Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
An interesting old person you have met - Cue Card # 668
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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 interesting old person you have met.
You should say:
- who that person is
- how you have met that person
- where you met him/her
and explain why you think he/she was interesting.
[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:
Each person, young or old, is “unique” and “interesting” in his/her own rights since we all are different from each other in the ways we think, we talk, we feel and we behave. However, I try to avoid using the word “old” in isolation at all costs if it is not followed by some fine “adjectives” such as “interesting”, “intriguing” or “versatile” since it could end up meaning something derogative. Anyway, thank you for offering me the opportunity to talk about an interesting old person whom I met in a waiting room while waiting to catch my train at a railway station, about a year ago.
He was probably in his early 70’s. I didn’t really feel like talking to him or anybody, even though I was sitting very close to him because I was really exhausted after finishing a long and tiring day at work. All I needed was some quiet and relaxing time. But, unfortunately, that was not supposed to happen because I needed to go out in order to grab some snacks to please my “growling” stomach. I was very hungry. So, I requested the “aged” gentleman, sitting next to me, to watch my luggage just for a little while I was gone for buying something to eat. In response, he opened his little bag and offered me some cookies that were kept in it. I chose to oblige because I wasn’t really in the mood to talk or argue with anybody.
Eating cookies and wondering if I would make another attempt to go out because those cookies were just not enough for me, and just then he asked me for how long I was starving. I said “not more than 10 hours” in response. He smiled and then asked me again, “Do you know how many people go to bed hungry every night?” I said that I had no idea. He said, “Almost 10% of the world population goes to bed hungry every night without knowing what they are going to eat the next day.” He also told me that he hardly ate more than twice a day, and his rather “thin” shape bears testimony to his “limited food consumption”. Suddenly, the train arrived, and we were ready to go. So, we just parted after greeting each other.
The conversation was brief, and I never really met that senior citizen before. But what was really interesting was that I felt like he had some “authority” on me, and that I needed to listen to him even if I was not really in a mood to follow. In fact, up until I met that interesting senior gentleman, I had no idea that a person could be so passionate about learning the plights of other people in this world. But, the most fascinating thing about that “aged” person was he actually thought that he could make a difference in the world at his “not-so-young” age, and he surely proved it in his action by trying to feed a hungry person like me even though I didn’t ask for it.
Model Answer 2:
Well, I had the pleasure of meeting an intriguing elderly gentleman named Mr. Johnson, who left a lasting impression on me with his remarkable life stories and wisdom. For this topic, I would like to talk about him. But before anything else, I would like to thank you for this interesting topic.
Mr. Johnson, a retired war veteran in his late 80s, is the interesting old person I had the privilege of meeting.
I met Mr. Johnson during a community event organized by a local veterans' association. As a volunteer at the event, I had the opportunity to interact with attendees, including Mr. Johnson.
I met him at a community centre in our neighbourhood, which served as the venue for the Veterans' Association event.
Mr. Johnson's captivating life experiences and indomitable spirit made him stand out as a truly fascinating individual. Despite his advanced age, he exuded a vibrant energy and enthusiasm for sharing his stories with others. As a war veteran, he recounted gripping accounts of his service in the war, offering invaluable insights into history and the human condition. What struck me most about Mr. Johnson was his resilience and positive outlook on life, despite facing numerous challenges and adversities. His unwavering optimism and zest for living served as a source of inspiration for me and many others present at the event. Additionally, Mr. Johnson possessed a remarkable sense of humour and humility, which endeared him to everyone he met. His ability to find joy in the simplest of moments and his unwavering commitment to serving others left a profound impact on me, reminding me of the importance of resilience, gratitude, and compassion in life.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe an interesting elderly person you have met. It wants you to mention who the person is, how and where you met him or her, and what makes this person interesting to you. To make your response strong, you should talk about the person's personality, experiences, or wisdom that impressed you. You can also mention any special interaction or story that left a lasting impression. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. My grandfather's childhood friend:
I met him during a family gathering at our ancestral home. He was over 80 years old and shared fascinating stories about how life was before electricity and mobile phones. He had a sharp memory and an incredible sense of humour, which made the conversation unforgettable.
2. A retired history professor I met at a book fair:
I once visited a local book fair and had a long chat with a retired professor who had taught at a top university. His deep knowledge of world history and insightful opinions on current affairs made him truly captivating. He also gave me reading recommendations I still follow.
3. An old woman I met at a bus stop during a rainy evening:
I offered her my umbrella and we ended up having a wonderful conversation. She told me about her journey from being a rural schoolteacher to a city dweller. Her calm nature and reflections on how the world had changed made her story deeply moving.
4. A former army officer I met in a public park:
While jogging in the park, I struck up a conversation with an old man sitting alone on a bench. He turned out to be a decorated war veteran. His bravery, discipline, and stories about his missions abroad were truly inspiring and gave me a new perspective on patriotism.
5. A neighbour who used to be an artist:
There was an elderly lady in my building who painted beautiful landscapes. When I visited her home once, she showed me her work and spoke about how art helped her overcome personal tragedies. Her resilience and passion for art made her very interesting.
6. A yoga teacher I met during a wellness camp:
During a summer retreat, I was taught yoga by an elderly man who had travelled to India and studied under famous gurus. He lived a minimalist lifestyle and spoke about mental peace and self-awareness. His spiritual depth made a big impression on me.
7. A librarian at an old library I visited in another city:
I once visited a historical library during a school trip and the librarian, an elderly gentleman, guided us around. His knowledge about rare books and his love for literature was contagious. He made me see books as windows to different worlds.
8. My friend's grandfather who was a freedom fighter:
During a weekend trip to my friend’s village, I had the chance to speak with his grandfather, who had participated in the independence movement of our country. His stories of courage, sacrifice, and struggle were incredibly powerful and deeply moving.
9. An old man I met on a train journey:
While travelling by train, I shared a compartment with a retired engineer who had worked in different countries. He told me about his travels, challenges, and cultural experiences. He was humorous, wise, and humble, which made the journey unforgettable.
10. A senior citizen volunteer at a charity event:
At a charity event, I saw an elderly woman managing a stall with amazing energy and positivity. She said she had been volunteering for over a decade. Her kindness and desire to contribute to society even at that age inspired me to do more for others.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an interesting old person you've met, using descriptive vocabulary can effectively convey their personality, your encounter, and the reasons for their appeal. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate their wisdom, unique experiences, and the lasting impression they made, making your response both personal and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Wise: – Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
Example: He was a truly wise individual, full of invaluable life lessons.
Insightful: – Having or showing an accurate and deep understanding.
Example: Her comments were always incredibly insightful, offering new perspectives.
Resilient: – Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Example: Despite her age, she had a remarkably resilient spirit, bouncing back from challenges.
Anecdotes: – Short, amusing or interesting stories about a real incident or person.
Example: He was full of captivating anecdotes from his youth.
Vibrant personality: – A lively and energetic character or disposition.
Example: She possessed a vibrant personality that lit up any room she entered.
Rich life experience: – A wide range of diverse and often challenging situations and events encountered during one's life.
Example: His rich life experience made his stories particularly fascinating.
Keen wit: – Sharp and quick intelligence or humour.
Example: She had a keen wit and a dry sense of humour that I greatly appreciated.
Philosophical outlook: – A particular attitude toward or conception of life.
Example: He approached life with a profound philosophical outlook, which was inspiring.
Generous with wisdom: – Freely sharing knowledge and good judgment gained from experience.
Example: She was always generous with her wisdom, offering guidance without being preachy.
Charming demeanour: – A pleasant and attractive way of behaving.
Example: His charming demeanour and warm smile instantly put me at ease.
Left a lasting impression: – Had a significant and memorable effect on one's mind or feelings.
Example: That conversation with him truly left a lasting impression on me.
Perspective on life: – A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Example: His unique perspective on life was shaped by decades of varied experiences.
Storyteller: – A person who tells or writes stories.
Example: He was a natural storyteller, able to transport you to different times and places.
Inspirational figure: – A person who serves as a source of motivation or encouragement.
Example: She became an inspirational figure to me, demonstrating resilience and optimism.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe an interesting old person you have met", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an elderly person you like or admire.
2) Describe an interesting person you know.
3) Describe someone in your neighbourhood whom you often meet and talk to.
4) Describe an elderly person in your family whom you enjoy talking to.
5) Describe a person whom you recently met and liked.
6) Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone.
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