Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Something you have planned to do but have not done yet - Cue Card # 834
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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 something you have planned to do but have not done yet.
You should say:
- what it is
- when you planned it
- what you will need to do it
and explain how difficult or easy it would be for you to do it.
[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:
When I was growing up as a child, I planned to do a lot of things, and my grandparents jokingly used to tell me that I was planning too many things. One such plan was to buy an aircraft and fly all over the world.
Of course, later in my life, when I became a bit older, like 13 years old, probably, I realized that it would take me about a couple of hundred years of savings to follow through with my plan to buy an aircraft and that too if I buy the cheapest one. So, I altogether gave up on my plan to buy a cheap aircraft and settled for a nice car, instead!
So, you can say that I have been planning to buy a nice car for the last 12 years or so, considering that I am 25 years of age now, but unfortunately, I still haven’t succeeded in doing that, not because I am not earning enough, but because I have to spend my savings in doing other important things – things like helping my father to have his heart surgery, and donating to some local charity foundations trying to help the poor and needy people of my country.
But, I am not running out of patience because all I would need to do is save a bit more money than what I am currently doing. But, even if that is not enough to help me save enough to buy a nice car in the next few years since they are becoming more and more expensive every year, I would probably have to get a car loan from a bank as the last resort which I have tried to avoid thus far.
So, I guess, it is not exactly going to be that easy to do what I plan to do – to buy a car, that is – unless I manage to save enough money. On top of that, if cars become more expensive because of changes in tax regulations, and if I don’t get a car loan, I don’t think that I will be able to buy my dream car in the foreseeable future.
Sample Answer 2:
Introduction & What it is:
I've always been passionate about travelling and exploring new places, and I've always wanted to share my experiences with others. One of the things that I've planned to do for a long time now is to start a YouTube channel where I can document my travels and share them with others. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get around to doing it yet.
When you planned it:
I've been planning to start this YouTube channel for the last couple of years. Whenever I travel, I take lots of pictures and videos, and I have always thought that it would be a great idea to share them with others.
What you will need to do it:
To start a successful YouTube channel, I will need a good camera, a microphone, a laptop, and video editing software. I would also need to do some research on how to create engaging content and how to grow my audience. I think I already have most of these, all I need is to have a solid determination to start doing it!
And explain how difficult or easy it would be for you to do it:
Starting a YouTube channel can be quite challenging, especially if you are new to it. Creating high-quality content that people will enjoy watching can take a lot of time and effort. Growing your audience can also be difficult, as there is a lot of competition out there. However, I believe that if I put in the time and effort, I can create a successful channel that people will enjoy watching. While it may be challenging, I believe that with the right equipment and effort, I can create engaging content and build a following. I hope that someday soon, I can finally turn this plan into a reality.
Model Answer 3:
Well, one thing I've been planning to do for quite some time now but haven't yet gotten around to, is to undertake a solo backpacking trip across Southeast Asia. This has been a long-cherished ambition of mine, ever since a friend returned from a similar adventure a couple of years ago, brimming with tales of vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes. I am so excited to be able to talk about this dream of mine that I will definitely embark on someday. Thank you so much for allowing me to talk about this.
I initially envisioned embarking on this journey sometime in the latter half of this year, perhaps around October or November, to coincide with the more favourable weather conditions in that part of the world. My rough plan involves spending a few weeks exploring Thailand, then moving on to Vietnam, and possibly ending in either Cambodia or Malaysia, depending on time and budget.
To make this happen, I will first need a proper itinerary, including booking flights and initial accommodations. Then, of course, there's the practical side of things, like obtaining the necessary visas, getting travel insurance sorted, and ensuring all my vaccinations are up to date. I also need to invest in some lightweight and durable backpacking gear, as my current luggage is definitely not suitable for lugging around on trains and buses. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I need to set aside a sufficient budget to cover all my expenses for what I anticipate will be a six to eight-week trip.
In terms of difficulty, I'd say accomplishing this goal falls somewhere in the moderately challenging category. The logistical aspects, while requiring organization and attention to detail, are certainly manageable. Booking flights and accommodation online is relatively straightforward these days. The main hurdles, I foresee, will be carving out a significant chunk of time from my work schedule and accumulating the necessary funds. It will require diligent saving and potentially taking a longer period of leave than I'm typically accustomed to. There's also the element of stepping outside my comfort zone by travelling alone in unfamiliar territories, which presents a psychological challenge. However, I am fairly positive about making this journey and taking the chance to immerse myself in different cultures, taste exotic cuisines, and witness stunning scenery firsthand.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Everyone has plans they've made but haven't acted on yet. These could involve travel, personal goals, learning something new, or even career changes. Below are several examples of such plans that you can expand into your own IELTS Speaking Part 2 response.
1. Learning to play the guitar:
I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the guitar. I planned to start last summer, but due to a packed school schedule, I couldn’t begin. I’ll need a guitar, some online tutorials, and regular practice time. It wouldn’t be too hard once I get into a routine, but consistency is the challenge.
2. Taking a solo trip abroad:
I’ve dreamed of travelling solo to Japan. I planned this trip two years ago, but the pandemic made it impossible. I’ll need a valid visa, flight tickets, and savings. It could be a bit difficult to manage the budget, but emotionally, I feel ready for it.
3. Starting a fitness routine:
I planned to start exercising regularly at the beginning of this year. I even bought gym clothes and a yoga mat. All I need is to join a gym or follow a fitness app. It sounds easy, but motivation has been a barrier for me so far.
4. Launching a YouTube channel:
I've been planning to start a tech review YouTube channel. I made the plan six months ago, and even wrote some scripts. I’ll need a camera, editing software, and good lighting. The technical part is manageable, but I feel nervous about putting myself in front of the camera.
5. Reading a famous novel:
Last year, I planned to read “War and Peace,” a classic novel. I borrowed it from a library but never started. I just need time and focus. It's a bit hard due to the length and old-fashioned language, but I'm still keen on doing it someday.
6. Attending a professional workshop:
I planned to attend a weekend digital marketing workshop organised in my city last spring. I registered but had to cancel due to a family emergency. I need to reschedule, pay the fee again, and prepare by brushing up on the basics. It’s not very hard to do, just a matter of time.
7. Starting a blog:
I’ve been planning to start a personal blog where I can write about my travel experiences and photography tips. I made this plan nearly a year ago, but never got around to setting it up. I’ll need a domain, some blogging software, and a few hours each week. It’s easy to start, but difficult to maintain consistency.
8. Learning to cook international dishes:
I’ve always wanted to learn how to cook Italian and Thai dishes. I planned this during the last summer holidays but ended up doing other things. I’ll need ingredients, recipes, and some cooking tutorials. It would be fun and not too difficult, but time-consuming.
9. Improving public speaking skills:
I planned to join a local Toastmasters club six months ago to work on my public speaking. I still haven’t attended a single session. I’ll need to sign up, prepare some short speeches, and attend the meetings regularly. It’s emotionally difficult for me due to stage fright.
10. Volunteering at a local NGO:
I’ve been planning to volunteer at an animal shelter or food bank in my city. I made the decision early this year but haven’t contacted them yet. I’ll just need to apply and be available during weekends. It’s easy to do but I need to overcome my procrastination.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
When describing something you've planned but haven't done yet, using vocabulary related to goals, intentions, required steps, and your assessment of the difficulty can make your response clear and comprehensive. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
Long-cherished ambition – A goal you have wanted to achieve for a long time.
Example: One of my long-cherished ambitions is to learn to play the guitar.
Tentatively scheduled – Planned with the possibility of changes.
Example: I have it tentatively scheduled for next spring, depending on my workload.
Prerequisite skills – Abilities or knowledge needed before you can start.
Example: Acquiring some basic music theory is one of the prerequisite skills I need.
Allocate sufficient time – Set aside enough time to complete the task properly.
Example: The main challenge will be to allocate sufficient time for practice.
Gather necessary resources – Collect the materials, information, or support you will need.
Example: I still need to gather some necessary resources, like finding a good tutor.
Overcome initial hurdles – Get past the first difficulties or obstacles.
Example: I anticipate needing to overcome some initial hurdles, like learning basic chords.
Steep learning curve – A situation where it takes a lot of effort and time to learn something new.
Example: There might be a bit of a steep learning curve at the beginning.
Within my capabilities – Something that you believe you are able to do.
Example: Ultimately, I believe it is well within my capabilities, just requiring dedication.
Require a significant investment – Need a considerable amount of time, money, or effort.
Example: Completing the entire project will require a significant investment of my time.
A matter of prioritizing – Something that depends on how you organize your tasks and time.
Example: For me, it's mostly a matter of prioritizing it among my other commitments.
Potentially time-consuming – Likely to take a lot of time to complete.
Example: I know it will be potentially time-consuming, but I think it will be worth it.
Largely dependent on external factors – Something whose completion relies on things outside your control.
Example: The final stage is largely dependent on external factors, like securing funding.
A rewarding experience – Something that will likely bring a sense of satisfaction or benefit.
Example: I envision it being a very rewarding experience once I finally accomplish it.
Procrastination tends to creep in – A tendency to delay or postpone doing something.
Example: My main weakness is that procrastination tends to creep in if I'm not careful.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe something you have planned to do but have not done yet", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe something you plan to do in the future.
2) Describe a change you would like to make in your daily routine.
3) Describe something you have always wanted to do but have not done yet.
4) Describe a country you would like to visit in the near future.
5) Describe a plan you have for the future.
6) Describe something plan to do besides your work or studies.
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