Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
A birthday celebration of yours that you remember - Cue Card # 817
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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 birthday celebration of yours that you remember.
You should say:
- how old you were then
- how you celebrated this birthday
- what you did
and explain why you remember celebrating this birthday.
[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.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Sample Answer 1:
Thank you for this wonderful topic, and it reminds me of a day that I really enjoyed and cherished. For this topic, I'd like to talk about my 20th birthday celebration, which was a memorable one for me.
I turned 20 in the summer of 2022, and due to the pandemic restrictions, I couldn't plan a big celebration. However, I wanted to make it special, so I decided to celebrate it with my family and a few close friends.
We decided to go on a day trip to a nearby beach, which was a 2-hour drive from our city. It was a perfect day, and we all had a great time on the beach. We played games, went for a swim, and had a delicious picnic lunch. Later in the evening, we went to a nearby restaurant and had a lovely dinner. My parents bought a large cake that we shared among ourselves as well as a few staff members at the restaurant. We also took many photos on our mobile phones. We had to follow the pandemic rules throughout the day. Despite the restriction, it was so wonderful to do all thing things.
The reason I remember this birthday celebration is that it was the first time in a long time that I was able to spend time with my loved ones after the lockdown. The pandemic had kept us apart for so long, and it felt great to be able to spend time with them and celebrate my special day. It was also a reminder that simple things in life such as spending time with family and friends, can bring so much joy and happiness. It will always be a special birthday memory that I will cherish for a long.
Model Answer 2:
Whenever I get an opportunity to discuss any birthdays, I immediately go back to some of my unforgettable childhood memories when things were very delightful and intriguing. But, I think that out of all those memories, my 12th birthday deserves special attention, and today, I will go ahead and do just that for this wonderful topic. But, before I go into the details of this birthday celebration, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to let me talk about it.
Back then, I was just a 12-year-old boy and also was very excited to start high school, except that the school was located in a different city, and this made my grandparents a bit sad. Apparently, they didn’t like their only grandson to live so far away from them for the next 5 years or so. In fact, even my little sister didn’t like that idea, and it was in this kind of “emotional environment” that I celebrated my 12th birthday.
So, I had a gut feeling that something “special” was about to happen on that birthday. I was proved right when I found that a gigantic cake was decorated nicely for me, and also a very nice mountain bike was handed to me – a mountain bike which I had always liked and wanted - from my loving grandparents as a gift. Needless to say, I was so excited to see that bike that I wanted to ride it immediately, but then I realized that I first needed to finish celebrating my birthday!
Anyway, as soon as we were done with that birthday wish thing, we ate some delicious food. A little later, we also shared some of our funny pictures with each other from my previous school to make that occasion even more special.
Soon after that, the ceremonial activities of that birthday were over, but its nice memory is still very much fresh in my mind, not only because my grandparents probably had spent some of their savings to buy me that expensive and gorgeous-looking bike but also because this was when I realized once again how much family really mattered and how much my family really loved me.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Birthday celebrations can be memorable for many reasons, such as exciting parties, meaningful gifts, or emotional milestones. Here are several examples that can help you describe a memorable birthday celebration of yours with specific details and personal touches:
1. 18th Birthday Party:
On my 18th birthday, I decided to have a big party with all of my closest friends and family members. I was finally an adult, and it felt like a big milestone. We had a barbecue at my house, played music, and enjoyed each other's company. I remember being so excited about reaching adulthood and feeling the freedom that came with it. The reason I remember this birthday is because it was the first time I felt truly independent and celebrated with the people I care about.
2. Surprise Party at College:
When I turned 21, my friends at college threw a surprise party for me. I had no idea about it until I walked into my dorm room and was greeted by everyone shouting, "Surprise!" The celebration included a cake, games, and dancing. I remember feeling overwhelmed with happiness, especially since I wasn’t expecting it. This birthday stands out because I felt so loved and appreciated by my friends, and it was a reminder of how much they cared for me.
3. A Quiet Family Dinner:
On my 30th birthday, I decided to keep things low-key and spent the day with my immediate family. We went out for a cosy dinner at a local restaurant, and I felt grateful for the quality time spent together. I didn’t want any extravagant celebrations, but simply being surrounded by my family made it incredibly meaningful. I remember this birthday because it marked a personal reflection milestone, where I thought about how far I’ve come in life.
4. A Memorable Birthday Trip:
For my 25th birthday, I went on a short trip with a few friends to the mountains. We hiked and camped out under the stars. The experience was adventurous, and I remember feeling a sense of peace and joy in nature. This birthday is memorable because it was the first time I celebrated away from home, and it gave me a new sense of appreciation for nature and outdoor activities.
5. Birthday at an Amusement Park:
When I turned 10, my parents took me to an amusement park for my birthday. I was so excited because it was the first time I had ever been to such a big park. I remember riding roller coasters, eating cotton candy, and playing games. This birthday is special because it was filled with excitement and adventure, and I felt like the happiest kid in the world.
6. A Special Dinner with Loved Ones:
On my 30th birthday, I decided to have an intimate dinner with close friends and family members at a fancy restaurant. The evening was filled with meaningful conversations and laughter, and I received a thoughtful speech from my best friend. I remember this birthday because it was a reminder of how important it is to cherish relationships, and it marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life.
7. Surprise Gift from My Partner:
On my 22nd birthday, my partner surprised me with a thoughtful gift, a camera that I had been wanting for months. We spent the day exploring the city, taking pictures, and enjoying each other's company. The reason I remember this birthday is that it was filled with love and personal attention from my partner, and the gift marked the beginning of my passion for photography.
8. The First Birthday I Celebrated Away From Home:
When I moved to a new city for work, I celebrated my first birthday away from home. It was a quiet celebration with new colleagues, and we went out for a casual dinner. I remember this birthday because it symbolized my transition into adulthood and independence. It was a reminder of how much I had grown and how I was starting to build a new life.
9. Surprise Birthday at Work:
On my 27th birthday, my coworkers surprised me with a cake and decorations in the office. It wasn’t a huge celebration, but I felt valued and appreciated by my team. I remember this birthday because it reminded me of how important it is to build good relationships in the workplace and how small gestures can have a big impact on someone's day.
10. Family Birthday BBQ:
For my 35th birthday, I had a barbecue in my backyard with family members. We spent the day grilling, eating, and playing games. The highlight of the day was when my grandparents shared stories from their youth, and it felt like the entire family was connected. This birthday stands out because it was a time of bonding with loved ones and celebrating the traditions that are so important in our family.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
When describing a memorable birthday celebration of yours, using vocabulary that evokes the atmosphere, the activities, and your emotions can help create a vivid and engaging narrative. Focusing on specific details and using descriptive language will allow you to effectively explain why this particular birthday stands out in your memory. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
A milestone birthday – A birthday that marks a significant age or transition.
Example: It was my eighteenth birthday, a real milestone.
A lavish celebration – A grand and extravagant party.
Example: We had a rather lavish celebration with lots of guests.
An intimate gathering – A small and personal party with close friends and family.
Example: I preferred a more intimate gathering at home.
Themed party – A party where everything follows a specific subject or idea.
Example: It was a fun superhero-themed party.
Festive atmosphere – A lively and joyful mood.
Example: The room was filled with a wonderfully festive atmosphere.
Indulged in delicious food – Enjoyed a lot of tasty food.
Example: We indulged in delicious food and a fantastic cake.
Engaged in fun-filled activities – Participated in enjoyable and entertaining things.
Example: We engaged in various fun-filled activities throughout the day.
Received thoughtful presents – Got gifts that showed care and consideration.
Example: I received many thoughtful presents from my loved ones.
Felt incredibly special – Experienced a strong sense of being valued and celebrated.
Example: The whole day made me feel incredibly special.
Shared laughter and joy – Experienced happy and amusing moments with others.
Example: There was so much shared laughter and joy throughout the celebration.
Created lasting memories – Formed recollections that would stay with me for a long time.
Example: It was a day that created lasting memories.
A sense of togetherness – A feeling of being connected and united with others.
Example: I really enjoyed the strong sense of togetherness.
A truly significant occasion – An event that was very important and meaningful.
Example: It was a truly significant occasion for me.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a birthday celebration of yours that you remember", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a party that you enjoyed.
2) Describe one of your birthdays that you remember well.
3) Describe a birthday celebration that you recently attended.
4) Describe a celebration when a number of guests came to your house.
5) Describe a memorable childhood event.
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