Cue card A news reporter you would like to meet.

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A news reporter you would like to meet.

• Who is it? // How do you know him/her? // Why do you like him/her?

The news reporter I would like to meet is Barkha Dutt. // She is a columnist in the Hindustan Times and a journalist and news anchor for NDTV. // I like her because of her confidence and also because she is graceful, elegant and well-educated. 

India has had many great people from time to time. There are a few personalities who leave indelible footprints in our hearts and they influence us in several ways. The person, I truly admire and appreciate is Barkha Dutt who is an Indian television journalist and columnist. I have read several articles written by her in the popular newspaper, Hindustan Times. She is the host of my favourite TV show and the award winning weekly show, ‘We, The People’ as well as the daily prime time show, ‘The Buck Stops Here’. She emerged as a prominent figure post her reporting of the Kargil war in 1999. She has to her credit books named “The Unquiet Land Gujrat”, “The Making of a Tragedy”. She is also the recipient of the Padma Shri for her excellent work. I am inspired by her confidence, elegance and grace. She is a woman par excellence who is an inspiration to many others, especially me. Her strong and charismatic disposition impresses the viewers. She is a woman who I respect and admire and would surely want to meer her one day. 

Follow ups:

1. What type of people can be seen on TV? (All kinds of people like politicians, doctors, priests, astrologers, or dieticians can be seen on TV.)

2. Do you think there is too much news about celebrities? (Yes, I feel celebrities are excessively flashed on news channels to an extent that they lose their privacy.)

3. Do you think negative information shown in the news can have a negative influence on people? (I think that a negative influence is cast on people when things like crime and fear of terror attacks are hyped in news.)

Related Question: Favourite personality OR Favourite person on television OR A person you admire

Cue card Visit to a hill station ielts speaking cue card

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Visit to a hill station 

• Where did you go? // Who were you with? // When did you go? // How was your experience?

I went to Shimla, which is the “queen of hills” in Himachal Pradesh. // I had gone with friends. // I went in the mid of August. // The experience was pleasant, we all had fun and it was a very memorable time. 

I am fond of travelling but being a student, I have never had enough time to visit different places. However, it was near Independence Day that we had a three-day off and my friends and I went to Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. We begun our journey in the afternoon and by the evening, we were there. I enjoyed each and every step of the way. The scenic beauty was mesmerizing and mind-blowing. We stopped several times along the way to click pictures. The weather was a wonderful escape from the scorching heat of the plains. Our three days' trip brought us really close to each other and gave us memories that we will cherish for life. We went to the famous Mall Road, visited the Christ Church and rode horses. We went to the institute of advanced studies which is a famous monolithic structure. We also had coffee in a newly opened coffee shop with friends. This rejuvenating trip to Shimla gave me very fond memories which I will recall them when I am sad and I am sure, they will make me smile. 

Follow ups:

1. What are the advantages of travelling?

- Travelling helps us to gain knowledge and widens our experience. It also increases understanding of cultural diversity.

2. What do you prefer, travelling with friends or family?

- I prefer travelling with friends as with them, I do not have to be formal and I can enjoy freely. 

3. What means of transport are popular in your country?

- People in my country use all kinds of transport ranging from cycle rickshaws to aeroplanes. 

Related Question: A short vacation with friends OR A holiday you recently went to.

Proverb: He that travel far knows much.

Meaning: A person who has been to many places has a lot of knowledge and experience.

A time when you waited for something.

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A time when you waited for something. 

• Where did you wait? // When did this happen? // Who you were with? // Explain why you had to wait. 

I had to wait at a hospital. // This happened in the freezing month of December. // I was with my mother and uncle. // I had to wait because my maternal aunt had to be operated.

I generally go prepared to wait and usually carry a book or something with me to pass my time but the one occasion when I had a very unpleasant waiting experience was when my aunt had to undergo a surgery in the freezing month of December. My mother, my uncle and I reached the hospital at 8 am as my maternal aunt was to be operated for a gall bladder condition at 8.30 am. However, to our surprise, this time was not for her and the doctor was caught up in an emergency. My aunt was given some medicine which made her feel sleepy and my mother starts praying whenever she is free. My uncle went to his workplace to be back shortly and this wait went on not only till the afternoon but further into the evening. It was what I would call a very unpleasant wait because the atmosphere of the hospital was disturbing as there was death, blood, sickness, disease and I get upset at the sight of such things. Therefore, I hated this wait and I was not even able to read a book because I found the atmosphere disturbing. Finally, the wait was over and around 5:15 pm she was taken to the operation theatre for her surgery. To conclude, I would not want to experience this kind of a wait again. 

Follow ups: 

1. Why do you think patience is important? (Patience is important because actions performed and decisions taken in haste are likely to fall.)

2. Why is it tough for children to be patient? (Children are immature and always excited, so they find it tough to be patient.)

3. Do you feel angry easily when told to wait? (I remain calm when I am made to wait because I believe that people don’t make others wait deliberately.)

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.