Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
A photo you have taken that you are proud of - Cue Card # 826
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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 photo you have taken that you are proud of.
You should say:
- when you took this photo
- what type of camera you used
- who were in the photo
and explain why you are proud of this photo.
[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:
One of my favourite pastime activities is to look at my old photos and talk about them with others. The wonderful capabilities of cameras in preserving our memories also fascinate me a lot, but that’s not what I should really be talking about here. Rather, I should be talking about a picture, I took, that made me proud.
Now, I can think of quite a few shots which I am proud of, but the photo that certainly stands out the most among the crowds is the one that I took during my college graduation programme about 2 years ago. But, the most interesting thing about this picture was that it was not even captured by my own camera. In fact, I didn’t even own a camera back then, apparently, because I was just too “young” (according to my parents, that is) to own a camera! But, just because I didn’t own a camera, that didn’t mean that I was willing to let my college graduation ceremony pass without taking any pictures!
After all, it was a “once in a lifetime” thing, meaning I had to have a camera with me during my graduation ceremony, and so I ran to a distant uncle of mine (may God bless his kind heart) to borrow his “canon EOS” full-frame, mirrorless, 30-megapixel camera, the best and the most technologically advanced camera I had seen up and until that point. Not to mention, of course, I immediately fell in love with that camera and took it on my graduation day to capture some of the finest pictures with the finest memories.
But, out of all those fine pictures, I am very proud of that particular picture, where my loving parents and two best friends are found just in front of me, because it beautifully presented the most important persons in my life, without whom I probably wouldn’t be able to come this far in my life. In fact, it was probably because of this particular theme that this picture won an online photo competition several years ago, an achievement of which I am also very proud!
Sample Answer 2:
Introduction:
Photography is a popular hobby in my country, and I also enjoy this hobby. I love capturing beautiful moments around me. And, recently, I took a photo that I'm quite proud of, and for this cue card topic, I will describe it.
When you took the photo:
It was last summer when I visited a nearby park with my family. We spent a wonderful day there, enjoying the greenery and natural beauty. At some point, we came across a small pond with several ducks swimming in it. I took out my smartphone and clicked a photo of the ducks.
What type of camera you used:
As I've mentioned earlier, I used my smartphone camera to take this photo. Although it's not a professional camera, it has decent camera quality and captured the ducks quite well.
Who were in the photo:
The photo mainly featured a group of ducks swimming in the pond. They were all together, enjoying their time in the water. The water was clear, and the ducks' reflection in the water made the photo even more beautiful.
And explain why you are proud of this photo:
I'm proud of this photo because it was a spontaneous moment that I captured. The ducks looked so serene and calm, and the photo captured that moment perfectly. It's also one of the best photos I've taken with my smartphone camera, and I was pleasantly surprised by the result. Moreover, I shared this photo with my family and friends, and they all appreciated it, which made me happy and proud.
Model Answer 3:
It was last autumn, around the end of October, when I took a photo that still brings a smile to my face. I am so glad to be able to talk about this photo that I took and I'd like to thank you for that.
We had decided to take a family trip to the countryside to enjoy the vibrant fall foliage before it all disappeared. I used my trusty old DSLR camera, a Nikon D5300. It's not the latest model, but it has served me well over the years and still takes fantastic pictures, especially in natural light. I had brought along a couple of different lenses, but for this particular shot, I had the standard 18-55mm kit lens attached.
The photo features my two children, a boy of eight and a girl of six. They were running through a field of tall, golden grass, their laughter echoing in the crisp autumn air. The late afternoon sun was casting long, warm shadows, and the leaves on the nearby trees were a stunning mix of red, orange, and yellow. My wife was a little further back, watching them with a gentle smile.
I am particularly proud of this photo for several reasons. Firstly, it perfectly captures a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. The expressions on my children's faces are so full of happiness and freedom. Every time I look at it, I can almost hear their cheerful shouts and feel the warmth of that afternoon sun. Secondly, I think the composition and the light in the photo are quite beautiful. The way the sunlight catches the golden tips of the grass and illuminates my children's hair creates a lovely, almost ethereal glow. Finally, this photo represents a precious memory of our family spending quality time together in nature. It reminds me of the simple pleasures in life and the importance of cherishing these moments.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
A photograph can capture emotions, moments, or milestones that are deeply personal. Below are a few thoughtful examples of photos you may have taken and felt proud of. Each idea explains when the photo was taken, the device or camera used, who was featured in it, and why the moment meant so much to you.
1. A sunset photo on a family vacation:
I took this photo during a beach vacation with my family last year using my smartphone. The sky was filled with beautiful hues of orange and pink, and my parents were silhouetted in the frame. I’m proud of it because it captured a peaceful moment and the composition was surprisingly good.
2. Graduation day photo with my friends:
This picture was taken with a DSLR camera during our university graduation ceremony. My closest friends and I were in the photo, dressed in our gowns, throwing our caps in the air. I’m proud of it because it marks the end of a long academic journey and celebrates our achievements.
3. Street photography shot during a trip to Vietnam:
While visiting Hanoi, I used a digital mirrorless camera to snap a candid photo of a street vendor preparing food. The lighting and expressions turned out perfect. I'm proud of it because it captured the essence of daily life and later got featured in a local photo exhibition.
4. My pet’s first birthday celebration:
I used my phone camera to take a picture of my dog wearing a birthday hat and sitting next to a cake. It’s just adorable and wholesome. I’m proud of this photo because it reflects my love and bond with my pet.
5. A photo of my grandparents holding hands:
I clicked this heartwarming photo during a family picnic using my phone. It was a candid moment where they were talking and holding hands after decades of marriage. I’m proud of it because it represents lasting love and family values.
6. A solo hiking picture I captured with a tripod:
During a solo hike in the mountains, I set up my camera on a tripod and took a picture of myself with a valley behind me. It symbolizes independence and overcoming challenges. I’m proud of it because it reminds me of my resilience.
7. My little sister’s school play performance:
I used a DSLR to capture her expression while she delivered her lines. She was dressed as a fairy, and the spotlight was right on her. I’m proud of the photo because it highlights a moment of confidence and joy in her life.
8. A food photography shot for my blog:
I arranged and photographed a homemade dessert using a smartphone with portrait mode. It came out beautifully with perfect lighting. I’m proud of it because it showed progress in my photography skills and received great feedback online.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a photo you are proud of, using descriptive language about the setting, the subjects, the technical aspects, and the emotions it captures can make your response engaging and vivid. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
Candid shot – A photograph taken without the subject being aware or posing.
Example: It was a candid shot taken during a moment of genuine laughter.
Stunning backdrop – A beautiful scenery or background in the photograph.
Example: The photo featured a stunning backdrop of the sunset over the mountains.
Perfectly framed – Composed in a way that all elements in the photo are well-arranged.
Example: The scene was perfectly framed, capturing all the key elements.
Captured the essence – Successfully showed the most important quality or feeling of the moment.
Example: I felt the photo truly captured the essence of their relationship.
A fleeting moment – A brief or passing instant in time.
Example: I managed to capture a fleeting moment of pure joy on their faces.
Sharp focus – The subject of the photo is clear and not blurry.
Example: The main subject was in sharp focus, while the background was softly blurred.
Vibrant colours – Bright and intense hues in the photograph.
Example: The vibrant colours of the flowers in the foreground really stood out.
Professional-grade camera – A high-quality camera typically used by professional photographers.
Example: I used my professional-grade DSLR camera for this shot.
Smartphone camera with impressive capabilities – A phone camera that can take high-quality photos.
Example: Surprisingly, I took it with my smartphone camera, which has impressive capabilities.
Genuine emotion – Real and sincere feelings shown in the photo.
Example: The photo captured the genuine emotion of the reunion.
A lasting memory – A photograph that serves as a permanent reminder of a special time.
Example: This photo serves as a lasting memory of a wonderful day.
A testament to – Something that serves as clear proof or evidence of something.
Example: I think this photo is a testament to the beauty of nature.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a photo you have taken that you are proud of", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe your favourite photograph.
2) Describe something you are proud of.
3) Describe a prize or award that you won.
4) Describe a competition in which you took part.
5) Describe something you have which is important to you.
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