Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Recent local news that people in your locality are interested in - Cue Card # 728
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- Last Updated: Saturday, 31 May 2025 14:26
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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 some recent local news that people in your locality are interested in.
You should say:
- what the news is
- how you know about this news
- how the news involves your locality
and explain why people in your area are interested in the news.
[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 live in a rather quiet and small town, and nothing much really happens in it, except some occasional bird watching (yes, many foreign birds visit it) and spending some lazy times in some local café and restaurants. Luckily, however, there is a local newspaper in my town for us to read, which provides us with local news about what happens in and around our town. So, today, I would like to talk about one such recent piece of news which the local people are really interested in.
The news is about establishing a new train station in our little town, which the local people in my town have been demanding for more than a decade. Anyway, I would have missed this exciting piece of news had one of my cousins not informed me about it. So, I immediately got a newspaper and started to read each and every word of the news, lest I miss something.
The news said many things about the future train station in my town, including how long it would take to build the train station, and how many trains would stop at that station. The news also highlighted the facts about how the local residents of my town would benefit from this railway station. In fact, many of us - in our town - believe that because of this train station, communication between our town and other major cities of my country would be easier, which would, in turn, increase the economic activities of our town. And, the more economic activities it will have, the better the future employment opportunities will be. Besides, because of this new train station, people in my town would gain more than just economic development from the contact with the rest of the country.
Anyway, people in my area are interested in this news, mainly because they would not feel stuck in some isolated part of their country. Besides, they also feel that it would open up many doors of opportunities for them as far as their educational, cultural and economic developments are concerned. All in all, it is a piece of great news.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Before I begin talking about this topic, I would like to thank you for the time and opportunity. Well, in recent weeks, a piece of local news that has been a focal point of interest in our community revolves around the proposed construction of a new recreational park in our neighbourhood.
What the news is:
The local authorities announced plans for the establishment of a spacious recreational park to cater to the growing needs of our community. The park is intended to include amenities such as jogging tracks, play areas, and green spaces, making it a promising addition to our locality. It is indeed great news for all residents in our locality.
How you know about this news:
I first learned about this significant development through a community newsletter that is regularly distributed to residents. Additionally, the news gained traction on social media platforms, where residents actively shared and discussed the potential benefits of the upcoming park.
How the news involves your locality:
This news directly involves our locality as the proposed park is planned to be situated in a central area that currently serves as an underutilized plot of land. The local authorities have engaged in consultations with community leaders and residents to gather feedback and suggestions regarding the specific features and facilities that the park should encompass. Once this park is open to the general public, they would be immensely benefitted.
And explain why people in your area are interested in the news:
The interest in this news is multifaceted. Firstly, the prospect of a new recreational park is seen as a positive development that would enhance the quality of life for residents. The additional green space is anticipated to provide a venue for relaxation, socialization, and outdoor activities, fostering a sense of community. Moreover, the involvement of residents in the planning process has instilled a collective enthusiasm and a shared sense of ownership for the project.
Sample Answer 3:
That's an interesting topic, and it gives me a chance to talk about a recent local news event that has certainly captured the attention of everyone in my locality. The news that everyone is talking about, unfortunately, is quite tragic: a double homicide that occurred just a few weeks ago in our neighbourhood. It involved the discovery of two individuals, a husband and wife, who were found deceased in their home. The immediate news reports indicated it was a violent crime, and the police quickly launched a major investigation.
I first learned about this disturbing news, like many others, through the local news channels. It was the top headline on the evening news, and naturally, my family and I were immediately attentive because the address mentioned was so close to our own home. Soon after, the news spread rapidly through word-of-mouth among neighbours. Our local community group chats also became a hub for sharing updates and expressing shock and concern, as people tried to piece together what had happened.
This news directly involves my locality because the incident took place literally just a few streets away from where I live. The victims were residents of our neighbourhood, and although perhaps not widely known by everyone, their presence was part of our community. The police investigation has also had a very visible impact, with increased police presence, temporary cordons, and officers conducting door-to-door inquiries.
People in our area are profoundly interested in this news for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it's the sheer shock and horror of such a violent crime occurring so close to home. Our neighbourhood has always been considered relatively safe and peaceful, so an event of this magnitude is deeply unsettling and a stark reminder of vulnerability. Secondly, there's a natural human curiosity to understand the 'why' behind such a tragedy. People are anxious to know the motive, who was responsible, and whether there's any ongoing threat.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a recent piece of local news that has caught the attention of people in your area. It gives you four questions to answer: what the news is about, how you learned about it, how it is connected to your community, and why it has generated interest locally. Since the answer could vary greatly from candidate to candidate, we have tried to compose a few ideas that you can pick and extend to develop your own answer. So here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response. Hope you will find this helpful.
1. Opening of a new shopping mall:
Recently, a large shopping mall opened near our residential area. I first read about it on a local news website and later saw many social media posts about it. The mall includes popular retail stores, a cinema, and food courts, which has drawn a lot of interest. People are excited because it adds convenience, entertainment, and job opportunities to the community.
2. Renovation of a public park:
A popular local park was recently renovated with new walking tracks, benches, and a children's play area. I came to know about it through a community newsletter. The park is widely used by families, elderly people, and fitness enthusiasts, so the news has created a lot of buzz in the neighbourhood.
3. Launch of a waste recycling initiative:
The municipal authority has introduced a new waste recycling programme in our locality. I saw the news shared on our community group and local news channels. It involves distributing separate bins for organic and recyclable waste. People are interested because it promotes cleaner surroundings and environmental awareness.
4. A local student's international achievement:
A student from our area recently won an international science competition. I read about it in the local newspaper and on the school’s official page. The student’s achievement brought pride to the community, and many people are celebrating it as a local success story.
5. Unexpected rise in property prices:
There was a recent report about a sharp rise in property values in our locality. The news was covered in a local magazine and discussed widely online. It affects both homeowners and potential buyers, and people are concerned about affordability and future investment opportunities.
6. Cultural festival being organised:
A well-known cultural festival is scheduled to take place in our community centre next month. I saw the announcement on a local poster and later on social media. The event includes music, food stalls, and traditional performances, and people are excited to attend something festive after a long time.
7. Opening of a new public library:
News broke recently about a new public library being set up near our school zone. I found out through an educational blog and a local press article. Many students and readers in our community are happy because it provides better access to books and learning resources.
8. Power outage protests:
There was a recent protest in our area due to frequent power cuts. I read about it on a local news website and saw coverage on TV. The issue affects many households and small businesses, and the protest drew a lot of support. People are highly interested in how the government responds to the situation.
9. A double homicide in a residential area:
Recently, there was shocking news about a double homicide that took place in a quiet residential neighbourhood. I first learned about it from a breaking news alert on my phone and then saw coverage on local television. It has shaken the community because such violent crimes are rare in our area. People are concerned about safety, and discussions around neighbourhood surveillance and police patrolling have increased.
10. Upcoming local election campaign:
Our locality is preparing for an upcoming municipal election, and the campaigns have already started. I read about it on the community website and saw campaign posters around town. It involves selecting a new mayor and council members who will decide on local development projects. People are interested because the outcome will directly impact public services, budgeting, and future planning.
11. Corruption charge against a local businessman:
A well-known local businessman has recently been charged with embezzling public funds. The news broke on regional news channels and has gone viral on social media. The individual owns several businesses in the area, and many residents have worked with or for him. The story has captured public interest due to the betrayal of trust and the potential legal consequences.
12. Scandal involving an influential local politician:
There has been a scandal involving a senior local politician who was accused of using public funds for personal gain. I heard about it through a live news broadcast and later saw detailed reports online. Since this person held a powerful position and had promised transparency, the news has caused a stir. Residents are demanding accountability, and it has become a trending topic in community discussions.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing recent local news, using precise vocabulary can effectively convey the nature of the event, its local impact, and the reasons for public interest. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the details and the community's reaction, making your response both informative and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Prominent: – Important; famous.
Example: The news about the new park development has been quite prominent recently.
Consequential: – Important or significant.
Example: This news is highly consequential for many families in the neighbourhood.
Unprecedented: – Never done or known before.
Example: The scale of the recent infrastructure project is unprecedented for our locality.
Local discourse: – The formal discussion or conversation about a particular subject within the community.
Example: It has become a dominant topic in the local discourse, sparking many debates.
Community engagement: – The process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, or similar situations to address issues affecting the well-being of those people.
Example: The news has generated significant community engagement, with many residents attending public meetings.
Sparked debate: – Initiated a discussion or argument.
Example: The proposal for the new market has sparked considerable debate among local businesses.
Widespread interest: – Attracting attention from a large number of people.
Example: The news of the cultural festival has generated widespread interest across the area.
Repercussions: – Unintended consequences occurring some time after an event or action.
Example: People are concerned about the potential long-term repercussions of environmental changes.
At the forefront of discussions: – Being the most important or prominent aspect of conversations.
Example: The new public transport system is currently at the forefront of local discussions.
Public sentiment: – The general feeling or opinion of the public.
Example: Public sentiment appears to be largely in favour of the new initiative, though some are hesitant.
Local media coverage: – Reports and broadcasting by newspapers, television, and radio specific to a particular area.
Example: The story has received extensive local media coverage, keeping everyone informed.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe some local news that people in your locality are interested in", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an interesting news story that you have read about recently.
2) Describe an interesting piece of news that you watched on TV.
3) Describe a piece of news that many people in your area are interested in.
4) Describe a recent event in your locality in which many people participated.
5) Describe a change that will make your neighbourhood better.
6) Describe something that you think will benefit your community.
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