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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 needed to use your imagination.

You should say:

• what the situation was
• why you needed to use your imagination
• what the difficulties were about it

and explain how you felt about it.

[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:

We all use imagination, consciously or unconsciously, as it allows us to experience a whole new world in our minds, speaking “philosophically”, of course. But, sometimes, imagination is also needed to avoid some “awkward” situations.

My 5-year-old nephew was notorious for making “impossible” demands from time to time when he was not in a good mood. So, when my sister left the town for a few days (in order to take care of some important business) and asked me to look after their child, I immediately knew that I was in for some “big” troubles! And, it didn’t take too long to prove myself right as soon as I failed to feed into his demand of buying him “chocolate ice cream” (prohibited by their parents on some medical grounds).

But, my nephew wasn’t just willing to let go of his “demand” for his favourite snack unless I was “preparing” (not “buying”) him something more unique in their kitchen which, in this particular situation, would be “chocolate mixed apple pie”. Of course, the problem was I didn’t have any idea about preparing “chocolate mixed apple pie” nor could I find any particular “recipe” for this unique “dessert”. Suddenly, I thought that it perhaps would be better if I could somehow convince my “stubborn” nephew to unearth some of his cooking skills and get him to cook the “unique” dessert for himself while I would just work as an assistant to him. And guess what, the idea worked like “magic” as he immediately agreed to take my “bait” and forgot about preparing the very dessert altogether!   

Anyway, I felt really relieved after seeing that my plan had a great calming effect on my nephew. After all, I didn’t want my nephew to think of me as a rude or “unloving” uncle as I was not willing to buy his favourite snack. Besides, I also felt really happy about my plan as it allowed me to share some fun and quality time with my nephew in the kitchen which otherwise perhaps wouldn’t be possible.

Model Answer 2:

Thank you for this topic. This topic reminds me of an event when I had to use my imagination. Here I will share the story with you.

During a group project in my university days, I had to rely heavily on my imagination. It was a literature assignment that required us to create a short story inspired by a famous novel we had studied in class. The task was to write a modern-day adaptation of the classic tale, incorporating elements of the original storyline while infusing it with our own creative twists. As we brainstormed ideas and outlined the plot, I realised that I needed to tap into my imagination to breathe life into the characters and settings of our story. Unlike academic essays or research papers, which often rely on facts and evidence, this project demanded a different approach - one that required us to envision new worlds and scenarios from scratch.

One of the difficulties I encountered was keeping the right balance between staying true to the original novel and ingraining our adaptation with fresh perspectives and contemporary themes. It was a delicate task, to say the least!

Despite the difficulties, I found the process of using my imagination both exciting and rewarding. It allowed me to explore new realms of creativity and express myself in ways that I hadn't before. As I delved deeper into the story, I felt a sense of freedom and liberation, knowing that the only limits were those of my own imagination.

In the end, our collaborative efforts paid off, and we produced a compelling and imaginative adaptation that was praised by our peers and teachers. The experience taught me the power of imagination as a tool for creative expression and problem-solving, and it instilled in me a newfound appreciation for the boundless possibilities that lie within the realm of the mind. 

Sample Answer 3:

The topic we were supposed to debate was whether only the developed countries of the world should be paying for the greenhouse effects and environmental pollution thereafter, caused by their industrial emissions, or not. Of course, the problem was that I had no concrete idea about environmental pollution, and as such, I just didn’t know who should have been blamed for the damage. But, I needed to deliver my debate on whether I knew about the topics or not.

So, I started to imagine (more like delivering my “common sense”) about the possible extreme natural phenomena of my country, like drought, longer summers and shorter winters. Then I also started to imagine the things which were being done by the developed countries, like the USA, Canada and Japan, but not by poor countries, and thus offering a list of possible reasons which developed countries should have paid for the environmental damages.

Anyway, I felt like I was stranded in the middle of nowhere with no compass to provide me with any direction, as I never cared to learn about any kind of environmental pollution and damages, be they natural or man-made. I also felt like if my team were to lose the debate, it would probably be because of me. However, on the bright side, I also felt like I could at least use my common sense to help my fellow debating partners. In fact, it was very comforting for me as my school authority thought of depending on me to take part in the debate. We lost the debate, of course, but I personally didn’t lose because I stood up for the challenge during the crisis of my team.

Model Answer 4:

I'd like to thank you before I describe a situation when my imagination saved my day. This is a great topic to talk about, and it reminds me of the famous Einstein quotation: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution".

It was approximately a year ago, and I had to step out of my comfort zone to do well at the Global Innovation Solution Competition. Initially, it was a group project competition, but as we progressed to the semi-final round, we had to prove our individual approaches to real-life problems that the authorities decided for us.

This annual contest is open to all undergraduates around the world, and we had to compete with more than 30 teams at the initial selection round. Being able to reach the semi-final round was both inspiring and challenging. Therefore, when I was given a problem to solve all by myself, I completely relied on my imagination, and winning the tournament as the third-best team in the global competition in Australia was deliriously felicitous and extraordinarily exciting. My task was to propose a feasible solution to the global waste management problem. As soon as I looked at the topic and realised that I had only 2 hours to finish my article of 600 words, I knew that I would have to be extremely imaginative yet creative to propose a great solution.

The Innovation Solution Competition recognises individuals and teams who propose practical solutions to pressing global problems to promote creativity and awareness. This competition aims to bring university students from around the globe together, and expects them to show their creative thinking to propose solutions to problems the world is facing. Thus, it was not a simple competition where I could have done well by proposing something ordinary. This was highly challenging as the other competitors were already working on their own to secure their position in the next round. On top of that, the problem I was given was something new to me.

I had to buckle down and brainstorm ideas for the challenge until I came up with something I was personally convinced about. The clock was ticking, and I was lost in my thoughts for the first couple of minutes. I knew I had to come up with something that would fit in the global context. Fortunately, a convincing idea emerged that I proposed in my article, and the next day, I was both happy and perplexed to become the runner-up at this stage. In the final round, we were announced as the third-best team in the global competition, and I was very proud of myself and our team for the fabulous achievement.

Model Answer 5:

Well, that's a pretty interesting topic to talk about. An instance where my imagination played a key role occurred during a camping trip with my friends last summer, and here I will share the story with you.

As we settled around the campfire under the starry night sky, one of my friends suggested that we take turns sharing spooky stories to add an extra thrill to our outdoor adventure. With the crackling fire casting eerie shadows on the trees and the night air filled with anticipation, I knew it was the perfect setting to use my imagination.

The challenge was to come up with a tale that would not be boring and silly, and at least spook my friends to some extent! I tried to think and imagine fast. Taking inspiration from some local legends and folklore that I heard about, I came up with a spine-chilling narrative about a ghostly figure that haunted the nearby woods. With each word, I painted vivid images of misty forests, echoing whispers, and mysterious disappearances, allowing my imagination to transport us to a realm where reality blurred with the supernatural. The difficulty lay in striking the right balance between suspense and believability, ensuring that my story was captivating without veering into the realm of incredulity.

Despite the challenges, I enjoyed the opportunity to let my imagination run wild and weave a tale that kept my friends on the edge. As I watched their wide-eyed expressions and listened to their nervous laughter, I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that I had succeeded in creating an unforgettable experience that would linger in their memories long after the flames of the campfire had died down.

In retrospect, the experience taught me the power of imagination to entertain, engage, and inspire, even in the most unlikely of settings. It reinforced the importance of embracing creativity and spontaneity, reminding me that sometimes, the most memorable moments are born out of the depths of our imagination.

Model Answer 6:

Thank you so much for allowing me the time to talk about an event when I had to be inventive to accomplish something. I will tell you when it was, why I had to use my imagination, what hurdles I faced, and my overall impressions of the whole event.

To begin with, it happened approximately a year ago when my family moved to a new apartment. My previous room was comparatively smaller than the new one, and I had only a few furniture back then. The new room, on the contrary, was large, and I had to plan to decorate it carefully. I wanted to give my room a delightful ambience, and to do so, I had to face a big challenge. While I was in the planning phase, my elder sister had already tidied up her room. This made my challenges even more complicated.

I had some savings of my own, and with the money, I bought two oil paintings, a large rug, a new sofa set, decorative wall stickers and some pot plants. Then I was confronted with the real challenge of placing them in the perfect position. My imagination was already at work, and it took me two days to finish decorating my room. I must have been very creative as my father, who scarcely appreciates, remarked very emphatically. I felt quite relieved and exhilarated about this achievement. My imagination, choice and creativity to prepare my room, in a way, inspired me to plan everything beforehand afterwards.

I am sure my elder sister had never agreed, but with the pot plants, oil paintings, decorative wall stickers and stylish sofa, my room looked better than her room - at least to me! I felt a sense of accomplishment and great pleasure about it back then.

Sample Answer 7:

I studied history at the University of Guilan and completed my graduation in 2022. In my early years, I often found myself in a position in which I struggled to complete the whole syllabus before the exam. Thus, I was often forced to use my imagination during the written tests! In retrospect, I feel kind of proud of my ability to score well with my capacity to imagine the scenario and then pen down the answers. But, I soon changed my habit to secure better grades. During the semester final in my second year, I completely relied on my imagination and memory to answer one of the questions related to the Ottoman Empire. I would like to talk about this event, and this is a lovely topic for me.

I often skimmed textbooks before an exam and could write the answers. Besides, my regular attendance at the class and ability to recall teachers' lectures saved me many times. However, a very hard question related to the Ottoman Empire baffled me on an exam, and I had to rely on my imagination to answer it.

Dealing with this was not easy, especially in an exam room. Firstly, I had little idea about what I should be writing, and the time was ticking. I had some knowledge about the Ottoman Empire, and I used it to expand the stories. I explained the event in my very own way! It might sound absurd, but I got a good mark on this test!

This particular event was a lesson for me. Though I felt proud to be able to answer questions without memorising them, I felt I ought to be more careful to get better grades. And properly studying before the exam was the only solution to it. I did not abandon my creative writing approach, but became more serious about studying after this experience.

Model Answer 8:

This is quite an interesting topic for me, and I'd like to profoundly thank you for allowing me to describe an event when my imagination saved my day.

It was roughly two years ago when the quote by the great scientist Albert Einstein -  “Imagination is more important than knowledge" was proven correct once again in my life. I was in a job interview, and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company asked me a very tricky question. If I recall everything precisely, it was my second job interview after my graduation, and I was terribly apprehensive about facing interviews at that time. The question the COO asked was nothing I was prepared for. He asked me whether I had done my homework about their company and products, and as soon as I said ’yes’, his next question came to me as a shock. He told me to describe a few negative aspects of this company or the things they are doing incorrectly. He also asked me to propose a solution to the problem.

I was silent for around 5-10 seconds and noticed that every one of the interview panel was looking at me very sternly. And that made the whole situation more challenging for me. I took another 10 seconds to start talking, and I decided to express my true feelings about the downside of their company. I had to be very imaginative and creative, and I decided to express some of the faulty ways they were operating their business.

Talking about the poor customer management system they have had and how their competitors have gained more market share over the past few years was not easy. And I did not tell everything from my knowledge; rather, I let my imagination take control. Proposing the solution to this problem was not easy either, but when I let my imagination dictate me, I noticed some interest in the eyes of the interviewers.

This all happened in the blink of an eye, or maybe this is what I felt. The interviewers' eye contact with each other persuaded me that I was on the right track. The interview lasted for another twenty minutes or so, and I left the room with a great deal of confidence. I felt positive and confident, thanks to my timely imaginative power.

Before I end my answer to this topic, I would like to inform you that I actually was offered the position in this company, and I still work for them.

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

This topic asks you to describe a situation where you had to rely on your creativity or imagination to handle a task or solve a problem. You should explain what the situation was, why it required imaginative thinking, what challenges you faced, and how you felt afterwards. Here are some detailed ideas to help you build your response:

1. Creating a story for a classroom assignment:
During a literature class, we were asked to write a short fictional story based on a random object given to us. I received an old key and had to come up with an entire narrative around it. I imagined it as a key to a secret attic that held letters from the past. The hardest part was making the story believable while still being creative. I enjoyed the challenge and felt proud when my teacher praised the originality of my plot.

2. Designing a poster for a school event:
While preparing for a school festival, I was asked to design a promotional poster. There were no strict guidelines, so I had to imagine a visual theme that would attract attention. I pictured a colourful and energetic scene with symbolic icons that represented different activities. The main difficulty was translating abstract ideas into visuals without professional tools. It was a rewarding experience because I realised how powerful visual imagination can be in creating impact.

3. Planning a surprise party in a small space:
I once planned a surprise birthday party in a very limited space. I had to imagine how to arrange decorations, create makeshift seating, and set up games without cluttering the room. The challenge was making it feel festive without spending much or overwhelming the space. I used imagination to turn a plain room into a cosy celebration area using everyday items. Seeing everyone enjoy themselves made me feel proud of my creative problem-solving.

4. Coming up with a skit for a group performance:
In a team activity, we had to create a short skit about environmental awareness. We had no script and limited time. I imagined a scenario where the Earth could speak and argue with polluters. We used humorous dialogue and exaggerated actions to make it entertaining and educational. It was difficult to balance creativity and clarity, especially when performing in front of others, but it felt great to turn an abstract idea into something lively and meaningful.

5. Entertaining a child during a power cut:
There was a sudden power cut while I was babysitting, and the baby became restless without the usual distractions. I had to invent stories, shadow games, and even made puppets out of socks to keep the child entertained. The hardest part was keeping things engaging without any real resources. It made me realise how useful imagination is in unexpected situations, and I felt more confident in my ability to think on my feet.

6. Improvising during a class presentation:
During a group presentation, one team member forgot their part, and I had to fill in without preparation. I quickly imagined a way to link the previous slides with our topic and explained the missing section using general knowledge and logic. The challenge was staying calm and sounding convincing despite being unprepared. I felt relieved and proud afterwards, especially when the teacher said they didn’t even notice the gap.

7. Solving a creative writing contest challenge:
I participated in a writing competition where we were given a bizarre sentence as the story’s opening. I had to imagine an entire world where that line made sense and keep the plot coherent. The tough part was maintaining originality while ensuring the story followed a logical flow. I loved every minute of it because it pushed the limits of what I thought I could create with just imagination.

8. Decorating a room with minimal resources:
For a cultural event, I was assigned to decorate a classroom on a tight budget. I imagined ways to use recyclable materials like paper, plastic bottles, and newspapers to create colourful wall hangings and centrepieces. The challenge was turning basic items into attractive decor. It felt incredibly satisfying to see the final look and hear compliments about the creativity involved.

9. Preparing for a mock job interview:
I was practising for a job interview and didn’t have a partner to role-play with. So I imagined myself being interviewed by a panel, coming up with likely questions and practising my responses out loud. The difficulty was maintaining focus and taking it seriously without external pressure. However, it helped boost my confidence and made me feel more prepared for the actual interview.

10. Writing a poem for a farewell card:
When a close friend was moving away, I wanted to include a heartfelt poem in their farewell card. I imagined moments we had shared and future adventures they might experience. The challenge was expressing deep emotions in a short, poetic format without sounding cliché. It was a touching experience that reminded me how imagination can help us convey feelings that words alone sometimes struggle to express.

More Ideas to talk about this Cue Card topic:

Cue Card Topic: Describe a time when you needed to use your imagination.

1. Last semester, I had a project to complete some artwork for children as a teacher in an elementary school. I needed to use my thought in that case. I imagined deeply and made some fine works for children. Finally, the project was approved.

2. A few days ago, I told a bedtime story to my niece, completely from my imagination. I made up the story, and interestingly, my niece was very absorbed in the tale! I told her about the adventures of some brave kids, and at last, she was asleep!

3. I work for a multinational company in Paris. Last week I needed to make a presentation in my office. I had to devise some potential perspectives and how they would be while preparing the presentation. With my imagination, I completed the presentation, and it was highly appreciated.

4. Writing is hard if the writer lacks imagination. I wrote a short story about the socio-economic status of poor people living in Athens in 1900. I imagined how they led their lives and dealt with many other issues. It ended up to become a good piece of writing.

5. Before starting a garden project in front of my residence, located in Shinjuku, Japan, I had to use my imagination and apply my creativity. In fact, I did not have a large space in front of my one-storied residence as I actually needed for the garden. So, I was required to imagine everything - how the garden would look like, how I would water the plants and where to put which plants and pots. Finally, I have been able to build a nice garden and I am very proud of it.

6. Working as a graphic designer requires creativity, imagination and experience. Recently, I had to take advantage of my imagination before starting a new project. It was about designing a television show background for a children’s event. I am glad that my design was approved.

7. I do not have sharp imagination power, but I needed to apply it anyway last month while describing my plans for the next projects to my superior authority. In fact, I was not ready and instantly generated them with my imagination.

8. Blessed are those who have extraordinary creative skills. But I also need to demonstrate the skill (though I do not have much) while answering a critical question. I was asked to set a strategy to increase sales for a software company. Seems like my idea was not as bad as I thought it was! Others appreciated what I presented to them.

9. Taking part in an art competition is tough. I understood that when I took part in such a competition that was held at my college in Mumbai, India. A topic was given, and the contestants had to create a painting based on the theme. I used my imagination to paint it. Though my painting did not receive any prize, I was proud to be able to finish it.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a situation that required you to use your imagination, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the context, the reasons for needing creativity, the challenges encountered, and your emotional experience. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the problem-solving process and the impact of your imaginative thinking, making your response both insightful and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Imaginative thinking: – The ability to think in a creative and original way, especially when coming up with new ideas.
Example: The project demanded a high degree of imaginative thinking to find a novel solution.

Creativity: – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness.
Example: This challenge really put my creativity to the test.

Innovation: – The action or process of innovating (making changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products).
Example: We needed innovation to overcome a stubborn technical issue.

Resourcefulness: – The ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.
Example: The lack of materials forced us to rely on pure resourcefulness and imagination.

Problem-solving: – The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.
Example: It was a classic problem-solving scenario that required a non-traditional approach.

Constraint: – A limitation or restriction.
Example: The main difficulty was the tight deadline, which acted as a significant constraint on our ideas.

Obstacle: – A thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress.
Example: We encountered an unexpected obstacle that required a creative workaround.

Dilemma: – A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives.
Example: We were in a dilemma, and conventional methods simply wouldn't work.

Brainstorming: – A group discussion to produce ideas or solve problems.
Example: We held an intense brainstorming session, trying to ignite our collective imagination.

Conceptualize: – Form a concept or idea of (something).
Example: The challenge was to conceptualize a completely new way of interacting with the product.

Visualize: – Form a mental image of something; imagine.
Example: I had to really visualize the end result to guide my design process.

Ingenious solution: – A clever, original, and inventive way to solve a problem.
Example: After much effort, we finally arrived at an ingenious solution.

Unconventional approach: – A method that deviates from what is standard, usual, or accepted.
Example: The situation demanded an unconventional approach that went against established norms.

Satisfied: – Contented; pleased.
Example: I felt incredibly satisfied with the creative outcome.

Proud: – Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements.
Example: I was very proud of what we managed to achieve through sheer imagination.

Liberating: – Making one feel free and able to behave as one likes.
Example: The process of pure imaginative thinking felt truly liberating.

Stimulating: – Encouraging development or activity in a particular area.
Example: It was a highly stimulating experience that pushed my boundaries.

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

1. Describe a time when one of your ideas was appreciated.
2. Describe a situation when someone gave a great idea.
3. Describe a creative idea that you used once.
4. Describe something unusual you did recently.
5. Describe a very difficult task that you succeeded in doing as part of your work or studies.
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking
• Candidate Task Card
• Speaking Part 2

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