Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a cafe you like to visit - Cue Card # 767
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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 café you like to visit.
You should say:
- where it is
- what kinds of foods and drinks it serves
- what you do there
and explain why you like to visit this cafe.
[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:
Visiting a nice café, especially during the weekends, is one of my favourite activities, and it is something that I enjoy a lot. Thankfully, there are plenty of cafes in my old town to help me do that, and today, I'll talk about one of those cafes.
As I have already mentioned, the café I visit is called "Cofffe Time", located in my town, but it is kind of far away from where I live. Of course, at one point, it used to be rather close to my home, but it had relocated a couple of years ago to a different place due to some road construction and city expansion works. But, in either case, I am glad that the café is still in operation because it is certainly a bit different from other cafes in the town. And you will know why I am saying this in a minute.
Anyway, I don’t visit this café to enjoy any kinds of food, but rather to enjoy coffee and fruit juices, even though this café certainly serves some of the most healthy and delicious foods in town such as mushroom pepper steak, Italian pasta and Thai soups, among many other items. But, as far as I am concerned, I love their freshly made fruit juices, coffee, and light music. Here it is worth mentioning that I am a very familiar face in this café, obviously because I visit it quite often, so they don’t really mind if I sit there for hours, doing literally nothing.
I visit this café mainly because it is not only surrounded by a nice environment, but also has a rather pleasing atmosphere inside it. Besides, the very nice and professional behaviour of all the staff members there is also something that encourages me to visit this place again and again. Last but not least, I often go to this café because they serve different things on different days, instead of serving just the same kinds of food every day - to make things a bit more interesting for its customers.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
There are many cafes I've been to, but the one I like the most is called "The Rustic Cafe". It's located in the heart of the city and is quite popular among locals and tourists. Now, I will describe this cafe, and tell you why I like to visit it so much.
Where it is:
The Rustic Cafe is situated on the busy street of the city centre. It's located in a historical building with beautiful pastoral decor that gives it a unique charm. The cafe has an outdoor seating area, which is perfect for people-watching and enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city.
What kinds of foods and drinks it serves:
The Rustic Cafe serves a wide range of foods and drinks, including pastries, sandwiches, salads, and coffee. They have an extensive menu that caters to everyone's needs. The quality of the food and drinks is exceptional, and the prices are reasonable.
What you do there:
I usually visit The Rustic Cafe with my friends to catch up over a cup of coffee or have a light lunch. The atmosphere of the cafe is cosy and welcoming, and the staff are friendly and attentive. I also like to come here to work on my laptop, as they provide free Wi-Fi, and the environment is peaceful and conducive to work.
And explain why you like to visit this cafe:
I like to visit this cafe because of its warm and inviting ambience, excellent quality of food and drinks, and its central location. It's a perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy day, and the outdoor seating area is ideal for enjoying the city views. The cafe has become my go-to spot for meeting friends, working on my laptop, or just enjoying a quiet moment alone.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
Cafés can be relaxing spots for study, conversation, or simply enjoying your favourite beverage. Below are several detailed ideas that you can use to describe a café you love visiting. Each idea provides specific answers to all the supporting questions in the cue card.
1. Cosy coffee corner near my university:
There’s a small café just five minutes away from my university campus. It serves freshly brewed coffee, croissants, and light snacks. I usually go there alone to revise my notes or sometimes with friends to unwind after lectures. I love the calm music, wooden décor, and the warm vibe that makes it ideal for both focus and relaxation.
2. Rooftop café in my neighbourhood:
This café is located on the rooftop of a building close to my home. It offers a stunning view of the city skyline and serves continental breakfast, herbal teas, and smoothies. I often go there in the evening with my sister to enjoy the view and sip tea. I like this café because the ambience is peaceful, and the open-air setting makes it feel refreshing.
3. Vintage-style café downtown:
This café is in the heart of the city and has an old-world charm with vintage furniture and black-and-white photos on the walls. It serves hand-drip coffee, pastries, and gourmet sandwiches. I usually go there on weekends with my childhood friend. I like how the interior transports me back in time and makes every visit feel like a little escape from modern life.
4. Internet café I use:
As a college student, I often visit a nearby internet café that also sells coffee and snacks. It is a convenient place to finish assignments and research work. I often go there in the afternoons with my classmates. Though it isn’t luxurious, I like it for its practicality and because it helps me stay productive.
5. Seaside café I visit on a trip:
While vacationing in Da Nang, Vietnam - where I often go to - I visit a beachside café that serves tropical juices, seafood rolls, and desserts. I go there every evening while I am there to watch the sunset with my travel companions. I love the salty air, the sound of the waves, and the laid-back atmosphere - it makes me feel completely at peace.
6. Book-themed café in my city:
There’s a café styled like a mini library with bookshelves on every wall. It’s tucked inside a quiet alleyway in the city centre. They serve exotic teas and home-baked cookies. I go there on Sundays with my cousin who also loves reading. I like how I can read for hours while sipping chamomile tea in absolute silence.
7. Cat café in Tokyo:
I sometimes go to a cat café in Tokyo where you can drink coffee and pet adorable cats at the same time. They offer lattes, cheesecakes, and even kitty-shaped biscuits. I visit it alone out of curiosity and ended up spending two hours there. These days I often go there with my own cat "Ket". I liked it because it combined two of my favourite things - animals and coffee - in one place.
8. Organic café near my office:
This café only serves organic and healthy food options such as avocado toast, kombucha, and sugar-free desserts. It’s located just a block away from my office building. I go there during lunch breaks with colleagues. I admire their commitment to health and sustainability, and the food is both nutritious and tasty.
Sample Answer 3:
Thank you so much for choosing this nice topic for me. In fact, one of my favourite things to do is to spend time in a nice café, no matter where I visit, and today I would like to talk about one such café.
Thankfully, this nice café - called "The Vista" - is very much located inside my university campus where students love to visit. Located in a nice environment, covered by large trees, this café not only attracts university students, but also the general public who visit the university to meet their friends and families, pretty much on a regular basis.
Since this café is located very close to the university bus bay, it also seems to be the first stop for many university students. It is in this place where many of them sit and relax, while also enjoying some snacks and drinks at the same time, before departing from the university or starting their usual student activities. By the way, in addition to serving snacks and drinks - such as cakes, biscuits, pastries, soft drinks and fruit juices - this university café also serves breakfast and lunch to students.
After all, for many female students like me, who travel from far and have a busy class schedule, this university café seems to be the only place where they can enjoy a great breakfast and lunch quickly. And they can do so at an affordable price too, without ever going out of the university campus. In addition to enjoying some nice snacks and drinks here, I also use this large café to hang out with my friends while also surfing the internet at the same time.
Anyway, while others have their own reasons for visiting this café, I like to go to this café, mainly because I can sit in this place, and a very large place in that too, for hours and continue my study-related work without being bothered by its staff or management. I like this café also because it is in this place where I get to hang out with some of my best friends on a regular basis.
Model Answer 4:
There's a small, charming café named "The Riverside Brew" that I've grown particularly fond of visiting. It sits tucked away along the tranquil banks of the River Thames in London, just a short stroll from the bustling city centre. Despite its proximity to busy streets, this café feels like a quiet haven, blending urban sophistication with a cosy atmosphere. Thank you very much for this great topic.
The menu at The Riverside Brew is delightful. They serve a delicious array of freshly baked pastries, sandwiches filled with locally sourced ingredients, and homemade cakes that are always incredibly tempting. Their beverage selection is equally impressive, boasting aromatic coffee made from freshly ground beans, refreshing herbal teas, and artisanal smoothies. My absolute favourite is their classic cappuccino, perfectly balanced and topped with velvety foam.
When I visit, I typically find a comfortable corner seat near the window, open a book, or pull out my laptop to write. Occasionally, I just sit and enjoy watching the gentle movements of boats passing on the river. The calm and artistic vibe there never fails to spark my creativity, making it an ideal spot for me to think clearly or get some work done.
I particularly like visiting this café because of its unique ambience. Unlike many crowded, noisy places, The Riverside Brew feels personal and welcoming. The staff know regular visitors by name, and there's a sense of warmth and familiarity in every interaction. Moreover, spending time there offers me an escape from daily routines, a place where I can slow down, recharge, and simply enjoy life's quiet moments.
Vocabulary for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
Describing a café you enjoy visiting allows you to use a wide range of vocabulary related to food, drink, ambience, habits, and emotions. Below is a list of some useful and relevant vocabulary to help you answer this cue card fluently and confidently:
Ambiance/ Ambience – The mood or atmosphere of a place.
Barista – A person who prepares and serves coffee in a coffeehouse.
Cosy – Comfortable and pleasant, especially because of being small and warm.
Artisan coffee – Coffee made with high-quality, often hand-roasted beans and careful brewing methods.
Signature drink – A special beverage unique to a café or restaurant.
Minimalist interior – A design style that uses simplicity and clean lines.
Rustic décor – A natural, rural, or old-fashioned style in the interior of a place.
Frequent – To visit a place regularly.
Hidden gem – A place that is excellent but not widely known.
Relaxing vibe – A calm and peaceful feeling or atmosphere.
Latte art – Designs created on the surface of coffee using milk foam.
All-day breakfast – A café menu that offers breakfast items at any time of the day.
Homey – Comfortable like home; homely and inviting.
Go-to spot – A favourite place that someone regularly chooses.
Open-air seating – Outdoor seating area, often with a pleasant view or fresh air.
Gourmet – Food or drink of very high quality and often expensive.
Takeaway counter – A counter where customers can order food or drinks to go.
Plant-based options – Food and drink made entirely from plant ingredients.
Bustling café – A café that is lively and full of activity.
Social hangout – A casual place where people gather to spend time together.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a café you like to visit", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe your favourite place to eat out.
2) Describe a place where you meet your friends.
3) Describe a place you would recommend a foreigner visit in your hometown.
4) Describe a quiet place you like to visit.
5) Describe a place where you recently enjoyed a delicious meal.
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