Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe something you once received for free - Cue Card # 775
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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 something you once received for free.
You should say:
- what it was
- who you received it from
- when and where you received it
and explain how you felt about 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:
I am not sure about the others, but I don’t really mind if someone offers me something for free, even if it means that something is the smallest of the things. But, today, I am not going to talk about any small thing, but something significant or something valuable, which I received about 7 years ago for free.
Anyway, back then, I mean about 7 years ago, I was still a young boy and attending high school. But, as a high school student, I wasn’t exactly like the other boys who were growing up with me. In fact, I was more of a “loner” since I didn’t really have any friends to hang out with. Of course, I used to talk to my classmates or do things with them during school hours, but after school hours, I was more comfortable being alone. My parents and close relatives knew these things about me, and they all were perfectly okay with it, except just one person. And that one person was my youngest aunt.
That aunt came to my place one day and asked me why I didn’t have any friends with whom I could hang out. In response, all I could say was that I just didn’t like being around any kind of crowd, and I didn’t like having unnecessary talks with anybody. Then, suddenly, she asked me if I liked to hear music. I answered "yes" as I did like to listen to music when I was alone. She got really excited after learning that I loved music, but what I didn’t know was that she was going to give me a nice-looking mini cassette player for free!
And as soon as I received that cassette player from my loving aunt, I felt like my prayer to God was finally answered as someone really took the time to understand me and feel for my needs. I also felt that I could always count on my loved ones, no matter how distant they seem at times.
Sample Answer 2:
Thank you very much for this interesting topic that asks me to talk about something that I received for free. And it reminds me of a time when I was offered a great buffet dinner at a nice hotel. I had to pay the room rent but the buffet dinner was offered to me for free.
This free buffet dinner was offered to me during my visit to a foreign city on the occasion of the hotel's 10th anniversary. I had booked a room in the hotel, and upon check-in, I was informed about the complimentary buffet dinner.
I received the buffet dinner from the hotel staff who were celebrating their 10th anniversary. It was an unexpected and pleasant surprise, and I felt grateful for the offer. I received it in the hotel's restaurant, where they had set up a grand buffet.
I felt elated and excited about the free buffet dinner, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. The food was delicious, and the ambience was superb. It was a great way to start my trip, and I felt lucky to have received this offer. The hotel staff was very courteous and hospitable, and I felt appreciated and welcomed.
I still think that it was a lovely gesture from the hotel authority, and I felt very fortunate to have received this complimentary buffet dinner which would otherwise cost me approximately $40.
Model Answer 3:
Before I go into the details, I'd like to thank you for this nice and interesting topic. I believe everybody likes to receive free service or items from time to time, and I'm no exception. Here, I'd like to talk about a time when I received a nice-looking T-shirt and a cap for free!
A few years ago, I went to visit a high school friend of mine in his city. Though we are no longer in our high schools or live in the same city, we still have a great friendship. I spent a week in his city, and during this time, he took me to a large stadium to watch a football tournament. I knew nothing about this tournament or which teams were competing in it. But I learned that my friend was supporting the team called "Brave Flacons". I could see thousands of passionate and excited fans and followers outside the stadium, and the game was supposed to start at around 4:00 pm.
While waiting in a long queue to enter the stadium at around 3:30 pm, a couple of people with very bright and colourful costumes and funny-looking hats approached me and asked me which team I was supporting. I told them that I would be cheering for "Brave Falcons", and they seemed very excited to hear that. Then a girl, who was around 20 years old, opened a bag and gave me a t-shirt and a white cap. Both items were designed for the fans of "Brave Falcons".
I felt a bit surprised and then delighted to receive those complimentary items. Well, then I thought that they were given by the team and the management to cheer up the fans and show their dominance in the stadium. I wore the t-shirt over the shirt I was wearing, and then put on the cap. Surprisingly, they fit me well. I liked the design of the cap and the T-shirt, and it gave me a good reason to support the team even more passionately and enjoy the game with more fervour and excitement. The cap shielded me from the scorching sun, and it was nice to have it with me on the open platform of the stadium - free and useful items for the occasion!
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Receiving something free of charge can be a delightful surprise, especially when it holds personal value or comes unexpectedly. It can create a sense of appreciation, generosity, and sometimes even gratitude. Here are some ideas to help you describe something you once received for free:
1. A free concert ticket:
I once received a free concert ticket from a friend who couldn’t attend the show due to a sudden commitment. The concert was for a band I loved, and I was beyond excited to go. I received it a week before the event, and it was a pleasant surprise that completely lifted my spirits. The concert itself was an unforgettable experience, and I felt grateful for the unexpected gift, as it allowed me to see the band live, something I had dreamed about for years.
2. A promotional book:
One time, I received a free book from a publisher as part of a promotional event. It was given to attendees of a literary conference I attended. The book was a newly released novel that I had been meaning to read. I was overjoyed to receive it, especially since I hadn’t planned on buying it. The book turned out to be an incredible read, and I appreciated how it was not only a thoughtful gesture but also a reminder of the importance of supporting new authors and their work.
3. A free meal at a restaurant:
Once, a local restaurant offered a free meal for first-time customers, which was a part of their opening promotion. I received a voucher from a friend who was already familiar with the place. I went there with my family to try it out, and the meal was delicious. The fact that it was free made the experience even more enjoyable. It felt like a small, pleasant gift from the restaurant, and it certainly made me more likely to return and recommend it to others.
4. A free gadget:
One time, I received a free gadget as part of a giveaway competition I had entered online. It was a smartphone accessory I hadn’t expected to win. I found out I won when I received an email from the company saying that I was the lucky winner. I was thrilled because I had been wanting to try out that particular product. The giveaway felt like a random act of kindness from the company, and it left me feeling excited about trying something new without spending money.
5. A handmade gift:
On my birthday, I received a beautiful handmade scarf from my aunt, who had knitted it herself. I didn’t know she was making it, so it was a huge surprise when I opened the gift. It was a thoughtful and personal gesture that I deeply appreciated. I felt a sense of warmth, not just from the scarf, but also from the love and effort my aunt had put into making it just for me. This gift made me feel special, and I still treasure it to this day.
6. A free subscription:
Once, I received a free subscription to an online learning platform from a friend who had a premium membership. She was kind enough to offer me access to the platform for a month so I could take a course I was interested in. I was very grateful for this gift, as it allowed me to learn new skills without spending any money. The experience helped me grow both personally and professionally, and it was a generous gesture that had a long-lasting impact on my career.
7. A free skincare sample:
I once received a free skincare sample at a beauty store when they were promoting their new line of products. The sales representative gave it to me while I was shopping, and I was happy to try it since I had heard great things about the brand. The sample turned out to be effective, and I ended up purchasing full-sized products later. The free sample was a thoughtful gift, and I felt thankful for being given the opportunity to try something new without any risk.
8. A free vacation voucher:
While attending a trade show, I received a free vacation voucher from a travel agency as part of a promotional offer. The voucher was valid for a weekend stay at a resort, and I was excited to use it. It was a complete surprise, and it felt like a small holiday gift that gave me the opportunity to unwind. The experience was relaxing and much-needed, and I appreciated how the free voucher allowed me to enjoy a little getaway without any cost.
9. A free gym membership:
When I moved to a new city, I received a free one-month gym membership as part of a local fitness center’s welcome package. I was happy to receive it, as I had been wanting to start a fitness routine but hadn’t yet decided on which gym to join. The free membership gave me a chance to try out the facilities and classes. I was impressed by the gym’s offerings and eventually became a member, which made me feel that the free membership was a smart way to introduce potential customers to their services.
10. A free online course:
Once, I received access to a free online course from a professional network I was part of. It was a course designed to improve my professional skills, and I was excited to learn from industry experts. The course turned out to be extremely beneficial and gave me new insights into my field. I was grateful for the opportunity to grow without any financial burden, and it motivated me to continue pursuing more free learning opportunities.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ cue card topic:
When describing something you received for free, using vocabulary that conveys the nature of the item, the circumstances of receiving it, and your emotional response can create a clear and engaging narrative. Focusing on the unexpectedness and the positive feelings associated with the gift will help explain your experience. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
A complimentary item – Something given free of charge, often as a gesture of goodwill.
Example: I received a complimentary coffee at the hotel.
A freebie – An informal term for something received for free.
Example: They were giving away freebies at the promotional event.
Unexpectedly received – Got something when you were not anticipating it.
Example: I unexpectedly received a gift in the mail.
A pleasant surprise – Something unexpected that made you happy.
Example: It was a very pleasant surprise to receive such a thoughtful gift.
A token of appreciation – Something given to show thanks or gratitude.
Example: The company gave us a small token of appreciation for our hard work.
A promotional giveaway – An item distributed for free to promote a product or event.
Example: I got a promotional giveaway at the trade fair.
A gesture of kindness – A thoughtful action showing friendliness and generosity.
Example: It was a lovely gesture of kindness from my neighbour.
Felt a sense of gratitude – Experienced a feeling of thankfulness.
Example: I felt a deep sense of gratitude when I received it.
Was genuinely touched – Felt emotionally moved by the thoughtfulness.
Example: I was genuinely touched by their generosity.
Was pleasantly surprised – Felt happy and slightly amazed by the unexpectedness.
Example: I was pleasantly surprised to receive it.
Made my day – Had a significant positive impact on my mood for the rest of the day.
Example: Receiving that free book really made my day.
A memorable gesture – A kind act that you will remember for a long time.
Example: It was a truly memorable gesture.
Felt appreciated – Experienced a sense of being valued and recognized.
Example: I felt really appreciated when they gave it to me.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe something you once received for free", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a gift that someone gave you.
2) Describe a time when you were given something free of charge.
3) Describe an event that surprised you.
4) Describe a service that you receive for free.
5) Describe an item of clothing that someone gave to you.
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