Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
When you needed to search for important information - Cue Card # 685
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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 search for important information on the internet.
You should say:
- when it was
- what information you needed
- how long it took you to get the information
and explain how you felt after you found the information on the internet.
[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:
If reading without a “looking glass” for a person with eye problems is incomplete and inefficient, searching for important information in today’s world without using the internet has to be incomplete as well. And, I also figured it out when I was searching for some important information about a couple of years ago.
I never really like to travel during the wintertime for two reasons. The first reason is, of course, I don’t enjoy cold weather that much. The second reason is that the winter causes the visibility of roads to become low due to foggy weather, and I am never really comfortable riding in a vehicle when the road visibility is low because it increases the possibility of an accident. But, I really needed to travel during the wintertime about a couple of years ago, because I wanted to see my younger sister, who had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl.
Anyway, I could either travel by train or by bus, depending on how fast I wanted to reach my destination, as well as the “visibility” of the road due to the hazy weather conditions. I tried to call both the bus authority and the train authority in order to get the necessary information, but, while they were able to tell me exactly how long it would take me to reach my destination, they couldn’t tell me anything specific about the “winter fog”. So, I decided to hit the internet to find information on winter fogs in those places, through which my train or bus would pass, by checking the usual temperatures and humidity levels of those areas. Luckily, I learned what I needed to know after searching for about 20 minutes.
Well, after finding the needed information, I felt really happy and relieved as I was able to find it rather quickly, compared with other sources of information. I learned that the weather conditions were not that bad for a daylong travelling. Besides, I also felt that I could rely on the internet more often in order to find important information for the purpose of meeting our daily informational needs.
Model Answer 2:
I look for something on the Internet at least ten to twenty times a day! So choosing a certain time when I search for important information on the internet is easy for me. One instance where I needed to search for important information on the internet was when I was working on a research project during my final year of university. Since it was an important project and I had to do thorough research, I would go ahead and talk about it.
It was during the fall semester of my senior year, and I was tasked with writing a comprehensive research paper on the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. The assignment was a crucial component of my environmental science course, and I needed to gather credible and up-to-date information to support my arguments.
I required scientific studies, peer-reviewed articles, and statistical data to analyze the effects of rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, and habitat loss on marine biodiversity. Additionally, I needed information on conservation efforts and policies aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.
The process of gathering the necessary information took several days of extensive research and exploration of various online databases, academic journals, and reputable scientific websites. I spent countless hours sifting through scholarly articles, reports, and data sets to find relevant information that would strengthen the credibility of my research paper.
After tirelessly searching for information, I experienced a profound sense of relief and satisfaction once I finally found the relevant data and resources needed to complete my research paper. The feeling of accomplishment was immense as I realized that I had successfully navigated through the vast expanse of information available on the internet and curated valuable insights to support my arguments.
The experience of searching for important information on the internet during my research project was both challenging and rewarding. It underscored the invaluable role of digital technology in facilitating access to information and broadening our understanding of complex issues like climate change and environmental conservation.
Model Answer 3:
Well, internet searches - sometimes they're like treasure hunts, other times they're like trying to find a needle in a haystack! One instance that really sticks out in my mind happened earlier this year, and for this topic, I would like to share this experience with you.
So, I was planning this epic birthday surprise for my best friend, Sarah - who's obsessed with obscure historical fashion. Yeah, well, I wanted to pull off something truly unique, like recreating a specific Elizabethan gown she'd been drooling over online.
So, I dove headfirst into a sea of "how-to" blogs and forum threads, but most of them were either generic costume guides or way too complicated for my sewing skills. I spent at least an hour wading through endless pages, starting to feel a bit frustrated.
Finally, yes! I stumbled upon this amazing website run by a historical costuming enthusiast. It had detailed step-by-step instructions, historical context for the gown, and even links to fabric suppliers! It was like finding a hidden oasis in the internet desert.
How did I feel? Well, it was relief, excitement, a surge of creativity all rolled into one! It was like the missing puzzle piece clicked into place. Suddenly, creating this elaborate gown felt achievable, even fun. The best part? Sarah absolutely loved it, and the whole experience became a memorable birthday adventure for both of us.
This experience reminded me that the internet can be a powerful tool, not just for finding facts, but for inspiration and connection. Sure, navigating it can be tricky, but when you hit the jackpot, it's truly rewarding.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when you needed to search for important information on the internet. You should talk about when this happened, what the information was about, how long you spent looking for it, and how you felt once you found it. To give a strong response, focus on the purpose of the search, the methods you used (such as Google, YouTube, forums, or online courses), and the usefulness of the results. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response. We hope you find this helpful.
1. Searching for scholarship opportunities:
Last year, I searched online for fully-funded scholarships abroad after completing my undergraduate studies. I needed detailed information about eligibility, deadlines, and required documents. It took me a few days of intense research to narrow down the best options. I felt extremely relieved and hopeful after finding some excellent opportunities that matched my profile.
2. Looking for a solution to a computer problem:
A few months ago, my laptop froze and wouldn’t restart properly. I searched the internet for troubleshooting steps. It took around 30 minutes to find a video tutorial that explained how to boot it in safe mode and fix the issue. I felt proud and satisfied for solving the problem without calling a technician.
3. Finding a recipe for a special dinner:
During the last New Year’s Eve, I was responsible for preparing a special dish for the family. I searched online for a traditional biryani recipe. After spending around an hour comparing different ones, I found a highly rated video tutorial. It turned out great, and I felt really accomplished seeing everyone enjoy the meal.
4. Gathering information for a presentation:
Last semester, I had to prepare a university presentation on climate change and its effects on agriculture. I searched for data, graphs, and expert analysis online. It took me two days to compile everything. I was confident and well-prepared thanks to the reliable sources I found.
5. Researching symptoms of an illness:
Last winter, I caught a bad cold with unusual symptoms. I searched online to understand whether it could be the flu or something else. Within 20 minutes, I found medical articles and advice from reputable health sites. It helped me take the right steps and I felt reassured.
6. Learning how to file taxes:
Earlier this year, I had to file my taxes for the first time. I searched the government’s website and watched online tutorials to understand the process. It took about three hours in total, but I felt very confident and independent after managing everything on my own.
7. Preparing for a job interview:
When I had an interview with a tech company, I used the internet to research commonly asked questions, the company background, and technical concepts. I spent several evenings preparing. The knowledge I gained made me feel calm and ready on the interview day.
8. Booking a last-minute trip:
Two months ago, I planned a sudden trip with friends. I searched for cheap flights, hotel deals, and must-visit places. It took me around four hours to arrange everything. Once the bookings were done, I felt excited and relieved that everything fell into place.
9. Searching for career advice:
After finishing high school, I was confused about what subject to study in university. I spent several days watching videos, reading blogs, and joining student forums. This research helped me realise my passion for design. I felt grateful that the internet helped guide such an important decision.
10. Fixing a washing machine:
Last month, our washing machine stopped working and my parents weren’t home. I searched for a solution online, found a helpful video, and followed the steps to reset it. It only took about 15 minutes. I felt accomplished and a little surprised that I could fix it myself.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time you searched for important information online, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the context, the nature of the information, the duration of your search, and your emotional response upon finding it. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the challenge and the relief, making your response both informative and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Crucial data: – Extremely important or essential facts or statistics.
Example: I was searching for crucial data to complete my research paper.
Verify details: – To confirm the truth or accuracy of information.
Example: I needed to verify details about a historical event for a presentation.
Extensive research: – Thorough and comprehensive investigation or study.
Example: The task required extensive research across multiple online sources.
Reliable sources: – Trustworthy and credible origins of information.
Example: My focus was on finding reliable sources to ensure accuracy.
Information overload: – Exposure to or provision of too much information or data.
Example: Initially, I faced information overload, making it hard to filter.
Sift through: – To examine a large quantity of something carefully in order to find something specific or to separate what is useful from what is not.
Example: I had to sift through numerous articles to find the relevant points.
Persistence paid off: – The effort and determination despite difficulty eventually yielded success.
Example: After hours of searching, my persistence paid off when I found exactly what I needed.
Sense of accomplishment: – A feeling of pride and satisfaction from having achieved something.
Example: There was a huge sense of accomplishment once I finally located the elusive data.
Relief washed over me: – A sudden and strong feeling of comfort or reassurance came upon me.
Example: As I found the information, a wave of relief washed over me.
Alleviated my concerns: – Made my worries or anxieties less severe.
Example: The information I found greatly alleviated my concerns about the upcoming project.
Gained clarity: – Achieved clear understanding or resolved confusion.
Example: The search helped me gain much-needed clarity on the complex topic.
Empowered: – Made me stronger and more confident, especially in controlling my life and claiming my rights.
Example: Finding the solution empowered me to move forward confidently with my task.
Time-consuming endeavour: – An undertaking that requires a lot of time.
Example: It was a time-consuming endeavour, but absolutely essential for my success.
Digital literacy: – The ability to find, evaluate, organize, and create information using digital technology and the internet.
Example: This experience truly highlighted the importance of strong digital literacy skills.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when you needed to search for important information on the internet", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a useful website you have visited.
2) Describe a website that you often visit.
3) Describe something interesting that you learned from the Internet.
4) Describe something that you have learned from the Internet.
5) Describe a time when the Internet helped you solve a problem.
6) Describe a website that you use which helps you a lot.
7) Describe something interesting you saw or read on social media.
8) Describe something you often do.
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