Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a competition that you took part in - Cue Card # 535
- Details
- Last Updated: Sunday, 13 April 2025 17:58
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 125305
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 competition (e.g. TV, college/work or sports competition) that you took part in.
You should say:
- what kind of competition it was and how you found out about it
- what you had to do
- what the prizes were
and explain why you chose to take part in this competition.
[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:
After leaving university about 4 years ago, I didn’t feel interested in taking part in any sports competition. But all that changed when my current office decided to organize an inter-departmental annual indoor sports competition a year ago and kind of “pushed” me to participate in it because there were not enough people to compete in my accounting department, where I work as a senior accountant.
My office organizes this kind of competition pretty much every year. However, I always somehow managed to stay away from it on the ground that I was (and is) never a competitive-minded person. But, last year, when I was convinced that my participation would mean a lot to my fellow employees, I decided to take part in it. After all, I also told myself that this was really tough to work round the year without any meaningful break from the monotonous work schedule.
So, anyway, different competitions, like volleyball, sprint, music completion and table tennis, were held marking the event. Needless to say, I took part in table tennis because I thought it was the easiest sport which required minimum physical effort. Of course, I could have taken part in the music competition, but I was pretty sure that I would scare a lot more people with my musical voice than actually drawing them close!
By the way, the prizes were attractive, as the company arranged for some attractive looking electronic home appliances for the winners, including a large screen TV set for the first prize winner, an expensive microwave oven for the runners-up and a nice looking toaster for the third position.
Well, I took part in the competition for a couple of reasons. The prime motivation, of course, was to make my fellow employees happy since they couldn’t make a full team without me. Moreover, I wanted to check if I was still as energetic as my college years.
Model Answer 2:
I am glad that this topic is only about participating in a competition rather than winning one because if it was about winning, it would be really difficult for me to pick one since I have hardly won any major competition in my life.
However, talking about participating in a competition, I took part in one about 5 years ago when I was a high school student. It was the time of the annual sporting event, and I took part in a friendly volleyball match. I learned about it first from a school friend and then a school notice announced this competition.
By the way, volleyball was the only sport I enjoyed playing back then. However, needless to say, I wasn’t very good at playing volleyball even though I enjoyed playing it a lot. So, I started to do a little practising and jogging early in the morning to increase my fitness level. On the sports day, the game began between the two teams which included both the senior and junior students of my school in both the teams. The first 4 sets of the competition were drawn, but the final set was really competitive as both teams tried their best to score points. I also tried my best to play as skillfully as I could. Despite our best efforts, our opponent team won.
As for the prizes, the winning team members each got a medal, certificate and prize money of about 1000 in our local currency.
I took part in this competition primarily because one of my friends requested me over and over again for that. I did not want to hurt his feelings. Moreover, I thought that participating in it would make me more interested in sports and exercise. Now I feel that it was a great experience even though I was on the losing side. This is because it made me feel competitive. I also felt really good, when my fellow team members were cheering me and encouraging me to play well because it made me confident about my ability.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
In high school, I had the opportunity to participate in a debate competition, which was a memorable experience for me. In this competition, students were invited from different schools in the city, and I found out about it from my school's debating club.
What kind of competition it was and how you found out about it:
It was a debate competition where students from different schools were invited to participate and present their arguments on various topics. The competition had multiple rounds, and teams had to qualify for the next rounds based on their performance. I found out about this competition from my school's debating club, which regularly kept us updated about such events.
What you had to do:
In the competition, teams were assigned topics, and they had to present their arguments and counter-arguments within a specific time frame. We were given a few minutes to prepare our arguments before presenting them in front of the judges and the audience. We had to make sure that our arguments were logical, convincing, and supported by facts and evidence.
What the prizes were:
The prizes for the competition included trophies, certificates, and cash prizes. The winning team was awarded the championship trophy, and the best speakers were given certificates of excellence. The cash prizes were also significant, which motivated us to perform well in the competition.
And explain why you chose to take part in this competition:
I chose to participate in this competition because I had a keen interest in public speaking and debating. I wanted to improve my debating skills and the competition was an excellent opportunity for me to interact with students from other schools and learn from their perspectives. Additionally, the prizes were also an incentive for me to take part in the competition.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
Below are some ideas that explore different types of competitions you might describe in your answer.
1. University debate competition:
I joined a university-level debate on environmental policies after spotting a poster in the common room. The competition involved preparing arguments, presenting them before a panel, and engaging in rebuttals. The top three teams received trophies and certificates. I joined because I’m passionate about public speaking and wanted to improve my research and persuasion skills.
2. Online coding hackathon:
It was a 48-hour international coding challenge hosted online. I learned about it through my university’s tech club. We had to build a functional prototype based on a theme within two days. The winning teams received cash prizes and internship opportunities. I took part because I love solving real-world problems using code.
3. Office innovation challenge:
This competition was held at my workplace to encourage creative solutions to common business problems. My team proposed a digital system to reduce paper waste. The prize was a paid team dinner and recognition from senior management. I participated because I saw it as a chance to contribute meaningfully and gain visibility.
4. Photography contest:
I came across a photography competition on social media organised by a local arts group. We had to submit photos that portrayed “urban life”. The winners received vouchers and a chance to exhibit their work. I joined because photography is my hobby and I wanted to showcase my creative side.
5. High school science fair:
My school hosted a science fair where we had to demonstrate experiments or scientific models. I worked on a volcano eruption model using basic chemicals. The best projects received medals and academic recognition. I participated to boost my confidence and explore my curiosity in science.
6. TV quiz show audition:
I once auditioned for a televised general knowledge quiz show. The process included a written test followed by a camera round. Although I didn’t win, the experience was thrilling. I wanted to challenge myself and see how I performed under pressure.
7. Inter-school spelling bee:
Our English teacher selected me to represent our school in a district-level spelling bee. I practised vocabulary for weeks. Winners got trophies and a scholarship voucher. I joined because I loved word games and wanted to test my spelling skills.
8. Art competition at a local gallery:
My community art centre held an annual painting contest. I submitted a watercolour of a street market. The winning artworks were displayed in the gallery. I participated to share my work with a wider audience and support local art.
9. Charity run competition:
I participated in a 10km charity run to raise funds for children’s education. I signed up after my colleague invited me. Finishers received medals and a certificate of participation. I joined for the cause and the physical challenge.
10. Startup pitch contest:
At my business school, a startup pitch event was organised to fund promising student ideas. I presented a business plan for a food delivery app. The best ideas received seed funding and mentorship. I participated because I wanted to bring my entrepreneurial idea to life.
Model Answer 4:
Ooh, it’s quite difficult for me to think about an example of a competition I’ve entered as generally speaking I am not a very competitive individual! However, I can think of one competition I participated in which I think you will find funny.
Many years ago, I used to live in a town called Leamington Spa. One of the few independent shops in the town was a large old-fashioned department store which sold quite traditional items. Over time, they decided they needed to extend their product range to attract new customers, so they held a competition in a weekly local newspaper. The competition was very easy to enter, you simply had to complete your name and address on the coupon and post it in the newspaper offices of the Leamington Courier. And this is exactly what I did.
The prize was to be a traditional dress, as a way of launching their new selection of ladies' costumes.
I never won competitions, or I thought I never did. So I was amazed when a couple of weeks after posting my entry I received a letter telling me that I was one of three lucky winners! I was instructed to come to the store for a fitting and informed that a photographer from the local paper would be on hand to photograph the winners afterwards!
Why did I choose to take part in this competition? Well, perhaps because it was easy and I had to do virtually nothing to take part in it. Surprisingly enough, I was one of the lucky winners!
I was amazed to win something, and I did end up with quite a nice new set of dresses for very little effort, but most importantly of all, I had a really hilarious day collecting my prize.
[ Written by - Lucy Marris | Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam)
Sample Answer 5:
I have attended many competitions in different phases of my life and have won several prizes from those competitions as well. One such contest that I would like to talk about here is a cycling competition that I participated in at my college.
I was perhaps 16 years old back then, and one September evening, I noticed an advertisement in our local newspaper about an inter-college cycling competition that would be held the next month. The entry fee was $20 and the prizes would be given to the first three cyclists. I had a passion for cycling and that’s why I thought to participate in it.
A couple of days later, I registered my name in the competition and paid $20 as the registration fee. On the day of the competition, I took my bicycle and wore my cycling dress and helmet. I noticed there were around 30 competitors, and I was asked to get to the cycling track and take my position for the competition to begin. The total distance was around 15 miles, and that required some energy and time to complete.
I tried my best, but still, I was really surprised to win the third prize at the end. I found that some of my classmates were shouting and cheering because I was one of the three prize winners. The winner got $1000, a trophy and a certificate. The boy who stood in the second position won $600, a crest and a certificate. As for me, I got $400 and a certificate.
Looking back at the event, I believe that I took part in this competition because even though I was a passionate cyclist, I never really did try to push myself to the limit by taking part in a cycling competition. At that time I thought that it would be an excellent opportunity to take part in this competition and test my stamina and skill. I also thought about winning it and getting some prize money!
I felt really happy and proud that I did well in this competition. Actually, I never took my cycling practice seriously, and after I did well in that competition, I started participating in other cycling competitions as well.
Sample Answer 6:
Last December, my company organised its annual inter-department indoor sports competition, and I decided to take part in it. I work as an accountant at a well-known plastic manufacturing firm based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our office culture has always encouraged a healthy work-life balance, and every year the HR department circulates an official memo inviting all employees to participate in the week-long sports event. When I saw the colourful flyer pinned to the noticeboard near the cafeteria, I immediately felt a spark of excitement.
The competition included a wide range of indoor games—chess, table tennis, carrom, cards, and even some fun novelty games like musical chairs and pass-the-pillow for our female colleagues. Given my background and interests, I registered for both chess and cards. Chess had been a childhood passion of mine; I was on my school’s chess team and had even won a few local tournaments back then. However, in recent years, work has consumed most of my time and I have drifted away from the game. This event felt like the perfect opportunity to reconnect with that part of myself. The format was a single-elimination knockout, and I had to win three consecutive rounds to qualify for the finals. The matches were intense, and though I was a little rusty in the beginning, I regained my rhythm quickly.
What added to the excitement were the prizes. The first-place winner received a brand-new 65-inch LED smart TV. The second prize was a fully automatic washing machine, while the third prize was a high-end microwave oven. In addition to these, every participant received a branded goodie bag filled with office merchandise and discount vouchers, which was a thoughtful gesture. I managed to secure third place in chess and also received a token of participation in the card game.
I chose to participate not just for the prizes, but for the joy of engaging with my colleagues in a different setting. The competition gave me a break from routine spreadsheets and deadlines and allowed me to revisit an old hobby. More importantly, it reminded me of the importance of balance in life - making time for fun, connection, and personal joy.
Part 3 – Two-way discussion/ Detail discussion:
Discussion Topic: Competitions in school.
Q. Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class activities?
Q. Do you think it is a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?
Q. Would you say that schools for young children have become more or less competitive since you were that age? Why?
Discussion Topic: Sporting Competitions.
Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of intensive training for young sportspeople?
Q. Some people think that competition leads to better performance from sports stars. Others think that it just makes players feel insecure. What is your opinion?
Q. Do you think that it is possible to become too competitive in sport? In what way?
Answers to these Part 3 questions can be found at IELTS Speaking Test - Sample 90
Vocabulary for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
Talking about a competition involves vocabulary related to events, performance, motivation, and outcomes. Whether it is academic, athletic, or artistic, the right words will help you describe the experience in a detailed and natural way. Below are some words and phrases that are ideal for this cue card:
Contestant – A person who takes part in a competition.
Entry requirement – The conditions or qualifications needed to join a competition.
Round/Stage – A specific part of a competition, often with increasing difficulty.
Performance – The act of doing a task or activity, especially in front of an audience or judges.
Shortlisted – Selected as one of the finalists or top entries.
Prize money – Cash given as a reward in a competition.
Runner-up – A person or team that finishes second in a competition.
Win recognition – To receive praise or acknowledgement for a good performance.
Team effort – Collaboration among group members to achieve a goal.
High-pressure environment – A situation where you must perform well under stress or deadlines.
Compete against – To try to win against others in a contest.
Scoring criteria – The rules or guidelines used to evaluate performance.
Motivated by – Driven or inspired to take action by a specific reason or factor.
Memorable experience – An event that stays in your memory for a long time due to its significance.
Showcase skills – To demonstrate abilities publicly or in front of judges.
Self-confidence – Belief in one’s own abilities, often developed through participation.
Competitive spirit – The desire to win or perform better than others.
Personal growth – Improvement in one’s skills or mindset as a result of an experience.
Similar Cue Card topics:
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a competition (e.g. TV, college/work or sports competition) that you took part in", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when you won a prize.
2) Describe something new or exciting you did recently.
3) Describe a sports event you participated in.
4) Describe a competition you took part in.
5) Describe a game contest you took part in.
Report