congratulated me as well.
As a kid, the scholarship was very desiring for me and when I found that my father was very
happy, that made me happier.
Alternative Answer:
The most important letter that I have received ever is the one that was posted to me from the
Falcon University confirming that I have been accepted in their B.B.A program. I can't
exactly remember the name of the person who wrote it to me but it was from the Falcon
University admin department.
I was simply overwhelmed about the letter as I have been dreaming for a long to do my
graduation in B.B.A specifically in the Falcon University. The letter was the confirmation that
my dream has come true and my hard work and determination have been paid off. I felt like
flying in the sky. I let my parents and close friends know about the acceptance and they were
happy too.
The letter was written in the official pad of the Falcon University and signed by the head of
the B.B.A admission department. There were only 4-5 paragraphs on the papers and they were
printed either they were very exciting for me. I read the letter twice and kept it in a nice place
as if I was hiding a treasure.
The letter was utterly important to me as it expressed and confirmed that my dream about
studying in the Falcon University has come in to reality.
An important letter can be one of the following types:
A letter from your teacher which was written to you to confirm that you have been
eligible for a course or activity you applied for.
A letter from a school/ college/ university that confirms your acceptance and
admission there.
A letter from an office that affirms that you have been hired for the position you
applied for.
A confirmation letter from an organization or government office that confirms that

your request to solve a problem at your locality would be taken care of.
A letter from your parents when you stayed in a different city from theirs.
A letter from a relative that gives the news of a new born.
A letter from one of your childhood friends who you heard for a long time.
A letter from your parents about one of your achievements.
A letter that gives the news of your outstanding performances or achievements.
A letter that gives the news of your winning a lottery or raffle draw.
An apology letter from one of your friends or relatives that ease your relationship with
him/her.
Describe who wrote you the letter, when you received it, what was it about, what news it bore,
how you felt after reading the letter, why the news was important to you and why the letter
was important.
For the part why it was important to you mention some of the following points based on
the type of letter you talk about:
I was eagerly waiting to know that.
I was so worried about it and after I read the letter I felt so relieved.
The letter gave me the long waiting news and I was very happy.
I was enchanted to know that I have achieved it.
I was very happy to know that .
I could not believe that it really happened and I read the letter a second time etc.
If you prepare for this cue card you would be able to answer the following cue cards as well:
1. Describe a news that made you happy.
2. Describe a letter you received from your friend.
3. Talk about a letter your father/ mother wrote to you.
Describe what you usually do in your leisure time.
You should say:
What do you do?
Who you do this with?
Where you do it?
And explain why you like to spend your free time this way.
What are some constructive leisure time activities?
How leisure time activities have changed in the last 10 years?
What type of activity you would suggest to your kids?
Possible Answer:
I have classes 5 days in a week, I attend a diploma course on Computing and I do some
tutions as well and all of those activities and my study make my days busy. However, I
maintain some leisure activities and in my off-day I go through a different routine.
I love to read books and maintain my own blog. Whenever I get time either I read books or
write/ moderate my blog. Besides reading and writing for my blog, I play some indoor games
with my friends and family members like chess, computer games etc. If it's an outdoor game,
I play with my neighbours or friends.
I read book mostly in my study room and sometimes in the nearby library. I work on my
computer to update my blogs. I mostly read fictions and historical books. The blog I maintain
is mostly technology related and I add the details with images for my blog readers. I have
made 2 of my friends moderator and they contribute in the blog as well.
I like to utilize my leisure time and enjoy very much what I do. Reading books is the most
prudent investment of leisure time and I learn many things from reading. Maintaining a blog
is a great way improving the writing and sharing knowledge and that helps me greatly to
explore new things as I need to read a lot to generate ideas to write.
The indoor game like chess is a great way of passing time and also helps doing some
brainstorming. I take part in the outdoor games to both enjoy the game and to keep my body
and mind fresh and fit.
Tips for answering this cue card question:

Pick a leisure time activity that you usually do. You can talk about one of the following topics
or the one you really do:
Take your parents or children outside for walking.
Play indoor games like chess, computer games etc.
Go out for walking, running or for other form of exercise.
Take care of the garden you have.
You visit your friends and spend time with them.
You watch TV, movies or listen to music.
You learn something like song, musical instrument, cooking, dancing, sports, art etc.
You do some freelancing jobs.
You write for your blogs and surf internet.
You read books.
You visit your relatives.
You spend time with your family members, help them on household chores etc.
You actively participate in social works.
You go to the nearby park or open space for fresh air.
You have a hobby and you spend time for that.
Not necessarily you have to talk about one particular thing you do in your leisure time, you
can say a combination of things you do in your leisure time like sometimes you surf internet,
sometimes you go out for a walking and sometimes you spend time with your family
members and help them on their tasks.
People usually do their leisure activities from their interest, passion and need. So describe
your reasons for doing things you do in your leisure time. Besides describe how you enjoy
doing it and how it is beneficial for you.
You should also be able to talk about the following cue card topics you get prepared for this
cue card:
1. Describe you hobby.
2. Describe how you like to spend your free time.
3. Talk about an activity you do.
4. Talk about how you spend your day-off.
5. Describe a thing you like to do.
6. Describe a healthy habit you have.
7. Describe how you help your family members.
8. Describe something you do besides your study or job.

9. Describe an outdoor activity you perform.
Describe an important decision/choice that you made in

your life
You should say:
What the decision was?
When you took the decision?
What the results of the decision? Whether it was a good choice?
And explain why it was important?

How parents' decisions affect their children's life?
What important things do you consider while taking a big decision?
Possible Answer:
I've made lots of decisions in my life and frankly I have taken those decisions sometimes all
alone and sometimes discussing with my parents and others. The particular decision that
seems very important to me was the time when I decided to major in Literature rather than
major in Engineering. My mother wanted me to get admitted in the Eng. University and do
my graduation majoring Engineering while my fascination was studying in Literature. I made
this decision when I was 18 years of old, just after finishing my 12th grade. My father did not
force me to do anything; instead he told me to do what I thought was best for me. My
relatives thought that I was a fool and too immature to make a big decision for myself.
But after considering several issues and perspective I decided to get myself admitted in a
University that offers graduation in Literature. I'm happy that I made this decision. I'm yet to
finish my graduation but throughout the last 3 years I have enjoyed studying literature and I
am doing quite well academically.
Making the decision/ choice was not easy and I had to go through a hard time as I remember. I
had to fight a lot with my inner self and then convince my mother. There were always risks of
picking the option I prefer my parents would have complained if I hadnt make a promising
result. I still remember the dubious feelings I had that time. Sometimes it seemed to me that I
should abandon my passion and yield to my parents' decision and then again I strongly felt for
my own choice and passion. Since I made my own choice at that time, a strong urge and force
worked on me that I have to do really good and I am happy that I took my decision and doing
very good so far.

Remember a decision that you took which turned out to be an influential thing you decided.
You should be able to talk about something you decided and later proved to be useful and
beneficial. This varies from person to person yet following are some of the ideas you can
adopt to talk about yours one:
Your decision to get admitted into a college, university or studying in a particular

major/ subject.
Your decision of living in a foreign country.
Your decision of taking a course or learning a thing.
Your decision of taking a part-time/ full time job.
Your decision of making a change in your family like: living in a town rather than in
the village.
Your decision of obeying your parents on certain issues.
Your decision of not getting involved in a political party/ organization that eventually
turned out to be harmful for others.
Your decision of helping a person/ people of your locality.
Your decision of informing a bad thing happening in your locality to the appropriate
authority.
Your decision of protesting a decision taken by your relatives.
Your choice of imposing something to your family members or friends which later
turned out positive for him/her.
Your decision of buying something that letter become helpful for you and others.
Try to talk about something positive you decided. You are free to describe one of your
decisions which become harmful for you later but it is advisable not to talk about such
negative things.
If you can talk about this cue card you would also be able to describe:
1. Describe something you did and felt good for that.
2. Describe something you did for others.
3. Talk about a choice you made in your life.
4. Describe a decision you took that later affected your life.
5. Talk about an incidence when you got confused.
6. Describe an important choice you had to make in your life.
Describe a musical event in your country
You should say
What the event it is?
Where it takes place?
What kind of music is played?
And explain why you enjoy it..

What type music is famous in your country?
What are influences of western music in teenagers in your country?
Why music is important?
Which one is more important: traditional music or western music?
Possible Answer:
There are several occasions and places in our country when musical events take place in my
country. I'd like to talk about a particular music event that takes place in my home town and
this takes place in the beginning of the spring. The event runs through 3-4 days and in 2-3
phases. In the first phase the local music bands and individuals perform and complete in the
event. At the end of the competition 3 bands/ individuals are selected and are awarded. This is
an important event as it makes the participants famous in the country. This event is
broadcasted in local TV channel and in Radio. This event takes place in the city hall
auditorium. Thousands of music lovers and people attend the event to enjoy the music and the
competition. Several kinds of music are played and among them classic, rock, folk and
contemporary songs are most famous.
In the second phase some famous singers and musicians perform their own songs
and people enjoy this very much. Lots of people from different parts of the
country come to attend the show and enjoy the music.
I have attended the event several times and enjoyed every time to be there. The
event attracts lots of people and a festivity goes on surrounding this event. I
enjoy the music, the gathering and the festivity of this event.
Tips for answering this Cue card topic:
Talk about a ceremony or festival in your country when music is played. This can be a
national program, religious program, a local or traditional program or can be a theatre or
seasonal program when some kind of music is played and people sing. Tell the program name,
type of program, time of the year or season when it is performed and where it is performed. If
this is a local program, it held on your locality and if this is a religious or country wide
program, then you should mention the significance of this program.
After you tell about the program name, type and time, you should then talk about the reasons
you know this program and why you enjoy it. Since this is a music program, you do enjoy it
because of your love for the music and festival. If the musical program is rooted to religious
or patriot reason, you should mention that as well.
You should avoid describing a stage program or a concert that can occur anytime of the year
and has no great deal of importance nationally or locally. But think about any program which
takes place in your locality in every summer and people enjoys it or any national program
which takes place in every year and a lot of people participates in the musical program there.
Your preparation for this cue card would also help you answering the following cue cards:
1. Describe an event you attended and enjoyed.
2. Describe a musical program which you attended.
3. Describe an important event of your locality that you know about.
Describe something special you want to buy in the future.
You should say:
What it is?
What it is like?
When you intend to buy it?
And explain why you want to buy it.

What makes things to be special to you?
What makes a brand trust worthy?
What are some of the famous costume brands in your country?
What electronic devices are more common in your city?
Possible Answer:
I have a personal list (wish list you can say) that has many things that I want to buy in future.
One such special thing that I want to buy in near future is a personal car. I mostly use public
transportation to move from one place to another and to visit my hometown which is very
inconvenient. Owning a car would be a great advantage for me as I would be able to freely
move and visit my home town more frequently.
The car I want to buy is the Fusion Hybrid car by Ford. This is a stylish looking car which is
also fuel efficient. My preference would be white colour. I intend to buy it after 2-3 years as it
would allow me to save the money and apply for the car loan I need to purchase it.
There are so many advantages of owning a car especially in the city I live in. Maintaining the
perfect timing is pretty tough if you travel in a public bus. You would need to wait for the bus,
stay in the long queue for a long. And the frequency of the public buses and the number of
people do not allow one to maintain the timing one needs to keep. If I own my own car I'd be
able to avoid the usual bad traffic and take the alternatives roads. Travelling in a public bus is
inconvenient and you do not have any privacy in it. With my own car I'd be able to go to my
hometown and visit my parents more frequently than I do now.
Tips on answering this cue card questions:
This cue card should be an easy one for you to talk about as it gives you several options to
pick from. You can pick almost anything you want to buy in the future. Just highlight the facts
that you want to buy it because:
it would be very helpful for you....
you had a passion on that and you want to buy it.....
it would be very useful for you and for your family....
it would bring you some opportunities...
it is a luxury item that you wanted to own for a long time.... etc.
Some of the things you can mention which you want to buy in the future:
1. A cell/ mobile phone

2. A Laptop
3. A personal Car
4. A Book by a favourite Author
5. An electronic device like refrigerator, Television, washing machine etc.
6. A house/ apartment/ flat
7. A bicycle
8. A household appliance
9. A musical instrument
10. A sport instruments.
11. A share of a company
12. A machinery device for business use
13. A paint or portrait.
14. A rare antique item. etc.
If you can answer this cue card you should also be able to answer the following cue cards:
1. Describe something you recently bought.
2. Describe something you want to purchase.
3. Talk about a luxury item you want to buy.
4. Talk about a household appliance you want to buy.
5. Describe what you would buy if you have a lot of money.
Describe an old person you admire

You should say:
Who this person is?
How long you have known him/ her?
What qualities he/ she has?
And say why do you admire him/ her?

What are the qualities of people that attract you?
What special qualities do you have?
What are your strengths & weaknesses?
Possible Answer:
The aged person whom I really admire and like is my grandmother. From my childhood she
had been a caring person and loved me very much. Still she is a good friend of mine whom I
share many things. She is a benevolent and good person who possesses a good heart. She tries
to help others with her highest efforts. I know her from my childhood as she lives with us and
we have lots of happy memories together.
She is a successful mother of 4 persons including my father. She has devoted her life for her
kids and made them educated and established. She possesses a nice and charming personality
that illuminate people around her. She is a kind and a wise woman.
I love and admire her or many different reasons. The most important reason is because of her
unconditional love and affection for me. She is a good mentor who can shows me positive
ways and guide me in my distressed time. Talking to her is a soothing experience and the
story she tells is always attractive and full of morality. I have learned many positive attitudes
and good thinking from her. For all those reasons and a strong bonding between us I admire
her very much.

You can talk about one of your relatives who is is a senior citizen like your grandfather,
grandmother. If you talk about one of your grandparents, you would be able to give lots of
details since you know a lot about them. Alternatively, you can talk about one of the aged
persons who is your relative, neighbour, friend's grandparents, teacher, a renowned person of
your country who has great contribution in some ways.
It is advisory not to talk about a person who is dead. As the issue expects you to talk about the
old person who is alive and have some sort of interaction with you or had some intimacy or
influences on you. While describing the qualities s/he has, keep in mind that you should talk
in a way so that you can conclude by saying that you admire his/ her for all the previously
said qualities s/he has and because of your intimacy/ relationship with him/ her.
Usually we like a senior person for some of the following reasons:
S/he is a relative and has intimacy with us.
We have some good memories with this person. S/he ha does many things for us.
We are close to the person and we share our updates.
S/he is talented and gives us good advises when needed.
Is a successful person and exemplary for others.
Have some contributions for the betterment of others.
Is a honest/ brave an very talented person.
You have learned a lot from him/ her. He still gives you good advises.
Is kind and a well-wisher.
Is bit strange and you like his/her qualities.
Successful parents and led a great life.
You do some short of activities together.
Some similar Cue Card topics:

1. Describe someone in your family.
2. Describe a teacher from your past.
3. Descried a senior citizen you like.
4. Describe someone who is a successful person.
5. Talk about one of your neighbours.
6. Describe a person you often seek advice from.
7. Describe an old person you know.
8. Describe a person who led an idea life.
Describe someone you know who is a good cook

You should say:
Who this person is
How you know him or her
What kinds of food s/he cooks
and explain why this person is good at cooking

What are the prospects of building a career as a cook in your country?
What special dishes you want to taste? Why?
What traditional foods you would like your foreigner friends try?
Possible Answer:
I know some of my relatives who are good at cooking and I have heard about some famous
cooks, nationally and internationally, who have magical power of making delicious cuisines.
But I'd like to talk about my mother whom I think is the greatest cook of the world. I have
never enjoyed any menu more than the foods made by my mother. She is a gifted cook and
she has a good reputation of making delicious and tasty menu out of very ordinary
ingredients.
The way she arranges the kitchen and makes foods is lovely and in my childhood I used to
think that she had taken training on cooking. But she actually learned the cooking from her
family and was in charge of cooking for a large joint family. She is a graduate and I heard that
she has a passion of cooking as she took several subjects related to house-keeping and
cooking.
My mother was raised in a sub-urban area and got married at her 20 years of old. She
continued her education and then took charge of cooking in my father's family. I have heard
the appreciation of her cooking from many of our relatives and neighbours and felt proud of
her.
Finding her cooking gives me a feeling that it's not a hard task, rather it's an artistic
performance that the performer enjoys a lot. Sometimes I have been amazed to find her
making foods in no times for the guests.
She mostly makes foods for the family members and that includes cooking making breads,
rice, meats, fishes, burgers, sweet-meats, curry etc. For the festivals she makes cake, rich
foods, and snacks, local and foreign cuisines. I have found her cooking Chinese, Thai, Italian
and Mexican foods as well and that was always a wonder how she has learned those menus as
she has never travelled to those countries nor has taken any training on making those foods. It
will always be a mystery to me.
Tips for answering this Cue Card topic:

You can talk about one of your family members who you know is good at cooking.
Alternatively you can talk about a famous cook from your city and country. This cue card asks
you to talk about a person who is a good cook. So you can describe a famous cook who is not
personally known to you but you have heard about him/her from newspaper, internet or TV.
But specifically mention that you have heard about his/her cooking skills and fames from a
source and never met him / her personally.
You can also talk about your mother/ sisters or grandmother and describe her cooking ability.
Talking about a family member/ friend or relative would help you describing them in details
and you would be able to give more information about them than a famous cook who you
know very little.
Interestingly, males are also good at cooking so you can pick your father, uncle or brother as
well and describe their cooking skills. It would be alluring to talk about yourself if you are a
good cook. But avoid that! Describing your cooking ability and skills as well as other
qualities would be bit tricky to talk about.
Things you should mention about the person who you would like to describe as a good
cook:
Can cook several dishes.
Has a natural talent of cooking foods.
People always appreciate the dishes s/he cooks.
S/he has learned cooking from his/her family and has no academic training on cooking.
Or, S/he has taken a course on cooking and thus his/ her interests on cooking grew up.
You should be able to answer the following cue cards as well if you prepare for this cue card
topic:
1. Describe a person of your family who has a special skill.
2. Describe something you learned from your family members.

3. Describe skill you have.
4. Describe a family member of your family.
5. Talk about one of your friends who has a skill you admire.
Describe a happy event of your life.

You should talk about:
What was the event?
When did it occur?
Why it was memorable and happy event for you?
Any give any details of the event.

What makes people happy?
Do you believe money can bring happiness in life?
Why childhood is the best time for so many people?
Possible Answer:
There are numerous happy events in my life that I can recall and among them I would like to
talk about the day that I was blessed with a little sister. This was an event that I still recall
vividly. I was then only 7-8 years old and when I saw a little angel was crying on my mother's
lap, I became the happiest man in the world. I was the only son of my parents and when I
heard that I will have another sibling, I got very excited and I was counting days when this
brother/ sister of mine will come. I speculated and imagined lots of things I would do with my
sibling. On the day that my sister came in to the world was one of the happiest days of my
life.
For the first time I felt a strong urge to kiss this little fairy child. She was so beautiful and
adorable that I thanked God for the gift. My mother asked me to hold her and kiss her but I
was afraid to touch her as I thought that might hurt her. I felt like I was flying on that day. My
mother gave birth of the baby in a hospital and I was so happy and attached by the event that I
denied to return home at night. I stayed in the hospital cabin for about 4-5 days till my mother
and sister came home. I came back home with the most precious gift of the world.

You are free to talk about any events of your life that made you happy. You should mention
the event, when it happened, what you did and how it made you happy. You can pick a topic
that you remember well and can describe fluently. Some of the events which generally make
us happy are given bellow that you can follow to generate ideas:
Someone gave you a gift.
One of your birthday celebrations.
You did a mentionable thing which was appreciated by others.
Your academic achievement like getting scholarship or doing remarkably well in

academic exams/ public exams.
You got the news to get admitted in an educational institute where you dreamed to
study.
You did something for the first time in like swimming, cycling, driving etc.
One of your relatives got healed from a diseases.
You got a job.
Your father/mother gave you a gift.
A newborn was born in your family.
You overcome an obstacle or bad habit you had.
You went to visit a new country/ city/ recreational place/ historic place.
You helped someone and s/he was very grateful for you.
News related to you was published in newspaper or was broadcasted in TV.
You were granted for a scholarship/ admission in a college/ university.
If you can answer this cue card question you would also be able to answer the following cue
card topics:
1. Describe a memorable event of your life.
2. Describe an achievement you have in your life.
3. Talk about an event when you helped someone.
4. Talk about an academic success you had.
5. Describe happy childhood memory you have.
6. Describe a gift you got in your childhood.
7. Describe a piece of news that made you very happy.
Describe one of your favourite photographs

You should say:
When was the photograph taken?
Why it is your one of the favourite photographs?
What significant memory do you have regarding this photograph?
and explain why it your favourite photograph

What do you think about 'Photography' as a career?
What makes a good photograph?
What are the improvements latest technology has bought in photography?
How often do you take photographs?
Possible Answer:
The photograph that was taken when I was only 4-5 years old with my parents, grandfather
and grandmother is one of my very favourite photographs. I do not have clear memory
regarding the event when the photograph was taken but I have seen it thousands times and
still I look at it with a delight and sadness. The photograph is a black-and-white one and later
I have enlarged it and framed it in my living room. The small kid (me), the grandparents and
young parents make the picture a really significant one to me. I look with amazement in to the
picture and sometimes can't believe I was so small and different looking at that time The
picture gives me a gloomy feelings as my grandfather and mother are no longer with us. In the
picture they seems so lively but I can't be with them anymore!
I was wearing a full sleeve shirt, full pant and a pair of red shoes. In the picture I was in the
middle and was sitting in a chair. Others were standing around me - my parents are on the
right and my grandparents are on the left. My father was very stylish and was wearing
fashionable dress in the picture. My grandfather had spectacles in his eyes and had his hair
back-brushed. My mother and grandmother were wearing traditional dresses but both looked
so fresh and happy in the picture.
This photograph is probably is my most favourite one ass it conveys my grandparents'
memory and depicts a happy family. Every time I look at this particular picture, it gives a
different sensation - mixture of happiness and sadness. This is a priceless possession to me
and I would like to keep it with me for the rest of my life.
Alternative Answer:
There was a time when photos were only taken by regular point-and-shoot-cameras, but now
everything has changed. With the help of mobile phones and computers, people are taking
billions of photos everyday from all parts of the world. I, myself, take so many pictures that I
sometimes forget which photograph I took and when I took it. There is this one photograph I
like the most. Its just beautiful
In this photograph I am carrying my niece and she is smiling up at me. I first saw the
photograph about a week ago. I didn't even know the photograph existed until my sister
showed it to me. I liked it so much that I made it the wallpaper background of my computer.
Now, whenever I open the lip of my laptop, the first thing I see is that picture.
The photo shows happiness. I think it was taken four years ago, and shows how time has
passed, how the world changes. After looking at the photograph, I remembered that my niece
was crying a lot and my sister was about to give her to the nanny. At that moment I decided to
step-in and hold her. Once I had her in my arms she got happy and smiled. At that perfect
moment the photograph was taken. The picture shows a time when I was happy. It also shows
at time when we all used to have an optimistic outlook of the world but now all optimism and
love has just vanished from my life.
The photograph was taken when I was only 4 years old. I was with my parents and
grandparents & its one of my very favorite pictures ever. I do not have clear memory
regarding the event when the photograph was taken but I have seen it a thousand times. To
this day I still I look at it with delight and sadness. I had it enlarged and framed; it hangs in
the living room where everyone can see the black and white. The small kid (me), the
grandparents and young parents make the picture a really significant one to me. I look with
amazement at the picture and sometimes I can't believe I was so small and different looking at
that time. The picture gives me a sense of melancholy since my grandfather & grandmother
are no longer with us. In the picture they seem so lively but I can't be with them anymore!
I was wearing a long sleeve shirt, pants and a pair of red shoes. In the picture I was in the
middle, sitting on a chair. Others were standing around me; my parents are on the right and
my grandparents are on the left. My father was very stylish and was dressed fashionably in the
picture. My grandfather was wearing spectacles and had his hair back-brushed. My mother
and grandmother were both wearing traditional dresses but both looked so fresh and happy in
the picture.
This photograph is probably is my most favorite one as it conveys my grandparents' memory
and depicts a happy family. Every time I look at this particular picture, I get the feeling of
bittersweetness. This is a priceless possession to me and I would like to keep it with me for
the rest of my life.
Tips for answering this Cue Card Topic:

This cue card asks you to describe a photo/ photograph which is your favouritre and where
you have been. Do no get confused about the question as you might get allured to describe
photo of your father/ grandfather or a friend. You should talk about the photograph where you
were present. It can a solo picture of your ort can be group photo where you were present.
Try to describe a photo which is related to some short of memory. Following are some of the
ideas for such photographs:
Your childhood photograph.
Your birthday photograph.
Your graduation day photograph.
A photograph with your friends.
A photograph with your family members.
Describe who are present in the photograph, when this was taken, who took it, how you have
saved it, what memories it remind you and other aspects of the photograph.
Some similar Cue Card Topics:
1. Describe something important you own.
2. Describe a photograph that you really like.
3. Describe something you would like to keep for a long time.
4. Talk about an old thing you still have.
5. Describe a family photograph you have.
A positive change of your life.

You should say:
What the change about
When it happened
Describe details of the change happend
And describe how it affected you later life

What changes do you want to make in your life?
Do you believe we can control our own fate? How?
What three changes you would want to see in your country?
Possible Answer:
The positive change that I would like to talk about is I started playing outdoor games instead
of playing computer games. After I got my first personal computer when I was only 9 years
old or so, I started learning many things. Besides that I started playing the computer games.
As computer games are addictive I found that I was playing the games whenever I had spare
times. This addiction barred me from playing outdoor games like cricket, football etc.
I found myself very much attracted to the computer games and I preferred to play the games
at home instead of going to open spaces or fields to participate in outdoor games that involve
physical exercises. Not that computer games are all so bad, but playing them all the time
someone has got is not a good thing especially for kids. I found that I was spending more
times at home than being outside. After my parents noticed that, they discussed with me about
that and explained me the importance of outdoor activities. They gave me strict restriction that
I would only be able to play computer games for an hour daily and in the evening Id have to
go outside to play with my friends.
This was obviously a very positive change for me. Im not against computer games but I feel
that if there are more important things to do, then we should not spend time on computer
games only.
This change affected me very positively. I became a good cricket player later on, I started
maintaining my times more prudently and I am sure this change has affected me positively in
terms of physical and mental health.

Talk about a changed which has brought something positive to you. You would need to
describe how this change has positively affected you life so talk about something which has
later on proved to be very helpful for you. You can talk about a decision or action of yours
which later on have been proved to be positive. You can also mention about a bad habit you
abandoned, a decision you took or an advice you took which brought positive things in your
life. This would vary from person to person and following are of the ideas to talk about this
topic:
You abandoned one of your bad habits like smoking.
You started doing exercises and that has made changes in your health.
You have decided to study on a subject rather than what your parents wanted you to
study on.
You took a training or diploma course and that has helped you to get a good job.
You have started being more social and thus you now have some good friends.
You abandoned your grudge or ego against a relative or friend and now you have good
relations.
You took a part time job and that helped you.
You started doing more outdoor activities than spending times at home.
You started learning a language and that has helped you.
You started exploring some skills in you and thus have focused on those skill set.
Some experience or conversation has changed your perspective on an issue.
You have moved to a city from a rural area.
You have started helping people after you realized it from one of the incident in your
life.
You started helping your family members on their tasks.
You became more dedicated to something.
You started participating extra curricular activities like debating, reading, blogging,
cycling, swimming etc.
Your preparation for this Cue Card would also help you answering the following cue card
topics:
1. Describe a skill you have.
2. Describe a success in your life.
3. Talk about an important event of your life.
4. Describe a change you would like to have in you.
5. Describe something you want to do in the future.

6. Describe a lesson you would participate in the future.
7. Describe a bad habit you had.
8. Describe an activity you want to get involved.
9. Describe a skill you do not have.
10. Talk about something you started doing lately.
11. Describe a change you think was positive in your life.
Answers Submitted by our students:
Answer 1:
I have started focusing on me and have started exploring a new me and that is a very positive
change for me. For the last 20 years of my life I was a typical girl who never thought for
herself and did her duties and responsibilities for others.
Time was going on and my life was also going on with time in a very banal way. There was
no value of time, value of life, value of thought. Only there was a tough routine that I had to
follow and dedicate myself for others. I do not have any complaints dedicating me for the
benefit of others, but that was so typical that I forgot my own existence and my own dreams.
My dreams were surrounded by someone special. Its all about someone whom I loved more
than my life. But the moment I realized that with whom I nurture all of my dreams, is lost in a
very different world where I do not have special place, I was broken and shaken up. That
realization initially gave me a feeling of being a looser and helpless one. It forcefully pulled
me at the end of the world and I totally lost my confidence, believe in believing and did not
seek any reason to live.
In that regrettable moments, I never stopped thinking and I asked questions to myself even
when I was asleep. I was started regaining my confidence after I started realizing the fact and
reality. I was determined to hit the sky and not to feel like a looser.
I will never forget the great contributions my friends had overcoming this fatal time and they
advised me why I have to love myself and explore my own dreams even after someone has
shattered my dreams. They helped me to get out from my dilemma. They reminded me who
am I, who could I be I.
The perception of life, reality and dreams seems like have changed in me and I am happy for
the changes. It has helped me find the reality, a new me. Now I love myself even more with
my every possibility and dream. Now I am taking a journey to look forward and reach a
definite goal I have. I dont know where it would go but I learnt to walk alone, confidently
and I love my own reflection.
inShare0
View Comments
IELTS Speaking... Cue Card

A famous person you know in your country.
You should say:
Who the person is?
Why he is famous?
What makes you mention specifically him/ her?
and describe what positive changes this person has brought for your country?
What makes people famous?
What are the differences between a famous person and an ordinary person?
Tell about one internationally famous person in your country.
Possible Answer:
I am from Australia and Hugh Jackman is one of the most famous persons in my country. His
full name is Hugh Michael Jackman and he was born in 1968. He is a famous and critically
acclaimed actor, producer and revered superstar for his superb performance in TV, film and
musical theatre.
He is well known for the superhero character Wolverine in the X-Men series and his leading
roles in many well-known movies like Australia, Kate & Leopold, Les Misrables, Van
Helsing, The Prestige, Real Steel, and Prisoners.
I mention specifically him because Im a big fan of his acting and performance. I have seen
almost all of his movies and TV serials and consider him to one of the worlds most
prominent actors alive.
He was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and graduated from University of Technology,
Sydney, in 1991 with a BA in Communications.
He is a philanthropist and is an active supporter for micro-credit. He is also one of the
founders and the global advisor for the Global Poverty Project. Besides he is an ambassador
of World Vision and participated in the climate week NYC ceremony. He is also an active
supporter and donator for different charity and social welfare programs.
Through his acting, fame and donation he is trying to fight poverty and is trying to help the
people in need. Thats a great way of extending hand for people in need and can be exemplary
for others.
He is a world renowned actor and is revered by his countrymen. Through his acting he has
increased the impression of an Australian born actor and through his charity and philanthropic
activity he is helping others.

Talk about a famous person from your country. S/he can be a famous person from any
profession and you should be able to gives some statistics on her/ his life and achievements
and successes. Not necessarily you have to describe a famous person who is still alive. You
can talk about a famous deceased person who is famous and is from your country. Usually we
know more details about famous writers, politicians, movie personnel and sportsmen than
other famous persons. Pick someone about someone you would be able to give some details.
Some of the ideas for taking about a famous person:
A famous leader or political figure in your country.
A famous writer or a poet.
A famous movie star.
A famous sportsman.
A famous business man.
A famous scientist.
A famous inventor.
A famous artist.
If you prepare for this cue card question, you should be able to answer the following cue card
topics as well:
1. Describe a writer you know about.
2. Describe a successful sportsman in your country.
3. Talk about a famous person you would like to meet.
4. Describe a political leader you admire.
5. Talk about a scientist from your county.
6. Talk about a person who is well known in your country.
7. Describe a person you really admire.
8. Describe a successful person from your country.
7. Talk about a person who has great contribution in your country.
Describe a library that you visited

You should say:
Where it was?
What it looked like?
What facilities it had?
And explain what influence it had on you and how you felt about it?
Why library is important?
What facilities do you expect from a library?
What type of book do you like to read? Why do you like them?
Possible Answer:
The library Id like to talk about that I visited is Illumination Library (Tell the name of a
library from your home town) and it is situated in my home town. I have not visited this
particular library for the last 2-3 years as I am not living in my hometown any longer and yet
this is the library I will always remember. This library is situated at the centre of our home
town and occupies the whole 3 story building. There are plenty of books there and the library
offers variety of books, novels, research papers, magazines and many more for people of
different tastes.
The books are well catalogued and arranged in a convenient fashion. There are more than 3-4
librarians and several other assistants to help find any book. The library also offers
membership facility and the active members are allowed to take books to home. Since the
library is funded by government the membership fee is very negligible and affordable for
students, there are lots of people visiting and reading there.
People of our hometown consider this library as the best place to gather knowledge, read in
peace and to find reference books for study or professional reasons.
For me this library has a great influence on me. I became a member of this library when I was
only 7 years old. My reading habit has been grown up from there. I became a passionate
reader of books and novels and this library had a great influence on that. This library also
helped me finishing some academic projects as I could find books and reference reading
materials. I have read plenty of books in my childhood and adolescence time only because the
library was conveniently there for me.

You can talk about any library you have visited including your college/ university library. If
the questions would have asked you to describe a famous library, then it would have been bit
tricky, but answering this cue card should be easy as we all know what the purposes of the
library and what people do there. Start describing the library (location, interior and exterior),
the types of facility if offers and the types of books it has. Then say your activities in this
library what you did there. Following are some hints to help you answering this cue card
topic:
Location: In my hometown/ In my area/ In the city centre/ in my college or university/ in a
different city where I visited etc.
Description: It is a 4 story building, has more than 20,000 books and journals, the
environment is quiet and neat, the staffs are helpful, the books are arranged based on writer
and topics, some modern facilities like digital index and searching facilities are available, only
few minutes away from the place I live now etc.
Facilities: Membership facility, digital index, staffs are educated and helpful, we can take
books home, several types of books, novels, journal and other reading materials are available,
it is funded by the local administration and Government and cost very little for the reader,
people can stay as long as they want, open 7 days a week, great collection of academic and
subject oriented books etc.
Influences it has on you: You have got many helps from the academic and reference books it
has, your reading habit has been enriched because of this library, it offer many facilities, you
can take book home thus your family members can also read the books you take home, a good
place to spend time.
If you can answer this cue card you should be able to answer the following cue cards as well:
1. Describe one of your favourite places.
2 .Describe a library you know about.
3. Talk about a place where you often go to.
4. Describe an activity you have.
5. Talk about a public place in your hometown.
6. Describe a public library.
Describe a bad weather experience you do have.

You should say:
what sort of bad weather it was
when it happened
where you were when it happened
and explain how it affected you.

Follow up Questions:
What are the main seasons in your country?
What environmental changes have you noticed in your country?
What should we do to protect the environmental pollutions?
Possible answer:
The experience I would like to talk about took place 4-5 years back and I was a college
student at that time. One day I heard that my uncle is sick and my parents asked me to give
him a visit. Since my college was closed at that time, I decided to go to my uncle's house. The
journey towards my uncle's house took me 7-8 hours and I had to take a bus, then a boat and
finally walk for 2 kilometers to reach the house.
The place was in a remote urban area and there was no direct bus or train communication
there. However, the journey I took to reach there was enjoyable and I had good times at my
uncle's house. I was glad to see him getting well and spent some quality time with my
cousins. After 2-3 days I said goodbye to my uncle, aunt and cousins and took my journey
toward my home. They were convincing me to stay few days more but I could not as my
classes were due to start.
I left my uncle's house at 3:00 pm and the weather was cloudy. The weather was
comparatively good even when I got on a big boat to reach the town to pick a bus. But after
30 minutes or so, the sky all of a sudden became intimidating. The lightening and the sound of
it gave an impression that a heavy rain is approaching. But instead of rain a devastating storm
hit in and the boat-men failed to control the navigation of the boat. People became so scared
that they started praying to God. I was very frightened as well.
At a point I started feeling that the boat might sink and I might never reach home alive. The
storm showed no signal to calm down and the powerful wind blowing was trying to take away
everything from its way. The wind was blowing from every side and we could not see
anything nearby or distant.
The boat-men yelled and asked us to hold something strongly and get prepared to swim to the
nearby land if needed. I knew how to swim but I found 2-3 persons were crying as they did
not know how to swim. Their screaming made the situation even worse and I felt a strong
urge to stay alive. I am not sure how long this shattering storm lasted but to me it seemed for
eternity. Later I found that, the strong lasted for about 40 minutes and the boat has reached to
a completely different place. By the time the storm has pacified, we were grateful to be alive.
We found 1 woman and a kid have become sick and were vomiting in fear and for the sudden
impact of heavy storm. I reached to a highland and sat on a shop for about 15 minutes to
realize what just happened. I have some other bad weather experience but no other one was a
life threat as this one was.
After I reached home, I did not tell my parents about it. I told them the truth after 1 week. I
will never forget the experience I had on this way back journey from my uncle's house.
To describe a bad weather experience you need to talk about both the bad weather and your
experience of this bad weather. A bad weather can be a heavy rain, show, storm, stormy wind,
flood, heavy tide in a river etc. Do not talk about natural disaster like earthquake, tsunami,
volcanic eruption, accident in the road as they are not usually a bad weather. Note that you
must describe how you got stuck in to this weather and what happened to you. Do not talk
about about a bad weather experience you heard from someone as this cue card asks you to
talk about your own experience. However you can say that because of the bad weather you
were stuck at home and suffered a lot. But talking about a journey you took and faced a bad
weather would be a better answer for this cue card topic.
Following are some of the ideas to help you talk about this cue card:
1. You took a journey and all of a sudden the bad weather appeared.
2. You did not have any option to quickly get to a safe place.
3. The weather so was devastating that it was life threatening.
4. You were stuck in this bad weather for more than 2-3 hours.
5. You were bit frightened and you found people were afraid as well.
6. When you left home, the weather was perfectly okay but all of a sudden it changed.
7. After the devastating experience ended you were so relieved.
8. This is an experience you will never forget.
If you prepare for this cue card you should also be able to answer the following cue card
topics:
1. Describe a bad experience of your life.
2. Describe a natural disaster you have seen.
3. Describe a bad journey you have had.
4. Talk about one of your memorable events.
5. Describe a storm you have seen.
6. Describe a journey you wish you did not have.
7. Talk about an experience when you felt helpless.
8. Describe one of your frightening experiences.
Answers submitted by students:
Answer 1:
It was probably July of 2010 and it was a rainy reason when I had to experience a bad weather
and the experience was so bad that I still remember it clearly. Our local area was a
comparatively low area, and the rainy reason often caused us trouble.
It started with heavy rain and the rain continued without any cease for a week. This causes the
roads and fields overflowing by waters. We knew that the rainy reason has started. One night
we wake up suddenly in the middle of the night and felt that something is wrong. I noticed
that the water has reached at our house and was approaching to our floor. I was bit afraid and
called my mother. Our entire family members wake up and within an hour the water was all
around the room.
There was nothing to do and we found that people in our locality have wake up and had been
busy to move their furniture to safe places. In the meantime the water level has reached to
well over our floor and most of our furniture was staying in the water.
I was not quite grown up then and I felt a great anxiety because of the sudden hit if the flood.
My parents tried to console me and assured me that we will be safe in few hours. But my gut
feelings told me that things are not going to be okay. I felt helpless and prayed to God so that
he takes away the water from our house. This was the first time when I noticed the
devastating form of the flood. As it was the first flood experience in my life, I could not
imagine what was happening and how would we get away from it. The night was sleepless
and the next morning we took the valuable furniture and other belonging to one of our
relatives house who stayed at the 6th floor of a building. We kept the rest of the furniture in
our house in the flood water.
My parents sent me to my grandfathers house which was in a different city where flood did
not hit and after few days they also came there to get rid of the flood. We stayed at our
grandfathers house for about 15 days and returned home after the floor water decreased and
went away.
Describe an important invention that you think has

positively influenced human race.
You should say:
What is the invention?
Who invented it?
What changes did it make?
and explain how it has positively influenced human race.

Mention 2 famous scientists in your country?
Why should we invest more in research?
What is the single most important invention in your opinion?
Possible Answer:
It is really tough to pick one particular scientific invention that had positively influenced
human race as there are possibly hundreds and thousands of such inventions. I would like to
pick the 'Light Bulb' as one such invention that has very positively influenced human race.
This single invention of science has uplifted the human race towards prosperity and modern
world. Think about a world without any lights in the dark and we would have been no
different than living in a cave. The great scientist Thomas Edison is credited to invent the light
bulb and till then many improvements have been done to it.
The bulb is the main source of illumination and light at night time when the Sun is hiding in
the opposite side of the world. We are so habituated with the electricity and light bulbs that we
might wonder if it is a life changing invention or not.
But think about living your life for few days without the bulbs and then you would realize the
true importance of this single invention. Some may argue that fuel powered lighting system
could have been alternative to it, but the reality is that, that would have been too expensive
and could not have been an easy source for lighting the houses,
Think about the other living beings other than human; they mostly get back to their living
place in the evening and except some nocturnal animals and birds, most of them stay at their
living place till the morning.
They rarely do anything at night and that's because they are afraid of dark and have no vision
to see at night. As human, we could have some lighting system if we did not know how to
light a bulb but that would not have been so widespread without the invention of light bulb.
Scientific inventions are interrelated and one invention or theory inspired and accelerates the
invention of other important inventions.
Light bulb is one such invention that has inspired the invention and research of other
inventions. This is the single invention that has made us free from being active only at day
time when the sun is there.

This cue card should be an easy one if you can talk about any important invention, a bit about
the inventor and how this invention has affected our lives. Note that invention and discovery
are different.
Discovery is exploring and finding out something that preexisted and nothing new to the
world. Only people did not know till the discovery if it existed or not. Meanings of discovery
are: to make known; reveal; disclose and from these meaning we can find that discovering
means to reveal something of finding something that already existed but we did not know
where. For instance, discovering America.
On the other hand Invention is creating/ giving idea or making something entirely new either
using objects that preexist to create something entirely new or to create something that is first
of its kind. Meanings of invention are: to come upon, to create. From the meaning we can say
that invention is creating something entirely new of its kind. To invent this new thing the
inventor may use preexisting materials but the final outcome has to be completely new. For
instance, we say invention of telephone.
You would need to talk about a famous invention as the cue card asks you to talk about that
has positively affected the entire human race. Very insignificant inventions may have affected
some people of a certain geographic location but there are many inventions like telephone,
computer, television have greatly affected the whole human race. So to perfectly talk about
such invention you should talk about such an invention that has affected the lifestyle of the
people of the world and are widely used in the world.
Following are some of the most influential inventions that you can talk about. Pick an
invention and get some idea of this invention and practice talking about it.
1. Telephone
2. Computer
3. Television
4. Automobile
5. Camera
6. Sewing Machine
7. Steam Engine
8. Light bulb
9. Paper
There are several other important inventions in the history that has changed the world. But in
the above list you would notice that only the very common inventions that we know from our
daily use have been added so that you can talk about these known inventions. Pick an
invention and do some Googling. You would get details information about the invention and
you should take some notes from those details to prepare for this cue card topic.
If you can answer this cue card, you should also be able to answer the following topics:
1. Describe something that has changed the world.
2. Describe a tools or device that you know about.
3. Talk about an important invention of the history.
4. Describe an electronic device that you use.
5. Talk about an invention that has made our life easier.
6. Describe an inventor who has a great contribution to the world.
7. Talk about an electronic device that you use at your home.
8. Describe an important modern invention.
Describe a foreign country you have planned to visit
You should say:
Where is the country?
When are you planning to go there?
Why have you planned to go there?
And explain details of your planning to visit the country

Follow-up questions:
Say something about the tourism development in your country, facility, services and
the effect on environment.
What is the importance of travel and tourism industry?
What do you think the function of tourist guides?
What steps should Government take to make the Tourism more attractive to
foreigners?
Possible Answer:
I have planned to visit Greece after my graduation is done. I have a relative there and he has
invited me to visit his family several times. Earlier this year when I was promoted to the final
year of my graduation, I have planned to visit at least one foreign country just after my
graduation day. I have considered many countries and finally planned to visit Greece. It is a
country in southern Europe and has around 11 million populations.
I have planned to visit Greece in the middle of the next year and would stay there for about
one month. The relative I have there is my maternal uncle and he lives at Athens with his
family. There is a good chance that I will be staying with them during my visit there. Greece
is a culturally rich country that offers the visitors and tourists a lot of amazing activities,
splendid sceneries, museums, diverse culture and many more. The museums, archaeological
sites and the tours offer the chance to closely know the history of this country. The islands are
the main characteristic of Greeces morphology and have become a big part of their custom
and culture.
There are 2-3 main reasons I would like to visit the country. First, the invitation to visit my
maternal uncle has been pending for several years and I thought it a good chance to meet
them. Second, I am a big fan of mythology and Greek mythology was one of my most
interesting readings for the last few years. Those stories have been so profoundly entertaining
and thought provoking and suddenly I found a great desire to visit the place in person. Though
things have changed there with time but the archaeological sites and museum would walk a
visitor though the past and present and would amaze them.
This is an ideal place to stay and enjoy. This is a country of crossroad color of culture, history,
diversity, warmth of friendliness, expectation, discover and expedition. For all those reasons I
have decided to visit Greece in the next year.
Tips for answering this Cue Card Question:

Talk about a country other than yours. If you have already visited a country, you can talk
about this country but mention that you want to visit it instead you have visited it. Talking
about a country that you know about would give you some advantages to talk about it. This
cue card asks you to talk about your planning to visit the county not the details of the country
about it. So mention mostly about your planning and few details about the country itself. Most
of the people know more about the neighboring countries so you can also talk about your
neighboring country.
As part of your planning mention some of the following things:
I have been planning to visit this country for a long.
I will go there with my friends /family members and all of us looking forward to be
there.
We have surf internet to know about the interesting and famous tourists spots there
and we have a rough planning about the places we will visit and the things we will do
there.
One of our relatives stay there and that's why it would be easier for us to get help
there.
This is already a famous tourists destination and we will stay there for more than 2
weeks so that we can extensively travel there.
We are attracted about the culture and custom of this country and would definitely
enjoy our stay.
As part of our planning to visit this country we have already done a rough estimation
and planned our budget for it.
We have heard about this country and their culture and tourists spots.
Your preparation for this cue card would help you answer the following cue card topics as
well:
1. Describe a country you want to visit in the future.
2. Describe a foreign country you have visited.
3. Talk about your plan to visit a famous historical place.
4. Describe your idea of visiting a foreign country.
5. Describe a city you have visited.
6. Talk about a foreign culture you know about.
7. Describe one of your neighboring countries.
Describe a thing that you possess and which is important

to you.
You should say:
What is it and who gave it to you
What's the specialty of it
Would you ever give it to someone else
and explain why it is important to you

What are the changes of city between now and past?
Does money represent happiness and why?
How do you regard as the things people want to earn?
Possible Answer:
My cell phone is very important to me as it helps me communicating my friends, family
members, teachers and gets me connected with the people I care. I use internet in my cell
phone, check my mails, update my blog, track the statistics of my website, send and receive
SMS, play games, listen to music, take pictures and then share in my Facebook, Google plus
and twitter profile. Besides these I do lots of other things in my cell phone including using
important apps, reading e-books, using it as a modem to use internet in my PC etc. My father
game me the money to buy a cell phone and I bought the HTC desire X cell phone from an
authorized seller. So my father actually gave the mobile phone to me.
This smart phone has versatile usages and is very special to me. I spent a significant time with
this device and some of them are very positive for me like updating my blog and reading ebooks. This is a small device with approximately 6.5 x 4 inch dimension but it is a powerful
tool and the internet connection in it makes it even more powerful. The first and foremost
specialty of this device is that it lets me get connected with my family members and friends.
Second, it is an amusement and recreational device that lets me play games and listen to
music. Third, I can update my social networking profiles and get updates of my friend right
from my cell phone. I had to go to a cyber cafe to check an email or to send one before I
purchased this smart phone. Now I have this handy device that I can easily use to connect to
internet. Since this is an android OS device I can download many application and tutorials and
learn new things. Sometimes I take photos and then share it with my friends. Communication
has become so easy and convenient with the help of this cell phone.
Yes, if needed I can give this device to someone who I care about but I will then have to own
another one. It's not like I will give this cell phone to someone and then would stop using any
cell phone or switch to an ordinary phone. What I mean is, I can give this particular phone to
someone but can't stop using a Smartphone.
Technological advantages have made things easier especially communication and my cell
phone is a really unavoidable and inevitable device to me.

This cue card question asks you to talk about something you posses and which is useful to
you. Since the questions implies that it is a tangible thing you should not talk about something
you can't touch like your painting habit, your music lessons, some advise you got from
someone etc. You can talk about one of the following devices or things that you have and
important to you:
Your cell phone.
Your laptop or computer.
A gift you got from someone.
Your certificate.
A famous book or CD.
Your pager or land phone.
Your gaming device
Your exercise instruments.
One of your household appliance.
Your notebook.
A car you own.
A motorbike you have.
A greeting card/ letter you got.
A musical or sports instrument. etc.
You should talk about the thing, how you use it, how it is helpful to you and of you would
give it someone or not.
Mention some of the points regarding this thing mentioned bellow:
1. This was a special gift from a family members or from a friend.
2. You use it daily and you will have a difficult time if you lose it.
3. You become depended on it and it helps you to communicate with others/ help you enhance
your knowledge.
4. It helps you to do exercise and thus helps you keep your body and mind fit.
5. You learn something using it.
6. It has some memory related to someone and thus it is important to you.
7. This is a valuable possession and you do not want to lose it.
8. You would give to someone who you really care and s/he needs that more than you do.
9. You would not give to someone random because it is very useful to you.
Some similar cue card topics you can also answer if you prepare for this cue card:
1. Describe a gift which is very useful to you.
2. Talk about a possession you have and you do not want to lose.
3. Describe something you use often.
4. Talk about a useful electronic device you have.
5. Describe a household appliance you own.
Describe a shopping center you often go to

You should say:
Where is the shopping center
How often do you go to the center
Why do you often go to it and its characteristics
and explain why do you go there often

Will smaller shops survive in the current business system?

What are the characteristics of shopping malls and smaller shops and their
difference?
What is the trend of future shopping centers?
Talk about Internet shopping
Possible Answer:
The shopping center that I often go to and would like to talk about is (...tell a shopping center
name from your city....). This is the largest shopping center of the city and is probably the
most popular one. This shopping center is at the middle of the city and is 20 storied. You can
find almost everything in this shopping center and the price and quality of the products make
it a popular shopping mall where people from all classes come to shop. You name it and you
can find it here; from grocery shop to 3d cinema, food court to play ground, gym and
thousands of shopping shops are there. The market authority imposes a strict rule about the
quality and price and that's why you can find products at a reasonable price here. The neat and
clean environment, the rigid security, the arranged shops and shopping convenience are the
main reasons I visit this shopping mall very often. There is a dedicated floor only for social
gathering and there you can sit and talk to your friends as long as you like.
I go there almost 2-3 times in a months. If there are more shopping to do or before any
festival I go there more than 2-3 times. I go there not only for shopping but also some times
for social gathering, party, to have lunch or dinner or to watch a movie.
There are many positive reasons why this shopping center is popular among the visitors and
shoppers including security, reasonable price, shopping convenience, position of the shopping
center, and convenience of parking, open space and neat environments. The interior and
exterior of the shopping mall is very attractive. In the front of the building you will find a
large open space; like a big park or garden. You can seat there for a long and no one is going
to ask you to go away!
Tips for Answering this Cue Card Topic:

This cue card should be an easy one for you to talk about as you already know some shopping
centers. Just visualize a shopping center you often go and tell the location of this shopping
center, how you go to this shopping center, what you do there, what type of stores are
available there and what products could be found there. You should also give a details of this
shopping center like the type of building it is situated it, how many floors are there, what type
of famous brand shops are there, the type of people go there, and why you go there.
Before you start talking about this cue card topic, take some notes on the above points and
start talking. Taking notes on cue card topic and questions in the given one minute is
important and you should take notes and write down the points before you start talking about
it. The notes help you focus on these points and would help you talk about the topic without
pause and mumbling.
For this cue card take the following notes and then start talking about this topic in details:
Name of the Shopping center: Example City Shopping Center.
Where it is: Example: It is in the center of the city and beside the auditorium.
How often I go there: I go this shopping center at least 2 times in a month. Sometimes I go
there more often if I need to buy necessary things more often. Besides, I sometimes meet my
friend at the food court of this shopping mall.
Why I go there: The Shopping mall is situated in a convenient location and I can reach there
easily. This shopping center has more than 500 stores and I can get almost everything I need
to purchase from there. The prices are reasonable and good quality products could be found
there. As a modern shopping center, it offers a comfortable and safe shopping experience and
that's why I mostly go there. Finally, the food court is a good place for having foods and
spending times with friends. I often go there to meet my friends as it is a convenient meeting
location for us.
Characteristics: It is a modern shopping center with tight security. The possibility of
vandalism and bad occurrence is very low. The shops are arranged conveniently and the
shopping center offers a good shopping environment.
How I go there: I usually go there in my personal car/ I go there in public bus and it takes
only 2 minutes to reach there.
If you can answer this cue card you should also be able to answer the following cue cards:
1. Describe a place where you often go.
2. Describe one of your favourite places where you meet your friends.
3. Talk about a public place where you often go.
4. Describe a public place in your city/ hometown.
5. Describe your favoutire dinning place.
6. Talk about a popular place in your city.
7. Describe a place where you often gather with your friends.
8. Talk about a building or architecture.
9. Talk about a shopping mall you often go for shopping.
10. Describe a popular place near your home.

Cue Card 2

Încărcat de

Informații document

Descriere originală:

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Cue Card 2

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Describe a friend from your childhood

You should say:

How did you first meet?

How long have you been friends?

What did you two do together?

What made you like him/ her?

and explain your friendship

Why childhood is important for us?

What changes have you gone through from your childhood?

Tips for answering this cue card question:

A speech that somebody delivered and you heard.

Who gave the speech?

What was the central topic of the speech?

Why did it touch you?

and explain why did you like / dislike the speech

What are the important aspects of a good speech?

What makes a person a good speech giver?

Tips for answering this cue card topic:

A speech given by your school teacher.

A speech delivered by a local politician that addresses a public issue.

A speech given by a social worker that touched you.

A speech delivered by the presenter of a social program.

Describe a hotel you have stayed in

Where is the Hotel?

Why did you stay at that particular hotel?

and explain what makes the hotel special?

What are some good hotels in your city?

What qualities make a hotel a good one?

Tips for answering this cue card topic:

Describe an important letter that you received.

Who wrote it to you?

What the letter was about?

How you felt about the letter?

And explain why it was important.

Why should we write letters to friends and relatives?

What are the important qualities of a good letter?

Tips for answering this cue card topic:

An important letter can be one of the following types:

A confirmation letter from an organization or government office that confirms that

A letter from a relative that gives the news of a new born.

A letter from your parents about one of your achievements.

A letter that gives the news of your outstanding performances or achievements.

I was eagerly waiting to know that.

I was enchanted to know that I have achieved it.

I was very happy to know that .

Describe what you usually do in your leisure time.

You should say:

What do you do?

Who you do this with?

Where you do it?

What are some constructive leisure time activities?

How leisure time activities have changed in the last 10 years?

What type of activity you would suggest to your kids?

Tips for answering this cue card question:

Take your parents or children outside for walking.

Play indoor games like chess, computer games etc.

Go out for walking, running or for other form of exercise.

Take care of the garden you have.

You visit your friends and spend time with them.

You watch TV, movies or listen to music.

You do some freelancing jobs.

You write for your blogs and surf internet.