Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe an exciting book that you enjoyed reading - Cue Card # 823
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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 exciting book that you enjoyed reading.
You should say:
- what book it was
- when you read it
- why you think it was an exciting book
and explain why you enjoyed reading this book.
[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: [Band 9 Sample Answer]
Once, one of my favourite teachers told me that "when you are on holiday but don’t really want to deal with the crowds and noise outside, just read a good book in order to make the best use of your free time." In fact, that’s exactly what I did during the long public holidays a few months ago, and today, I would like to tell you how much I really enjoyed it.
Now, I must say that the title of this book - “The Book Thief” - may seem a bit unusual or not so fascinating to many, but the story, it tells, would probably wake up to the cruel realities of the destruction of the war. Written by an Australian author - Markus Zusak - the story of this book is based on the beginning of the Second World War when a little girl called “Liesel” left her biological parents for a foster home where she steals a book and eventually learns to read.
To me, it was an exciting book to read because as soon I read the very first title page, I knew that I was in it for something very special, especially, when I found that “death” itself was a character in this book. Besides, the language and words, the book uses to portray the emotion, are so powerful that they unconsciously made me feel that I was actually living in the story.
Even though this book very realistically depicts the struggles, cruelties and devastation of the war, I enjoyed reading this book because it also managed to beautifully depict the love story of a little girl and a man who runs for his life. Besides, the lyrical and poetic writing style of this book is very effective and touching in the sense that it makes one laugh one moment but puts him or her in tears, the next. One would enjoy reading this book because it also has some great touches of humour to complement its rich narratives of the story and its characters, and even more so, especially, when “death” narrates the story in this book.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you so much for allowing me the time to talk about this nice topic. I am an avid reader, and I have read many books over the years. However, one book that I found extremely exciting and thoroughly enjoyed reading was "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy," by Douglas Adams.
What book it was:
The book is a science-fiction novel that follows the journey of an unwitting human named Arthur Dent and his friend, an alien named Ford Prefect, through the galaxy. The book was first published in 1979 and has since become a classic in the science-fiction genre.
When you read it:
I read this book last summer when I was on a week-long vacation. I had heard about this book from a friend who highly recommended it to me, so I decided to give it a shot.
Why you think it was an exciting book:
The book was exciting to me because it was unlike any other science-fiction book I had read before. The humour and absurdity of the situations the characters found themselves in made for a thrilling and entertaining read. Additionally, the book had a fast-paced plot that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I found myself eager to find out what would happen next, and the unexpected twists and turns of the story kept me guessing until the very end.
And explain why you enjoyed reading this book:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because the writing style of Douglas Adams is witty, clever, and hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times throughout the book. Moreover, the characters in the book are unique and interesting, and their interactions with each other are entertaining. Finally, the plot of the book was captivating and kept me engaged from beginning to end.
Sample Answer 3:
Thank you so much for this interesting topic. For this topic, I would like to describe a book that I have enjoyed reading so much and which I think is one of the best books that I have ever read.
So, one of the most exciting books I’ve ever read is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, which I read about a year ago. I had heard a lot of praise for this book from friends and online reviews and decided to give it a try. The moment I opened the book, I found myself instantly drawn into its captivating world, and it didn’t take long for me to finish it.
“The Alchemist” is a philosophical novel that tells the story of a young Andalusian shepherd named Santiago, who sets off on an adventure to find a hidden treasure. Along the way, he meets various characters who guide him toward understanding deeper truths about life, love, and destiny. What makes this book so exciting is not just the adventure, but the layers of wisdom embedded in the narrative. It’s a journey of self-discovery, where Santiago learns about the importance of following one’s dreams, listening to one's heart, and learning from life’s challenges. The book is a perfect blend of adventure, inspiration, and philosophy, which makes it so thrilling and engaging.
Ultimately, what made me enjoy reading “The Alchemist” so much was the inspiration it left me with. After finishing the book, I felt motivated to pursue my own goals more passionately and not be afraid of the obstacles that may come along the way. The book served as a reminder that the journey itself, and the wisdom we gain along the way, is often more valuable than the destination.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Books have the power to take us on thrilling journeys and offer deep emotional experiences. The following ideas describe a variety of exciting books that left a strong impression on the readers. Each example highlights when the book was read, why it was exciting, and why it was enjoyable.
1. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J.K. Rowling:
I read this book during my school holidays when I was around 14. The Triwizard Tournament, the magical challenges, and the unexpected return of Voldemort made it incredibly suspenseful. I enjoyed it because of the magical world and the way each chapter ended with a cliffhanger.
2. “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown:
I read it two years ago during a long train journey. The blend of art, religion, mystery, and fast-paced storytelling made it very exciting. The twists kept me turning the pages. I liked the way the book combined real historical facts with fiction.
3. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins:
I picked this book up last summer after hearing my friends talk about it. The idea of a dystopian society where teenagers have to fight for survival was both shocking and engaging. I admired the main character Katniss for her bravery and intelligence.
4. “Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Arthur Conan Doyle:
I read this classic mystery novel in my high school literature class. The suspense and the dark setting made it exciting. I loved how Sherlock Holmes used logic and deduction to solve the case. It made me feel like I was solving the mystery alongside him.
5. “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel:
I read it a few years ago while on vacation. The story of a young boy stranded in the ocean with a Bengal tiger was full of danger and emotion. I enjoyed it because of its adventure, survival theme, and philosophical depth.
6. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee:
I read this novel during my first year at college. It wasn’t thrilling in a traditional sense, but it was emotionally intense and eye-opening. The courtroom scenes and the character of Atticus Finch made it unforgettable. I loved the powerful message about justice and racism.
7. “1984” by George Orwell:
I read this book last winter. It was a chilling dystopian novel about government surveillance and control. The idea of a society without freedom was terrifying. I found it exciting because it made me think deeply about the world we live in.
8. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho:
I read it during a low point in my life. The story of following one’s dreams through the journey of Santiago was inspiring. I enjoyed the book because it gave me motivation and reminded me of the importance of persistence.
9. “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn:
I read it after watching the movie trailer. The psychological twists and the way the story unfolded from two different perspectives made it thrilling. I enjoyed the unpredictable nature of the plot and how it challenged my assumptions.
10. “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari:
Though it’s a non-fiction book, I found it incredibly exciting because of how it explains human history and evolution in a fascinating way. I read it two years ago and couldn’t put it down because every chapter made me rethink human society.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an exciting book, using vocabulary that conveys suspense, intrigue, and your engagement with the narrative can make your response more compelling. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences.
Page-turner - A book that is so exciting that you want to keep reading it.
Example: It was a real page-turner - I couldn't put it down.
Gripping plot - A storyline that holds your attention tightly.
Example: The book had a gripping plot with unexpected twists.
Intriguing mystery - A puzzling situation that makes you want to know the answer.
Example: The central mystery was incredibly intriguing - I was constantly guessing.
Fast-paced narrative - A story that moves quickly and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Example: The fast-paced narrative made it a truly exhilarating read.
Unexpected twists and turns - Surprising developments in the story.
Example: The plot was full of unexpected twists and turns - I never knew what was coming next.
Suspenseful atmosphere - A feeling of excitement and uncertainty about what might happen.
Example: The author created a suspenseful atmosphere right from the first chapter.
Vividly portrayed characters - Characters that are described in a way that makes them seem real and lifelike.
Example: The characters were vividly portrayed - I felt like I knew them.
Immersive world-building - The creation of a detailed and believable fictional world.
Example: The immersive world-building transported me to another place entirely.
Kept me on the edge of my seat - Made me feel very excited and anxious about what was going to happen.
Example: The constant danger kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
A sense of anticipation - A feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen.
Example: The cliffhangers at the end of each chapter built a real sense of anticipation.
Unpredictable storyline - A plot that is difficult to guess what will happen next.
Example: The unpredictable storyline kept me thoroughly engaged.
Compelling protagonist - The main character of the story who is interesting and makes you want to know what happens to them.
Example: The compelling protagonist drove the narrative forward.
Satisfying resolution - The ending of the story that feels complete and makes sense.
Example: Despite all the excitement, the book had a satisfying resolution.
Thoroughly engrossing - Completely captivating and holding your attention.
Example: It was a thoroughly engrossing read from start to finish.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe an exciting book that you enjoyed reading", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe your favourite book.
2) Describe a book you enjoyed reading because you had to think a lot.
3) Describe a book that has a major influence on you.
4) Describe a book you have recently read.
5) Describe a book you want to read but have not read yet.
6) Describe a book that you are currently reading.
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