Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
An interesting course or training session that you attended - Cue Card # 770
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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 an interesting course or training session that you attended.
You should say:
- where you attended this course or training session
- when you attended this course or training session
- what it was about
and explain why you found this course or training session interesting.
[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:
Well, I was lucky to have attended quite a few interesting courses, sessions and coursework during my university years. Back then, of course, I didn’t really make much of these sessions, but, as time progressed, I realised that many of those lessons, workshops and courses were not only interesting but also life-changing. For this topic, I would like to talk about a thoroughly interesting and intriguing course that I took and enjoyed at my university.
This course is none other than "Psychology", and I attended this course during the second year of my university studies, approximately four years ago. This particular course was delivered by our new psychology teacher in his psychology class. By the way, up until then, I thought psychology was a rather boring subject and involved a lot of reading.
However, things got really interesting when our new teacher arrived and started to deliver the lessons, especially when he began to talk about how the human brain really functions - a great start, I would say. Things got even more fascinating when he got deep into the course and taught us social psychology, research methods in psychology, evolutionary psychology, behavioural psychology, and interesting topics like optimism and loss aversion, cognitive biases, framing choices and so on.
Anyway, the course was fascinating to me mainly for two reasons: the first reason is that this particular course taught me there is indeed a “God”, and without His divine intervention, such unique and massively complex systems called “human brain” and "universe" would never function as they do. The second reason is that the course taught so many new concepts and ideas that fascinated me every single day. There were lots of thought-provoking topics that taught me to look at the world from a different and logical perspective.
Sample Answer 2:
Introduction:
As soon as I looked at this topic, I could think of several courses that I enjoyed in recent years, but I finally decided to talk about the one that was a bit different from others and which was thoroughly fascinating. Here, I would like to talk about this course. By the way, the course was on Digital Marketing and SEO.
Where you attended this course/training session:
I attended this course at a reputed local training centre near my house. It was a two-month course, and it took place thrice a week in the afternoon. The course started at 2 pm and lasted for three hours, finishing at 5 pm.
When you attended this course/training session:
I joined this course exactly one year and three months ago. I was inspired to start this course because one of my classmates took the same course and started working part-time in a Digital Marketing company in my city. The course took me two months and a week to finish.
What it was about:
The course was about different aspects and techniques of "Digital Marketing & SEO". It was designed for beginners who wanted to learn the basics of SEO and digital marketing. The course covered various aspects of digital marketing, including SEO, PPC, social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and mobile marketing. The course was delivered by a few professional digital marketers who had several years of experience in the industry.
And explain why you found this course or training session interesting:
I found this course interesting for several reasons. First, I had a keen interest in digital marketing and SEO, but I didn't have any prior knowledge or experience in this field. This course was an excellent opportunity for me to learn the basics of digital marketing and SEO. Secondly, the course was very well structured and organised, and the instructors were knowledgeable and engaging. After attending the course, I took another online course which was for advanced learners. I am proud to say that I have worked on many projects as a Digital Marketing Expert for at least a dozen of clients from different online marketplaces.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Attending a course or training session can be an enriching experience, allowing you to gain new skills, knowledge, and insights. These experiences can be personal, academic, or professional, and they often leave a lasting impression. Here are some ideas for describing an interesting course or training session that you attended:
1. Photography Course:
I attended a photography course at a local arts center about a year ago. It was a six-week course that covered the basics of digital photography, including lighting, composition, and editing. I found the course fascinating because it taught me how to capture beautiful and meaningful moments through a camera. The hands-on sessions, where we went out to take pictures and then edited them, really helped me improve my skills. I found it interesting because it unlocked my creativity and gave me a new way to express myself visually.
2. Language Immersion Program:
I participated in a French language immersion program in Paris last summer. The program lasted for three weeks, and I lived with a host family while attending daily language lessons. The course focused on conversational French, and we also had cultural outings to museums and historical sites. I found it incredibly interesting because it was immersive, and I had the opportunity to practice French in real-life situations. It helped me improve my fluency while also deepening my appreciation for French culture and history.
3. Web Development Bootcamp:
I attended a web development bootcamp last year to enhance my coding skills. The bootcamp was held online over the course of three months, and it focused on front-end and back-end development, covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and databases. I found the course interesting because it was highly practical and hands-on, with lots of real-world projects to work on. It was engaging to learn how to build websites and applications from scratch, and I felt accomplished when I successfully completed my first web project.
4. Yoga Retreat:
I attended a yoga retreat at a wellness center in the mountains a few months ago. The retreat lasted for five days and focused on mindfulness, meditation, and yoga practice. I found the retreat interesting because it not only improved my physical flexibility but also helped me understand the mental benefits of yoga, such as stress reduction and improved focus. The peaceful environment and the guidance from experienced instructors made the whole experience enlightening and transformative.
5. Leadership Training Workshop:
I took part in a leadership training workshop at my workplace last year. The workshop was a two-day session focused on improving leadership skills, team management, and communication. It was interesting because it included interactive activities, role-playing, and discussions with other professionals. I found the session valuable because it taught me how to be a more effective leader and how to handle challenges in the workplace, which I could immediately apply in my job.
6. Cooking Class:
I attended a cooking class at a local culinary school to learn how to make Italian cuisine. The class lasted for four hours and taught us how to prepare traditional dishes like pasta, risotto, and tiramisu. I found the class interesting because it combined cooking skills with the rich cultural background of Italian food. The hands-on experience of preparing the dishes and the opportunity to try them at the end made it enjoyable and educational. It also sparked my interest in learning more about other cuisines.
7. Public Speaking Seminar:
I attended a public speaking seminar in my city about six months ago. The seminar focused on improving communication skills, overcoming stage fright, and delivering effective presentations. I found the seminar interesting because it provided practical tips and strategies for speaking confidently in front of an audience. The interactive exercises, where we had to deliver short speeches in front of the group, helped me overcome my fear of public speaking and boosted my confidence in professional settings.
8. Environmental Sustainability Workshop:
I attended a workshop on environmental sustainability organized by a local NGO last year. The workshop focused on the importance of reducing waste, conserving energy, and adopting sustainable practices in everyday life. I found the course interesting because it made me more aware of the environmental challenges we face and gave me practical tips on how to live more sustainably. The knowledge I gained has influenced my daily habits, such as reducing plastic usage and being more mindful of my carbon footprint.
9. Creative Writing Course:
One of the most interesting courses I attended was a creative writing workshop offered by a local community center. The course was a six-week program that helped me improve my writing skills, especially in fiction and poetry. I found it fascinating because the course encouraged me to think creatively and explore different writing styles. The feedback from other participants and the instructor helped me refine my writing and inspired me to pursue more creative writing projects in my free time.
10. Digital Marketing Training:
I attended a digital marketing training session hosted by a well-known agency last year. The course covered various aspects of digital marketing, including SEO, social media, content creation, and email marketing. I found the training interesting because it provided in-depth knowledge of how to effectively market products online and reach target audiences. The real-world case studies and interactive sessions made the course engaging, and I learned strategies that I could apply to my own business or career.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an interesting course or training session, employing specific vocabulary can help you convey your engagement, the content's appeal, and its impact. Thoughtful language choices will enable you to articulate why the session captivated your attention and how it enriched your understanding. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Interactive: – Allowing a two-way flow of information between a user and a system or between participants.
Example: The most valuable aspect was how interactive the training session was, with plenty of group work.
Enlightening: – Providing or tending to provide knowledge, understanding, or insight.
Example: The seminar on sustainable living was truly enlightening.
Gained valuable insights: – Acquired a deeper and more useful understanding of a topic.
Example: I gained valuable insights into effective time management strategies.
Hands-on experience: – Practical experience rather than theoretical instruction.
Example: The workshop provided excellent hands-on experience with new software.
Stimulated my intellect: – Engaged and challenged my mind intellectually.
Example: The complex case studies really stimulated my intellect.
Felt truly engaged: – Felt deeply involved and interested.
Example: From start to finish, I felt truly engaged by the speaker's presentation style.
Facilitated by an expert: – Led or guided by someone with extensive knowledge and skill in the field.
Example: The training was expertly facilitated by a renowned professional in the industry.
Sparked a keen interest: – Created a strong desire to know or learn more about something.
Example: The introductory module sparked a keen interest in pursuing further studies in the subject.
Provided a fresh perspective: – Offered a new and original way of looking at a topic.
Example: The course provided a fresh perspective on problem-solving techniques.
Exceeded my expectations: – Was better than I had anticipated.
Example: The depth of the content and the quality of instruction far exceeded my expectations.
Kept me on the edge of my seat: – Kept me very interested and excited about what would happen next.
Example: The trainer's dynamic delivery and real-world examples kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the session.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe an interesting course or training session that you attended", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a course you enjoyed so much in your school or college.
2) Describe your favourite subject in your school or college.
3) Describe a training or skill development programme that you successfully completed.
4) Describe something you recently did that you feel happy about.
5) Describe a session or training programme you want to complete in the future.
6) Describe a course you did not like in school but now find interesting.
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