Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
A time when you stayed far away from your home - Cue Card # 452
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a time when you stayed far away from your home.
You should say:
- when and where it was
- how long you stayed there
- why you stayed there and what you did there
and explain how you felt about staying far away from home.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Until I reached the college-going age, my parents would never leave me alone unless it was absolutely necessary, and that too only for a couple of days at max. But, they had to break this unwritten rule (of not leaving me alone for long) a few times when I was a young high school student. Let me tell you what exactly happened.
Back in my high school years, about 8 years ago, I was rather passionate about playing chess. In fact, I became so good at playing this game that I even became a champion in a district-level tournament. Naturally, I became more ambitious, and so was my school game teacher, as we both wanted to take my chess playing skills to a different level, and the only way we could do it was to take part in a national youth championship tournament, which is held every year in the capital city of my country.
Luckily, I even got a ticket to take part in the next national chess tournament after playing a few trial matches against some really formidable opponents in my country. Now, all I needed was to get permission from my parents to leave my home and spend about two weeks at a hotel in our capital city until the tournament was over. But, as expected, when my parents heard about my plan, they vehemently protested the idea. But, eventually, they calmed down when my game teacher managed to convince them that he would take good care of me.
Anyway, as long as I stayed away from my parents, I was both excited and nervous at the same time: excited because I was able to compete against so many great chess players of my country while staying at a great place, and nervous because I had never stayed away from my family for such a long time before. But, all in all, it was a great experience because it allowed me to cope with new situations.
Model Answer 2:
Thank you so much for allowing me to share an experience when I was away from home. Well, one particular time that comes to my mind is when I went to another city for a university exchange programme about three years ago. It was in the capital city, which is quite far from where my family lives. I stayed there for around four months, and that was actually the longest I had ever been away from home.
The main reason I went there was to complete a short academic term that my university had arranged. I was studying business management, and this programme gave us a chance to attend lectures by professors who had international teaching experience. Apart from the classes, I was also involved in a few group projects, cultural exchange activities, and even some part-time volunteering work. So, in a way, it was quite a busy but enriching time for me.
At first, honestly, I felt a bit homesick. I had never lived that far from my parents before, and suddenly being in a new city with completely different surroundings was a little overwhelming. Simple things like cooking my own meals, managing expenses, or figuring out the local transportation system were quite challenging in the beginning. But gradually, I got used to it. I started enjoying the independence and the freedom to make my own decisions.
Looking back, I think that experience really helped me grow. It gave me more confidence and made me realise that I could adapt to new situations if I put my mind to it. So yes, even though I missed home, I’d say it was one of the most valuable experiences I’ve ever had.
Sample Answer 3:
Till I turned 16, I can’t recall any event when I stayed far away from home alone. Though I visited some of my relatives who stayed far away from our house, on all those occasions, either one of my parents or both of them were present with me. For this topic, I'll talk about an event when I stayed far away from my home, and also describe where I went, how long I stayed there, and my feelings about staying far away from home.
I went to Denmark when I was 19 years old as part of a tour our college arranged. That was a week-long tour to explore a different country. I went to Denmark and stayed in a hotel that our college booked for us.
As I remember, I stayed there for about a week, and that was indeed my first stay in a place quite far away from my home. The day we reached there, I was quite fascinated to be in a different country. We reached there in the evening and checked into a hotel. I was in a single room where I stayed for 4 days. After we moved to Odense in South Denmark, we stayed in a different hotel, but this time, I had to share the room with one of my classmates, and luckily, the room was large enough for two of us to share.
We did numerous things during our stay there, including visiting museums, camping, completing an assignment, visiting two other colleges in Denmark and meeting with the students there. We also visited different historically famous places in Denmark. Some of the experiences, including dining, visiting local markets and meeting local people, were some distinctive experiences for me.
I would say I was very excited about the whole tour, and everything we did and participated in was very enthralling. This was the first time I stayed so long in a distant place without any family members. I called my parents almost every day, and I missed them quite often. They were worried about me and called me now and then to learn what I was doing. I missed my own room, my little sister and parents, but that did not make me homesick due to the stirring experience and time I was having.
I did not know how much I'd missed my house, parents and little sister until I returned home. Seeing all of them and getting back to my own house gave me an amazing feeling I had never felt before. It was like getting back to a place and people I love most.
Idea Generation for this Cue Card Topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when you stayed far away from your home. You need to explain when and where it was, how long you stayed there, why you stayed there and what you did there, and finally share how you felt about staying far away from home. Since such experiences can vary widely, here are eight detailed ideas to help you structure your response.
Idea 1: Studying in a different city:
You stayed in a different city for a university program for six months. You lived in a student dormitory, attended lectures, and made new friends. At first, you felt homesick, but later you enjoyed the independence and personal growth.
Idea 2: Business training abroad:
You travelled to another country for a two-week professional training program. The schedule was intense, filled with workshops and presentations. Being far from home taught you how to adapt to new environments and boosted your confidence.
Idea 3: Volunteering in a rural area:
You joined a month-long volunteering project in a remote rural village. You taught local children and helped with community work. The experience was rewarding, but you missed the comfort of your home and family.
Idea 4: Attending a cultural exchange program:
You participated in a cultural exchange in a foreign country for three months. You lived with a host family, experienced their traditions, and learned a new language. It was exciting but also challenging to adjust to different customs.
Idea 5: Hospital stay away from home:
You had to stay in a city hospital for two weeks after an accident. Although it wasn’t very far, the unfamiliar environment made you feel isolated. Support from doctors and nurses helped you cope until you returned home.
Idea 6: Summer camp experience:
You attended a summer camp in the mountains for a month during your school days. You joined activities like hiking, swimming, and campfires. It was fun, but you sometimes longed for your family’s warmth.
Idea 7: Internship in a corporate office:
You stayed in another city for a three-month internship at a large company. The workload was heavy, but you gained valuable professional experience. Living alone was difficult at first, but you became more responsible and independent.
Idea 8: Visiting relatives for a long vacation:
You spent an entire summer, almost three months, at your uncle’s house in another region. You played with cousins, explored new places, and enjoyed different food. It felt like a second home, though you eventually missed your own room and family.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time you stayed far away from home, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the location, the duration of your stay, the reason for it, and your personal feelings. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the challenges of being independent, the feelings of homesickness, and the personal growth that came from the experience, making your response both personal and insightful. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Far from home: – A great distance from one's place of residence.
Example: I stayed far from home for the first time when I went to university.
Homesickness: – The feeling of sadness and longing for one's home.
Example: In the beginning, I felt a terrible bout of homesickness, but it gradually faded.
Independence: – The state of being self-sufficient and not depending on others.
Example: The experience taught me a lot about independence and living on my own.
Self-sufficient: – Needing no outside help in satisfying one's basic needs.
Example: I had to become completely self-sufficient and manage all my own affairs.
Solo journey: – A trip taken alone.
Example: It was a solo journey, which made the experience even more challenging and rewarding.
Adventure: – An unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.
Example: The whole experience was a grand adventure that I will never forget.
Unfamiliar territory: – An area or situation one is not accustomed to.
Example: It was my first time in such an unfamiliar territory, and I felt a little lost at first.
Nostalgic: – Characterised by a sentimental longing for a period in the past.
Example: I often feel nostalgic for the memories of my time away from home.
A sense of detachment: – The state of being objective or aloof.
Example: At first, I felt a sense of detachment from my friends and family back home.
Loneliness/Solitude: – The state of being alone, which can be either negative (loneliness) or positive (solitude).
Example: The first few weeks were marked by loneliness, but I eventually learned to appreciate the solitude.
Rejuvenated: – Made to feel or look younger, fresher, or more vigorous.
Example: After my trip, I returned home feeling completely rejuvenated and refreshed.
Personal growth: – The process of improving or developing one's personality, abilities, and skills.
Example: The entire experience was a period of great personal growth for me.
Memorable: – Worth remembering or easily remembered.
Example: My time away from home was a truly memorable chapter in my life.
Eye-opening: – Surprising in a way that teaches one a new fact or idea.
Example: It was an eye-opening experience that broadened my horizons.
Adaptable: – Able to adjust to new conditions.
Example: The trip taught me to be more adaptable and flexible.
Cherished memories: – Fond recollections that are held dear.
Example: I have so many cherished memories from my time living away from home.
If you prepare for this cue card, you should be able to answer the following cue card questions as well:
1) Describe a city or country you have visited.
2) Describe a time when you stayed in a hotel.
3) Describe a tour or journey that you remember well.
4) Describe an event when you missed your home.
5) Describe a city or country you have been to.
6) Describe an educational tour you have had.
7) Describe a memorable event from your school or college.
8) Describe a city or country you would like to visit.
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