Cue Card Sample
Something important you have learned recently - Cue Card # 708
- Details
- Last Updated: Thursday, 08 February 2024 11:49
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 24975
IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe something important you have learned recently.
You should say:
- what you have learned
- where you learned it from
- how important the lesson was
and explain what impact this has on your mind.
[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:
We, as humans, constantly learn and this knowledge and our life experiences shape who we become or choose to become. Pretty recently, I have learned about something called "minimalism" from a documentary on TV and it was entertaining and thought-provoking. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to let me talk about it.
"Minimalism" is not about becoming a hermit in a jungle or giving away everything we have. Rather it's a concept that allows us to focus on more important aspects of life by breaking the chain of gaining and owing more and more. Statistically speaking, we are living in a rich era of affluence and prosperity and yet we are slaves to our desire for material gain and success that seems unattainable due to our changing goals and social pressure. We are living lives defined by capitalism and the corporate world and have little time to focus on what is truly important in our life like our family and friends, neighbours, relationships, peace and happiness. "Minimalism" thus tells us to get rid of things we do not need like three smartphones, 30 pairs of shoes and a closet full of designer clothes, and focus on what makes us happy.
I learned it from a TV documentary that I watched a few weeks ago and it was a top-class production. The way it was presented, the speakers who talked about it and the way it was made are simply outstanding. It was not just another TV show or movie that we often forget about just after watching it. It was deep and it covered an unpopular topic that people usually tend to avoid thinking about.
The impact of the concept that it has had on me is tremendous. I no longer feel bad because I don't own the latest car or don't earn a six-figure salary. I have been thinking about the messages this documentary tried to give us and it was astounding. I have started focusing on being happier and spending quality time with people I care about, and people who care about me rather than feeling bad about all the things I don't have. Minimalism teaches about being happier with less because it's always quality that counts, not the quantity.
Model Answer 2:
I have a habit of reading different kinds of health journals, and other books that are related to medical and healthcare information. So, the other day, when I found an international journal on herbal medicines, I naturally became curious and started to read it. Needless to say, I learned a lot of things about the use and benefits of different kinds of plants and herbal medicines like "mushrooms".
Anyway, talking about the benefits of mushrooms, I already had some idea that mushroom was used as some sort of medicine, but I didn’t know what kinds of illnesses it is used to treat or how useful they really are in treating those illnesses. But, reading that journal on herbal medicines opened my eyes like never before. For example, I didn’t know that mushrooms are very much antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral in nature. In other words, they help ward off all kinds of viruses, bacterial infections and bad fungal overgrowths way more effectively than many medicines.
By the way, I find it really surprising that the modern-day “allopathic” treatment doesn’t really go far enough to recognise the benefits of mushrooms or, for that matter, other herbal medicines in treating virus-born or bacterial diseases, especially, when it has miserably failed to treat these illnesses on its own.
Anyway, I found this “mini-lesson” session with the herbal medicine journal to be really important and useful because they will go a long way, as far as I am concerned, to help me reap the benefits of herbal medicines. In fact, now that I know that these herbal medicines help us heal naturally, stabilize our metabolism and hormones, and strengthen our immune system while having very few unintended side effects, I can sure use them to heal me on a regular basis. Besides, I also firmly believe that more research works should be conducted to find out the more natural healing power of these herbal medicines, and the sooner we do it, the better it will be for the well-being of humanity.
Model Answer 3:
What you have learned:
Thank you a lot for this nice topic to talk about. Recently, I've learned a significant skill that has transformed my independence and opened up new avenues of mobility: I learned how to drive a car. Although I am 20 years old now, I did not know how to drive a car just a few months ago. I am so glad that I have recently learned this skill.
Where you learned it from:
I took driving lessons from a certified driving instructor at a renowned driving school in my city. The instructor provided comprehensive guidance, teaching me the intricacies of vehicle control, road etiquette, and defensive driving techniques. My learning phase was excellent as I learned it fairly quickly, and I enjoyed learning it.
How important the lesson was:
I would say this skill has transformed the way I used to travel and do many daily activities. The ability to drive is undeniably crucial in today's fast-paced world. It grants me the freedom to commute independently, explore new destinations, and seize opportunities that may have been inaccessible without personal transportation. Moreover, knowing how to drive facilitates daily tasks, such as running errands or attending appointments.
And explain what impact this has on your mind:
Learning to drive has had a profound impact on my mindset. It has instilled in me a sense of responsibility, as I am now entrusted with the safety of myself and others on the road. Additionally, I feel that driving is interesting and sometimes therapeutic for my mind. Whenever I feel a little bit stressed out, I take my car and drive through the beach and that refreshes my mind.
Overall, acquiring the ability to drive has been a transformative journey, equipping me with invaluable skills and shaping my perspective on independence, responsibility, and personal growth.
Report