Cue Card Sample

IELTS Cue Card Sample 433 - Describe your favourite way to relax

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

Describe your favourite way to relax.

You should say:

  • what it is
  • when and how you relax
  • how effective it is for you

and explain why this way of relaxation is your favourite.


 

Model Answer 1:
We all need to relax in order to sharpen our thoughts as well as to regain our energy. Of course, different people have different ways of relaxation while I have my own favourite way.

Anyway, my favourite way to relax is to either enjoy some nice old movies while also eating my favourite snacks. Of course, this wasn’t exactly my favourite way to relax even before a few years ago when I was doing a desk job as a senior audit manager at one of the largest and renowned accounting firms of my country. Back then, my favourite way to relax was to do the outdoors and try to connect with nature since all I did was to crunch the numbers the whole day.

But, then, I changed my profession and became a General Sales Manager at a big car dealer’s shop (which I really love, by the way). As a general manager, of course, I need to be on the constant run at my current job to help and talk to my prospective car buyers, and as a result, I become really physically exhausted at the end of the day. And there just doesn’t seem to be a better way to get rid of my clumsy tiredness than to just hop on my sofa and turn on my DVD player in order to watch some of my most favourite old movies that I used to watch as a junior college and university student.

By the way, my favourite time to relax is between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm because, after that, I run on my treadmill machine for about 40 minutes before taking a fresh shower.  

Anyway, this is my favourite way of relaxation because it is very effective in unwinding my tense muscles because of all those running and moving at work. It is my favourite also because it helps me bring back some of my happiest memories from my student life as I consider my student life as the golden era of my life.


 

Sample Answer 2:
My favourite way to relax is a bit strange and my parents often find it hard to believe that I love to relax in this way. Well, this is not the only way I relax but definitely, this is my favourite one. To me relaxing and serenity is related. So I close the doors and windows of my room and lit a low powered light bulb to cut the outside noise and bright light. I live in a busy urban area so it’s usually noisy around me.

Then I turn on the CD player and play either Pink Floyd or Enigma in a low volume. Then I close my eyes and try to recall my happy memories of my childhood. This gives me immense pleasure as most of my childhood memories are spellbinding and magical. If I spend about half an hour this way I start feeling a sensation that is utmost pleasant. I remain half awake and half asleep and an hour is good enough for me to get fully recharged and refreshed.

I usually do it at home, more specifically in my room. Whenever I feel stressed or depressed I try to relax in this way to eliminate my stress and depression. I would not say it works all the time but I find it very effective. I guess during this process I try to feel happy as I get lost in my childhood and that’s something I have psychologically accepted as a remedy to my depressions and mental stress. Since I have been doing it for a while and my body and mind have got adjusted with this process, it works like a panacea to me.

My second best way of relaxation is reading books or visiting a naturally beautiful place. But the one I told you is most effective for me.


 

Sample Answer 3:
I am unable to manage much time for relaxation and it's my profession that does not allow me to relax a lot. But whenever I can manage time, I opt for cycling. In fact, it has become the favourite way to relax amid the busy schedule. I would like to thank you for this nice candidate task card.
 
I am a businessman and deal with cosmetics and toiletries import here in Singapore. I supply imported cosmetics and toiletries products from different countries to local distributors. This is a really profitable business for me. Hence, I have to remain busy round the week. I cannot manage time for relaxation or socialise much. Therefore, I took cycling as my favourite way to relax. On the weekend, I move out with my bicycle and move across the city. Though this is a bit difficult for me to ride a bicycle in this middle age, I enjoy the ride to the fullest extent.  

Usually, I start cycling on the weekends. I ride on the bicycle that I imported from Indonesia. It runs smooth and requires less maintenance. Generally, I start the ride early in the morning. Actually, with the advancement of the day, it is difficult indeed to ride a bicycle smoothly on the streets. So, I do the cycling in the morning hours. Besides, the environment remains calm and quiet. It brings a sense of comfort in me. My inner faculty becomes relaxed. I get out of the home with my bicycle even before the sunrise. As a result, I do not have to experience the hustle and bustle of city life. Besides, morning hours have a different appeal to me. When I ride on the bicycle, move along the streets and whistle by my own mind, the feelings are definitely great.      

This is an effective method to make me feel refreshed. In fact, people have different other ways to relax and they enjoy their ways. I like this one for some of the special benefits. First of all, cycling is a good exercise. While cycling, it burns fat from our body. Besides, it helps to keep us fit. It also helps to build the leg muscles stronger. Moreover, one can travel a long distance with the bicycle and see lots of surrounding things. Considering all the aspects, I am really benefitted with this habit. When I ride in the early morning, I feel close to nature. It brings a sense of satisfaction inside me. There is no chaos on the street and even fewer people. So, this appears an effective method for my relaxation.

I like this way of relaxation for some certain causes. Riding on a bicycle is really enjoying. It provides a special pleasure to the riders. Moreover, it is attractive for its advantageous impacts on the riders. It helps to focus on specific issues and thus increases the focusing skills. The most important benefit of this cycling is it helps to keep the riders fit. As a bicycle rider, I am fit than any other individual. My mind remains fresh on the day I ride on. Furthermore, when I ride, I do not ponder over my business or any other activities. It helps to make my mind free from worries and agonies. Thereby, I can think clearly later and take necessary decisions when needed. So, this is my favourite way of relaxation. 

 

More Ideas to talk about this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card topic:

Topic: Describe your favourite way to relax.

1. The way people relax or enjoy their free time varies from person to person. I love to listen to music when I want to relax. Usually, I listen to music at night. In fact, I cannot manage time to enjoy my leisure or relax time except at night. Playing the role of a sales executive is tough indeed. So, I spend a couple of hours after the evening on my own. I like to listen to relaxing music. It helps me feel refreshed. All my stresses are gone with the tones of musical instruments. And this is also good for my mental health.
 
2. Participation in sports is a good way to feel relaxed. So, I often take part in different outdoor sports. I usually take part in sports in the evening hours. I play different types of sports like football, cricket among others. This is really effective for me. I do not feel any stress after taking part in sports. This is my favourite way to relax as they have some other benefits as well. They also help me remain fit. 
 
3. I love to paint and this is the best way for me to get relaxed. Whenever I need to have some rest, I move to the rooftop of my apartment located here in Tokyo, Japan. This is a great way for me. Whenever I paint, all the troubles vanish from my mind. Besides, it also helps get some new ideas. This is my preferred way because it helps me to think about nature and increases the concentration power. And I have gathered a good number of paintings so far which are really adorable.
 
4. Reading books is the best way for many people for relaxation. And I am not an exception. I love to read books to feel comfortable. Usually, I read books before sleeping at night. It helps me spend times with the stories and events inside the books. It helps me travel through the minds of the authors. So, when I read books, I forget all my occupational agonies. I like reading books the most for relaxation because I can do it silently. Nobody feels disturbed when I read books. 
 
5. Watching movies as a way of relaxation may sound weird to many but this is my favourite way of relaxation. I watch the movies in the afternoon and thrice in a week. Whenever I feel stressed or get involved in any mental disarray, I watch movies. By this way, I feel relaxed from the worries. This is an exceptional way and just the opposite of the conventional ways of relaxation. But it is appropriate for me as I find pleasure in getting lost in a movie plot. Actually, there are no special reasons for it. 
 

If you can talk about this cue card, you should be able to answer the following cue card topics as well:

1. Describe something you often do.
2. Describe something unusual you did recently.
3. Describe something you started doing lately.
4. Describe your favourite time of the day.
5. Describe an activity to remain healthy.
6. Describe a way you relax.

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