Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a useful website you have visited - Cue Card # 145
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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 useful website you have visited.
You should say:
- what the website was
- how you found the address for this website
- what the website contained
and explain why it was useful to you.
[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.]
Model Answer 1:
I like to visit cooking-related websites as I am passionate about cooking and food. I hardly know or meet people who don’t like food, and the idea of trying different kinds of food from different cultures and countries has become so popular among many people that they don’t mind spending a lot of time and money to learn about them. In fact, I also do the same, but I do it mostly by visiting some great cooking and food-related websites. Today, I would like to talk about one such website that I often visit and find really useful.
The address of this website is www.foodnetwork.com. As the name suggests, it is a food-related website, and I found out about it a few years ago when I was searching for some unique food recipes online, which I could use to cook some good dishes within a short period of time.
By the way, sometimes I get bored of eating the same kind of food, so I look for new recipes so that my mother can try them to prepare some new but delicious meals.
The website contains recipes and food ideas pretty much from all over the world. The contents on the website are so unique and appealing that it would be almost impossible for someone to leave the website without having an urge to cook them sometimes on their own. Besides, the images and videos of different food dishes on this website are simply outstanding. In fact, just by looking at these pictures on this website or watching a video, one would automatically feel the urge to go into a kitchen even if they never liked cooking in the past. The website also contains all kinds of information as to what kinds of foods are perfect for any possible occasion, a person could ever think of.
I find this website useful, mainly because it allows me to change my taste in foods without running to an expensive restaurant. Besides, it allows me and my family to surprise our friends and relatives by serving them some unique dishes, when they expect them in the least, which makes me so happy.
Sample Answer 2:
I use the internet almost every day, and if I list the useful websites I like, it would be pretty long. For this topic, I'd like to talk about the Search Engine giant - Google (website www.google.com) - which I find very advantageous. Google.com is the most visited website in the world, and it helps people search for anything and everything. Someone can get enough information they are looking for from this website which mainly fetches information from all around the internet.
I first used this website in 2000 when I read an article in a computer magazine about this search engine. Nowadays, this website has become so popular that a 5-year-old kid from any part of the world knows about Google.
This website basically contains a search input box, different search options - like video search, image search, web search, advanced search options - some copyright and help links, and search buttons. This has become a very popular search engine because the results it shows serve the searchers' purpose pretty well. Google makes billions each quarter from the advertisement revenue it earns, and this search engine is the most important product for Google Incorporation.
For more than two decades, I have been using this website to search for the information I need. It can find search results virtually for anything someone searches. For me, this website is a great place to find information, references, academic books, stories, news, websites and anything I want to know and find. This website is the gateway to other websites for me and without using it, I would be pretty lost in the vast network of websites on the Internet.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about a website that I found useful. I enjoy exploring websites that offer inspiration and practical ideas, especially when it comes to creativity and planning. One such website that I use quite regularly is Pinterest.
What the website was:
Pinterest is a visual discovery platform that allows users to find, collect, and share images and ideas about anything from fashion and recipes to home décor and travel plans. It acts like a virtual pinboard where you can “pin” images or links that appeal to your interest.
How you found the address for this website:
I first heard about Pinterest a few years ago from a friend who used it to plan her wedding. At the time, I was trying to redecorate my bedroom and needed some interior design ideas. She suggested I check out Pinterest for inspiration, and I quickly got hooked. I simply typed “Pinterest” into the search engine Google and started browsing once it popped up in the search results.
What the website contained:
The website is rich in images and short descriptions that link to full articles, blog posts, or tutorials. You can find content on a wide range of topics such as lifestyle, productivity, fashion, gardening, education, and even business ideas. Users can create their own “boards” to save ideas and organise them by theme. For example, I created boards for minimalist bedroom décor, DIY crafts, and healthy meal prep.
And explain why it was useful to you:
Pinterest was extremely helpful for several reasons. Firstly, it gave me practical and budget-friendly ideas to decorate my room without hiring a designer. Secondly, it helped me plan a small birthday party with creative food and decoration ideas that I hadn’t even considered. Most importantly, it constantly inspires me to stay curious and creative. Instead of wasting time on random scrolling, I use Pinterest as a productive tool to collect ideas for both my personal and professional life.
Model Answer 4:
A website that I found incredibly useful is Duolingo.com, an online platform dedicated to helping people learn languages in a fun and interactive way. I stumbled upon it about two years ago when I was searching for free tools to improve my French skills. At the time, I was preparing for an exchange program in Belgium, and I desperately needed to brush up on the language.
I found Duolingo quite by accident while browsing a language learning forum. Someone had recommended it as one of the best free resources for beginners. I clicked the link out of curiosity, and before I knew it, I had created an account and was diving into my first lesson.
The website itself is very intuitive and engaging. It offers courses in over 30 languages, and the lessons are structured like a game, which makes the learning process feel less like studying and more like fun. You earn points, complete daily goals, and unlock new levels as you progress. There are vocabulary drills, listening tasks, translation exercises, and even speaking practice using voice recognition. What impressed me most was the spaced repetition system, which helps you retain what you've learned over time.
Duolingo was incredibly helpful for me. Not only did it allow me to build a strong foundation in French, but it also gave me the confidence to communicate during my exchange semester. I could understand signs, navigate public transport, and even hold basic conversations with locals. It felt rewarding to see my progress week by week. I often recommend it to friends because of how user-friendly and practical it is.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
In today’s digital world, websites play an essential role in our education, work, and personal development. Here are some detailed and varied ideas for websites you could talk about. Each suggestion includes what the site is, how you found it, what it offers, and why it was helpful for you.
1. Khan Academy:
This is an educational platform that offers free lessons on a variety of subjects. I discovered it through a friend while preparing for a maths exam. The website contains video tutorials, quizzes, and exercises. It was useful because it made complex topics much easier to understand and helped me score better on my tests.
2. Coursera:
Coursera is a website that offers online courses from top universities around the world. I came across it through a social media ad. The site includes professional courses in fields like computer science, business, and psychology. It helped me learn new skills and earn a certificate that I later added to my CV.
3. Stack Overflow:
This is a popular forum for programmers and developers. I found it through a Google search when I was facing an error in a coding project. It contains questions and answers on nearly every programming topic. It was very helpful because it saved me hours of frustration by offering solutions from experienced developers.
4. Duolingo:
Duolingo is a language learning app and website that I discovered while searching for ways to improve my English. It offers interactive lessons, grammar tips, and vocabulary practice. The website was useful because it made learning fun and helped me improve my communication skills over time.
5. IELTS Mentor:
I found this website through a recommendation from my English teacher while preparing for the IELTS exam. The site has sample speaking topics, writing task questions, band 9 model answers, and vocabulary lists. It was incredibly useful because it gave me a clear idea of how to prepare and improve my scores.
6. Canva:
Canva is a graphic design website that I found while working on a college presentation. I discovered it through a YouTube tutorial. It offers templates, design tools, and creative elements. I found it useful because it helped me create visually appealing presentations even though I had no background in design.
7. Udemy:
I found Udemy through a classmate who recommended it for learning Excel. The website contains thousands of paid and free courses on a wide range of topics. It was useful because I completed a practical course on Excel and was able to use it effectively for my internship.
8. Wikipedia:
Everyone knows about Wikipedia, but I started using it seriously during my college research. I initially found it through Google search results. It contains encyclopaedic information on almost any topic. I found it useful for getting quick summaries and references for academic writing.
9. Grammarly:
I discovered Grammarly while searching for a grammar correction tool for my essays. It helps users improve writing by suggesting grammar, vocabulary, and style corrections. It was useful because it improved the quality of my assignments and helped me become a more confident writer.
10. LinkedIn:
I came across LinkedIn when my university arranged a session on building a professional profile. The website allows people to network, apply for jobs, and display their achievements. I found it very useful as it helped me connect with industry professionals and explore job opportunities after graduation.
11. Wikipedia:
Although commonly used, I found Wikipedia extremely helpful during my university days. I used it primarily for background research on history and science topics. The site offers comprehensive summaries, citations, and links to deeper resources. It’s useful for getting a quick and broad understanding of any topic before diving into detailed research.
12. YouTube:
I started using YouTube more actively during the pandemic to learn practical skills. Whether it’s fixing something at home or understanding complex subjects like physics or finance, YouTube offers a huge variety of free tutorials and explanations. It’s incredibly useful because you can learn almost anything by watching, which suits visual learners like me.
13. Google Reverse Image Search:
I discovered this tool when I needed to find the origin of a picture I downloaded. By uploading an image, you can find where else it appears online or learn more about it. It’s useful for checking fake images, finding image sources, and even identifying products or places shown in the picture.
14. FreeLogoDesign.org:
This website helped me when I was working on a class project that required branding. I found it through a blog on DIY design tools. It allows users to create custom logos for free using templates. It was very helpful because I could produce a professional-looking logo in minutes without any graphic design background.
15. Pinterest:
I found Pinterest while looking for home décor ideas. It’s a visual discovery platform full of creative images and ideas on fashion, cooking, art, and more. It’s useful because it helped me gather design inspirations for my personal space and even plan my birthday party.
16. Archive.org (Wayback Machine):
This site allows you to view archived versions of websites, even if they are no longer active. I found it while trying to revisit an old blog I used to follow. It’s useful for research, digital nostalgia, or accessing information from a deleted or changed webpage.
Part 3: Detailed Discussion
Discussion topics: The internet and communication
Q. What effect has the internet had on the way people generally communicate with each other?
Answer: The internet - one of the greatest inventions so far - today has completely changed the way we live, work and communicate. It is because of the internet that we can think of communicating with someone in another part of the world, and take care of our personal, professional and business needs within minutes, if not seconds, which was impossible even only about two decades ago. With the help of the internet, we can also “personalize” our communication through some live video calls, in addition to very easily sharing and exchanging our views and opinions on important issues that are affecting our world.
Q. Why do you think the internet is being used more and more for communication?
Answer: The internet is being frequently used for communication today due to several reasons. The first reason, of course, is the ease at which we can communicate with each other so quickly, no matter where we live, and no matter whether we are walking, running, lying on the bed, or flying in the air. Another reason is that communicating over the internet is rather cost-effective, and since it is cheap people from all walks of life can use it without worrying about their hard-earned money. Finally, the professional world and the business world have embraced internet technology as their primary mode of communication and data sharing. It's another reason why the internet is so omnipotent when it comes to professional communication like emailing, video conferencing, group chatting and managing projects.
Q. How reliable do you think information from the internet is? Why? What about the news on the internet?
Answer: Even though the internet has revolutionised the way we communicate, the news and information it provides, aren’t always very reliable especially when they do not come from authentic and authoritative sources. This reliability issue arises because virtually anybody and everybody, with very little or almost no supervision, can access the internet and spread false or distorted news and information in the name of "blogging", "social networking" and “citizen journalism”. Besides, nobody’s data or information is safe on the internet because anybody can “hack” them and use those data and information to his or her advantage. So, good judgment and common sense should always be used when relying on the news and information on the internet. Relying on authoritative and famous news sources could be one such common sense in use.
Discussion topics: The internet and shopping
Q. Why do you think some people use the internet for shopping? Why doesn’t everyone use it in this way?
Answer: The idea of shopping on the internet can be rather tempting for those who don’t like the crowd, or to remain stuck in the road traffic unnecessarily while driving to a market. Some people may prefer online shopping because they are more “homely” than others for whatever reasons that might be.
However, internet shopping may not be everyone’s cup of tea because some of them prefer to see or feel their products physically before purchasing them. Besides, some of them may prefer to enjoy the outdoors and socialise with others while shopping, but the internet doesn’t provide any of those opportunities.
Q. What kinds of things are easy to buy and sell online? Can you give me some examples?
Answer: These days, people can pretty much buy and sell anything, from needles to commercial aircraft, online. In the past, people mainly purchased small, inexpensive, and “not so essential for survival” items or products but these days they buy expensive and essential items online.
Examples of such items or products would be flowers, sunglasses, dresses, perfume, computer mice and keyboards, mobile phones, sound boxes, shoes, caps/hats, story books, watches, and portable video/audio players, among many other things. These products are easy to buy and sell online also because we can afford to take a little risk with them, as far as their quality is concerned. On top of that, people nowadays buy dresses, cosmetics, foods, groceries, medicines and different gift items.
Q. Do you think shopping on the internet will be more or less popular in the future? Why?
Answer: It all depends on what kinds of products we are going to shop for in the future, and how assured we become about the quality of those products. But, on the whole, I think that it is going to be more popular since more and more companies are coming online to sell their products because, after all, all businesses want to maximize their revenues by using all kinds of sales channels. As a result of this, the competition becomes high, and once the competition to attract customers becomes high, the prices will eventually go down. And when the prices go down, more and more customers will visit online to buy their favourite products.
Another reason, online shopping may gain more popularity is because of the busy schedule of people in the modern time. As people have little time to go out and browse products from shop to shop, they would rather prefer to order them online and get them delivered without leaving their homes.
Vocabulary for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
Describing a useful website requires vocabulary that relates to technology, online browsing, website features, and usefulness. The words and phrases below will help you express your ideas more effectively in the IELTS Speaking test:
Online platform – A digital space where users can access services, resources, or content.
User-friendly – Easy to navigate or operate for all types of users.
Content-rich – Filled with a large variety of useful information and resources.
Search functionality – A tool or bar on a website that helps users find specific information.
Bookmark – To save a website or page for easy access later.
Scroll through – To move through content on a page, usually with a mouse or touchpad.
Visual layout – The design and structure of how content appears on a web page.
Navigation menu – A section on a website that allows users to access different pages easily.
Interactive features – Website tools or sections that users can actively engage with.
DIY tutorials – Step-by-step guides that teach you how to do something on your own.
Inspirational content – Ideas or visuals that motivate or influence creativity.
Productivity tool – A website or app that helps users be more organised and efficient.
Sign up / register – To create an account or subscribe to a service or website.
Pinboard – A virtual board where users can save images, links, or ideas (used in Pinterest).
Recommendation algorithm – A system that suggests content based on a user's activity or preferences.
Similar Cue Card Topics
Your ability to talk about this Cue Card Topic would enable you to talk about the following Cue Card Topics as well:
1. Describe a website you often visit.
2. Describe your favourite website.
3. Describe an important website you know about.
4. Describe a social networking website.
5. Describe a website that helps you in your work or studies.
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