Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
A situation when you had to keep silent - Cue Card # 699
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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 situation when you had to keep silent.
You should say:
- when it was
- where it was
- why you needed to remain silent
and explain how you felt about it.
[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 have read the “please keep silent” sign at many places before, but I never really took it too seriously, perhaps because keeping silent isn’t exactly my nature. But, I still needed to maintain my silence once because the situation had just demanded it. Today, I would like to break that story and tell you what the situation really was.
It was about a couple of years ago when I took my little niece to take an admission test for grade 1 at an elementary school, which was a bit far away from where my niece's family lived. My niece, a 4-year-old girl, was a bit nervous about being left alone in a completely strange place. So, I decided to stay close to my niece in a separate room, next to the place where my niece was taking the test.
Since the admission test would continue for one good hour, I thought that it would be better for me if I had just used my phone to inform my elder brother about how her little daughter was doing. But, as soon as I started to talk over my phone in a rather low voice, I was asked to keep silent. Understanding the situation, I then decided to pick up some newspapers from the desk and read them to pass my time. But, even that privilege was taken away from me, simply because I was making just a bit too much noise when I was turning the newspaper pages!
Apparently, the school authority didn’t want to distract the little children while they were taking the admission test. So, I just kept my silence at the test venue like a “good boy” until the test was over.
How did I feel about it? Well, initially, I felt a bit annoyed with such a rigid rule about maintaining silence, but I eventually realized that it was done only to help the children keep their maximum focus on the test. Besides, the practice also gave me an early impression that my little niece would learn the much-needed lessons on maintaining discipline in life from an early age if admitted to that school.
Model Answer 2:
A situation where I found myself compelled to maintain silence occurred a few months ago while I was studying in the university library. For this excellent topic, I will tell you about this event. But before I go further telling you about my experience of this event, I would like to thank you for this interesting topic.
This incident unfolded during one of my routine study sessions in the university library, a tranquil place brimming with books and knowledge, where students go to delve into their studies and broaden their intellectual horizons.
The need for silence arose from the library's established etiquette, which mandates quietude to facilitate an optimal environment for concentration and scholarly endeavours. As I immersed myself in my studies, surrounded by fellow students engaged in their academic pursuits, adhering to this unspoken code of silence became imperative to respect the collective quest for knowledge and learning.
While initially challenging, maintaining silence in the library soon became second nature, as I embraced the serene atmosphere and harnessed its tranquillity to enhance my focus and academic productivity. Despite the occasional temptation to engage in conversation or express excitement over newfound discoveries, I recognized the importance of upholding silence as a gesture of respect for my fellow students and as a means of fostering a conducive environment for academic excellence.
In hindsight, the experience of adhering to silence in the university library emphasised the significance of mindfulness and consideration for others in shared spaces. By embracing the tranquillity of the library and honouring its established norms of silence, I not only cultivated a deeper appreciation for the value of focused concentration but also contributed to the collective ambience of academic dedication and intellectual exploration.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This Candidate Task Card topic asks you to describe a situation in which you had to keep silent. It gives you four questions. It requires you to explain when and where this happened, why you chose or were required to remain silent, and how you felt about it. This could be during a professional, academic, personal, or social situation. The key is to describe the atmosphere and the emotional or practical reason for staying silent. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response. We hope you will find this helpful in brainstorming for your perfect idea.
1. During a funeral ceremony:
A few months ago, I attended the funeral of a close family friend. The event was held at a local church, and the atmosphere was sombre and deeply emotional. Everyone present maintained silence to show respect. I remained quiet not just out of social custom, but also out of deep personal grief. The silence felt heavy, but it was necessary and respectful.
2. In a job interview:
Last year, while attending a job interview, I found myself in a panel room where one interviewer asked a tricky question. I wanted to respond quickly, but I chose to remain silent for a few seconds to gather my thoughts. That short silence helped me stay calm and give a well-thought-out answer. It felt awkward at first, but later I realized it was a smart move.
3. While taking an exam in college:
During my final exams at university, silence in the examination hall was strictly enforced. Even the slightest sound was discouraged. I had a doubt about one of the questions, but I had to keep silent and figure it out myself. The intense silence made me feel anxious, but it also helped me focus better.
4. In a courtroom as a witness:
I once had to accompany a friend to court and was asked to appear as a character witness. While the lawyer and judge discussed legal matters, I had to remain completely silent until called upon. The formality and seriousness of the environment made the silence feel tense, but I understood the importance of following protocol.
5. During a heated family argument:
There was a family disagreement during a festival, and everyone seemed to be emotionally charged. Even though I had my opinions, I chose to stay silent to avoid escalating the tension. It wasn’t easy to stay quiet, especially when I was directly involved, but I knew silence would help the situation calm down.
6. At a meditation retreat:
I once attended a weekend meditation retreat where participants were asked to observe complete silence for 24 hours. It was held at a retreat centre in the countryside. Initially, it felt unnatural and difficult, but over time, the silence brought a sense of clarity and peace. It was one of the most enlightening experiences I’ve had.
7. When witnessing a friend being scolded by a teacher:
Back in school, I saw a close friend being unfairly scolded by a teacher. I wanted to defend him but decided to stay silent, fearing I might worsen the situation or get into trouble. I felt helpless and guilty later, but at that moment, silence seemed like the only safe choice.
8. During a moment of national mourning:
After the death of a prominent national figure, my school held a moment of silence during assembly. Everyone stood still for two minutes. It was a powerful and emotional moment, and although no words were spoken, the shared silence expressed deep respect and unity. It was a memorable experience that left a lasting impression.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a situation where you had to remain silent, using relevant vocabulary can effectively convey the context, the reasons for your silence, and your emotional response. This will help you score better in this section of the IELTS test. Thoughtful word choices will also help you articulate the tension or discomfort, and the necessity of your quiet demeanour, making your response both clear and relatable. Here: are some relevant words and phrases for this candidate task card topic that you may use in your answer:
Discreet: – Careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment.
Example: I had to be discreet and not reveal any details about the surprise party.
Inconspicuous: – Not clearly visible or attracting attention; not conspicuous.
Example: My goal was to remain as inconspicuous as possible, observing quietly.
Subdued: – (Of a person or their manner) quiet and rather reflective or depressed.
Example: I maintained a subdued demeanour, not wanting to draw any attention.
Tension in the air: – A feeling of suppressed hostility or nervousness in a situation.
Example: There was palpable tension in the air, making everyone hesitant to speak.
Bite my tongue: – To stop myself from saying something that I really want to say, because it would be wrong or inappropriate.
Example: It was difficult, but I had to bite my tongue and not interrupt.
Kept a poker face: – Maintained a neutral facial expression that reveals no emotion.
Example: I tried my best to keep a poker face, not giving away my surprise.
Felt a surge of frustration: – Experienced a sudden, strong feeling of annoyance or anger.
Example: Despite the need for silence, I felt a surge of frustration building inside me.
A matter of confidentiality: – Something that must be kept secret or private.
Example: My silence was imperative as it was a matter of strict confidentiality.
Respect the solemnity: – To show proper regard for the serious and dignified nature of an occasion.
Example: We all needed to respect the solemnity of the ceremony by remaining silent.
Prevented further escalation: – Stopped a situation from becoming more intense or serious.
Example: My silence was crucial; speaking up would have prevented further escalation of the argument.
Internal struggle: – A conflict or battle of emotions, thoughts, or desires within oneself.
Example: It was an internal struggle to remain quiet when I had so much to say.
Maintained composure: – Kept control of one's emotions; remained calm.
Example: Despite the awkwardness, I managed to maintain my composure.
Felt powerless: – Experienced a complete lack of ability, influence, or control.
Example: Not being able to speak made me feel somewhat powerless in the situation.
Read the room: – To assess the atmosphere or mood of a situation or group of people.
Example: I had to quickly read the room and realize that silence was the best option.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a situation when you had to keep silent", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when you visited a quiet place.
2) Describe a place where you often like to study.
3) Describe a time when you were not allowed to use your mobile phone.
4) Describe a time when you visited a friend or family member in their workplace.
5) Describe a time when you visited a sick friend or family member in a hospital.
6) Describe a situation that made you feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
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