IELTS SPEAKING CUE CARDS
IELTS Speaking (Part 2): CUE CARD/ Individual Round
General Instructions: In the Speaking module (Part 2), the examiner provides a topic to the candidate, generally called a “Cue Card.” It includes 4-5 questions. The candidate is given only 1 minute to prepare. The invigilator provides a paper and pen/pencil for taking notes. It is important to speak about the topic for 2 minutes or until the examiner stops you.
Remember, you have to speak for 1-2 minutes in this round, so don’t worry if the examiner stops you in between.
Key points to keep in mind while attempting:
- Read the questions carefully and make notes in sequence to maintain a structured response.
- Ensure that you answer each question in your story.
- Make your speech sound like a conversation by adding tones and expressions, and by pausing for a second or two at commas and full stops.
- Be fluent while speaking. Avoid unnecessary pauses like “ummmm” or “aaaaaaa”.
- Do not include the examiner in your speech. Avoid using words like “you,” “yourself,” or “us”.
Cue Card Sample Answer #2 in 1
Sometimes, certain samples can be used to answer more than one cue card. These are known as “Jumbo Cue Cards”.
TOPIC 1: Describe a daily routine that you enjoy
You should say:
- What it is
- Where and when you do it
- Who do you do it with
- Explain why you enjoy it
TOPIC 2: Describe your favourite place in your house where you can relax.
You should say:
- Where it is
- What it is like
- What you enjoy doing there
- And explain why you feel relaxed at this place.
Here are 2 ‘Sample Answers’ for your reference:
My daily routine on weekdays differs from weekends. I devote most of my time during weekdays to my studies or lectures. However, on weekends or holidays, I pursue my hobbies. I love painting and even have an art room for creating artwork, which is my favorite place in my house.
In my art room, I have various canvases of different sizes made from cotton cloth for watercolor painting. There’s a window corner in that room with a table and a beautiful view of a garden full of flowers and butterflies. My table is covered with a variety of colors, brushes, and sheets. I have different brands and categories of brushes for various painting techniques, including Camlin, Faber-Castell, and Escoda brushes. I like to paint alone and enjoy my “me” time, but for reference, I research different videos on the internet.
Apart from this, I keep some jars for water and pots as well as vases for still-life painting. Recently, I bought new supplies for calligraphy and sketching because I wanted to learn how to sketch faces and people. It has been three years since I did my first painting as a gift for my mother on Mother’s Day for home décor. I enjoyed it so much that I started gifting my friends, cousins, and family members. Since then, there has been no turning back. Painting has helped me become more creative, patient, and observant. Whenever I paint, I forget all my problems and feel lighter from my stressful lifestyle. It refreshes my mind and rejuvenates my soul.
I like to plan my days to ensure I get things done by the end of the day. However, due to my studies, I was not able to focus on my health. So, recently, I started waking up early and going for walks in the morning. I have started feeling refreshed and peaceful because of my morning routine.
There is a park near my house. I go there with my grandfather. We do a brisk walk for 15 minutes and some yoga for 30 minutes. After that, we come back home and take care of our garden in the backyard, which is my favorite place in my house. It is full of plants, trees, and flowers. We make sure they are getting the required water and nutrients for their growth. I have learned many things about gardening from my grandfather. One of them is that plants get sick like humans. They need to be disinfected and sanitized before planting, or they will not grow properly.
I love spending time with my grandfather in the garden. I get to know different stories and experiences from his life, and he enjoys sharing his knowledge. We have a small sitting area in the garden where we spend our evenings chatting, having tea, and playing games. It helps to have some family time and fresh air. The garden looks beautiful on rainy days – lush green with a variety of flowers. I enjoy and feel relaxed in my garden because it provides an escape from a fast-paced life. It fills my mind with fresh thoughts and new energy. Along with this, I started feeling positive, clear, and focused on my goals
When I took my IELTS Exam, I found this book “The Ultimate Guide to IELTS Speaking” useful for practicing speaking. You can also refer to “IELTS Speaking 2024” for cue card preparation. I hope it helps you too!
