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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 handcrafted item which you made yourself.

You should say:

• what it was
• how you made it
• what you did with it

and explain how you felt about making it yourself.

[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer 1:
I remember my 5-year-old cousin who just loved to play cricket. Not to mention, of course, I also loved to play cricket. So, when he insisted one day, almost about 8 years ago, that I would need to make him a special cricket bat, I just couldn’t say “no” to him.

So, why did I need to make a very special bat for him? Well, apparently, because he wanted to beat everybody who was playing with him and against him, except, of course, I was probably the worst “craftsman” under the sun. But I still took the challenge because I needed to prove to my little cousin that I was indeed the best cousin in the world!

So, anyway, now coming to the real challenge of making the perfect cricket bat for my little cousin. For that, of course, I had to find a fine piece of flat wood, a small table saw, sandpaper and a rubber strip. To make the cricket bat, I first cut the wood with the table saw, followed by a wood plane work, in the shape of a cricket bat with a width about 3 inches, the thickness of about half inch and a length of about 2 feet (please understand that it is a mini bat for a little kid that I was making). Then I made the whole piece of bat shiny and smooth by pressing sand over it. Finally, I glued the rubber strip over the handle of the bat to make it look like a real cricket bat before formally handing it over to my little cousin. Thankfully, the little guy liked my handiwork!

I felt really happy and glad that I didn’t disappoint my little cousin after making that cricket bat for him. Besides, I also felt proud of my work because I had never really done anything like that with my own hands before. All in all, it was a fun thing to do while learning something new.

Sample Answer 2:
Kite flying is a popular activity in China, and I have made different types of kites on various occasions, all by myself. For this topic, I'd love to talk about a dragon kite that I made when I was around 16 years old.  

Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a traditional and widely celebrated festival in China. During this festival, many people, especially children and young people, play around with a variety of kites. On such an occasion, I made a kite which was more than 4 feet in length and looked like a red dragon. This sort of kite is usually called "dragon kite", and it is quite tough to make and fly. When a traditional kite might take an hour to be made, a dragon kite sometimes takes more than a week, depending on its size and shape.

It took me more than 4 days to complete this kite, and I had to purchase some special papers, colour, plastic, glue, ribbon, and sticks to make this kite. First, I had to use the sticks of different sizes to build the main shape of the kite. The sticks were linked to each other very strongly, and I used glue, sticks and plastic to make the final shape of the kite. Then I  checked whether the structure was strong enough to fly or not. After that,  I wrapped the frame with colourful papers and plastics to give it a beautiful shape. I was quite happy to see the final outcome and was convinced that it would fly without any obstacles.

When I made the kite and finally flew it in the sky, it was a great experience for me. I was relieved that it was flying and looked good. People were looking at that large dragon kite, and some of them appreciated it. It was embracing the white cloud in the sky and went higher than most other kites. It was moving as if a great dragon was acting as a guardian of the sky and protecting the people below it. I was quite excited when it finally declared its prominence in the sky.

Sample Answer 3:
Oh my goodness! This topic is tough for me. I’m not really a ‘handcrafted’ sort of person. I am very bad at creative things. I really admire it when I see what other people can do – somehow taking some old newspapers and a bucket of glue and creating some extraordinary work of art out of papier mâché, but that isn’t really me, unfortunately. However, when I was very little, we used to sometimes do crafts at school, and occasionally I’d see a children’s TV programme which would include ideas of things that were easy to make with discarded household items. I can think of an example of this, and that’s what I’m going to talk about today.

Well, as to the ‘what it was’. I suppose I can only say it was a ‘useful box for putting things in’. Not that useful, probably because it was very small. It will make more sense when I explain how I made it.

So, what you needed was an old matchbox. Nowadays, matchboxes tend to be made of cardboard, but when I was very little, they were actually made of very finely cut wood sometimes. All I did was take an old matchbox once the matches had all been used. Then I got hold of some very special sellotape. It was gold, I really don’t know where it came from because it would be unusual even now. However, I had it, and some silver tape too. I very carefully wound the gold and silver tape around the outside of the matchbox until it was completely covered up. If you look at the box now, you can see it’s a bit wonky, so it must have been hard to do with my little, podgy fingers as a toddler. I then found a button from somewhere and stuck it in the middle of the top of the box. Job done! A little box for secret treasure. So what did I do with it? Well, the purpose of this creative outburst was to make a gift for my Dad. I’m not sure if I did this for fathers’ day, or whether I made it for a birthday present, but it was very definitely made with my dad in mind.

Honestly, I don’t remember now how I felt about making it myself, but I’m guessing I would have been very proud, because I was at an age when I’d have been too little to have any money of my own, and it took quite a bit of initiative to come up with this gift idea and follow it through (though I have a suspicion my mum might have helped a bit with glueing on the button!). However, last year my Dad died, and over the subsequent months, I’ve been sorting through some of his things quite gradually. In a side drawer of his desk, I came across this little box, which he had carefully kept for nearly 40 years.

So it seems, even though my attempt at handcraft wouldn’t win any prizes in a competition, I hope this little story goes to show that really and truly, it is often the case that it really is ‘the thought that counts’! How do I feel about making it myself? Well, really happy, it was such a personal exchange, and I was happy that my Dad must have really appreciated it to have kept it for all those years.

[Written by - Lucy Marris (2016): Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam)]

Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

This topic asks you to describe a handcrafted item which you made yourself. To give a strong answer, you should say what it was, how you made it, what you did with it, and explain how you felt about making it. Here are some ideas to help you develop your own response:

1. A small wooden bookshelf:
One weekend, I built a compact two-tier bookshelf from pine planks. I measured, cut with a hand saw, sanded the edges, and joined the pieces using pocket screws and wood glue before staining it a warm walnut. After it dried, I arranged my favourite paperbacks and a tiny succulent on it in my study corner. Crafting something sturdy with my own hands felt empowering and oddly calming, and the shelf still reminds me that I can solve practical problems creatively.

2. A knitted winter scarf:
When the weather turned cold, I knitted a chunky scarf using thick wool and 8 mm needles in a simple garter stitch. I watched a few tutorials to fix my tension, then spent evenings knitting while listening to podcasts, weaving in the ends neatly at the finish. I wear it on morning walks and have received a few compliments about the colour and texture. Creating something so cosy made me feel resourceful, and it deepened my appreciation for handmade clothing.

3. A hand-painted clay mug:
At a local pottery studio, I moulded a simple mug on the wheel, trimmed the foot, and attached a curved handle before bisque firing. I painted it with underglaze in a minimalist pattern and sealed it with a clear glaze, then it went for the final firing. I now use it as my “focus mug” for coffee during work sessions. Holding something I shaped from raw clay gives me a quiet pride every morning and makes the coffee ritual more personal.

4. A macramé wall hanging:
I crafted a boho-style wall hanging with cotton cord and a smooth wooden dowel, practising square knots, lark’s head knots, and diagonal clove hitches. After experimenting with symmetry, I trimmed the fringe to a chevron shape and brushed it out for softness. It now hangs above my desk, softening the room and absorbing a bit of echo. The meditative knotting process slowed my thoughts, and finishing it felt like framing a few peaceful hours on the wall.

5. A leather card wallet:
Curious about leatherwork, I cut two vegetable-tanned leather pieces, punched stitching holes with an awl, and hand-stitched them using waxed thread in a saddle stitch. I bevelled and burnished the edges with gum tragacanth and stamped my initials inside. I keep my ID and a couple of cards in it every day. The durability and patina developing over time make me feel connected to the craft and proud of its quiet, functional beauty.

6. A set of watercolour greeting cards:
Before a festival, I painted a batch of small cards on cold-press paper - simple florals, tiny landscapes, and a few abstract washes. After drying, I scored and folded them, added matching envelopes, and tied the set with twine. I gifted them to friends so they could use them for their own notes. Making art in a purposeful, sharable format felt generous and joyful, and it nudged me to paint more regularly.

7. A terrarium in a glass jar:
I assembled a low-maintenance terrarium by layering pebbles, activated charcoal, and potting mix in a wide jar, then planting tiny ferns and moss with a few decorative stones. After a light misting, I placed it near indirect light and monitored condensation. It sits on my bedside table, bringing a miniature forest vibe to the room. Creating a living arrangement from simple materials felt soothing and taught me patience with small ecosystems.

8. A bamboo planter box for herbs:
Using reclaimed bamboo slats, I cut equal lengths, pre-drilled holes, and fastened the frame with small brackets, lining the inside with coconut coir for drainage. I planted basil, mint, and coriander, then set the box on my sunny balcony. Fresh herbs made cooking livelier, and the box held up through the season. Building something sustainable from recycled material made me feel both eco-conscious and practically satisfied.

9. A scented soy candle:
I melted soy wax in a double boiler, added a blend of lavender and cedar essential oils at the right temperature, and poured it into a frosted glass jar with a centred cotton wick. After curing for a couple of days, the candle gave a clean, gentle scent. I light it during evening reading time to unwind. Crafting a calm atmosphere from scratch felt like a small act of self-care with a tangible, lovely payoff.

10. A beaded bracelet with a simple clasp:
Using elastic thread, I strung matte black beads with a single silver spacer and secured the knot with a dab of clear glue. I measured my wrist carefully to avoid overstretching and kept the design minimal to suit everyday wear. I now rotate it with my watch for a subtle, personal touch. Making jewellery taught me attention to detail, and wearing it feels like carrying a tiny signature wherever I go.

11. An origami-inspired paper lamp shade:
For a dull corner, I folded heavyweight paper into repeating pleats using a scored template, then glued the ends to form a geometric cylinder and attached it to an LED pendant holder. The folds cast soft, patterned light across the room without getting hot. I hung it above a reading chair, and it instantly elevated the space. Engineering light with paper made me feel inventive, and the glow still surprises me with how elegant DIY can look.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a handcrafted item you made, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey what the item was, the process of its creation, its purpose, and your feelings about the experience. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the time, effort, and personal satisfaction involved, making your response both personal and creative. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Handcrafted: – Made by hand, not by machine; handmade.
Example: I made a handcrafted wooden box as a gift for my sister.

DIY (Do-it-yourself): – The activity of decorating, building, and making repairs or improvements to one's own home or belongings.
Example: It was a simple DIY project that I completed over the weekend.

Creation: – The action or process of bringing something into existence.
Example: This painting is my favourite creation because it represents a personal achievement.

Labour of love: – A task done not for reward but because one enjoys doing it.
Example: The quilt was a true labour of love, and it took me over a month to finish.

Meticulously: – In a way that shows great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Example: I meticulously painted every detail to ensure it looked perfect.

Intricate: – Very complicated or detailed.
Example: The design of the necklace was so intricate and required a lot of patience.

Patience: – The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
Example: Making it required a lot of patience, but the result was worth it.

Artistic: – Having or revealing an aesthetic sensibility.
Example: I felt a great deal of artistic freedom while creating the sculpture.

Satisfied: – Contented; pleased.
Example: I was very satisfied with the final result of my project.

Proud: – Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements.
Example: I felt incredibly proud to display the shelf that I had built myself.

Sentimental value: – The value of an object to a person because of its associations with a person or a memory.
Example: The item doesn't have much monetary value, but it has a great deal of sentimental value.

Unique: – Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.
Example: The vase is unique because I made it myself, and no one else has one exactly like it.

Original: – Created personally by a particular artist, not a copy or imitation.
Example: I like it because it's an original piece of my own design.

Accomplishment: – Something that has been achieved successfully.
Example: Finishing the project gave me a great sense of accomplishment.

Therapeutic: – Relating to the healing of disease; beneficial.
Example: The process of crafting was very therapeutic and helped me relax.

Heirloom: – A valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations.
Example: I hope this handcrafted piece can become a family heirloom in the future.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe a handcrafted item which you made yourself", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe something you have made yourself (from wood, metal, paper or other material).
2) Describe an art and craft activity you did at school.
3) Describe a handmade gift you gave to a friend or a relative.
4) Describe a present or gift that someone gave you that you really liked.
5) Describe a gift that you received on your birthday.
6) Describe something you made by yourself that you are proud of.
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• Candidate Task Card

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