Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe an important or memorable day in your life - Cue Card # 818
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- Written by IELTS Mentor
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 important or memorable day in your life.
You should say:
- when it was
- what happened on that day
- how it affected you
and explain why this was an important or memorable day in your life.
[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?]
Model Answer 1:
I am a simple and regular person, and therefore, most of the time, I don’t know how my days usually start and how they end unless, of course, something really important happens. And it is these special things that make a day important for us, and today, I would like to talk about one such day when something really special happened.
It was exactly 4 years, 3 months ago, and I remember this particular day hour by hour. The time was 7:30 am on the clock when I received a call from my brother-in-law, married to my elder sister. After receiving that call, I needed to rush to a nearby general hospital, apparently because my sister was going to have her first child. I wasn’t exactly surprised to receive that news, but what made me a bit surprised was that the call had come at least 4/5 days earlier, meaning my sister wasn’t “due” until after another 4/5 days. Be that as it may, I rushed to the hospital on my motorbike, immediately after getting the news. But, by the time I arrived there after 40 minutes or so, after beating the morning traffic rush on the road, I found my sister happily staring at her handsome baby boy, lying by her side!
Oh, when I saw my sister like that, I felt like a miracle had taken place right in front of my eyes because even an hour ago or so, I used to treat her just like a normal woman. But an hour later, I needed to respect her as a mother because she successfully had brought a new life into this world!
Anyway, it was indeed an important day in my life because it was on that day that my loving family became bigger with the addition of a very special member to make us even happier! The day was important also because it was on this day that I needed to redefine my role and behaviour as another person, and that person was to be an “uncle”!
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to talk about an important and memorable day in my life. In fact, there have been several significant days in my life, but one particular day that stands out is my graduation day. For this topic, I am going to talk about that day.
When it was:
It was a sunny day in June, and it was the day of my college graduation in 2023. I had been waiting for this day for four long years, and it was finally here.
What happened on that day:
On that day, I graduated from college with a degree in Computer Science. I remember walking down the aisle to receive my degree, wearing my cap and gown, and feeling an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. My parents, siblings, and close friends were there to witness the ceremony and cheer me on.
How it affected you:
This day had a significant impact on my life as it marked the culmination of four years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It was a day that reminded me of the importance of setting goals, working hard to achieve them, and never giving up on your dreams.
And explain why it was an important day in your life:
This was an important day in my life as it not only marked the end of my college education but also marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and confidence that I could take on any challenge that life may throw my way. It was also a day that I will always remember fondly and look back on with pride and happiness.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Some days in our lives stand out because they bring joy, mark milestones, or change us in meaningful ways. Whether it's a personal achievement, a family celebration, or a life-changing event, reflecting on these days can help convey heartfelt and vivid responses in the IELTS Speaking test. Below are 10 detailed ideas to help you prepare your answer for this topic:
1. Graduation day from university:
It was the day I received my degree after four years of hard work. The ceremony was held on campus, and I was surrounded by classmates and family. I felt an overwhelming sense of achievement and pride, especially seeing my parents’ smiles. It reminded me that persistence pays off.
2. The day I got my first job offer:
After months of applying and attending interviews, I finally received a job offer from a reputable tech company. I was at home when I got the email and couldn’t stop smiling. It was a turning point in my life and gave me confidence about my future.
3. The birth of my younger sibling:
I was 10 years old when my little brother was born. I remember going to the hospital with my father and seeing my mom holding the newborn. That day changed our family dynamics and made me more responsible and caring.
4. My best friend’s wedding day:
The wedding took place in a countryside village, and I was part of the bridal party. Everything was beautifully arranged. Watching two people I cared about begin a new life was emotional and unforgettable. I also gave a speech, which made it more special.
5. The day I adopted a rescue dog:
I had been planning to adopt a pet for a long time, and one weekend, I visited a shelter and met Max, a Labrador mix. Taking him home and caring for him gave me a sense of purpose and made me more compassionate.
6. My first solo travel experience:
I took a solo trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand, last year. It was my first time travelling alone and navigating a foreign place without help. It boosted my self-confidence and taught me a lot about independence and cultural diversity.
7. The day I passed my driving test:
I had failed the test once before, so passing it on my second attempt felt even more rewarding. It was a rainy morning, and I was nervous, but I stayed focused. Getting my driver’s license opened up new freedom and responsibility for me.
8. The day I received an award at school:
In high school, I was given the “Best Creative Writer” award. The ceremony took place in front of the entire school, and I was invited on stage to receive a certificate. That moment strengthened my passion for writing and helped shape my career goals.
9. The day of a major natural disaster:
During a visit to a coastal town, I experienced a powerful storm and had to be evacuated with my relatives. It was a scary but unforgettable experience that made me appreciate life, safety, and the kindness of strangers who helped us.
10. The day I completed a charity project:
After weeks of planning, I helped organise a fundraising event for an orphanage. We raised enough money to buy school supplies and clothes for 50 children. Seeing their happy faces was a deeply touching and meaningful moment in my life.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
When describing an important or memorable day, using vocabulary that conveys the significance of the event, the sequence of happenings, and the depth of your emotional response can create a powerful and lasting impression. Focusing on specific details and using vivid language will help your listener understand why this day stands out in your memory. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
A pivotal moment – A crucial or turning point in your life.
Example: That day marked a pivotal moment in my personal journey.
A long-awaited occasion – An event that you had been anticipating for a significant time.
Example: It was a long-awaited occasion that I had dreamed of for years.
A culmination of efforts – The result of a lot of hard work and dedication.
Example: The day felt like a culmination of all my previous efforts.
A whirlwind of emotions – Experiencing many different feelings in a short period.
Example: The day was a whirlwind of emotions – excitement, nervousness, and joy.
A sense of profound joy – A deep and intense feeling of happiness.
Example: I was overwhelmed by a sense of profound joy.
An unforgettable experience – Something so remarkable that you will always remember it.
Example: It was an absolutely unforgettable experience.
Etched in my memory – Permanently fixed in your recollection.
Example: The events of that day are still vividly etched in my memory.
A significant milestone – An important event marking a stage in your life or development.
Example: It represented a significant milestone in my career.
A life-affirming event – An experience that makes you feel positive about life.
Example: It was a truly life-affirming event that changed my perspective.
Overwhelming sense of achievement – A very strong feeling of having accomplished something important.
Example: I felt an overwhelming sense of achievement.
A turning point in my life – A time when a significant change occurred that altered the course of your life.
Example: That day proved to be a major turning point in my life.
A feeling of immense gratitude – A very strong sense of thankfulness.
Example: I was filled with a feeling of immense gratitude.
A moment of profound realization – A time when you suddenly understood something important.
Example: It was a moment of profound realization that shaped my future.
Deeply impacted me – Had a strong and significant effect on you.
Example: The events of that day deeply impacted me on a personal level.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe an important or memorable day in your life", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a memorable event in your life.
2) Describe a memorable childhood event that you can remember.
3) Describe a journey that you remember well.
4) Describe a family trip that you enjoyed a lot.
5) Describe an event that made you happy.
6) Describe an important day or event in your life.
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