Popular Cue Card Topics for the IELTS Speaking Test

“I have been told the IELTS Speaking Test has three tasks. Which of these tasks use the cue card type?” Leo, 33, optometrist

Being in an interview can bring out different sorts of emotions. Some feel nervous, while some are so relaxed. Different people deal with interviews quiet differently. However, in the International English Language Testing System examination, speaking test always cause cold feet to candidates. The reason behind this is the one-on-one interview assessment done by a native English speaker. With three different tasks to be completed, one must handle the test with confidence and grace.

Cue card question is one of the tasks in the IELTS speaking test. In this part of the exam, the interviewer hands a cue card to the candidate where instructions are printed. The candidate is given a minute to prepare and another couple of minutes to respond to the task. What the candidate needs to do is to make sure all questions asked are responded. They have to be reminded that they cannot pick a question, so getting familiar with the topics is a must. Here are some popular topics for the cue card assessment in the IELTS speaking test.

 

Describe a well-known person you like or admire. You should say: -          Who this person is -          What this person has done -          Why this person is well-known and explain why you admire this person.

Describe a song or a piece of music you like. You should say: -          What the song or music is -          What kind of song or music it is -          Where you first heard it and explain why you like it.

Describe one of your friends. You should say: -          How you met -          How long  you have known each other -          How you spend time together and explain why you like this person.

Describe a festival that is important in your country. You should say: -          When the festival occurs -          What you did during it -          What you like or dislike about it and explain why this festival is important.

Describe someone in your family who you like. You should say: -          How this person is  related to you -          What this person looks like -          What kind of person he/she is and explain why you like this person.

Describe something healthy you enjoy doing. You should say: -          What you do -          Where you do it -          Who you do it with and explain why you think doing this is healthy.

Describe a game or sport you enjoy playing. You should say: -          What kind of game and sport it is -          Who you play it with -          Where you play it and explain why you enjoy playing it.

Describe an important choice you had to make in your life. You should say: -          When you had to make this choice -          What you had to choose between -          Whether you made a good choice and explain how you felt when you were making this choice.

Describe a party that you enjoyed. You should say: -          Whose party it was and what it was celebrating -          Where the party was held and who went to it -          What people did during the party and explain what you enjoyed about this party.

Describe an idea you had for improving something at work or college. You should say: -         When and where you had your idea -          What your idea was -          Who you told about your idea and explain why you thought your idea would make an improvement.

Now here are two sample responses for questions numbers 3 and 6.

I come from a very big group of friends but I am particularly close with Ernie. Ernie and I have been friends since we were seven years old. It was in a school activity when I met him. We were first graders and I saw him sitting alone on a bench. I approached him and asked to sit down with him. Since that day, we were always seen together playing and having snacks together. We were in the same school from elementary to high school. Though we went to different universities, we still had time to meet after our classes or on weekends. Now, he is working as a nurse and I work as a teacher. On weekends, we always hangout watching movies, trying new restaurants and even just staying at his place or mine. What I like best about Ernie is his sense of humor. He has never failed to make me laugh. I guess though we come from different fields, our minds never clash and there is always something interesting to talk about when we are together. No dull moments between us.

Number 6

People do different things to be healthy. As for me, I enjoy going to the gym. Working out has been my hobby for the past few years. I was a little chubby when I was younger and I got scared of the possible sickness I might acquire as I grew older. I decided to enrol in Holiday Spa here in Davao. At first, I was hesitant but I was constantly encouraged by my friends who I went with in the gym. It has been three years now and I have lost some weight. For me, working out is not only to shed fat. It is also a way for me to relieve stress at work. People should not think that people who work out are those who are fat or chubby. Though you are thin or average built, exercising is recommended to be strong and healthy.

Try making sample responses in other questions and be familiar in making responses for the IELTS. 

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