Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a subject that helped you in life - Cue Card # 451
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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 subject that helped you in life, even though you didn’t like it in school.
You should say:
- what subject it was
- whether you like it now and why
- why you did not like it in school
and explain how it helped you in your life.
[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:
I must admit that when I was in high school, I wasn’t among the brightest of the students. But it was even more so when it came to learning mathematics. In fact, I didn’t just dislike the subject but also dreaded it for the most part back then.
Of course, I tried really hard to improve my mathematical skills by spending a significant amount of time learning this subject, but unfortunately, the more I tried, the more it felt like the same. I couldn’t blame my mathematics teachers either for my poor performance because, to tell the truth, they also tried their best to teach me.
Anyway, my parents and I tried really hard to find out the reasons behind such poor mathematical skills, but we couldn’t really manage to come up with any tangible reasons for that back then. In fact, as I come to think of it now, I guess we weren’t just smart enough to find out the reasons, to begin with, back then, after all, we were not experts in this regard.
But, as far as exactly why I didn’t like mathematics, I guess, it's simply because I didn’t have the proper foundation in this hard subject, which was much needed for success. Besides, it is also very much possible that I considered math as a collection of some abstract and irrelevant figures that were really boring and thus difficult to understand. By the way, I still don’t like mathematics (even though I eventually got a little better at it), but that doesn’t necessarily mean it didn’t help me in life.
In fact, it is because of learning mathematics that I have somewhat acquired the power of reasoning in order to prevent chaos in my life. Besides, it has nurtured the much-needed daily problem-solving abilities in me, like how much empty space my living room should have after arranging all the furniture in it, or how fast I need to drive to beat the morning traffic.
Model Answer 2:
Back in school, there was one subject that always made me sigh whenever I saw it on my timetable, and it was Geography. At that time, I thought it was nothing but endless memorisation of maps, mountain ranges, capital cities, and climatic zones. While my friends seemed to enjoy the colourful atlases and diagrams, I found them dry and uninspiring. I used to wonder, “When will I ever need to know the difference between a delta and an estuary?”
Interestingly, life had its own way of proving me wrong. Years later, when I started travelling and working in different regions, Geography turned out to be a silent companion that I never thought I needed. For example, when I first went abroad for work, my basic understanding of time zones and weather patterns saved me from making some embarrassing mistakes in scheduling meetings and flights. I also found myself naturally explaining landscapes and ecosystems to my friends while hiking, almost as if all those classroom lessons had been quietly stored away, waiting for the right moment.
I think one reason I didn’t enjoy Geography at school was the way it was taught. It felt more like rote learning than real-world exploration. Instead of connecting the subject to everyday life, our lessons focused heavily on exams. But once I began seeing rivers, mountains, and cultures with my own eyes, all those textbook details suddenly came alive. That’s when I began to appreciate the subject deeply. Today, I genuinely like it because it shapes the way I understand the world, not just physically but also socially and culturally.
In hindsight, Geography has helped me immensely. It has broadened my worldview, given me practical knowledge for travelling, and even improved my communication when working with people from different countries. What once felt like a burden in school has now become a tool that makes me feel more connected to the planet and the people living on it.
Model Answer 3:
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Sometimes, over time, you come to completely change your mind about something, even though you never could have imagined you would. It’s the same for me, a subject I spent some time studying when I was younger, and I absolutely loathed it. Now, I realise that subject – or more accurately skill – is one of my strongest assets. It has definitely helped me in life, in more ways than I could possibly have realised at the time.
Strictly speaking, this wasn’t a topic I learned in school, but after I left school. I enrolled at a local college because they were offering a free ‘Intensive Secretarial Course’, and at the time I didn’t have a job, so I thought it would be something worthwhile to learn whilst I was doing some volunteering and looking for proper work. The course covered typing and shorthand, and also how to lay out business letters properly. Truthfully, I never got the hang of shorthand. The lessons were after lunch, and after a few weeks, I stopped going to those sessions as I found that ‘accidentally on purpose’ they clashed with my volunteering…
I did, however, persevere with typing. Now I can touch type with ease, far faster than I could write anything, and just as fast as I can think. I don’t know that I ‘like’ it exactly, it has become as natural to me as breathing. I just couldn’t imagine being without this skill; it is so, so useful.
Why didn’t I like studying it at the time? Where to begin. It was just so boring and repetitive. What’s more, I learned how to type using a manual typewriter, banging out nonsensical phrases on what would now seem to be ancient machines. You had to hit the keys quite fiercely or they wouldn’t strike the inked ribbon hard enough to leave a mark. If you weren’t careful, you could actually get your fingers caught between the metal keys! Ugh, it was horrible! No wonder I stopped going to those classes.
The funny thing is, although the course felt like the longest 6 months of my life at the time, it was also fantastically useful. Being able to type helped me straight away both in looking for work and performing once appointed. I could do everything from being able to create my own professional-looking CV, complete smart-looking application forms and write up my own reports and letters without secretarial support once I started working. This made me a much quicker and more independent worker than my non-typing colleagues.
Nowadays, touch typing has enabled me to keep a number of blogs, carry on correspondence with people all over the world, and exchange letters with friends and family over many years. In a world where computers are everywhere, I am grateful I can use a keyboard with ease.
[Written by - Lucy Marris: Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
Sample Answer 4:
The subject I liked the least in my school was history. Interestingly, these days, I love to read history-related books a lot, and this subject has helped me quite a bit in my life.
History was a mandatory subject throughout my academic years in school. However, I was not passionate about reading or learning about history as much as I should have been. During university days, I started reading some storybooks that were related to historical events in our continent, and that grew a great passion in me regarding history. I should probably add that the History Channel is my favourite TV channel as it shows some great programmes which are not only interesting but also great sources of knowledge and information.
The main reason I like history nowadays is that, as a journalist, I understand its importance. Moreover, I believe that history can teach us valuable lessons. Histories were made by our ancestors, and we could always learn from their great actions and mistakes to make this world a better place to live in.
I did not like history as a subject in school, probably because I failed to realise its core importance and did not study this subject much. I did not try to get inside it, and I had read very few books related to history back then.
The history shaped the world we live in now, and every single event in history has a great influence on the world that we see now. In this regard, I took this subject seriously, and the valuable lessons I learned from it changed my life. For instance, after reading so many books related to wars, I have decided not to get involved in any kind of quarrel with others, as quarrels, wars, and selfishness can only bring catastrophes. I also learned about the greatest people in human history and how their hard work, determination and willingness have made them exemplary persons in the world. The things I learned from history books and other sources helped me a lot as a writer in my personal and professional life. I would say the contribution of history, as a subject or interest, has a great effect on my life.
Idea Generation for this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card topic:
This topic asks you to talk about a school subject that you did not enjoy learning at that time, but later realised its importance in your life. It requires you to explain what subject it was, why you disliked it back then, how your perspective has changed now, and in what ways it has benefited you later in life. Here are a few ideas that you can use to develop your own answer:
Idea 1: Mathematics:
I never liked mathematics in school because I found solving equations and memorising formulas extremely stressful. However, as I grew up, I realised how much math is involved in daily life, from managing personal finances to making logical decisions at work. Now, I appreciate it because it has helped me sharpen my analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, which I use in budgeting, planning, and even professional decision-making.
Idea 2: History:
Back in school, I used to dislike history since it was full of dates, battles, and events that seemed irrelevant to my life. I often found it boring and hard to memorise. But as an adult, I began to see how history explains the roots of societies, cultures, and global relations. It has helped me understand current events better and develop critical thinking when analysing social and political issues. This deeper understanding has made me more open-minded and culturally aware.
Idea 3: Literature:
Literature was not a subject I enjoyed much in school because I found reading long novels and analysing poems difficult. I couldn’t see the point of interpreting hidden meanings in stories. However, later in life, I realised that literature taught me empathy and communication skills. Reading different characters’ perspectives has made me more sensitive to human emotions and more creative in expressing myself, which has been very helpful in personal relationships and professional communication.
Idea 4: Science (Physics):
Physics was one of my least favourite subjects because I thought it was too technical and full of abstract theories that were hard to visualise. But as I grew older, I realised that physics explains many things in our daily lives, from how technology works to how the natural world functions. It has helped me appreciate modern inventions, understand energy efficiency, and even apply logical thinking when using or troubleshooting gadgets in daily life.
Idea 5: Geography:
In school, I disliked geography because it felt like endless memorisation of maps, rivers, and mountains. However, later in life, when I started travelling and interacting with people from different places, I found that my knowledge of geography was surprisingly useful. It helped me understand global issues like climate change, migration, and trade. Now I value it because it has made me more aware of the world and better at adapting to new environments.
Idea 6: Economics:
I never enjoyed economics in school because it was filled with complicated graphs, theories, and concepts that I found dull and confusing. But later, I realised how essential it is for understanding the world around us, especially money, trade, and markets. It helped me make informed financial decisions, understand global economic news, and even negotiate better in professional situations. Now I appreciate it much more than I ever did as a student.
Idea 7: Computer Studies:
When I was in school, computer studies seemed too technical for me, and I didn’t enjoy coding or learning about systems. I thought it was irrelevant to my future. But as technology became a central part of life, I realized how valuable those lessons were. It helped me adapt quickly to digital tools, use software efficiently, and even develop problem-solving strategies that are essential in today’s digital age. Now I see it as one of the most practical subjects I have ever learned.
Idea 8: Art:
I used to dislike art in school because I wasn’t very good at drawing or painting, and I thought it was a waste of time compared to academic subjects. However, as I grew older, I realised that art plays a big role in creativity, relaxation, and even professional presentation. It helped me think outside the box, design more visually appealing projects, and reduce stress in my personal life. Today, I truly appreciate the creativity and imagination it cultivated in me.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a subject that you disliked in school but later found useful, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey what the subject was, your feelings about it then and now, and its practical application in your life. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the shift in your perspective and the newfound appreciation you have for its importance, making your response both insightful and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Tedious: – Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
Example: I found mathematics to be a tedious subject with endless calculations.
Rote memorisation: – A learning technique based on repetition and memorizing without understanding.
Example: We were expected to learn through rote memorisation, which made the subject very boring.
Abstract concepts: – Ideas that exist as a thought or idea, rather than in concrete physical reality.
Example: The subject was difficult for me because it dealt with too many abstract concepts.
Uninteresting: – Not arousing curiosity or interest; dull.
Example: I considered the subject to be uninteresting and saw no purpose in learning it.
Foundational: – Serving as a base or groundwork of something.
Example: I later realised that this subject was foundational to my current career.
Practical application: – The use of a skill, technique, or idea in a real-world situation.
Example: I now see the practical application of the skills I learned in that class.
Appreciation: – The recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of something.
Example: I have a newfound appreciation for the subject now that I use it every day.
Eye-opening: – Surprising in a way that teaches one a new fact or idea.
Example: The experience of using the skills in real life was completely eye-opening.
Crucial: – Decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something.
Example: The knowledge I gained from that subject turned out to be crucial for my work.
Perspective: – A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Example: The experience completely changed my perspective on the subject.
Essential: – Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
Example: I now find that the skills from that class are essential to my daily life.
Relevancy: – The quality or state of being closely connected or appropriate to what is being considered.
Example: I failed to see the relevancy of the subject in school, but I see it now.
Indispensable: – Absolutely necessary.
Example: The knowledge from that subject has become an indispensable part of my skill set.
Enlightening: – Giving someone greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation.
Example: The experience of using it in the real world was very enlightening.
Regret: – A feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done.
Example: I now regret not paying more attention to it when I was in school.
Mind-numbing: – So boring or difficult that it makes one feel mentally numb.
Example: I used to think the topic was mind-numbing, but I now find it quite interesting.
If you prepare for this cue card, you should be able to answer the following cue cards as well:
1) Describe a subject you did not like in school.
2) Describe your favourite subject in your school or college.
3) Describe a subject that you liked a lot in your school.
4) Describe something important you learned in your school or college.
5) Describe a subject you did not like when you were at school, but now you find interesting.
6) Describe a subject taught in your school.
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