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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 occasion when you bought or made a special cake.

You should say:

• what the occasion was
• why you bought/made the cake
• whom you ate it with

and explain why the cake was so special.

[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:

My nephew just loved eating German chocolate cake whether there was an occasion for it or not. But an occasion makes it even more fun as you get to share it with your friends and families alike. The occasion was a birthday party of my nephew, who turned 7 about a couple of months ago, and we decided to celebrate it with a big German chocolate cake. It had to be a big cake as per the “order” of my nephew since he wanted to invite all of his classmates from his elementary class!

The search for the best kind of cake was in full force as I, along with my brother, started hitting the cake-baking shops one after another. We even tried a few pieces of cake ourselves in an attempt to find the best kind(s). Then, after spending a hectic 2 hours in the streets/shops, we found exactly what we were looking for, and immediately decided to order one. The big brown German chocolate cake, no less than 12 pounds, would be ready after one week. Finally, we were ready to celebrate the best birthday ever, at least my nephew thought so!

Was it a special cake? Of course, it was a special cake not because of its signature taste from the best kind of melted chocolate, buttermilk, whipped egg whites and coconut pecan filling, but because of how it made my nephew and his friends feel special and happy. It was a heavenly sight to see a bunch of kids laughing, playing and enjoying each other’s company over a cake - my kind nephew didn’t forget to offer me a slice even though he was busy with his friends.

So, how exactly did the cake taste? Well, you know that the cake tasted “awesome” when a bunch of kids ask for just the same kind of cake with the same taste every day!

Model Answer 2:

A cake is an inevitable part of a birthday celebration, and without blowing the birthday candle and cutting the cake, a birthday party seems incomplete. Thank you very much for this great topic, and I would like to share my experience of celebrating my mom's 50th birthday, for which I bought a special cake.

It was my mom's 50th birthday in the middle of June last year, and I planned with my sister to make it special by celebrating the day. My parents are very enthusiastic about celebrating our birthdays every year, but when it comes to celebrating their birthdays, they are quite adamant and give different excuses. Last year, we celebrated my mom's birthday without even letting her know about it. My sister and I went to a large bakery shop earlier that day and picked a 3-pound eggless truffle cake, which is my mom's favourite, and we purchased the cake to surprise her.

In the evening, a few relatives and two friends of mine came to our house, and we asked my mom to come to my room. All the birthday arrangements, including the cake and gifts, were hidden in my room. When my parents entered my room, a bunch of surprises were waiting for them. My parents became speechless, and I was so happy to see their smiles. My mother cut the cake, and we sang the birthday song for her. It was a large cake considering the number of people, and we all enjoyed it. Later that night, we went to a renowned Chinese restaurant and enjoyed dinner together as a family.

The cake was special because it was meant for the birthday of a very special person in our life - my mother. I have bought many cakes, including birthday cakes, on different occasions, but purchasing a cake for my mother was something truly special as it made her happy. It was not merely a cake but a gesture of our love for her, and our gratefulness for everything she has done and still does for us.

Model Answer 3:

For this excellent topic, I've decided to talk about the memorable occasion when I made a special cake for my mother's birthday. It was her 50th birthday celebration, and I wanted to do something special to mark this significant milestone in her life.

I decided to bake a three-layer chocolate ganache cake, as chocolate has always been her favourite indulgence. The occasion called for something truly special, and I wanted to put in the effort to create a cake that reflected the depth of my love and appreciation for her.

I decided to bake the cake myself because I wanted to personalise the celebration and create a heartfelt gesture that my mother would love and enjoy. I spent hours researching recipes and techniques to ensure that the cake turned out "perfect" - as perfect as I make it. From carefully selecting the ingredients to nicely decorating the cake with intricate designs, I tried to put my best effort in every step.

On the day of her birthday, I presented the cake to my mother amidst a gathering of our close family and friends. Seeing the joy and surprise on her face as she admired the cake filled my heart with immense happiness. We shared the cake together, cutting slices for everyone to enjoy as we reflected about cherished memories and celebrated the wonderful person my mother is.

The cake was special because of its delicious taste and exquisite presentation as well as the love and effort that went into making it. It was a memorable occasion filled with love, laughter, and heartfelt moments that will be cherished for years to come.

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

This topic invites you to talk about a memorable experience when you bought or made a special cake for a particular occasion. You need to describe what the occasion was, why the cake was important, who you shared it with, and why it was so meaningful or unique. A strong response could highlight the emotional value of the moment, the effort put into making or selecting the cake, or the surprise and joy of the people involved. It’s also a good idea to include small details about the cake’s appearance, flavour, or decoration to make your story more vivid. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own answer. We hope that you will find them useful:

1. A birthday cake for my mother’s 50th birthday:
For my mother's 50th birthday, I decided to surprise her by baking a cake myself for the very first time. I spent two days learning a simple vanilla sponge recipe with chocolate frosting, and even decorated it with edible flowers and her name written in icing. I presented it during a small family gathering, and she was overwhelmed with emotion. The effort I put into it and her joyful reaction made it truly special for me and the entire family.

2. A farewell cake for a colleague at work:
When one of our beloved colleagues was leaving the company after five years, I took the initiative to order a custom-designed cake featuring her favourite quote and company logo. The cake had layers of chocolate and red velvet, and it was enjoyed by the whole office during her farewell party. Seeing her eyes light up when she saw the cake made the moment unforgettable, and it really strengthened our bond as a team.

3. A homemade cake for my younger sister’s graduation:
After my younger sister completed her university degree, I decided to bake a cake to celebrate her achievement. I designed a book-themed cake, with fondant decorations resembling graduation caps and scrolls. It wasn’t perfect, but she appreciated the creativity and effort so much that she took photos and shared them online. The occasion felt even more meaningful because I had contributed something personal and heartfelt to it.

4. A surprise anniversary cake for my grandparents:
To mark their 40th wedding anniversary, I collaborated with a local bakery to design a custom two-tiered cake featuring edible photos from their wedding. We presented it at a family dinner, and they were moved to tears. It became the highlight of the evening and sparked beautiful stories from their past. The cake symbolised their love and the unity of our family, making it one of the most cherished cakes I've ever been involved with.

5. A cake I made for my best friend’s baby shower:
My best friend was expecting her first child, and I decided to bake a pastel-coloured cake shaped like a baby rattle. Though I’m not a professional baker, I researched online and followed tutorials step by step. It was a three-layer vanilla and strawberry cake, and even though it wasn’t bakery-perfect, everyone praised the taste and effort. Sharing it with a group of friends made the celebration more meaningful, and it gave me immense personal satisfaction.

6. A cake to celebrate my father’s promotion:
When my father received a major promotion at work, I went to a well-known bakery and got a chocolate truffle cake with a congratulatory message written in gold icing. We celebrated the moment at home with family and a few close relatives. The cake added a sweet touch to the evening, and my father was pleasantly surprised. It turned a simple celebration into a memorable one that we still talk about years later.

7. A friendship day cake I made for my school friends:
Back in high school, I baked a simple but heartfelt cake for Friendship Day. I decorated it with colourful icing, small heart shapes, and all of my friends’ initials. We shared it during lunch break under a tree in our schoolyard, laughing and chatting like there was no tomorrow. That moment of shared joy and youthful innocence made the cake very special, even though it was just a basic vanilla sponge with jam filling.

8. A religious festival cake made during Christmas:
During last year’s Christmas celebration, I took part in baking a traditional fruitcake with my aunt. We soaked the dried fruits and nuts weeks ahead, and on Christmas Eve, we baked the cake together using an old family recipe. The aroma filled the house, and it was enjoyed by everyone after the midnight service. Sharing that cake was not just about eating - it was about bonding, preserving tradition, and celebrating togetherness.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a special cake you bought or made, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the occasion, your motivation, the people you shared it with, and what made the cake memorable. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the effort, the sentiment behind it, and its impact on the celebration, making your response both vivid and heartfelt. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Commemorate: – To recall and show respect for (someone or something) in an honorific way.
Example: I made the cake to commemorate my parents' silver wedding anniversary.

Milestone: – A significant stage or event in the development of something.
Example: The cake marked a major milestone in her career, celebrating her promotion.

Celebratory: – Of, for, or relating to a celebration.
Example: It was a truly celebratory cake, adorned with edible glitter and intricate designs.

Custom-made: – Made to order for a particular customer.
Example: I ordered a custom-made cake with a unique design for his birthday.

Homemade: – Made at home rather than in a shop or factory.
Example: I decided to bake a homemade cake, as it always feels more personal.

Signature bake: – A specific dish or type of baked good that someone is particularly known for making well.
Example: My grandmother's chocolate fudge cake is her signature bake.

Tiered cake: – A cake made of several layers, often decreasing in size from bottom to top, stacked on top of each other.
Example: We opted for a grand tiered cake for the wedding reception.

Fondant: – A thick paste made of sugar and water, used in the making of candies and icings.
Example: The cake was covered in smooth, brightly colored fondant.

Buttercream frosting: – A type of icing made primarily of butter and powdered sugar, often used for decorating cakes.
Example: I decorated it with swirls of vanilla buttercream frosting.

Edible decorations: – Ornaments or embellishments that can be eaten.
Example: The cake featured intricate edible decorations of flowers and leaves.

Elaborate: – Involving many carefully arranged parts or details; complicated in design and planning.
Example: It was quite an elaborate cake, requiring hours of preparation.

Sentiment: – A feeling or emotion.
Example: The cake held immense sentimental value because it was made by hand.

Symbolic: – Serving as a symbol.
Example: The layers of the cake were symbolic of the years they had spent together.

Cherished memory: – A fond recollection held dear.
Example: Sharing that cake created a truly cherished memory for all of us.

Delightful: – Causing delight; charming.
Example: The expression on their faces when they saw the cake was delightful.

Indulgence: – The act of allowing oneself to enjoy the pleasure of (something).
Example: It was a rare indulgence, perfect for such a momentous occasion.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe an occasion when you bought/made a special cake", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe a special cake that you received from others.
2) Describe an importation occasion or event (such as a wedding or a celebration) you have attended.
3) Describe a party that you enjoyed.
4) Describe a birthday celebration you have attended recently.
5) Describe a celebration that you enjoyed with your family.
6) Describe a time when you bought a special cake for a friend.
 

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

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