Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Something you would like to change in your lifestyle - Cue Card # 748
- Details
- Last Updated: Saturday, 17 May 2025 17:59
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 24115
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 something you would like to change in your lifestyle.
You should say:
- what change it would be
- why this change will be important
- when you plan to do it
and explain what you would need to do to achieve 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:
As an employee in a large company, I've to go to the office every weekday, and we're expected to be in our cubicles before 9:00 in the morning. Although I wake up early in the morning, I can not spend much time preparing and eating a healthy breakfast at home. Since I've to drive at least 40 to 45 minutes each day to reach my office, I often rush to leave my home and eat processed or packaged food for my breakfast. So, I'd like to change that aspect of my lifestyle and have a wholesome breakfast every day.
The importance of having a homemade and nutritious breakfast has been stressed out by many doctors and nutritionists. A good breakfast is even more necessary for people who remain active throughout the day and usually take their lunch after 2:00 pm. A healthy breakfast contains all the essential food ingredients and elements and keeps us vigorous to work till noon, and the habit makes us healthy and fit.
I feel that I should be doing it right away - perhaps "tomorrow" would be the best possible time, I believe. I'm convinced that this is an important change that I should incorporate into my lifestyle without further ado. However, due to the lack of sheer determination and the lack of time in the morning to get ready for the office, I'm yet to start doing it. Practically speaking, I'd make it happen in a couple of weeks.
I would first need to make a couple of modifications to my daily routine to consolidate this into my lifestyle. First, instead of going to bed at around midnight, I would need to do it before 11:00 pm. Then I should wake up a bit early- perhaps 40 minutes earlier, to have plenty of time to prepare and eat a healthy breakfast in the morning. Since I live in my own house and have no plan to rent a place near my office, I can't shift my house to cut down the commute time. So sleeping a bit early and waking up earlier seems like the perfect solution to this.
Model Answer 2:
One significant aspect of my lifestyle that I'd like to change is my screen time, especially on social media. In the digital age, it's easy to find oneself spending excessive hours scrolling through feeds, and I believe reducing this would greatly benefit my overall well-being. Before telling you more about it, I would like to thank you for this nice topic.
Excessive screen time, particularly on social media, has been linked to various negative impacts on mental health. It can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and a distorted sense of reality. Beyond the psychological aspects, prolonged screen time can also affect physical health, leading to issues like eye strain and disrupted sleep patterns.
I plan to initiate this change in the coming month. I know that setting a specific timeline will help me stay accountable and turn this intention into concrete action.
Achieving this change requires a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, I would set realistic limits on daily screen time, gradually reducing the hours spent on social media. Utilising phone features that track screen time and set reminders would assist in this process.
Creating alternative activities is crucial to replace the time spent on social media. This could involve picking up a hobby, reading more books, or engaging in physical activities. Establishing a routine that includes dedicated 'screen-free' periods, especially before bedtime, can significantly improve sleep quality, I believe.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Changing aspects of our lifestyle can have a significant impact on our well-being, productivity, and happiness. It often involves making adjustments to our habits, routines, or environment. Here are 10 ideas for describing something people usually like to change in their lifestyles:
1. Improving my work-life balance:
I would like to improve my work-life balance, which has been a challenge lately. It’s important because it will allow me to focus more on my personal life, reduce stress, and improve my overall health. I plan to start making this change within the next month by setting clearer boundaries between work and home life. To achieve this, I will prioritise tasks more effectively, schedule breaks during work, and set aside specific time for personal activities.
2. Adopting a healthier diet:
I would like to change my eating habits by adopting a healthier diet, focusing on eating more whole foods and reducing processed foods. This change is important because it will improve my energy levels, support my immune system, and help me maintain a healthy weight. I plan to start making this change immediately by meal planning, cooking at home more often, and gradually eliminating unhealthy snacks. To achieve it, I will educate myself on nutrition and look for healthy recipes that I enjoy.
3. Exercising regularly:
I want to integrate regular exercise into my lifestyle to improve my fitness and overall health. This change is important because regular exercise will help me maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress, and boost my mood. I plan to start this change within the next week by setting a goal to work out at least three times a week. To achieve this, I will create a workout schedule, join a fitness class, or hire a personal trainer to keep me motivated.
4. Reducing screen time:
I would like to reduce the amount of time I spend on screens, especially on my phone and computer. This change is important because excessive screen time can lead to eye strain, poor posture, and decreased productivity. I plan to start this change next month by setting daily limits for screen use, especially during leisure time. To achieve this, I will focus on offline activities like reading, cooking, and spending more time outdoors.
5. Learning a new language:
I would like to dedicate more time to learning a new language, which will help me in my personal and professional life. This change is important because it will open up new opportunities for travel, work, and cultural exchange. I plan to start learning the language within the next few weeks, using language learning apps and attending classes. To achieve this, I will set aside time each day to practice speaking, reading, and writing in the new language.
6. Practising mindfulness and meditation:
I want to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into my daily routine to improve my mental health and reduce stress. This change is important because it will help me stay focused, calm, and present in my everyday life. I plan to begin this practice within the next month by setting aside 10 minutes each morning for meditation. To achieve this, I will follow guided meditation sessions and gradually increase the time I spend practising mindfulness.
7. Spending more time with family and friends:
I would like to spend more quality time with my family and friends, strengthening my relationships with them. This change is important because social connections are crucial for mental and emotional well-being. I plan to start making this change next month by organising weekly gatherings, dinners, or outings. To achieve this, I will prioritise social activities over work or other distractions and ensure that I allocate time for loved ones in my schedule.
8. Becoming more organised:
I would like to become more organised in both my personal and professional life, as this would reduce stress and increase productivity. This change is important because staying organised will help me manage my time better and achieve my goals more efficiently. I plan to start this change immediately by decluttering my workspace and creating a detailed to-do list each day. To achieve this, I will use tools like planners, apps, and time management techniques.
9. Saving more money:
I want to focus on saving more money in order to build a stronger financial future. This change is important because it will provide security, reduce financial stress, and help me achieve long-term goals such as buying a home or travelling. I plan to start making this change by setting up a budget and cutting unnecessary expenses within the next month. To achieve this, I will track my spending, look for ways to reduce costs, and set monthly savings goals.
10. Reducing environmental impact:
I would like to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle to reduce my environmental footprint. This change is important because it will help protect the planet and promote sustainability for future generations. I plan to start making this change immediately by reducing plastic usage, recycling more, and buying eco-friendly products. To achieve this, I will educate myself on sustainable living practices and make conscious choices when it comes to consumption and waste.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When discussing a lifestyle change you wish to make, using precise and motivated vocabulary can effectively convey your commitment, the importance of the change, and the steps involved. Employing a range of terms will help you articulate your aspirations and the practicalities of achieving them, enhancing your response for the examiner. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Transformation: – A dramatic change in form or appearance.
Example: I'm aiming for a complete transformation of my evening routine.
Sustainable habits: – Routines or practices that can be maintained over a long period without significant difficulty.
Example: My goal is to build sustainable habits rather than temporary fixes.
Prioritise well-being: – To put personal health and happiness at the top of one's list of important things.
Example: This change is about learning to prioritise my well-being above all else.
Break a bad habit: – To stop doing something negative or unhealthy that one has done regularly.
Example: I'm determined to break a bad habit of excessive screen time before bed.
Allocate time effectively: – To distribute or assign time for particular purposes in a productive way.
Example: I'll need to learn how to allocate time effectively for my new fitness regimen.
Foster a positive mindset: – To encourage the development of a hopeful and optimistic attitude.
Example: Cultivating this habit will help me foster a more positive mindset throughout the day.
Overcome resistance: – To successfully deal with opposition or unwillingness to change.
Example: The biggest challenge will be overcoming my own initial resistance to change.
Integrate into daily routine: – To make something a regular and essential part of one's everyday activities.
Example: The key to success will be to integrate this new practice seamlessly into my daily routine.
Small, incremental steps: – Making progress through a series of minor, gradual changes.
Example: I believe in making small, incremental steps rather than drastic changes all at once.
Long-term commitment: – A promise or decision to do something for an extended period into the future.
Example: This isn't just a short-term fix; it's about a long-term commitment to self-improvement.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe something you would like to change in your lifestyle", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a positive change that you would like to happen in your life.
2) Describe something you plan to do but have not done yet.
3) Describe a goal you have achieved that you are proud of.
4) Describe something healthy you enjoy doing.
5) Describe something that was difficult for you to do.
Report