Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
When someone was speaking loudly - Cue Card # 713
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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 were in a public place and someone was speaking loudly.
You should say:
- where you were
- when it was
- who was speaking loudly and why
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 always use public transportation and this is why, being in a public place and hearing some loud conversations or angry shouting is not something new to me. I even overhear some conversations - whether from a stranger or the people I know - when they speak over phones comparatively loudly on a bus or metro rail, or even in a public place like a food court. In fact, I consider that hearing such conversations is generally the characteristic of a nosy person, and I have set a standard for myself not to be nosy at any time. But, unfortunately, sticking to this standard may not be easy, when you are in a public place, and when strangers around you talk about all sorts of things very loudly, just as I couldn’t do it on a few occasions.
Anyway, it wasn’t like I was actually trying to overhear the conversation of that stranger who was speaking rather loudly when I was sitting at the food court of a shopping mall and enjoying some gourmet foods about a few months ago. Rather, I felt like the stranger, talking over his smartphone, was actually trying to attract attention from other people around him by boasting about how he tricked one of his fellow co-workers into covering for him at his work by making up some fabricated stories!
The conversation continued for almost 15 minutes, which provided complete details to the person on the other end as to how the stranger was planning to use his “holidays” to find some real estate properties in another city instead of actually seeing his “imaginary” seriously sick uncle. At one point in his conversation, I even felt like moving away from the stranger after giving him some clues on how people around him were actually listening to his conversation, but I decided against it and just wanted to finish my food as soon as possible and leave that place.
Anyway, I felt a bit awkward and embarrassed at the same time because I overheard a conversation that was quite distasteful by my standards. I also felt like we all have some kinds of secrets, and we all should try to keep them as such, by trying not to talk about them in any kind of public place loudly and for everyone to hear!
Model Answer 2:
Well, this topic reminds me of an incident which I have almost forgotten! The incident of hearing a loud conversation of a stranger occurred in a bustling coffee shop in the heart of our city, adding an unexpected twist to a typical day. Here, I would like to share this experience with you.
I was seated at a cosy corner table in a popular coffee shop known for its ambient atmosphere, aromatic brews, and people engrossed in various activities, from work meetings to casual conversations. I believe it was a Saturday afternoon, during the peak hours when the coffee shop was abuzz with a mix of students, professionals, and those seeking a moment of relaxation.
As I immersed myself in a book, my attention was diverted when a nearby stranger engaged in a loud conversation with someone who was sitting with him. It was so loud that it soon became hard to ignore. The person, seemingly distressed, was discussing a recent job interview. They shared details about the questions asked, their responses, and the lingering uncertainty about the outcome. The emotional tone indicated a blend of anxiety and hope.
Listening to that rather loud conversation created a peculiar mix of emotions. On the one hand, there was a sense of guilt for unintentionally eavesdropping on what seemed like a private matter. However, it also evoked empathy as the person's vulnerability and genuine concern about the job interview resonated. In a public space where personal boundaries are often blurred, this encounter served as a reminder of the shared human experience and the challenges many face in their professional journeys.
This experience prompted me to reflect on the nuances of privacy in public spaces and the stories that unfold around us, often unnoticed. It left me with a heightened awareness of the diverse narratives present in the seemingly ordinary backdrop of a coffee shop, making it a memorable and thought-provoking moment.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
Oh, thank you so much for giving me this chance to talk about this nice topic. Here, I’d like to share a time when I was in a public place and someone was speaking extremely loudly, which really annoyed me.
Where you were:
This happened a few weeks ago at a bus station in my city. I had just arrived and was waiting for my bus to take me home. It was early in the evening, and the station wasn’t too crowded, but there were enough people around. I was standing by the seating area, trying to relax and check my phone when suddenly, a loud voice pierced the air.
When it was:
It was around 6 p.m. on a weekday, so there were a few commuters waiting for their buses. The place was buzzing with the usual hustle and bustle of people coming and going. I had hoped for a quiet few minutes before my bus arrived, but unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen.
Who was speaking loudly and why:
The person who was speaking loudly was a man in his early forties. He was on the phone, and from what I could overhear, he seemed to be having a heated argument with someone. His voice was not just loud - it was shouting, and his words were full of anger. He was swearing and raising his voice at whoever was on the other end of the line. The whole station could hear him. He didn’t seem to care at all that people were around, and his yelling made it impossible to ignore his conversation. It seemed like he was really upset about something, but I couldn’t understand why he had to shout so loudly in such a public place.
And explain how you felt about it:
Honestly, I felt kind of frustrated. It was one of those moments when you just want to yell at someone to lower their voice, but you hold back because you don’t want to escalate the situation. His shouting was completely disrespectful to everyone around him, and I could see that people were looking uncomfortable and irritated. The noise was so intrusive that I couldn’t even concentrate on my own thoughts, and it felt like the whole atmosphere of the station was tainted by his aggression. I was also worried that his behaviour might cause more attention or even lead to a confrontation. I just wanted him to calm down and have his conversation in private, but he didn’t seem to care at all!
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when you were in a public place and someone nearby was speaking loudly. You should talk about the location, the time it happened, who the person was, what they were saying or doing, and most importantly, how it made you feel. Whether it was annoying, funny, or surprising, focus on the situation and your reaction. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your answer:
1. At a library during exam week:
I was studying at the public library during my college exam week when a man started talking loudly on his phone. He seemed completely unaware of how disruptive he was being, discussing personal matters in a quiet zone. I felt frustrated and distracted, especially since everyone else was trying to concentrate.
2. At a movie theatre before the film started:
A group of teenagers behind me at a movie theatre were speaking loudly and laughing while previews were playing. One of them was narrating spoilers to his friend. It was very irritating because everyone wanted to enjoy the movie in peace. I was annoyed but didn’t want to escalate the situation.
3. On a bus during rush hour:
I was commuting home on a packed bus when a man received a call and started yelling into his phone. He was talking about a business deal and didn’t care about the people around him. It made the atmosphere tense and uncomfortable, and several passengers gave him disapproving looks.
4. At a coffee shop during a meeting:
I was having a meeting with a client at a coffee shop when a woman nearby was loudly arguing with someone on the phone. She seemed very emotional and unaware of the attention she was attracting. It was hard to focus, and I had to apologise to my client multiple times.
5. At a park during a quiet walk:
While walking in the park one morning, I came across a man doing voice recordings very loudly for his social media content. It broke the peaceful morning vibe I was enjoying. Although it wasn’t wrong, it felt like the timing and place weren’t suitable. I found it slightly annoying.
6. During a train journey:
On a long train ride, a passenger nearby was video chatting with someone using speaker mode. Not only was his voice loud, but the other person’s voice was also echoing across the carriage. It was very irritating, and I ended up using headphones to drown out the noise.
7. At a hospital waiting area:
I was waiting at a hospital with a friend when a visitor began talking loudly about unrelated topics on the phone. It was surprising and uncomfortable, as people around were clearly stressed or worried about loved ones. I felt it was insensitive and disrespectful.
8. During a museum tour:
I visited a history museum, and during a guided tour, a family with children was talking and laughing loudly, interrupting the guide and disturbing the experience for others. It was disappointing because I was genuinely interested in the explanations and felt they ruined the atmosphere.
9. In a restaurant during dinner:
While dining at a fancy restaurant with my parents, a man at the next table was speaking loudly about politics. His voice was so overpowering that we could barely hear each other. It made our dinner less enjoyable and slightly awkward.
10. At a bookshop:
I went to a quiet bookstore to browse through some novels when a couple walked in and started chatting loudly about travel plans. It felt out of place in such a serene environment. I felt irritated but decided to move to a different section to avoid the noise.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an experience with loud speech in a public place, using descriptive vocabulary can effectively convey the scene, the nature of the noise, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the disruption and your feelings, making your response both vivid and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Commotion: – A state of confused and noisy disturbance.
Example: Their loud conversation caused quite a commotion in the quiet café.
Discordant: – Lacking harmony or agreement; clashing.
Example: The discordant shouts from the next table were very distracting.
Obtrusive: – Noticeable or prominent in an unwelcome or intrusive way.
Example: Their obtrusive conversation made it impossible for me to concentrate.
Piercing voice: – A very loud, high-pitched voice that seems to cut through other sounds.
Example: I was trying to read, but a piercing voice from nearby made it difficult.
Booming laughter: – Very loud, deep, and echoing sounds of amusement.
Example: Their booming laughter echoed through the otherwise quiet waiting room.
Drowning out: – Making it impossible to hear another sound.
Example: Their animated discussion was drowning out the background music.
Annoyed beyond measure: – Extremely irritated or vexed.
Example: I felt annoyed beyond measure by the incessant shouting.
Lack of consideration: – Failure to show thoughtfulness or respect for others.
Example: It showed a complete lack of consideration for other people in the public space.
Grated on my nerves: – Irritated or annoyed me continuously.
Example: Their loud phone call was grating on my nerves, making me increasingly uncomfortable.
Breached social etiquette: – Violated the customary code of polite behaviour in society.
Example: Their behaviour clearly breached common social etiquette for a quiet environment.
A public nuisance: &ndash> Something that is annoying or harmful to the public or to the general public.
Example: The persistent noise became a real public nuisance for everyone trying to relax.
Felt frustrated: – Experienced annoyance or discouragement because of an inability to achieve something.
Example: I felt incredibly frustrated, unable to enjoy my peaceful meal.
Wishing for quietude: – Desiring a state of stillness, calmness, and quiet.
Example: All I could do was wish for some quietude to return to the area.
Disrupted the peaceful atmosphere: – Interrupted the calm and tranquil mood or environment.
Example: Their loud argument completely disrupted the peaceful atmosphere of the library.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when you were in a public place and someone was speaking loudly", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when someone got angry with you.
2) Describe a time when you overheard a phone conversation.
3) Describe a time when something or someone annoyed you.
4) Describe an event when you got angry with something.
5) Describe a bad experience you have had.
6) Describe someone or something that makes a lot of noise.
A few months ago, I came to a metropolitan city from my village by train. I always prefer window seats, and this day, I booked my ticket beside the window and started my journey. After a while, I noticed the person who sat opposite me started talking over the phone very loudly. Though I tried not to hear him, unfortunately, I had to hear him talking because he was talking about the street laws in my country and it is related to my subject in university as my academic subject is Law.
He discussed many things over the phone and I think he was either talking to one of his students or one of his colleagues. Either way, this is perhaps one of the very read occasion when a public conversation over a phone was something important and interesting to me. I wanted to thank him after he finished his conversation but I did not because it would only look indecent.
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