Cue Card Sample

Volunteer work experience you have had - Cue Card # 736

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

Describe a volunteer work experience you have had.

You should say:

  • what volunteer work it was
  • where it was
  • why you volunteered

and explain how you felt about it.

[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: 

When I was a student in high school, I had the experience of taking part in different kinds of volunteer work from time to time, and today, I would like to talk about one such experience. It is a great topic, and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to talk something on it.

Anyway, the volunteer work, I want to talk about here, was a work which was aimed at helping the poor and needy children at a children’s hospital in our city.

Prior to that, I had taken part in some other volunteer work, like donating our old books to our local libraries and preparing soups for the poor and elderly adults of our town, but I never really knew anything about how to help the children up until that point. So, when our school supervisor asked us to buy some oranges from the local market, we just didn’t have any idea about what we were exactly going to do with those oranges.

Some of us, of course, had thought that we were going to give those oranges to those poor children at the hospital, but when we were ordered to make juice from those oranges, we didn’t bother to guess anymore. However, soon, it became clear to us that we were going to sell the orange juice and then buy some really nice gifts for the children with the money of selling the orange juice.

Well, I decided to volunteer for the work at that time, mainly because I got really bored with my studies and some tough homework, and taking part in that volunteer work provided me with a perfect escape from that. Besides, I love to help needy people and that volunteer work gave me a perfect opportunity to do so.  

Anyway, I felt really glad and happy to have the opportunity to take part in that volunteer work, mainly because it allowed me to see some smiles on the faces of some innocent children which was just priceless. Besides, it also allowed me the opportunity to share some giggles and fun with my friends while actually trying to do a noble job for my community members, especially for children who were my age. I just felt great.


 

Model Answer 2:

Introduction:
I have always believed that engaging in volunteer work is a transformative experience. One particular instance that stands out is my involvement in a local community outreach programme aimed at supporting underprivileged children in their educational journey, and for this topic, I will share my experience with you.

What volunteer work it was:
The volunteer work primarily involved providing educational assistance to children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This included tutoring sessions, organising extracurricular activities, and contributing to the overall development of these young minds.

Where it was:
This volunteer work took place in a community centre situated in an economically challenged neighbourhood. The centre served as a safe haven for children facing socio-economic hardships, offering them not only educational support but also a nurturing environment to thrive.

Why you volunteered:
My decision to volunteer in this programme was driven by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education. Witnessing the disparity in educational opportunities, I felt compelled to contribute in a meaningful way. I wanted to be a positive influence, providing these children with the tools and support they needed to break the cycle of poverty through education.

And explain how you felt about it:
Engaging in this volunteer work was a profoundly rewarding experience. There was a sense of fulfilment in witnessing the children grasp new concepts, overcome challenges, and, most importantly, grow in confidence. The joy on their faces during shared learning moments was priceless. Overall, the experience of volunteering in this programme was a poignant reminder of the impact that collective efforts can have on creating a more equitable and hopeful future.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.33 (12 Votes)

Nithin
A few years ago, I volunteered with a team who were collecting money for the cyclone victims. I felt I had some spare time which I could use in a great way by participating in this voluntary work.

I first learned about this team and their work from a Facebook post. Later I visited their office and I was impressed with their work spirit and passion to continue their noble work.

Initially, I had to visit different corporate offices and some residential areas to collect some money as a donation. Since I showed much interest in what I was doing, the authority of the charity organisation decided to send me to the cyclone-hit area to distribute the money, emergency medicine and food to them. It was almost 400 kilometres away from my home and I worked there for about 4-5 days.

I felt great, to say in the simplest possible way. I felt somewhat connected to the people I was working with and working for. The voluntary work gave me immense fulfilment and a kind of pleasure that I did not feel in any other work. This was the very first time when I realised how exciting and delightful it is to be able to help others who need support and assistance in a time of distress.

Amrita Sen
I have done some volunteer works during the COVID 19 Pandemic. Can I talk about it? Should I talk as if I am telling a story or should I stick to the points only and answer the questions?
Mahesh Kamaliya
Just cover the given questions.