Cue Card Sample

Describe a practical skill you have learned - Cue Card # 671

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

Describe a practical skill you have learned.

You should say:

  • what this skill is
  • when you learned it
  • how you learned it

and explain how this skill is useful to you.

[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:
In my country, buying a car isn’t exactly a big deal, but driving a car is. It sounds a bit odd, doesn’t it? Well, if it does, then the reason for this is, it is extremely difficult to obtain a driving license in my country as it involves some rigorous driving and road test. So, when I finally managed to pass the driving test a year ago or so, I felt like, I had landed on the moon.

But, I didn’t really feel the same about driving a car until I ran into a job interview where I was asked whether I had a driving license or not, as the job involved driving to some “high-end” clients once in a while. However, I didn’t get that job for whatever reasons that might have been, but it was after that job interview that I decided to learn to drive a car. So, I went to a local car driving school and started to take driving lessons mostly during the weekend. Initially, the lessons involved learning about different parts of a car and their functions. Then came the actual driving lessons on the road by understanding and following different road signs and driving rules.

Needless to say, the lessons followed some stringent driving standards which weren’t always easy to maintain, but that was exactly the real “test” in order to help a future driver understand the safety and security aspects of taking a car on the roads.  Anyway, the lessons continued for almost three months, and I was finally ready to take an official driving test to obtain a driver’s license.

Anyway, I am glad that I finally learned driving as it has allowed me the freedom to travel to my work and other places at my own pace and according to my schedule. Besides, learning this driving skill has also made me confident about applying for some “good-paying” field jobs that require “driving”. Finally, learning how to drive has also allowed me to transport many bulky items in my car, which otherwise would have been really inconvenient for me if I were to carry them in public transportation.


 

Model Answer 2:
I have not learned many practical skills unlike my father and a couple of friends who possess so many practical skills that I often wonder how could they have learned all those skills that are so handy. However, one practical skill that I have learned and found immensely useful is cooking. For this topic, I would like to talk about the skill of mine.

Cooking involves the ability to prepare and cook various dishes and meals using different ingredients and cooking methods.

I began learning the basics of cooking during my teenage years, but I honed my skills further during my college years when I started living on my own and had to prepare my own meals regularly.

Initially, I learned the fundamentals of cooking from my parents and grandparents, who taught me basic recipes and cooking techniques. As I grew older, I started experimenting with different ingredients and recipes, learning through trial and error. Additionally, I watched cooking tutorials online, especially on YouTube, and read cookbooks to expand my culinary knowledge and repertoire of recipes.

Cooking is an incredibly valuable skill that has numerous practical benefits in my daily life. Firstly, it allows me to prepare healthy and delicious meals for myself and my family, ensuring that we eat nutritious food on a regular basis. Additionally, cooking at home is much more cost-effective than dining out, helping me save money on food expenses. Moreover, cooking provides me with a creative outlet, allowing me to express myself through the dishes I create and experiment with different flavours and cuisines. Overall, mastering the skill of cooking has not only improved my culinary abilities but also enhanced my overall quality of life by enabling me to eat well, save money, and enjoy the process of cooking.

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