First time you used a foreign language to communicate

 Cue Card-38

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

 Cue Card-37

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.

 Cue Card-36 

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

 Cue Card-35 

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.