Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe someone or something that once surprised you - Cue Card # 825
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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 someone or something that once surprised you.
You should say:
- who/ what surprised you
- when it happened
- how you found about it
and explain why this person or thing surprised you so much.
[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:
Life is full of many surprises except that we don’t always care to recognize them just as such. I have also been surprised many times in my life, only to forget about them shortly thereafter, but the story, I am about to share here, will probably keep surprising me for a long, long time.
My father is a rather “reserved” person, meaning he doesn’t really like to talk much unless it is absolutely necessary. In fact, I have seen my father not having any normal and pleasant conversation with his wife, children, and even his elderly parents for days in a row unless the talks were about picking up some kind of trash or laundry. To my father, his work and office were his life - or at least this is what I assumed!
So, I wasn’t really surprised to learn that my father had decided to leave for a foreign country to avail of a very lucrative job offer about a few years ago. Initially, I didn’t really make much of this news, but when I was told that we probably wouldn’t be able to see him for at least the next 2 years or so, I was a bit saddened. I am sure that my father also knew how I really felt, but I guess he just chose to ignore it, apparently because he was determined to have the job - well, again this is what I thought.
But, on the other hand, I was determined to stop him from leaving his country. So, I just told him that he might not have missed me or his other family members, but I would miss him a lot if he were actually to leave his country. As soon as I said that, my father sat in his room and told me to leave his room in an emotional voice.
Later, I thought that he was mad at me, but to my utmost and pleasant surprise, he just told me that he was not leaving! In fact, I couldn’t quite believe that he would value the opinion of a “little guy” like me! Besides, I didn’t expect my father to show his “emotion” like that! The whole affair was one of the most surprising events in my life so far.
Sample Answer 2:
The thing that surprised me most recently was the sheer talent of a street artist I encountered just a few weeks ago. It happened quite unexpectedly one Saturday afternoon while I was exploring a less-trodden part of the city, looking for a quiet café. I am so glad to be able to talk about this here, and thank you for the opportunity to let me talk about it.
As I turned a corner down a relatively unassuming alleyway, I came across a vibrant mural being painted on what was previously a drab, grey wall. The artist, a young man who looked to be in his early twenties, was completely engrossed in his work. What struck me immediately was the level of detail and the incredible realism he was achieving with spray paint. It wasn't the typical graffiti art you often see; this was a breathtaking portrait of an elderly woman, her face etched with wisdom and kindness, her eyes seeming to hold a lifetime of stories.
I stood there for a good fifteen minutes, completely mesmerized, along with a small group of other passers-by who had also been drawn in. I learned about it simply by witnessing it unfold before my eyes. There was no fanfare, no prior announcement; it was just this incredible artistic talent being displayed publicly, transforming an otherwise mundane urban space into something truly beautiful.
What surprised me so much was the unexpectedness of it all and the sheer level of skill. You often associate street art with more abstract or stylised forms, and while I appreciate those too, the classical realism this young man was achieving with spray cans was simply astounding. It defied my preconceived notions of what street art could be. Furthermore, the raw talent and dedication he displayed, working so intently and seemingly for the pure joy of creation, was truly inspiring.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
Surprises can be thrilling, and they can also be shocking. A few years ago, I experienced a surprising event that left me bewildered that I still remember vividly. Here, I'll describe what it was and how it had taken me by surprise.
What surprised you:
I am an avid fan of football and follow the English Premier League religiously. I have supported Manchester United for as long as I can remember. It was during the 2015-16 season when Leicester City, who were at the bottom of the table in the previous season, emerged as the new champions. This surprised me beyond belief.
When it happened:
It was the final day of the 2015-16 season. I had tuned in to watch Manchester United's match, and I had my eyes glued to the television screen. The commentators had mentioned that Leicester City had already won the title, and I was surprised as I had expected Tottenham Hotspur to win it. Tottenham were the only challengers to Leicester City at that point in time, and it was surprising to see them lose their nerve in the final few matches.
How you found about it:
I had found out about Leicester City's success through the live telecast of Manchester United's match. The commentators were discussing the outcome of the other matches, and I had overheard them say that Leicester City had already won the title. I was shocked and had to double-check the standings to ensure that what I had heard was true.
And explain why it surprised you so much:
The reason why this event surprised me so much was that it was something that nobody had expected. Leicester City had been written off by many at the start of the season, and their success was a testament to their hard work and dedication. They had played with heart and had defied the odds to become champions. It was a true underdog story, and I was surprised to see them succeed where many others had failed.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Surprises can be pleasant or unexpected, and they often leave a strong emotional impact. Below are some thoughtful examples of people or events that might have surprised you. Each idea briefly covers who or what it was, when and how it happened, and why the moment was surprising.
1. A surprise birthday party organized by my colleagues:
This happened last year on my birthday at work. I had no idea they were planning anything. When I entered the conference room, everyone shouted “Happy Birthday!” and the table was decorated with a cake and balloons. I was truly touched because I didn’t expect such kindness from my team.
2. My younger brother winning a national-level debate competition:
The competition took place two months ago, and I only found out when his name was announced on the school website. I was surprised because he used to be shy and quiet. Seeing his confidence and achievement made me really proud.
3. Receiving a handwritten letter from an old friend:
This happened during the pandemic. I got a letter in the mail from a friend I hadn’t spoken to in over five years. I was surprised because in the age of technology, it felt so rare and thoughtful. It brought back a lot of memories.
4. Finding a childhood toy in perfect condition in my attic:
Last summer, I was cleaning the attic when I found my old remote-controlled car, which still worked. I had forgotten all about it. I was surprised because I thought it was long gone or broken, and it instantly reminded me of my childhood.
5. A surprise visit from my cousin living abroad:
This happened during Eid last year. I thought he wouldn’t be able to make it due to work, but he showed up at our home with gifts. I was so shocked and happy because we hadn’t met in years and it made the festival more joyful.
6. My best friend announcing her engagement suddenly:
It happened just a month ago. We were catching up at a café when she showed me her ring and said she was getting married in two months. I was thrilled and surprised because she had never mentioned being in a relationship.
7. Getting selected for a scholarship I had forgotten applying for:
I received an email from the university congratulating me. I had applied many months earlier and didn’t expect a response. I was surprised and overjoyed because it covered my tuition and felt like a reward for my efforts.
8. My father learning how to use social media:
One evening, he posted a well-edited family photo on Facebook. I was stunned because he had always avoided technology. It showed me he was making an effort to stay connected with us in new ways.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing someone or something that surprised you, using vocabulary that conveys the unexpected nature of the event and your reaction can create a more impactful response. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
Caught off guard – Surprised unexpectedly.
Example: I was completely caught off guard by the news.
Took me by surprise – Surprised me.
Example: His sudden announcement really took me by surprise.
Unexpectedly encountered – Met or found something I wasn't expecting.
Example: I unexpectedly encountered a display of incredible talent.
Out of the blue – Suddenly and unexpectedly.
Example: The opportunity came completely out of the blue.
Defied my expectations – Was different from what I thought would happen.
Example: Her performance completely defied my expectations.
Challenged my assumptions – Made me question what I previously believed.
Example: The discovery challenged my long-held assumptions.
Astounding talent – Extremely impressive ability.
Example: I was amazed by his astounding talent in such a young age.
Incredible realism – The quality of appearing very real.
Example: The painting had an incredible sense of realism.
Mesmerized – Completely captivated or fascinated.
Example: I was completely mesmerized by the intricate details.
Preconceived notions – Ideas or beliefs formed beforehand without much evidence.
Example: It shattered my preconceived notions about what was possible.
Awe-inspiring – Causing a feeling of great respect and wonder.
Example: The sheer scale of the artwork was truly awe-inspiring.
Profoundly impressed – Feeling a deep sense of admiration.
Example: I was profoundly impressed by her dedication.
Left a lasting impression – Had a significant and memorable effect on me.
Example: The encounter left a lasting impression on my mind.
Altered my perception – Changed the way I thought about something.
Example: It completely altered my perception of street art.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe someone or something that once surprised you", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a place that you have visited recently.
2) Describe a surprise that made you happy.
3) Describe a situation when you were surprised to see someone.
4) Describe an unusual or interesting thing you recently did.
5) Describe something you did that was new or exciting to you.
6) Describe something you did that made you proud.
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