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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 an activity that you do to concentrate on your study or work.

You should say:

• what the activity is
• where you do this activity
• why you do this

and explain how this activity helps you concentrate on your study/work.

[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.]

Sample Answer 1:

I never consider myself to be a “meritorious” or "gifted" student like many others, so I have to study really hard and for a long time if I want to achieve good grades on my tests. But the problem is, no matter how hard I try, I really struggle to concentrate on my studies even on my best days sometimes.

Luckily, however, I have figured out a way to bring back my concentration by going to a local café and spending some time there while enjoying some fresh coffee and reading some travel magazines. By the way, since the café is not really that far away from my home, I don’t use any transportation and instead, just take a walk while enjoying nature and fresh air. The good thing about visiting a café is that it allows me to listen to some really interesting conversations of coffee lovers. Sometimes, I also take part in those conversations when they talk about such subjects with which I am familiar as well. Besides, when reading a travel magazine, I almost always come to know about some interesting places which I try to share with other people at the coffee shop if they show any interest. By the way, I do this particular activity because it makes me feel like I am visiting a new place, full of many new and interesting people, who share the same kind of interests as mine.

This activity helps me concentrate on my studies mainly because it allows me to refresh and unclog my mind from the difficult (and sometimes, boring) subjects of my study. Besides, the activity hits me with a sense of “guilty feeling” as I had “wasted” a lot of time at the café, instead of spending it on my studies, which, in turn, forces me to concentrate hard. Finally, since I enjoy this particular activity a lot, I carry that “great feeling” with me when I study, which then makes my study rather easy for me.

Model Answer 2:

Well, one activity that I find immensely helpful for concentrating on my studies or work is listening to instrumental music. I am not sure how it may sound, but it has proven to be more helpful than many other methods that I have tried so far.

I usually do this activity in my study room or at my desk in a quiet corner of a library (obviously, I use earphones when I am in a library). I engage in this activity to create a conducive environment for focusing on my tasks without distractions. 

Instrumental music, especially genres like classical, ambient, or lo-fi, helps me drown out external noises and create a calming atmosphere. The absence of lyrics allows me to concentrate better on my reading, writing, or problem-solving tasks without getting distracted by the words of the song or outside talks. Moreover, the rhythmic patterns and soothing melodies of instrumental music have a positive impact on my mood and mental state, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. This, in turn, enhances my ability to maintain focus and productivity for extended periods.

So, I would say that listening to instrumental music while studying or working serves as a valuable tool for enhancing my concentration, productivity, and overall well-being.

Model Answer 3:

Thank you for the time you have allowed me to talk about something that I apply to study more effectively and attentively. As a student, I find this method quite helpful.

To be more precise, I often take a break and listen to one or two songs only to get back to my desk to continue my studies a few minutes later. This method has proven to be effective and helps me study for long hours without getting bored or distracted. I believe that sometimes listening to our favourite songs refreshes our minds and inspires us.

We live in an apartment which is on the 8th floor of the building, and my room has a great view. So whenever I take a break to tune in to my favourite songs, I try to leave my desk and sit on a chair placed on the balcony. If I am too busy to go to the balcony, perhaps because of the "last hour preparation" for an important exam, I try to leave the desk and sit on the sofa. I use my iPod to listen to music.

I have been doing it for more than three years, and perhaps, I have invented this method to find a way to study for long hours. Nowadays, it has become a part of my study techniques, and sometimes my motivation to keep studying to achieve an excellent academic result.

This process or method, whatever I call it, helps me better concentrate on my studies because we need breaks to revive our minds, and without breaks, even interesting tasks become tiresome. Whenever I leave my desk and focus on something else for a while, I get recharged and find new energy to study for another half an hour or so. Thus, even if I study for more than 12 hours a day, I do not feel fatigued or tired.

Sample Answer 4:

Thank you for this marvellous topic, and I would like to express my appreciation for the time you have allowed me to think about it and finally talk about it.

Meditation is the activity I rely on to concentrate on my work. Some might disagree or even discard the idea, but meditation has remarkably enhanced my work performance. Despite my attempt to find a way to better concentrate on my work at the office, I was lagging behind until I started meditating a year ago. Since then, I have been able to work more earnestly and attentively than ever before. 

This activity does not require a significant amount of time, just 15-20 minutes is more than enough provided that I maintain the consistency of practising it daily. It is very simple to do, and I just need to sit relaxed and focus on my breath and concentrate on my inner self. I do it mostly in my room in the morning and sometimes in the office. The beauty of meditation is that I can do it anywhere, anytime.

Honestly speaking, I have tried several ways of focusing on important tasks, including listening to music, reading a newspaper, watching news channels for a while, doing exercise and so on. However, meditation has been proven to be an effective way to pay more attention to my work and has also helped me control my anger and silly emotions. Since I try to relax my body and mind during the meditation session, it helps me gain more positive energy to work better.

In an ever-growing world of social media updates and shiny new blog posts, it is no surprise that our ability to focus and concentrate has taken a nosedive. When we take time to relax by doing a meditation session and focus on the present, it helps to create stronger control of the mind’s function and productivity. Thus, I can focus more concentration on my work and remove distractions.

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

This topic asks you to describe an activity that you engage in to help improve your concentration while studying or working. To answer it effectively, you should explain what the activity is, where you usually do it, why it helps you focus, and how it makes a difference in your productivity. A good answer might include the mental or physical effects of this activity, your regular routine around it, and why it works better for you than other methods. To support you in structuring a great response, here are some thoughtful and diverse ideas to choose from:

1. Listening to instrumental music:
I often listen to soft instrumental music, especially classical piano or nature sounds, when I study at my desk. I use noise-cancelling headphones and a dedicated playlist with no lyrics. This helps block out background noise and keeps my mind from wandering. It calms me and allows me to stay focused on long reading or writing tasks.

2. Practising meditation before study:
Before starting my assignments or preparing for exams, I take ten minutes to meditate in a quiet corner of my room. I focus on my breathing and try to clear my mind. This short routine resets my thoughts, reduces anxiety, and helps me begin with a refreshed mindset and better concentration.

3. Going for a short walk before work:
Every morning, I take a brisk walk around my neighbourhood before sitting down to work. Walking energises me, increases oxygen flow to the brain, and gives me time to mentally organise my priorities. After the walk, I feel more awake and ready to handle tasks with better focus.

4. Writing a to-do list before starting tasks:
I always make a to-do list before I begin working or studying. I write it in a small notebook or on a whiteboard near my study table. This helps me organise my tasks, stay on track, and avoid distractions. With clear goals written down, I feel more motivated to concentrate.

5. Drinking herbal tea during breaks:
When I feel mentally exhausted or distracted, I make a cup of chamomile or green tea and sit quietly on the balcony. The warmth and calm of the tea help me relax without over-stimulating me. It’s a short, mindful break that improves my focus when I return to work.

6. Studying in a library environment:
I often go to a nearby public library to study. The silence, structured seating, and presence of other focused people create an ideal atmosphere for concentration. Being in a place where distractions are minimal and everyone is working helps me stay on task longer than I would at home.

7. Using the Pomodoro technique:
I use the Pomodoro technique, where I work for 25 minutes and take a 5-minute break. I repeat this cycle four times and then take a longer break. I usually do this in my home office using a timer. It keeps my mind fresh and boosts my ability to stay focused during each short session.

8. Practising yoga in the morning:
Every morning before I begin my day, I practise yoga on a mat in my living room. The stretching, breathing, and mindfulness help me release tension and enter a balanced mental state. As a result, I’m more alert and focused during my study or work hours throughout the day.

9. Using a dedicated study corner:
I’ve created a specific study corner in my room with good lighting, minimal distractions, and all my study materials. I only use this space for studying, which psychologically prepares me to focus as soon as I sit there. It helps train my mind to associate that space with productivity and concentration.

10. Reading a motivational quote before starting:
Before beginning any task, I read a motivational quote from a book or a calendar on my desk. This small ritual uplifts my mood, sharpens my purpose, and builds a mental frame of discipline. It gives me the right mindset to focus and get things done without getting easily distracted.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing an activity you use to enhance concentration for study or work, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the nature of the activity, its setting, your motivations, and its cognitive benefits. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate how this routine optimises your focus and productivity, making your response both insightful and practical. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Focus: – The centre of interest or activity; to pay particular attention to.
Example: I employ a specific technique to sharpen my focus before deep work sessions.

Concentration: – The action or power of focusing one's attention or mental effort.
Example: This activity significantly improves my concentration span.

Mindfulness: – A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
Example: Engaging in mindfulness meditation helps me clear my mind before tackling complex tasks.

Cognitive enhancement: – The improvement of cognitive functions (such as memory, attention, or intelligence) by external means.
Example: I find this activity provides a noticeable cognitive enhancement.

Mental clarity: – The state of being able to think, understand, and reason clearly.
Example: It brings me a sense of mental clarity, which is crucial for problem-solving.

Uninterrupted time: – A period during which one is not disturbed or stopped.
Example: I perform this activity in a quiet space to ensure uninterrupted time for preparation.

Optimal performance: – Achieving the best possible result or the highest level of effectiveness.
Example: This routine helps me reach optimal performance levels for my study.

Distraction-free environment: – A place or setting without anything that draws one's attention away from what they are doing.
Example: I seek out a distraction-free environment to conduct this activity.

Ritual: – A series of actions or a type of behaviour regularly and invariably followed by someone.
Example: It has become a personal ritual before I dive into any demanding work.

Pre-work routine: – A set of actions or steps performed before starting work.
Example: This activity is an essential part of my pre-work routine.

Sensory input: – Information gathered through the senses.
Example: I often reduce unnecessary sensory input, like background noise, to aid concentration.

Deep work: – Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit.
Example: This preparation is crucial for entering a state of deep work.

Increased productivity: – An improvement in the rate at which work is completed or output is produced.
Example: Ultimately, the activity leads to significantly increased productivity.

Mental conditioning: – The practice of training one's mind to achieve a particular mental state or response.
Example: It serves as a form of mental conditioning, signalling my brain to switch gears.

Enhanced retention: – Improved ability to remember information.
Example: When I apply this technique, I notice enhanced retention of the material I'm studying.

Flow state: – A mental state in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energised focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.
Example: The activity helps me achieve a "flow state" where I become completely absorbed in my tasks.

When you are ready to talk about an activity that you do to concentrate on your study/work, you are also ready to discuss the following topics:

1.  Describe something you do every day.
2.  Describe something that has positively affected your work performance.
3.  Describe an activity that you find really useful.
4.  Describe something you enjoy doing often.
5.  Describe something you have taken up lately.
6. Describe an activity that you do after school or work.
7. Describe a place where you like to study.
8. Describe an interest or hobby that you enjoy. 

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

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