Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a war or conflict you know about - Cue Card # 787
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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 war or conflict you know about.
You should say:
- what it was about
- how you know about it
- who was involved in this war or conflict
and explain the outcome of this war or conflict.
[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:
The history of our world is full of many wars, which have eventually changed the course of the world. But, in my opinion, none of these wars has had as much impact on our world as the Second World War, and today, I would like to talk about that.
Now, I am not too sure exactly when I came to know about this conflict for the first time, but I guess that I first learned about it when I was still a young boy, and I didn’t know how to put everything in proper perspective. Back then, I came to learn only a little about it by watching some TV programmes or listening to some kinds of table talks or talk shows. But, I guess, it was during my high school years that I managed to get the complete picture of this devastating conflict through the “history” class.
Anyway, in that history class, I learned in great detail about the situation of the world prior to the start of the most devastating war in human history. Not only that, but also how a certain treaty, called the Treaty of Versailles at the end of the First World War, fueled the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany - which ultimately resulted in the start of World War 2 in the year of 1939. However, even though Hitler’s Germany was the main culprit who was responsible for starting this war, it eventually spread all over the world by drawing in some other major world powers back then like Britain, the USA, France, the former Soviet Union, Italy, Japan, Turkey and China.
Luckily, of course, this deadly and destructive conflict didn’t continue for more than 6 years!!! But that 6 years was more than enough to cause total chaos, to say the least, all over the world, killing at least 40 to 50 million people and redrawing the maps of the world. In the end, Germany and its allies, like Japan, Italy and Turkey, had lost the war against the war alliance of Britain, France, the USSR, China and the USA.
Model Answer 2:
Well, whenever I think about war or conflict, it reminds me of major global wars like World War I or World War II. However, for this topic, I would like to talk about the Georgian Civil War which I have recently learned about.
The Georgian Civil War was a conflict that occurred from 1991 to 1993, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The war was fought between the Georgian government, led by President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, and various opposition groups, including separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I learned about this war from historical books and documentaries.
The war was characterised by various atrocities, including ethnic cleansing, and resulted in the displacement of thousands of people. Russia and other neighbouring countries were involved in peacekeeping efforts to bring an end to the conflict. Eventually, in 1993, a ceasefire was declared, and Gamsakhurdia was ousted from power. However, the conflict in Abkhazia continued and ultimately led to a full-scale war in 1998.
Overall, the Georgian Civil War was a devastating conflict that caused significant damage to the country's infrastructure and led to the loss of many lives. The war resulted in a significant shift in Georgian politics and the country's relationship with neighbouring countries. I believe that most wars are brutal and end in casualties, loss and damages. I hope we will be more peace-loving and try to avoid wars and conflicts for a better future.
Sample Answer 3:
Oh, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to talk about this topic. Today, I’d like to share what I know about the Vietnam War, a conflict I find particularly interesting due to its historical significance and global impact.
The Vietnam War was primarily a Cold War-era conflict fought between North Vietnam, supported by communist allies, and South Vietnam, which was backed by the United States and other anti-communist countries. The war was largely about the ideological struggle between communism and capitalism, with the North seeking to unify the country under communist rule, while the South, supported by the U.S., aimed to maintain its non-communist government.
I know about the Vietnam War mainly through various history books, documentaries, and films. Over the years, I have watched documentaries that gave me a detailed understanding of the political and social dynamics during that period. Movies like Apocalypse Now and Platoon have also played a significant role in depicting the emotional and psychological effects of the war on both soldiers and civilians.
The war involved several key players, with the main forces being North Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh and supported by communist allies like China and the Soviet Union, and South Vietnam, supported primarily by the United States, as well as other nations such as Australia and South Korea. The United States was heavily involved, providing financial and military support to the South, fearing the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. The war dragged on for nearly two decades, deeply affecting not only the countries directly involved but also shaping international relations during the Cold War.
The outcome of the Vietnam War was profound. In 1975, after years of devastating conflict, North Vietnam succeeded in capturing Saigon, marking the fall of South Vietnam. The country was reunified under communist rule, and the war is often seen as a major defeat for the United States, both militarily and politically. The consequences of the war were far-reaching. It resulted in the loss of millions of lives and caused significant trauma to the Vietnamese people, especially due to the extensive use of chemical weapons like Agent Orange. For the U.S., the war led to widespread disillusionment, anti-war movements, and a shift in foreign policy, as it marked one of the most controversial conflicts in American history. In Vietnam, the war left a lasting scar on its people and culture, but it also contributed to the shaping of its national identity in the decades that followed.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Wars and conflicts have shaped history in profound ways, often leading to changes in borders, societies, and the global order. Describing a war or conflict can give insight into the causes, key players, and the consequences of such events. Here are some ideas for describing a war or conflict you know about:
1. World War II:
World War II was one of the most devastating global conflicts, lasting from 1939 to 1945. It involved most of the world's nations, including the Allies (such as the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom) and the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan). I know about it from history books, documentaries, and my education. The war was triggered by territorial expansion and ideological differences, particularly with Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland. The outcome was a victory for the Allies, the defeat of Nazi Germany, and the end of the war in Europe, leading to major geopolitical changes, the creation of the United Nations, and the beginning of the Cold War.
2. The Vietnam War:
The Vietnam War, which took place from 1955 to 1975, was a conflict between communist North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and the South Vietnamese government, which was supported by the United States and other anti-communist allies. I know about the war through documentaries, books, and discussions in history classes. The conflict was driven by the spread of communism during the Cold War and the desire of North Vietnam to unify the country. The war ended with the fall of Saigon, the victory of North Vietnam, and the unification of the country under communist rule.
3. The Syrian Civil War:
The Syrian Civil War began in 2011, sparked by protests against the government of Bashar al-Assad. The conflict escalated into a full-scale civil war, with various factions involved, including government forces, rebel groups, and ISIS. I learned about it from news sources and personal accounts. The war has seen the involvement of multiple international powers, such as Russia supporting the Assad regime, and the United States backing opposition forces. The outcome of the conflict is still uncertain, as Syria remains divided, and the humanitarian crisis continues, with millions of displaced people and significant loss of life.
4. The Falklands War:
The Falklands War, fought between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982, was about the disputed sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, located in the South Atlantic Ocean. I know about this war from history classes and media coverage. The conflict began when Argentina invaded the Falklands, leading the UK to respond militarily. The war lasted for about ten weeks, and the UK successfully regained control of the islands. The outcome solidified British sovereignty over the Falklands, but it also led to significant political and military consequences for both nations.
5. The American Civil War:
The American Civil War, which took place from 1861 to 1865, was a conflict between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) over issues like slavery and states' rights. I learned about the war through history lessons, literature, and various educational resources. The war resulted in the defeat of the Confederacy, the abolition of slavery through the 13th Amendment, and significant changes to American society. The outcome of the war reshaped the nation and led to the Reconstruction era, as the country worked to rebuild and integrate the South.
6. The Korean War:
The Korean War, fought between North Korea (with the support of China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (with the support of the United Nations, primarily the United States), occurred between 1950 and 1953. I know about this war from various documentaries and historical accounts. The war began when North Korea invaded South Korea, and the conflict escalated into a proxy war during the Cold War. The war ended in an armistice, with Korea remaining divided at the 38th parallel, but no formal peace treaty was signed. The outcome left the Korean Peninsula divided, and tensions between North and South Korea continue to this day.
7. The Gulf War:
The Gulf War, which took place in 1990-1991, was a conflict between Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, and a coalition of forces led by the United States, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. I know about this war through news reports and historical analyses. The war was mainly about oil reserves, territorial control, and regional power. The outcome was a decisive victory for the coalition forces, which led to the liberation of Kuwait. Saddam Hussein's regime was weakened, but he remained in power in Iraq for another decade until the 2003 Iraq War.
8. The Rwandan Genocide:
The Rwandan Genocide, which occurred in 1994, was a mass killing of ethnic Tutsis by the Hutu majority in Rwanda. I learned about it through international news coverage and academic studies. The genocide lasted for approximately 100 days, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 800,000 people. The conflict was driven by long-standing ethnic tensions and political power struggles. The aftermath of the genocide led to international calls for justice, and the formation of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda to prosecute those responsible for the atrocities.
9. The Bosnian War:
The Bosnian War, which took place between 1992 and 1995, was part of the breakup of Yugoslavia. It was a conflict between Bosnian Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, following the declaration of independence by Bosnia and Herzegovina. I know about this war from history books and news reports. The war was marked by horrific ethnic cleansing and atrocities, particularly in the Srebrenica massacre. The war ended with the Dayton Agreement, which established the current political structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conflict left deep scars on the region, but the peace agreement helped bring an end to the violence.
10. The War in Afghanistan:
The War in Afghanistan, which began in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks, involved the United States and its allies fighting against the Taliban regime and Al-Qaeda. I know about this war from news coverage and academic sources. The conflict lasted for nearly two decades, making it the longest war in U.S. history. In 2021, the U.S. withdrew its forces, and the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. The outcome has left Afghanistan in a fragile state, with ongoing political and humanitarian challenges.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a war or conflict, it's important to use vocabulary that accurately reflects the historical context, the nature of the conflict, the parties involved, and its consequences. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
Protagonists: – The main opposing groups or sides involved in the conflict.
Example: The major protagonists in the Second World War were the Allied and Axis powers.
Underlying causes: – The fundamental reasons or issues that led to the war or conflict.
Example: Several underlying causes, including territorial disputes and economic rivalries, contributed to the outbreak of the war.
Casualties: – People killed or injured in a war or accident.
Example: The conflict resulted in a large number of civilian and military casualties.
Geopolitical implications: – The effects of the war or conflict on the global or regional balance of power and international relations.
Example: The war had significant geopolitical implications, reshaping alliances and borders.
Ideological differences: – Conflicts arising from fundamentally different sets of beliefs and values.
Example: The Cold War was largely fueled by ideological differences between communism and democracy.
Territorial disputes: – Disagreements over the ownership or control of land.
Example: Many historical conflicts have their roots in territorial disputes.
Economic sanctions: – Penalties imposed on a country or group to pressure them to change their behaviour, often used as an alternative to direct conflict or as a consequence of it.
Example: Following the conflict, the international community imposed economic sanctions on the aggressor nation.
Peace treaty: – A formal agreement between warring parties to end a state of war.
Example: Years of negotiation finally led to the signing of a comprehensive peace treaty.
Long-lasting consequences: – Effects of the war or conflict that continue to be felt long after it has ended.
Example: The war had long-lasting consequences for the environment and the social fabric of the affected regions.
Historical accounts: – Written or oral records and interpretations of past events, providing information about the war or conflict.
Example: My understanding of the war comes primarily from historical accounts and documentaries.
Personal narratives: – First-hand stories and experiences of individuals who lived through the war or conflict.
Example: Reading personal narratives gave me a deeper understanding of the human cost of the conflict.
Media coverage: – Reports and analyses of the war or conflict provided by news organisations.
Example: I followed the events of the conflict through extensive media coverage.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a war or conflict you know about", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an important historical event in global history.
2) Describe a historical event you have learned about in your school or college.
3) Describe something you learned recently.
4) Describe an event that you think has shaped the history of your country.
5) Describe a book or movie you have read or watched which was based on a real event.
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