Best Part of the Day. Cue Card.

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Best part of the day. 

• Which part of the day? // What do you do? // Why you like it the most? 

My favourite part of the day is the morning. // I get up and go for a walk and come back and greet my prayers after bathing. // I love this time because of the fresh air, everthing is bright and beautiful and nature is blooming.

The day is divided in four parts morning, afternoon, evening and night. Morning is my favorite part of the day. It is the time when sun rises as a symbol of hope and strength to keep moving. The atmosphere is calm and peaceful. I get up to pray, walk and then get ready for my work every day. It is wonderful to see people going to the temple to offer prayers, some are exercising, in the garden, Birds sit on trees and chirp melodiously, insects also make various kinds of sounds. Children flock to school carrying colourful bags and bottles, which reminds me of the days when life was free of stress and responsibility. I prefer getting up as early as I can so that I can enjoy the beauty of every morning. 

Follow ups:

1. Do youngsters get up early by choice or out of compulsion? (These days youngsters get up early in the morning due to compulsions like schools, jobs etcetera.)

2. Do you enjoy the other parts of the day as much as morning? (No, I do not enjoy other parts of the day as much as morning because I feel most energetic and lively in the morning.)

3. Why do some people prefer to study in the morning? (Some people prefer to study early in the morning because the mind is rested and fresh and it is easy to retain things for a longer period of time.)

A tall building you saw. Describe a historical monument. IELTS Speaking Cue Card.

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A tall building you saw

• Which building is it? // Where is it? // Who you went with? // What did you do? 

The tall building that I visited is the Qutub Minar. // It is situated in Delhi. // I had gone there with my family. // I admired the architecture and clicked photos. 

India has been a land rich in culture and heritage and is a home to many beautiful monuments and buildings. The tall building that I visited last month with my family is the Qutab Minar in Delhi. It was built in 1193 by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak after whom, it is named. It is a marvelous structure which has stood the test of time for so many years and still stands as it was built. It is a 73-metre high tower. The tower was started by Qutub-ud-din Aibak who in his lifetime was only able to complete the base and his successors got the 5 stories made. The different styles of architecture are clearly visible in this building. Apart from the tower, the complex comprises of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first ever Mosque built in North India and is an attraction for thousands of tourists every year. It has an Afghan style of architecture and is a charming structure of red marble. It is also called the marble tower of success. Qutub means justice and due to this, it is known as a symbol of Islamic justice. On my visit, I clicked several pictures and it was a great learning experience as I saw something that I had read about only in books, everything was there for me to see live. I saw the great architecture and enjoyed a lot. 

Follow ups:

1. Have you seen many tall buildings in your country? (Yes, there are many tall, multi-storied buildings in my country which are called sky scrapers.)

2. What are some advantages of tall buildings? (Some advantages of tall buildings are that they occupy less ground area and accomodate more people in proportion to the ground area covered, living in tall buildings gives easy access to sunlight and fresh air.)

3. What are some disadvantages of tall buildings? (Tall buildings may block sunlight of other places near them, construction of tall buildings is hazardous for the people building them. During the construction phase there is high risk of the structure falling apart which can be fatal for a lot of people.)

4. Do you like to live in a tall or short building? (I prefer to live in a short building as for me open space with a lawn and flowers is more important.)

Related Question: Describe a historical monument.

First time you used a foreign language to communicate

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First time you used a foreign language to communicate.

• Where it happened? // When it happened? // Who did you talk to? // How you felt about the conversation?

The first time, I used a foreign language to communicate was with a lady in a train to Mumbai. // It happened when I was 8 years old. // I spoke to a woman from London who was my co-passenger in a train. // I felt pleasant about the whole conversation in general. 

Language is a medium of communication that allows different people to convey their thoughts, ideas and beliefs. I studied at a school where three languages were taught Hindi, English and Punjabi. Punjabi is my mother tongue and Hindi is the national language of my country so I knew both but English was a foreign language. I remember how my parents and teachers worked to help me learn this language. I used to communicate in broken sentences at home with my parents but the first proper communication I had in English was with a foreign traveller sitting next to us when I was on a train to Mumbai with parents and siblings. It was when I was 8 years old. I spoke to a foreigner sitting beside me in the train. She started a conversation with me beginning with general questions like my name, school’s name and what grade I was in. After I spoke to her, I came to know that she was from London and had come to visit several parts of India after being attracted to its culture and heritage through photographs, books etcetera. She spoke to me for about 15 to 20 minutes and I do not recall the entire conversation but I remember most of it. It was a pleasant experience which I will never forget and I remember the lady’s face as if it happened yesterday. 

Follow ups:

1. What do you think about children learning a foreign language? (I think it is very good for children learn a new language as it makes them more informed and enhances their knowledge.)

2. Why some people learn languages fast and others slowly? (The learning of a language depends upon the internet and capability of an individual and based on these, a person learns a language fast or slowly.)

3. Does one’s age affect learning of a language? (It is easier to learn a language at a young age, because when we are young we are open to learning and our minds are sharp. Our speed of learning and acquring knowledge decreases with age.)

4. What can be a good way to learn a foreign language? (A language course from an institute and a person proficient in that language are good sources of learning a foreign language.)

A book or novel that was particularly interesting to you. IELTS Speaking Cue Card

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A book or novel that was particularly interesting to you. 

• What book or novel was it? // From where did you came to know about it? // When you read it? // Explain how you felt about it.

A novel I liked is Two States by Chetan Bhagat. // My friend suggested this book to me and I read it. // I read it when my aunt was hospitalized and stayed the night with her. // I found it interesting because of its relevance in modern society. 

Books are our best friends. I do not like reading many books but one book which I read and liked was “Two States” by “Chetan Bhagat”. He is a new author who has written other books, some of his bestsellers include, “One Night At The Call Centre”, “Three Mistakes Of My Life” and “Five Point Someone” but I have only read “Two States”. A friend who had read it recommended it to me. One night, when my aunt was admitted in the hospital, I got the time to read this book. It depicts the reality of Indian society which modernizing, but conservative towards young men and women choosing their life partners. The story is based on the author’s life and shows the difficulties which a boy and a girl from different states of India face in getting their parent’s nod to the knot. The author wrote this novel after quitting his job as an investment banker. The characters in the story are Krish and Ananya who belong to Punjab and Tamil Nadu respectively. Being in love, they want to get married. Their story began in the IIM hostel mess, where Ananya was the best among the freshers and became a close friend of Krish. Studying together, each night, they became romantically involved and decided to get married after they secure suitable jobs.

Krish faces a lot of hardships in first convincing Ananya’s father by making a power point presentation and helping her brother with his studies and enabling her mother to realize her dream of singing at a big concert. The story moves on and after a while, the parents of the girl decide that they will not allow Ananya to marry Krish. Later Krish’s father came to his assistance and helped him to marry Ananya. Though the relations between Krish and his father were not healthy, yet he helped the couple to get married amongst all huddles. Ananya gave birth to twin boys and their grandfather said that “these boys are born in a state called India and to end religion inequality”. The lessons of the novel were where there is a will there is a way and love is more powerful than hatred. 

Follow ups:

1. What kinds of stories do children like to learn? (Children love to listen to fairy tales because they can imagine a perfect world as described in the stories.)

2. How often do people in your country read novels? (It differs from person to person, people read novels based on their interest and the availability of time.)

3. What are the benefits of listening to stories or reading novels? (Reading novels improves knowledge, vocabulary, language and creativity.)

4. Are you a good storyteller? (I think, storyteller is an art and one really needs to use expressions, have proper voice modulation in order to narrate stories effectively and I do not have this ability.)

A sport you would like to try out for the first time.

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A sport you would like to try out for the first time. 

• What is it? // How would you learn it? // What equipment would you need to play the sport? // Explain why you want to try this sport? 

1. I would like to try ice skating. It is a sport which I have never played. 

2. I would learn it from professional trainers in the rink and from my elder brother.

3. I would need a pair of ice skates to try this sport.

4. I want to try this because I have always found it very thrilling and fascinating. 

I am not fond of sports and books. I prefer dance or other activities. I have always been curious to try ice skating. It has fascinating me since childhood. When I watch it on TV, I feel like doing it. I will learn this sport with the help of my elder brother and available trainers. I will take ice-skates on rent from the rink where I will learn it. After I attain some expertise and comfort in the sport, I will buy a pair of ice takes. I like the way people enjoy their ice skating. Though, I have been a spectator of ice hockey matches and races and fancy dress shows but I have been too scared to step on a rink and skate. I am mesmerized by the way the people perform tange a form of couple dance. The temperature is too low and people are heavily clothed and colourful accessories enjoying skating and also some hot beverages to keep their bodies warm. I may fall several times during the learning process but it will be fun. Moon light skating is a form of ice skating during which are lights are switched off on a full moon nights and people skate in the light of the moon. I am planning to join ice skating classes as soon as I can. 

Follow ups:

1. What are the benefits of playing sports? 

- The benefits of playing sports are that they help an individual to stay fit and help in developing a positive competitive attitude. Team sports also encourage team work. 

2. What is the difference between playing sports on your own and playing sports in the group? 

- Playing sports individually help us in maintaining mental and physical fitness. In addition to fitness, playing in a team, teaches people unity, cooperation and treating success and failure like parts of the game.

3. Do children need to exercise?

- Children certainly need to exercise to good physical growth, and to keep their mind and body disease-free. 

A public place that you like to visit cue card

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A public place that you like to visit. 

• Where is this place? // What you can do there? // Who do you like to go with? // Explain why you think this is an interesting place. 

The public place I like to visit is Garden of Fragrance in sector 36 Chandigarh. // One can chit chat, walk or exercise. // I like to go there with friends or family. // I like it because it is a very beautiful and calm place, people do various activities in the Garden of fragrance. 

A public place generally means a park, cinema hall, temple, market etcetera, which is accessible to everyone. It does not belong to any individual. It is for the use of the entire population. The Garden of Fragrance in Sector 36, Chandigarh, near my college is a place I like to visit very frequently because of the peace and calm, I feel when I visit it. It has beautifully coloured flowers, lush green turfs of grass, swings for children, a fountain which is usually lighted in the evening and benches for people to sit. People of all age groups visit this garden and do various activities. Children are seen enjoying the swings and playing other games. Looking at them remind of the carefree and happy days of my childhood. Also, the old people sit either to meditate or some can be seen sitting and laughing. Some women are knitting or walking and gossiping. Young men walk and exercise. I usually go there to get a break from my routine and to feel energetic and fresh. I sit either just to relax or sometimes walk with a friend. I prefer to go alone and listen to music sitting on the bench, thinking of some important things of my life. I love this garden and I am glad, I spent so many days of my college life here living beautiful moments in the midst of nature, with colourful butterflies, buzzing bees, frogs, etcetera. I also enjoyed watching fidgety squirrels gnaw at their food and constantly move up and down tree barks. Whenever possible, I go to this park these days and feel its beauty. To conclude, it is a place worth visiting. It is neat, clean and the magnificent environment makes me like it all the times. 

Follow ups: 

1. How often do you visit parks? 

- I try and visit a park everyday to relax and feel fresh.

2. Do we need big parks or small parks in cities? 

- We need small parks in cities because of the urbanized space crunch.

3. Why is it important to have parks in a city?

- It is important to have parks in cities so people can walk, relax and socialize away from the hustling city environment.

4. How should people behave in public places? 

- People should behave decently and in a civilized way at public places ensuring that their activities do not disturb others. 

5. Where do people like to visit on weekends?

- People like to visit shopping malls, parks, cinemas, exhibitions etcetera on weekends. 

Related Question: Describe your favourite park in your city or town. 

A local news which became interesting to you. Cue Card. IELTS

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A local news which became interesting to you. 

• What was the news about? // Where did you see or hear the news? // When did you see or hear the news? // Explain why it was interesting? 

The interesting local news I read was about the rose festival. // I read it in the newspaper. // I read it in January. // I found it interesting because there were various kinds of beautiful roses displayed. In the fair, there were stalls selling different things. 

Each day, a lot of sad and disturbing news flood television and newspapers and it looks like crime has taken over humanity. This is one reason I do not like to read news and skip them. One news items which I found interesting, was related to the Rose festival in the Zakir Hussain rose garden. It is a grand festival and held each year for three days in this famous garden. People from different parts of India visit the fair in which thousands of varieties of roses are displayed and the rarest of roses can be seen here. I saw, people of all age groups hovering around in different stalls. There were stalls for foods, games and flowers. Some were also selling seeds. People clicked photos and I waa no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed the festival. I am waiting when it will be held again so that I can enjoy the beauty and mirth once again. My friends also went on the second day and they too enjoyed this festival. 

Follow ups:

1. Why do local people like to read local news? (People prefer reading local news because it concerns their area and they can relate it easily.)

2. How often do Indian people buy newspaper? (Indians buy newspaper daily because reading newspaper is the favourite pastime of most Indians, especially the elderly.)

3. Is it convenient to read news on the internet in your country? (Yes, it is convenient to read news over the internet in my country as people can do this by downloading applications or visiting websites. However, internet is not the preferred source of news.) 

Your Photo Clicked By You

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Your photo clicked by you

• When you clicked it? // Where you clicked it? // How you clicked it? // Explain how you felt about the photo. 

I clicked it recently, about a week ago. // I clicked it in Kasauli. // I clicked it with my smart phones. // I felt very happy as I received many compliments from everyone. 

Photographs help us to capture moments to cherish them later. In the past, people clicked pictures on occasions like marriages, birthdays, etcetera. But nowadays, it is common to see people clicking pictures with or without any reason. No reason or occasion is really required to click photographs. I am also very fond of clicking pictures. I have several pictures of myself clicked on birthday parties, marriages and holidays. The recent photograph, I clicked was about one week ago when I went to Kasauli with my friends. It was a selfie. I clicked it with my phone. We had gone for a picnic and I clicked it there. It turned out to be really nice. Perhaps, it was the combination of my clothes with the background that enhanced the beauty of the picture. I put it as my WhatsApp display picture and also on instagram and Facebook and received many likes and comments from my friends and loved ones. 

It is one of my favorite pictures and, I will get it framed and put it on a wall of my room. 

Follow ups: 

1. Do Indian people like to take photos of themselves? (Indians are fond of clicking photos and it is a common site to see people clicking their photos.)

2. What kind of devices do people like to use for taking photos these days? (People use mobile phones as well as professional cameras to click pictures these days.)

3. Why do some people like to delete photos? (Some people delete photos because the pictures may not meet their expectations or they may just want to free space to store important data.) 

Food you ate for the first time ielts cue card

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Food you ate for the first time 

• When you had it? // Where you ate it? // What it was? // How you felt about it? 

The kind of food I ate for the first time was three years ago. // It was my father’s friend’s house in Mumbai. // The food I ate was South Indian, Idli, Sambhar and Dosa. // I did not really like it. 

I am a very enterprising person who likes to try new things. I am a food lover and Punjabi food is my favourite. I went to my father’s friend house about three years ago in Mumbai and ate South Indian food. I had never eaten these dishes earlier and was trying them for the first time. I ate idli, sambhar and dosa. It was made by their cook who had been there with them for nine or ten years. I did not like it much at that time because I think, I did not have a taste for it. However, later when my mother made it at home and I tried it in Punjab in a few restaurants, I started liking it. Though I still cannot eat it frequently but occasionally. I like to change my monotonous taste. I have had the chance to try other cuisines like Chinese and Thai but none is as good as the Punjabi cuisines. 

Follow ups: 

1. Do you like to try new food? (Yes, I like to try different kinds of food and I never miss an opportunity to do so.)

2. What kind of foreign food are popular in you country? (In my country, foreign food like pizzas, burgers, noodles etcetera are very popular.)

3. Do you like to cook at home? (I am very fond of cooking and I love to try new things at home.)

4. Is it expensive to eat out in your country. (In my country, it is expensive to eat at certain places and at others, it is reasonable.)

5. What is the difference between Indian food and western food? (Indian food is rich in spices and mainly has pulses, rice and wheat as essential ingredients, whereas western food is less spicy and has more whole wheat flour and raw or boiled vegetables.)

Food you ate for the first time ielts cue card.

Describe an interesting animal cue card ielts

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Describe an interesting animal. 

• which animal is it? // when you saw it? // where you saw it? // Explain why it is interesting?

The animal which I find interesting is the lion. // I saw it two years ago. // I saw it in Chhattbir Zoo near Zirakpur. // I find it interesting due to its bravery, majesty and beauty. 

Mother nature is beautiful and worth being praised in each and every manifestation. I keenly observe and admire all animals and plants but lions are my favourite animals. It was two years ago, while returning from Patiala, my family and I decided to visit the Chhatbir zoo, a zoological park situated close to Zirakpur. It is an abode to a large variety of birds, mammals and reptiles. The most fascinating part about this place is its lion safari. The lion is called the king of the jungle because it is class apart. The mention of lion in the simile as brave as a lion is well deserved. I truly find it majestic and attractive. The majestic footsteps that the lion takes are captivating. It reflects such valour and uniqueness in its disposition that no one overlook its magnificence. I saw many lions that day which was a dream come true. I saw them yawning and lazying around lying on the grass. Some of them were affectionately cuddling their partners. It was a million-dollar view and I liked it a lot. If given a chance, I would want to experience it again. 

Follow ups: 

1. Why do people like to keep pets? (People like to keep pets because some want company aa they are alone and some like to help animals by providing them proper food, care and shelter.)

2. What should we do to protect endangered species? (To protect animals on the verge of extinction, more wildlife sanctuaries, natural parks and biosphere reseeves should be made. Another helpful method can be captive breeding.)

3. Do you support animals being used for experimentation? (I am against carrying out tests and experiments on animals as they are hurt during such procedures. Though they are helpless but they should not be exploited by humans for such purposes.)

4. Why do some people refuse to eat animals? (Some people refuse to eat animals as it may be against their religion or they may not like the taste of non vegetarian food or consider it cruel to kill animals for food.)

Related Question: A wild animal you once saw. 

Cue cards The first time when you admired the sky.

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The first time when you admired the sky. 

• What were you doing? // Who was with you? // What you saw? 

The first time, I properly admired the sky was white drinking tea in my balcony. // I was sitting alone. // I saw a grey coloured and clouded sky with a thin silver lining. 

I am an avid admirer of nature and I love nature in all its manifestations whether it is trees, clouds, rivers etcetera. Though I have always enjoyed looking at the sky full of birds but I distinctly remember a day, I sat looking up at the sky and admiring it in detail. I recall the first thought that stuck me was about how a gigantic machine like an airplane carrying hundreds of people flies so high in the air and that too at very high speed. This thought probably struck me because due to bad weather the flight of one of my relatives had been cancelled that day. Then I noticed the clouds, they appeared beautiful. A grey sky is generally considered as dull and gloomy but to me, it appeared beautiful. Beauty really lies in the eyes of the beholder. I kept looking up for as long as I could and observed a thin silver lining around clouds which looked like chunks of cotton placed on a grey canvas. This, I think is my most vivid memory about the admiration of the sky. 

Follow ups: 

1. Why do people like to study the sky? (People like to study sky to explore new phenomena, different stars, clouds, constellations etcetera.)

2. Do you know any story related to planets? (I do not know any stories related to planets but I remember the way my mother taught me how to remember them in sequence. My mother showed us the nine planets of our solar system.)

3. Do you think children should be told planet stories to improve their imagination? (I think planet stories cannot do much to enhance the imagination of children because my imagination is vivid and wide because of being an avid reader.) 

4. Would you like to watch movies on planets? (I do not mind watching movies related to planets but may not like such movies. If I am free and have nothing else to do, I will probably watch them.)

Related Question: A memory related to sky. 

Cue Card Embarrasing moment

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Embarrasing moment.

• What was it? // When and where did it happen? // Describe the incident. // What did you did? 

The embarrasing moment was when I forgot my wallet and was about to pay bill. // It happened few months ago in the evening. // I had to pay the bill and I realized I was not carrying my wallet. // Everyone was looking at me. I quickly went to the house to bring the wallet. 

There are some moments of life which one likes to remember. They give happiness and one can laugh. But there are some moments in life which bring you nothing but embarrassment. Unluckily, many people have to go through a situation which they would not want to face again. There is one embarraing moment of my life which I would like to share with you. A few months ago, I went to shop near my house. I wanted to buy a few things for my daily use. I entered the shop. There were many people in the store. I asked the salesman for the things which I needed. He collected all the things and packed them in a bag. Then he handed the bill and the bag to me. I went to the cash counter to pay the bill. The bill amount was Rupees 275/-. There were many people at the cash counter. I stood in the queue (line). When my turn came, I put my hand in the pocket to take out my wallet / purse. To my dismay, my pocket was empty. I had forgotten my purse / wallet at home. I was shocked and confused. The man at the counter looked at me with impatience. There was a long line of people behind me who were waiting for their turn. I felt so embarrased. I did not know what to do. I started explaining my situation to the cash clerk. He looked at me with a funny expression. I requested him to keep my bag with him and I implored that I would go back home and would get the money to pay the bill. He smiled and agreed. All the people who were watching me seemed to be laughing at me silently. I felt really embarrassed. I ran home and got the money. I paid the bill and got my things. After that I could not gather the courage to go to the shop again for many days. I can never forget this incident. It was the most embarrasing moment of my life. 

Follow ups: 

1. Do you often experience embarrasing moments? (No, I normally do not face embarrasing moments because I always try to be careful to avoid such situations.)

2. Do you laugh at people when they feel embarrassed? (I never laugh at people when they are embarrassed because I would not want anyone to make fun of me when I am being insulted.)

3. What kinds of situations can cause embarrassment? (Sometimes, the tearing of a dress or forgetting an important thing like a wallet and then confidently trying to get it out of the pocket can be embarrasing.)

Favourite movie cue card speaking

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Favourite movie 

• Which movie is this ? // When you saw it ? // Describe it a little. // What did you learn from it?

The favourite movie is Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. // I saw it in the theater after a week of its release. // It is based on the life of Milkha Singh and starts back with the Roman Olympics, and is also linked to the partition of India. // It taught me that nothing is impossible and we should set goals and then work hard to achieve them. 

Our professional schedule have become very hectic and people resort to various forms of entertainment to get rejuvenated. Out of many types of available sources of entertainment, cinema is a widely used form. Since time immemorial, people of all societies have been using movies as a source of recreation. My favourite movie is “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” which I have watched more than once on my laptop at home and also in the cinema. It still remains a movie I can see again. It is a very inspirational movie based on the life of Milkha Singh popularly known as “Flying Sikh”. It is an Indian biographical sports cinema film directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra from a script written by Prasoon Joshi. The story is about Milkha, an Indian athlete who was a national champion and Olympian. The movie begins in the 1960 Olympic games in Rome where a coach says, “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.” The athlete goes into flashback of his childhood and stands forth. The partition of India in 1947 caused large scale riots resulting in the death of Milkha’s parents. He started stealing for survival and later joined the army. He got selected for the Indian Olympics team. There he falls for the granddaughter of his Australian coach and loses the final race because of getting distracted and lack of focus on the objective. Later, he was convinced by PM. Jawaharlal Nehru to lead the Indian team for a friendly athletic meet in Pakistan. The childhood memories of the murder of his parents in riots haunt him and he recalled the last words of his father “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”. In the games, initially, the Pakistani favourite is winning, but Milkha takes the lead and finally wins the race and the respect of the two nations. The President of Pakistan gave him the title of “The Flying Sikh”. To conclude, I felt we should set goals in life and work towards achieving them keeping in mind that hard work pays and nothing is impossible. 

Follow ups: 

1. Is it important to have famous actors in a movie to make it successful? (I do not think so, I think success depends more on the way, the plot is written directed, acted and how appealing, it is for the public.) 

2. Do you prefer to watch movies at home or in the cinema? (I prefer to watch movies at home as I feel more relaxed and I feel comfortable as I do not have to be conscious of people around me.)

3. Do you think that cinemas will disappear in the future? (No, I do not think that cinemas will disappear in future. The trend of watching movies in cinemas may decline but there will be many people who would prefer cinema.)

4. Do young Indians like to watch foreign movies? (I think young Indians are very fond of Hollywood movies and they do watch them on television, computer and in cinemas.)

Related Question: A movie based on the real person. OR A movie you would like to see. 

Describe something that you have shared with others (or another person)

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Describe something that you have shared with others (or another person) 

• What you shared? // When you shared it? // Who you shared it with? // Explain why you shared it or how you felt when you shared it?

I shared my room with everything in it. // I shared it for 6 months in 2015. // My cousin came to do a computer course in my city. // I felt happy and comfortable and enjoyed his/her company. 

I am a solitary person and I do not like too many people around me. I have always liked alone in my room and have never shared clothes, books, etcetera with anyone else. In 2015, my cousin from Ludhiana came to stay with me in Chandigarh for a six month computer course. She is my paternal uncle’s daughter. I knew, she planned to do this course but her decision of staying with me for the entire duration of the course was a surprise for me. I knew that she would be staying with me for almost half a year so I prepared myself against my solitary nature to share my room with my cousin. When I arrived, I made sure I took good care of her as she is younger to me. Initially, I had some reservations about how would we stay together, and may get into arguments and I may not like sharing my things with her. I am glad that I was wrong and she did not give me any trouble at all. She always helped me with my work, it made our bond even stronger. She always seeked permission before using any of my things and took care of all my belongings. Then we started feeling, it would be difficult to separate. We made so many memories by going out for walks, having conversations every night etcetera. I felt very pleasant about sharing my room woth her. I felt happy and enjoyed her company and when she left, both of us were sad. 

Follow ups:

1. Do people in your country prefer to share public transport or do they prefer to use private transport? (Sharing of transport depends on the availability of transport, distance to be travelled, financial status of the traveller etcetera in my country.)

2. Do many people in your country share their home with others or do they mostly live alone? (Most people in my country share their home with others, people live with their family or in some cases with friends.)

3. Do you think there are any advantages of sharing your homes with other (non-family) people? (I think sharing our home with others is better than staying alone as we get to learn new things and develop the habit of adjustment.)

4. Would you ever share food with someone else? (I do share my food with my friends and family and I like sharing.)

Related Question: A time when someone moved in to live with you. 

Describe something that you have shared with others (or another person) 

Describe a characteristic or trait of your personality cue card

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Describe a characteristic or trait of your personality. 

• What it is? // How it affects your life? // Where did you get it from? // How you feel about it? 

A special trait of my personality is that I am adaptable and readily adjust to all kind of situations. // I am comfortable in adjusting to change. // My mother has taught me to be open to change and be adaptable to all circumstances and learn from life. // I am thankful and proud that I possess this trait because of which I have so many friends. 

Different people have different traits of personality and no two people are alike. I am a person full of different characteristics. The one dominant trait of my personality is that I easily adjust to any situation and with any person. I count this as my strength as I can mould myself to become the kind of person any situation requires. I have learnt this from my mother as she is a very adjusting person herself. She never complains of any circumstance that she is in and always manages to adapt and compromise. I think it is very important to have such a quality. I also feel it helps me to retain relationships, be a happier person and have a greater peace of mind. I feel content and I understand situations well. I also do not make my body used to any particular comfort so that when it is unavailable, I do not feel deprived. I try to imbide better qualities each day and be a better human being. 

Follow ups: 

1. What kinds of characters are popular in the modern society? (Many people in modern society are competitive, materialistic and insensitive. They are less humane and cooperative.)

2. What qualities should a good teacher have? (A good teacher must be sincere, dedicated, polite, understanding and empathetic.)

3. Do you think parents’ characters can affect young people’s development? (Parents’ characteristics have immense effects on young people because youngsters have impressionable minds and they learn what they see.)

4. Would you like to develop a specific personality in future? (I do not think there is any specific personality that I want to restrict myself to in future. I am quite content with my personality but I would want to inculcate all good qualities that I can.) 

Describe a characteristic or trait of your personality. 

Describe an old thing that your family has kept for a long time cue card

 Cue Card-25 

Describe an old thing that your family has kept for a long time. 

Old Thing in your house.

1. What it is?

- Metal Curved Mirror

2. How your family got it?

- Grandmother

- From auction

3. How long your family has kept it?

- Nearly 30 years

4. Explain why it is important?

- Unique

- Sentimental value 

1. The old thing in my house is a metal carved mirror.

2. My grandmother bought it from an auction.

3. It has been in my house for nearly 30 years.

4. It is important to us because it is unique, decorative and has sentimental value. 

There are innumerable old and new items in my home. I would like to talk about a metal carved mirror. The mirror was bought by my great grandmother who was fond of decorative pieces. She had bought it from an auction. Now, we have hung it in our library. Though it is very old but still looks new because our maid cleans it with a special liquid every day. The liquid helps to keep the bronze shiny and clean. 

The borders of the mirror have flowers and leaves and its oval shaped. I want to shift it to my room because I will not need to give any other special effect to my room because the unique and decorative mirror will be enough to make my room special. The mirror is quite big and has to be handled carefully. When I shift the mirror in my room, I will need to get some helpers to assist me in shifting the mirror in my room. 

As it is unique its monetary value is also high and I am very happy to have such a unique piece of art in my house which is worth lakhs. Well keep it safely and well maintained because “old is gold”.

Follow ups: 

1. What do you think are better, old things or new things? (I feel it cannot be generalized. Both old and new things have their own value and use.)

2. Apart from family photographs, what are some other things that people keep in their house for a long time? (Other than family photographs, there are several things like furniture, watches, show pieces, some electronics which people keep in their house for a long.)

3. In your culture, what sort of things do people often pass down from generation to generation? (Why?) (In my culture, jewellery, certain clothes, clocks, books are passed from generation to generation as a way to preserve memories.)

4. Why do you think people keep these things? (I think, people keep these things to remember their ancestors, or to preserve an antique piece and the memories attached to it.)

5. Do you think it is good to recall the past? (I think it is good to recall the past as it gives us an idea about how things used to be and how they have changed in modern times.)

Describe an old thing that your family has kept for a long time. 

The season you like the most cue card

 Cue Card-24 

The season you like the most. 

1. Which season it is?

- Rainy/monsoon

2. What part of the year does it prevail in?

- July to September 

3. Why do you like it?

- Freshness

- Greenery

- Children playing

- Colourful umbrellas 

1. My favourite season is the rainy season which is also called monsoon.

2. It normally lasts from July to September.

3. I like it because it refreshes people. Plants and grass are washed. Children play and people use colourful umbrellas. 

A season is a particular weather pattern and number of daylight hours resulting from the Earth’s changing revolution the sun. Out of the four seasons in India, my favourite season is rainy season which is also called monsoon. It normally starts in July and continues up to the end of September. It is an awaited season as it comes after a hot summer in most parts of India. Many festivals are also celebrated during this season. I love the rains because they bring a different charm to living. The plants and trees are washed and they look beautiful, new and green. Children dance and sing songs while getting drenched in the rain or they make paper boats and make them float in puddles. People use colourful umbrellas and rain coats. The streets appear beautifully coloured. Another thing which fascinates me is the fragrance of the moist earth. This is my major attraction for this season. I prefer to sit on my bed which is near a window and enjoy the beautiful rainy season. There are so many emotions that I feel when I sit back and relax among the heavenly drops falling and bringing joy to every form of life. I wait eagerly for this time of the year and when it does come, I happily enjoy every possible feeling and emotion that I can. 

Follow ups:

1. What are the major seasons in India? (There are four main seasons in India – winter, spring, summer and monsoon.)

2. Do seasons affect people’s mood? (Seasons do impact the mood of people. Like in summers people seem irritated, tired and low in energy, whereas they feel lazy in winter.)

3. Do seasons affect people’s  choice of clothes? (People choose clothes according to seasons like in summers they prefer light coloured cotton clothes, whereas in winters they choose dark colours and thick woolen clothes like jackets and coats.)

The season you like the most cue card.

Describe a program/application in your computer or phone.

 Cue Card-23 

Describe a program/application in your computer or phone. 

1. What the app is?

- WhatsApp 

2. When you started using it?

- 6 to 7 years ago

3. How you use it?

- On my phone

- Internet connection 

4. How you feel about it?

- made life easy

- Better communication 

- Addictive 

1. My favourite app is WhatsApp.

2. I started using it 6 to 7 years ago.

3. I use it daily on my phone with the help of an internet connection.

4. I feel it has made life a lot easier, allowed better communication but it is addictive. 

These days, science and technology are progressing by leaps and bounds and there are hundreds and thousands of applications which are the brainchild of computer experts. I also use many different applications like Facebook, Flipkart, Instagram, Wynk etcetera but my favourite will always be WhatsApp. It is a blessing and I think we all feel handicapped without it in our phones. It initially allowed chatting and exchanging pictures. However, with the passage of time many additions are being made. One can now send pictures with captions and even make audio calls. The option of video calling is yet to come. I think WhatsApp is the most commonly used application and is found in the phone of every individual. It helps people to connect with their loved ones, carry out businesses, people make groups to share ideas, beliefs, or send important information of common interest. I find this a marvelous creation and I will always use it. 

Follow ups: 

1. What kinds of apps do you have on your phone ?

- I have social networking, photo editing, shopping, music and banking apps on my phone. 

2. What are the drawbacks of having too many apps on your phone?

- There are several drawbacks of having too many apps like the phone can get hanged, too much memory gets used and many updates have to be done from time to time.

3. How much time do you spend on these apps everyday?

- I spend almost two hours on these apps each day and on days that I have holidays, I spend even more time. 

4. Do you like to look for new apps or do you just keep using old ones?

- I am not very fond of looking for new apps but if someone suggests an app to me and I feel it is of my use then I download it. 

Related Question: An app that you have recently started using. 

A long walk you once had cue card

 Cue Card-22 

A long walk you once had.

1. What was it? 

- Last Wednesday evening 

2. Where did you go?

- Park

- Next sector

3. Who was with you?

- No one

- Was alone

4. How did you feel about it?

- Relaxed

- Learnt a lesson

1. The long walk I recently had was on Wednesday evening.

2. I went to a park near my house first and later kept walking to reach the next sector.

3. I was alone because I like to go for walks alone.

4. I felt relaxed and learnt a new lesson. 

I like to move about and take long walks in nature to observe and admire different creations of God. I recently, went for a walk alone and got into the park next to my house. In the park, I saw children playing, some were on swings and others were running around stress-free. This reminded me of my childhood days. I was admiring the trees, breathing fresh air, etcetera. After taking a few rounds, I decided to go back home but I did not feel like going back that early, so I moved out of the park and kept walking. And as I walk along, I saw an old lady, gracefully dressed walking beside me. She was aged, elegant-looking and moved about with one hand telling the beads of her rosary and the other balancing her sloop. I saw that her mind was lost in prayer as her lips constantly moved inaudible prayer. It was beautiful to see how she managed to be unaffected by all that was going on around her and remain connected to the divine. When she finally sat on a bench and stopped praying. I sat next to her and after some conversation, I asked her how she managed to remain so concentrated and she told me about how important it was to pray. She encouraged me to make it a part of my life because only prayer can hold one together when everything else is falling apart. It was a walk worth remembering. After coming back home, I felt my day was complete as I learnt an important lesson for life. 

Follow ups:

1. Why do some people dislike walking? (Some people do not to walk because they are either lazy or they are too tired from daily routine and exercise becomes physically stressful for them.)

2. What are the benefits of walking? (The benefits of walking are that it helps us to keep fresh and relax our mind and body. Regular walking also protects us from many diseases.)

3. Where do people normally prefer to walk in your country? (People in my country walk in parks, gardens or on road sides.)

Describe a product you bought and felt happy cue card.

 Cue Card-21

Describe a product you bought and felt happy. 

1. What was it?

- iPhone 6s

2. Where you bought it?

- Elante mall

- a month ago

3. What it was for?

- To call

- Message

- Click Photos 

4. Explain why it made you happy?

- Awaiting since long 

1. I recently bought an iPhone 6s for myself.

2. I purchased it from Elante Mall in Chandigarh about a month ago.

3. I bought it to make and receive calls, send and receive messages, click pictures and several other reasons.

4. It made me happy because I had been waiting for it since a long time and I finally had it. 

I am a shopaholic and I go out to buy various things. I am very fond of phones and gadgets. About a month ago, I bought an iPhone 6s from Elante Mall and the purchase made me really happy. It is helpful in my work like making projects and assignments and it gives me facilities to shop, connect with friends and also click good quality photos. I am a keen photographer, I had thought of buying this phone earlier but I was delaying it because I did not want to bother my parents with this expense. I started collecting money for it and once I had the amount, I purchased it with no second thoughts. It soon became the envy of all my friends and it also gives me joy because it is user friendly and I have been an apple user for the last 4 to 5 years. I have saved every penny I could to buy this heart-desired gadget for. I have stored my favourite songs in it and captured some beautiful moments with friends and family. I would recommend everyone to buy if it fits the budget because it is a phone worth the money spent. 

Follow ups:

1. How often do people in your country go shopping? (People go for shopping depending upon the time available. However, mostly people prefer to go out for shopping over the weekends.)

2. What kinds of places are popular for shopping in India? (In India, small markets, trade fairs, exhibitions and shopping malls are common for shopping.)

3. Do you think online shopping will replace shopping in stores? (I do not think that any amount of advancement in science and technology will replace shopping in stores because people who want to see and try things before buying will always visit stores.)

4. Did you ever have a bad shopping experience? (Yes, I had a bad shopping experience. I had ordered a pair of earphones through an online shopping site and the one day after arrival, it stopped working.)

5. Why is online shopping so popular these days? (Online shopping is so popular these days because people are too used to being dependent on technology and with such facilities, they tend to buy every possible thing online. I save the time and effort of going to a store and shopping.)

Related Question: A useful thing you recently bought.

A person who apologized to you

 Cue Card-20 

A person who apologized to you.

1. Who this person is?

- Friend in Canada.

2. When this happened?

- Not long ago.

3.  What was it for?

- Trusted someone else.

- Shouted at me.

4. Explain how you felt?

- I felt upset first.

- happy later when it was solved.

1. The person who apologized to me is a dear friend who lives in Canada.

2. This incident happened recently.

3. It was because he made the mistake of trusting someone else more than me and shouted at me when I was right. 

4. Initially I was hurt and upset but later I was happy that I got sorted out. 

Nobody is perfect all make mistakes but the best thing we can do after committing a mistake is admitting it and apologizing to people who may have been affected by it. I feel people always apologize, when the relationship holds more value than their ego and not to prove someone right or wrong. Not long ago, one such incident happened with me. My close friend who is in Canada, was very rude to me and blamed me for something I had not done. She made the mistake of believing someone who was not worth trusting and told me that I had lied to her, so I wanted to tell her that I would never speak to her again because I hate being blamed for things I don’t do. However, before I could tell her that she sent me a message, apologizing for her rudeness and not trusting me. She told me that she valued our friendship and would always be careful before trusting anyone without verifying the facts. I generally accept apologies and do not take time to forgive others. I decided to end the matter and continue our friendship as if nothing had happened. I feel, we should not hesitate or rethink before apologizing because it is not worth losing a relationship when it can be saved with an apology. We should always be ready to forgive and forget. 

Follow ups:

1. Is it important to say sorry? (I think, saying sorry is very important because if a person makes a mistake, an apology is the least that is expected from him/her.)

2. In what situations do people say sorry? (People say sorry when they hurt someone, fight, forget something important or break someone’s trust.)

3. Why do some people hate to say sorry? (A few people hate to say sorry because they feel apologizing is not worth compromising with their ego.)

4. In what situations should we apologize immediately? (In situations where we hurt someone, damage someone’s belongings etcetera we should be sorry immediately.)

5. When was the last time you found it hard to accept an apology? (I normally never find it hard to accept apologies because when I commit a mistake, I also expect people to forgive me. So, I easily forgive others.) 

Proverb: Forgive and Forget.

Meaning: We should forget the hurt and forgive the people who cause the hurt or pain. 

A person who apologized to you.

A place near water which you have visited

 Cue Card-19 

A place near water which you have visited. 

1. Where is it?

- Sukhna Lake

- Chandigarh 

2. What you did?

- Admired nature 

- Saw people

- Relaxed yourself 

3. Who you went with?

- Alone

4. Explain what you liked?

- Beauty of nature 

- Calm atmosphere 

1. The place near water that I visited is Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.

2. I admired the sky and observed various people involved in different activities and relaxed myself. 

3. I had gone alone.

4. I loved the beauty of nature and the calm atmosphere. 

Being a nature a lover and a keen observer, I admire and contemplate the bounty of nature in all its manifestations like trees, grass, rivers, lakes, clouds, flowers, sunlight, animals and humans. I find these creations of the Almighty very fascinating. When I feel tired and fed up of the daily monotonous routine, I go to a beautiful lake called ‘Sukhna Lake’ in Chandigarh. It is a popular tourist attraction and a well known spot for all seeking an escape from the daily humdrum of life. Last week, I went alone to the lake to enjoy the beauty of nature. I entered the premises of the lake at about 5.00 pm. I saw people of all age groups and from different walks of life feeling happy, close to this wonder of nature. Some were following their fitness routine, others were eating, some were chatting but I was on a different mission. I was sitting alone and reflecting on this marvelous creation of the Almighty. The sky had clouds scattered around and they looked like little pieces of cotton which someone had carefully placed in the sky. A lot of people may have found the sky to be dull and gloomy but for me, it was an unusual kind of beauty. That is why they say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and every cloud has a silver lining. This visit was particularly memorable because it helped me to change my perspective on life. I started looking at everything from the view of finding something good in it. It has been an unforgettable visit and I am looking forward to many more in the future. 

Follow ups: 

1. Why do so many people like going to places near water such as lakes, rivers or oceans? (Many people like to go to places near water to relax and admire the beauty and charm of nature.)

2. Do you think children and old people do the same type of things when they go to beach? (No, I do not think children and old people do the same activities on a beach. Children love playing with sand and adults chit chat and relax.)

3. Do you think that human activity is posing a threat to the oceans of the world? (Humans are being very careless and irresponsible by treating water bodies as means of waste disposal. Human activities are causing water pollution which is very harmful for oceans and aquatic life.)

4. How important is water in people’s everyday lives? (Water is also called life. It is very important for our survival and day to day activities.)

Related Question: A memory you have related to nature.

A wedding you have been to.

 Cue Card-18 

A wedding you have been to.

1. When this happened?

- Recently 

- a month ago 

2. Whose wedding?

- First cousin brother’s wedding 

3. Who was with you?

- My whole family

4. Explain why you feel happy about it.

- Togetherness 

- Celebration 

- New beginning 

- New family member 

1. I attended a happy event about a month ago.

2. It was the marriage of my cousin.

3. My whole family was with me to celebrate this event. 

4. I felt very happy because we all of us were together in the grand celebration and a new member was added to the family and it was a new beginning for my cousin. 

Being a Punjabi Indian, I have the previlege of being invited to many big, fat punjabi wedding. In my culture, the union of two souls is celebrated with a lot of mirth and jubilation. Attending a wedding excites me and I plan my clothes and jewellery well in advance. I attended my first cousin’s wedding about a month ago. This was an awaited family event because all the others including the elders of the family were eagerly waiting for my cousin to find a match. When he finally found the right girl after a long wait, the entire household was ready to celebrate the beginning of another phase of his life. The marriage lasted for about five to six days with all small functions at home in which there was a small gathering and all grand ones in banquets. It was a destination wedding in Jaipur and everyone enjoyed it thoroughly in the pink city. Each One of us was dresses in extravagant beautiful attires looking happy and ready for the occasion. We kept singing traditional songs and danced enjoying every moment to the fullest. Every person present there enjoyed every aspect of the wedding ranging from food and decoration to photography. Some unique concepts were used in the marriage, a book was placed at the entrance for everyone to write messages for the couple and their photographs were being flashed on the screen. This whole event was full of life and bliss. The event justified its classification as a big, fat punjabi wedding and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am now looking forward to even greater fun at the wedding of my younger cousin which is coming soon. 

Follow ups:

1. How would you define happiness? (In my opinion, happiness is a state of mind in which an individual feels content with what the situation he is in.)

2. What kind of things make Indian people feel happy? (Marriages, birthdays, shopping, promotions etcetera are some of the many things which make Indians happy.)

3. Do you think people would be happy when they become richer? (I do not think that money can buy happiness, so according to me becoming richer may not make anyone happy.)

4. Why do some people say happiness never lasts long? (Some people think that happiness never lasts long because life is an alternating share of joy and pain and like all other things, happiness is also temporary.)

5. What kinds of things make people unhappy? (People can be unhappy due to many reasons. Some of them are bad health, failure in achieving desired objectives, deadlines, financial problems and problems in personal life.)

Related Question: Recent happy event. 

Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution.

 Cue Card-17 

Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution. 

1. Where is it?

- Agra

2. When you visited 

- A year ago

3. What kind of pollution you saw there?

- Air pollution 

4. Explain how this place was affected?

- Marble was flaking 

1. I visited Agra which is affected by pollution.

2. I had gone there a year ago.

3. The pollution that I observed was air pollution.

4. The Mathura gas refinery which is near the Taj Mahal is causing discoloration of the Taj. 

Pollution refers to the addition of unwanted substances to the environment which degrade its quality. There are several kinds of pollution and due to the increased interference of man in nature, the level of pollution all over the globe is rising. The city that is a home to one of the wonders of the world is affected by air pollution. The fanous city of Agra, where the beautiful Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal is now bearing a burnt of man’s activities. The monument which is an attraction to tourists from every part of the world was built by Shah Jahan in pure white marble and is acclaimed for its lusture and grandeur. Sadly, due to the emissions from the Mathura gas refinery, which is at a distance of 50 km from the Taj, its is getting dirty white. The air of the surrounding areas is polluted by the smoke emitted by this oil refinery. The marble of the Taj is also flaking slowly and this is a matter of great concern as we cannot afford to let this historical monument, deteriorate. It is a proof of our rich, royal and beautiful past. Though the government is taking some steps towards saving this wonder but there is very little that can be done. Only the effect of pollution can be reduced but it cannot be eliminated. I feel that it is high time for us get some serious about various kinds of pollution and its effects so that preventive measures can be taken to curb it. 

Follow ups:

1. What kinds of pollution are serious in your country? (In my country, all kinds of pollution are present but air and water pollution have become the concerns.)

2. What can individuals do to protect our environment? (Individuals can do a lot to protect the environment. They can plant trees, ensure proper waste disposal and usage of eco- friendly products to protect the environment.)

3. Do you think individuals should be held responsible for pollution? (Yes, I believe that individuals are responsible for pollution because certain measures can only be taken by the authorities and individuals may not be effective in cases where legislations for environmental protection needs to be passed and enforced.)

Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollution. 

Describe a program/application in your computer/phone.

 Cue Card-16 

Describe a program/application in your computer/phone. 

1. What the app is?

- WhatsApp 

2. When you started using it?

- 6 to 7 years ago

3. How you use it?

- On my phone

- Internet Connection

4. How you feel about it?

- Made life easy

- Better communication 

- Addictive

1. My favourite app is WhatsApp.

2. I started using it 6 to 7 years ago.

3. I use it daily on my phone with the help of an internet connection.

4. I feel it has made life a lot easier, allowed better communication but it is addictive. 

These days, science and technology are progressing by leaps and bounds and there are hundreds and thousands of applications which are the brainchild of computer experts. I also use many different applications like Facebook, Flipkart, Instagram, Wynk etcetera but my favourite will always be WhatsApp. It is a blessing and I think we all feel handicapped without it in our phones. It initially allowed chatting and exchanging pictures. However, with the passage of time many additions are being made. One can now send pictures with captions and even make audio calls. The option of video calling is yet to come. I think WhatsApp is the most commonly used application and is found in the phone of every individual. It helps people to connect with their loved ones, carry out businesses, people make groups to share ideas, beliefs, or send important information of common interest. I find this a marvelous creation and I will always use it. 

Follow ups: 

1. What kinds of apps do you have on your phone ?

- I have social networking, photo editing, shopping, music and banking apps on my phone. 

2. What are the drawbacks of having too many apps on your phone?

- There are several drawbacks of having too many apps like the phone can get hanged, too much memory gets used and many updates have to be done from time to time.

3. How much time do you spend on these apps everyday?

- I spend almost two hours on these apps each day and on days that I have holidays, I spend even more time. 

4. Do you like to look for new apps or do you just keep using old ones?

- I am not very fond of looking for new apps but if someone suggests an app to me and I feel it is of my use then I download it. 

Related Question: An app that you have recently started using. 

A time when the weather changed your plan cue card

 Cue Card-15 

A time when the weather changed your plan.

• When this happened?

• What kind of weather was it?

• Explain why you could not finish the planned activity?

• What you did at the end? 

1. On my younger cousin’s birthday weather changed my plan.

2. At about 10am it started raining very heavily.

3. Our picnic got canccelled because the rain did not show any mercy. 

4. Finally, we celebrated her birthday by ordering food, requesting our neighbours to join us and playing indoor games.

Due to the increased interference of man in nature, the patterns of weather are undergoing an erratic change. Unexpected and unsystematic season cycles are have become common. A recent plan that I had with my cousins was a fiasco. It was the birthday of my younger cousin when we decided to go for a picnic and celebrate it. We got everything ready the previous night. Everyone was so thrilled that the lengthy discussions about what we would do the following day carried on till late night. At about 10am we decided to leave for the fun filled day we had planned, when we were getting ready to leave the heavens opened up. We thought that it will stop raining in sometime but Mother Nature had other plans in store and the downpour only got heavier. Everyone was disappointed so we decided to celebrate the birthday at home with the same enthusiasm. We prepared some snacks, called some of our neighbours, played board games, cards and watched a movie on television. Though we were upset intially but later, it turned out to be a fulfilled day and probably we enjoyed more than what we may had enjoyed at the picnic, the neighbours who joined us added to the fun. It was a memorable day and the birthday girl was also very happy. 

Follow ups:

1. Where can people get weather reports?(People can get weather reports from newspapers, applications on mobile phones, websites and television news.)

2. How do weather reports affect people’s life? (Weather reports affect people’s holidays, travel plans. They also affect everyday decisions like washing clothes etc.)

3. What do people do on rainy days and sunny days? (On sunny days people generally wear light cotton clothes, use sunglasses, hats etcetera to protect themselves against the sun’s heat but on rainy days they use raincoats, colourful umbrellas. On rainy days people prefer to remain confined to their homes and on sunny days people don’t hesitate to venture out.)

4. Has climate affected your country? (Like every other part of the world, my country too has been affected by unexpected climate changes. Human interferences with the balance of nature is the primary reason for erratic climatic conditions.)

5. Does weather affect your mood? (Yes weather affect my mood, on sunny days, I feel lively and energetic on cloudy days, I feel sad and gloomy.) 

A time when the weather changed your plan.

Time when you helped someone cue card

 Cue Card-14. 

Q. When you helped someone.

• What was the situation?

• Who was the person?

• How you helped him/her?

• Explain how you felt after helping the person?

1. I helped a poor woman and her baby in an evening when it was raining heavily.

2. They were strangers to me; I saw them near my house. 

3. I provided them food, some warm clothes and shelter.

4. I felt happy and content that I was of use to someone. 

Man is a social animal and we cannot live alone. We should always help everyone we can. There have been many instances when I helped people but I am about to relate one which happened not too long ago. It was a friday evening when it was raining cats and dogs that I saw a woman carrying a little baby and shivering in the cold. She had covered her baby with a torn shawl and the child was howling. This situation depressed me and I felt a deep urge to help. I directed her towards my house and made them comfortable in a room that we had for our helpers. I handed over some clothes to the woman and gave her tea to warm her body and milk for the body. Later, that night after everyone had dinner, my mother and I spoke to the poor woman that the woman was a parent and was abandoned by her husband. We decided to keep them with us to help in household chores and we could give them shelter, food and also send the girl to school. When my mother proposed this to the lady, she had tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. That moment made me realise now a helping hand gives rise to such emotions in humans. I felt so thankful for all. I have and realised how tough life can be for certain people. I felt very happy and joyful that I was able to help a person and her daughter. It gave me contentment and also taught me a lesson to help the needy in any possible manner. 

Follow ups:

1. Do you like helping others? (Yes, my parents and teachers have taught me that we must help others.)

2. In your view should children be taught to help others? (In my opinion, children should be taught to help others keeping in mind that they may also need someone’s help in future.)

3. How can we encourage children to help others? (Children can be encouraged to extend help by asking them to help their parents in daily chores, helping old people by bringing things for them etcetera.)

4. Do you think people are less willing to help others these days? (These days we have become materialistic and self-centred and as compared to the past people are more hesitant in extending help to others.)

5. How can charitable organizations help people? (Charitable organizations can help people by raising funds for food, education, shelter, clothing, medicine etcetera.)

6. What are some examples of such organizations in your country? (The examples of charitable organizations in India are Missionaries of charity, MAD (Make a difference), Retract.

Cue card special place you would like to visit in future.

 Cue Card-13

Describe a special place you would like to visit in future.

• Where is this place?

• Who would you like to go with?

• What would you do there?

• Explain why this would be a special trip? 

1. I would like to go to a hill station called Khajjiar, it is known as the Switzerland of India.

2. I want to go there with my friends as none of us has been there.

3. I would enjoy and admire nature, visit some tourist attractions like the lake and the pine forests.

4. It would be a very special trip as I am longing for pleasant weather and good company. 

Today everyone has a very tight schedule and stuck in their professions and end up being a participant in the rat race for money and professional glory. A  short trip is good way of taking a break from daily routine and rejuvenating. I am keen traveller but I am a student and I haven’t had the chance to visit many places. I have visited very few places in India and sadly none abroad. Before going abroad, I want to visit all places in India and I would like to begin with Khajjiar, the Switzerland of India in Himachal Pradesh. I have heard a lot about its beauty and charm. It is situated in foothills of the Dhauladhar range of the Western Himalayas. It has a beautiful lake led by streams originating from the mountains. It is a unique ecosystem comprising of a lake, pastures and evergreen forests. I have read about it in books, seen it in some movies and heard a lot about it from friends and relatives who have been there. It is an hour away from Dalhousie. There are a couple of private hotels in Khajjiar but the preferred choices of accommodation for tourists are a hotel and colleges managed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism department. Dense Deodar and Pine trees of the Dhauladhar range along with lush green meadows make Khajjiar one of the other 160 places in the world which resemble Switzerland. The best sources of entertainment in Khajjiar are walk around the picturesque lake and trekking in the thick pine forests. Children like this place because they get freedom of movement, they can roll down the grass covered slopes without the fear of getting hurt. Horse riding is another famous activity. There have been times when we have planned a trip to Khajjiar but we could not execute any of those plans. I hope something materializes soon. 

Follow ups: 

1. Are there any special places for visiting in India? (There are many special places worth visiting in. Some places are famous for natural beauty, temples, monuments and buildings. Others are famous for food, clothing, art, music etcetera.)

2. Do Indian people like to travel abroad? (Yes, Indian people like to travel abroad for vacations, business or study.)

3. How can people benefit from travelling? (There are many advantages of travelling like attaining knowledge of places, understanding reigonal and cultural diversity. Widening our social circle by meeting new people is also one of the many advantages of travelling.)

4. Do you like to travel on your own or with your family? (I am solitary and peace loving person. I prefer to travel alone and do what I want when I visit new places.)

5. Do you like to visit popular places or less-known places? (I like to travel, so I visit any place that is new for me and its popularity really has no significance.)

Related Questions: A short vacation you would like. OR A trip with your friends.