Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
When someone gave you something you really wanted - Cue Card # 689
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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 someone gave you something that you really wanted.
You should say:
- what it was
- when it was
- who gave it to you
and explain how you felt when the person gave it to you.
[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:
I try not to expect anything from other people when it comes to material possessions, but there are times when we surprisingly end up getting something even when we don’t expect it. Today, I would like to talk about one such occasion when someone offered me something that I really wanted.
It was back in the year 2023 when I was still a university student. Back then, I used to live at a university hostel, as it was a residential university, so I didn’t really need to use any transportation to travel back and forth to my university. Suddenly, one day, an official order came from the university authority, ordering all the students to vacate the hostel for a couple of weeks, as the building needed some kind of renovation work.
By the way, I think that it was an emergency situation as I had heard some news of an accident earlier, involving an electric short-circuit and fire. So, the university authority was very much within its right to deal with the problem on an emergency basis. However, while it was nice on the part of my university authority to deal with the building issue rather quickly, it failed to arrange suitable accommodation for us, close to the university. But, still, there was no other option for us except to move to our new residences, even though we would need to walk some distance to commute back and forth from our university.
So, I thought, it would be great if I could somehow buy or manage a bicycle for my use. I even decided to buy a bicycle at some point. But, when one of my distant uncles heard about my situation and offered me to use his old bicycle, which he didn’t use anymore, I just couldn’t refuse his kind offer.
Anyway, I felt really glad and grateful that my uncle took the time to consider my situation and decided to help me out. Besides, the offer also brought the “child” in me back again as I thought that I could use the bicycle to roam freely and become a little “adventurous” for a while.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
For this topic, I'd like to talk about a memorable experience when someone gave me something I really wanted. So, please bear with me!
What it was:
The gift that I received was a brand-new DSLR camera. It was a Canon EOS 850D, a model I had been eyeing for quite some time due to its excellent features and capabilities. However, it was a bit expensive for me to buy.
When it was:
This memorable event took place on my birthday - two years ago to be exact. It was a sunny day in late spring, and I was celebrating my special day with family and close friends at my home. You know birthdays are always special and I was feeling so great on that particular day.
Who gave it to you:
My elder sister gave me this generous gift and it was a DSLR camera - the exact model that I wanted to have. I believe she had always been supportive of my passion for photography and knew how much I desired to own a professional-grade camera, particularly the Canon EOS 850D model.
And explain how you felt when the person gave it to you:
When my sister handed me the beautifully wrapped box containing the camera, I could not believe what I was witnessing! I was overwhelmed with joy. I could hardly contain my excitement as I unwrapped the gift. I was thrilled.
As I held the camera in my hands, I felt happy and surprised. I was so grateful to my sister for her thoughtful gesture. It was a dream come true for me to finally own a DSLR camera, something I had been longing for quite a while.
You can imagine receiving the camera from my sister made my birthday incredibly special. I must say that her thoughtful gift not only fulfilled my desire but also encouraged me to pursue my passion for photography with renewed enthusiasm.
Model Answer 3:
For years, I had wanted to own a well-worn, first-edition copy of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I was captivated by the book's magical realism and timeless themes, but finding a first edition, especially in good condition, felt incredibly difficult.
My 21st birthday arrived, and the usual fanfare of cake and candles unfolded. As the festivities wound down, my grandfather, a mischievous glint in his eye, presented me with a wrapped package. My heart skipped a beat, and a whirlwind of anticipation swirled within me as I carefully peeled away the paper. There it was, nestled in tissue paper - a beautiful, leather-bound first edition of "One Hundred Years of Solitude," its pages yellowed with age, whispering tales of forgotten times.
My grandfather, a retired literature professor, had known of my yearning for this book for years. He's a master at unearthing literary treasures, and this gift felt like a culmination of his silent observations and unwavering support for my love of literature.
Words couldn't express the wave of emotions that washed over me. Joy, of course, at finding such a rare and coveted book was immense. I also felt immense gratitude for my grandfather's thoughtfulness and the unspoken bond we shared through our love for language and storytelling. Holding that book felt like holding a piece of literary history, a tangible connection to the author and the characters who had left such a profound mark on me.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when someone gave you something that you really wanted. To give a good response, mention what the item was, when this happened, who gave it to you, and explain why it meant so much to you. The key here is to describe your feelings and how the gift matched your desires or expectations. Whether it was something material, emotional, or symbolic, focus on how it left an impression on you. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your answer:
1. A professional camera:
Last year, on my birthday, my elder brother gifted me a professional DSLR camera. I had wanted it for more than a year because I am passionate about photography and wanted to improve my skills. When I unwrapped the box and saw the camera, I was overjoyed. It felt like a dream come true, and I instantly started planning photo shoots. That thoughtful gift made me feel deeply appreciated.
2. A signed book from my favourite author:
Two years ago, my best friend surprised me with a signed copy of a novel written by my favourite author. I had mentioned in passing how much I wished to own that book, never expecting it to happen. She had to order it from another country and wait for weeks. I felt incredibly special and touched by her effort and how well she knew what I loved.
3. A guitar from my parents:
During my final year at school, my parents gave me a brand-new acoustic guitar as a reward for good results. I had always wanted one but never asked because I knew it was expensive. I was speechless when I saw it. That guitar became a close companion, and I felt incredibly grateful and motivated to keep learning music.
4. A personalised necklace from my sister:
On my graduation day, my sister gave me a delicate necklace with my initials engraved. I had admired similar designs online but never thought I'd receive one. It wasn’t just beautiful - it carried emotional value. I felt so loved and understood when she gave it to me, and I still wear it on special occasions.
5. A smartphone from my uncle:
When I got into university, my uncle gifted me a brand-new smartphone, something I had wanted but couldn’t afford. He knew how important it was for academic purposes and daily life. I felt incredibly lucky and thankful because it helped me stay connected and organised during my early university days.
6. A watch I admired for months:
My cousin once gifted me a wristwatch I had admired every time we visited the mall together. I never told him how much I liked it, but he noticed and surprised me with it on New Year’s Eve. I was stunned that he had paid attention to such a small detail. That moment made me realise how thoughtful he truly was.
7. A pair of designer shoes:
A couple of years ago, I mentioned to my close friend how much I admired a particular brand of shoes. Months later, on my birthday, she gifted me those exact shoes. I couldn’t believe it! It made me feel valued and happy, especially because it was something I had never expected to own so soon.
8. A handwritten journal from my cousin:
After a tough semester in college, my cousin gifted me a beautiful journal with a heartfelt note on the first page. I had talked about wanting to start journaling again but never got around to it. Her gift felt personal and timely. It brought me a sense of peace and joy, and I immediately started using it.
9. A gaming console from my elder sister:
When I passed my board exams with flying colours, my elder sister gave me a gaming console I had wanted for years. I used to borrow it from friends occasionally, but having my own made me ecstatic. It was both a reward and a symbol of her pride in me, which made it unforgettable.
10. A travel bag before a big trip:
Before my first solo trip, my best friend gifted me a sturdy and stylish travel bag. I had been looking for one for a while. She gave it to me just a few days before my flight. It felt like a warm send-off, and I appreciated her thoughtfulness and support more than the gift itself.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time you received something you really wanted, using expressive vocabulary can effectively convey the item's significance, the timing, the giver's thoughtfulness, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the joy and impact of the gift, making your response both warm and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Longed for: – Felt a strong, often wistful or melancholy, desire for something.
Example: It was something I had genuinely longed for, for quite some time.
Cherished: – Regarded with deep affection; held dear.
Example: It immediately became a cherished possession, holding great personal value.
Invaluable: – Extremely useful; indispensable.
Example: This particular gift has proven to be absolutely invaluable to me.
Beyond my wildest dreams: – Far better or more exciting than I could have imagined.
Example: Receiving it was truly beyond my wildest dreams; I never thought it would happen.
Overjoyed: – Extremely happy.
Example: I was absolutely overjoyed when I unwrapped the present.
Elated: – Ecstatically happy.
Example: I felt utterly elated, a feeling that lingered throughout the day.
A pleasant surprise: – Something good that happens unexpectedly.
Example: It came as a completely pleasant surprise, as I wasn't expecting it at all.
Thoughtful gesture: – An action that shows consideration for others.
Example: It was such a thoughtful gesture, showing they truly knew what I desired.
Perfectly timed: – Occurring at the most opportune or appropriate moment.
Example: The gift was perfectly timed, arriving exactly when I needed it most.
Immense gratitude: – A very great feeling of thankfulness.
Example: I felt immense gratitude towards them for their generosity.
Filled with glee: – Filled with great delight, especially from success or good fortune.
Example: I remember being filled with glee, barely able to contain my excitement.
A dream come true: – Something that one has wanted for a long time that has now happened.
Example: It felt like a dream come true, receiving something I had always wished for.
Touched my heart: – Evoked strong emotion or sympathy; moved me emotionally.
Example: Their kindness in giving me the gift genuinely touched my heart.
An unforgettable moment: – A moment that is impossible to forget; very memorable.
Example: That was an unforgettable moment, etched clearly in my memory.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when someone gave you something that you really wanted", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a gift that someone gave you that you really liked.
2) Describe a gift you recently gave to someone.
3) Describe a gift you received that was important to you.
4) Describe a time when you received an unexpected gift.
5) Describe a time when you gave some money as a gift to someone.
6) Describe the best gift or present that you received.
7) Describe a handmade gift you gave to a friend or relative.
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