IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone you did not know.
You should say:
- who the person was
- where the conversation took place
- what you talked about
and explain why the conversation was interesting to you.
Model Answer 1:
I am not exactly a very outgoing person or a “social bug” who likes to socialise with strangers or meet everybody around, let alone have conversations with them. But, on a few occasions, I did talk with a complete stranger, at a time when I was least expecting it. For this topic, I’d share one such event with you.
I met him at a local airport in my country when we were both travelling to one of the major cities in my country about a year ago or so. We were both waiting at the departure lounge, sitting next to each other, in order to board our flight. Suddenly, the gentleman, probably in his mid-40s, requested me to look after his luggage and belongings so that he could go and grab some fresh coffee from one of the coffee stores at the airport. I reluctantly agreed to his request, but I didn’t forget to ask him politely to return as soon as possible to attend to his luggage and belongings, as I didn’t really like to take any responsibility for the stuff of other people, let alone a complete stranger.
The gentleman came back quickly with two cups of coffee instead of just one. He offered me one, and I, again, reluctantly accepted it. It was at that point that he introduced himself to me as a very successful businessman. Anyway, after that little introduction, I told him that he shouldn’t have left his belongings to a complete stranger like me. In response, he simply told me that he had become a successful and happy man, both in his personal and professional life, mainly because he had learned to trust others. Needless to say, after listening to such a positive response, I felt really embarrassed because of my poor treatment of him earlier.
Anyway, after having a conversation with the stranger, I felt that I needed to become more broad-minded towards others to learn more about the valuable lessons of life. Besides, I also realised that we all need to trust somebody at some point in our lives if we really want to become happy and successful in life.
Model Answer 2:
I try to stick with the same barbershop in order to get a haircut. But, after learning from one of my friends that a new and nice barbershop had been opened recently in my hometown, I decided to pay a visit there and possibly also get a haircut. And, this is where I had an interesting conversation with the young owner of that barbershop.
The young owner, I am talking about, didn’t look any older than 20 years of age. But he certainly had a way of communicating with his customers. In fact, after talking to him for a while, anybody would think that the young person was highly educated and smart. But, in reality, he did not finish his college education, simply because, according to him, studying beyond high school was not necessary. And that’s when I felt that I needed to interject because I didn’t quite agree with him.
So, I asked him in a firm voice as to why he would think like that. In response, he just told me one doesn’t exactly need to study at a college or university to learn something new because one could actually learn those things just by reading some good books. After all, according to him, learning to read is all one needs to learn about the world around him or her, not some piece of paper called a “certificate”. I wanted to argue with him a little about the subject, but by that time, my haircut was already done.
I think that the conversation was interesting because even a 20-year-old can understand the fact very well that education has become a “commodity” these days, where getting a certificate is becoming more important than actually learning. It was also interesting in the sense that if a 20-year-old can deduce such a conclusion, and a bold one in that, after just passing high school, what possibly could go through his mind if he ever chooses to finish his university education!
Sample Answer 3:
A few months ago, when I was on my way to my hometown on a train, I had an exciting conversation with an unknown person, and the conversation lasted for more than an hour. I live in a big city, and my hometown is about a 7 to 8-hour journey from the place I live. I was in a second-class compartment on that train, and almost 10 other people were travelling on it.
Next to me sat a person who was in his mid-fifties. I was sitting beside the window, and he asked me to open it. He then thanked me and started a conversation. He told me that he was employed in a senior position in an important government sector, and I was startled by the fact that he was travelling in a second-class compartment, perhaps to save money.
He talked about how young people these days have little passion for learning and remain busy doing unproductive stuff. I started defending my generation (the young generation that is), and the conversation started to turn into a friendly debate. I actively participated in it mostly because he had a polite way of discussing despite our contrasting views on some issues. He gave his reasons for this belief, but when I showed him my logic and arguments, he did not protest – a sign of an educated person who values others’ opinions. Rather, he agreed that he learned many new facts about the new generation and their ways of thinking from me. That was quite amusing, I believe, to hear something like that from him. He also confessed that the generation gap is unavoidable, and perhaps his older generation felt about them the same way.
The conversation lasted for an hour and a half, until he left the train at a station. I usually do not continue a long conversation with strangers, but the talk I had with this person on the train was fascinating, and I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed learning a few impressions of someone who represents our senior generation, but I was appalled at the same time by some misconceptions they possess about us. This person’s way of conversation was also positive, and that’s why the overall conversation was so enjoyable and conducive, in my opinion.
Sample Answer 4:
During a train journey to my hometown a few months ago, I had an exciting conversation with a person named Smith (…or, say a name you like…) who was a journalist of a daily newspaper. I can’t recall his last name, but he was around 35 years old and sat next to me on the train.
I usually read books or listen to music while travelling. That day, I was reading a book by Dan Brown, and the person who sat next to me asked about the book. This is how the conversation started. The conversation was mostly about writers, the political condition in our country, the role of an ideal leader, the ethics and responsibilities of journalists, and the major problems of our country. I rarely continue longer conversations with strangers, but that conversation I had on that train was pretty different and lasted for almost 2 to 3 hours, I guess.
This conversation was amusing mostly because of three reasons: one, the person I had the conversation with was a smooth-talking person with excellent knowledge and experience. Secondly, he was a good listener, besides being a great conversationalist. And third, I was in the mood to establish some facts about this person that I believed.
I put some effort into debating on issues that I did not agree with him. I also agreed with his notions that were similar to my viewpoint. Thus, the conversation progressed from minutes to hours. Though this person was around 12 years my senior, he never took any advantage of it. He did not even give any hint about my age and experience. That’s something I really liked about this person.
He treated me as an equally skilled opponent on many issues and listened to me very attentively. Finally, the place and circumstances when the conversation took place were really interesting and unusual. I must say, I learned many things from the opinions and experiences he shared that day. So it was both interesting and memorable.
Model Answer 5:
Thank you very much for this intriguing topic to talk about. As I can recall, such a fascinating encounter occurred when I struck up a conversation with a stranger during a long train journey, turning an ordinary trip into a memorable experience. For this topic, I would like to share this experience with you.
This person was a seasoned photographer, discernible by the professional camera slung across his shoulder. His name, I discovered later, was Anil Malhotra.
Our conversation delved into the art of photography and its transformative power to capture emotions and stories. Mr Anil shared captivating accounts of his travels, each framed through his lens, and I discussed my appreciation for visual storytelling. We also talked about ourselves, our passions, and our dreams in life.
The initial connection was established when I noticed him reviewing his shots on the train. A mutual interest in photography became the main reason for our interaction. I approached him with a compliment about his impressive camera, and from there, we seamlessly transitioned into discussing our shared passion, which is photography.
Engaging in such an organic and profound conversation with a stranger was surprisingly exhilarating. The exchange was a reminder of the beauty of chance encounters and the possibility of meaningful connections in unexpected places.
I believe that encounters like these highlight the richness that spontaneous conversations can bring to our lives. It was a reminder that stepping out of our comfort zones and engaging with strangers can open doors to new perspectives, shared passions, and, in this case, a delightful exchange on the artistry of photography.
Idea Generation for this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card Topic:
This topic asks you to describe an interesting conversation you had with someone you did not know. You should explain who the person was, where the conversation happened, what you talked about, and why it stayed in your mind. To turn your answer into a great one, include details about how the conversation started, what made it engaging, and how it influenced your thinking. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own answer for this topic:
1. A fellow passenger on a train:
The person I spoke to was a middle-aged man sitting next to me on a long train journey. The conversation took place while travelling between two cities. We talked about life experiences, career choices and how travel changes a person’s perspective. I found the conversation interesting because he shared practical advice based on real-life experiences, which made me think differently about my own future.
2. A tourist in a historical place:
The person I talked to was a foreign tourist whom I met at a historical site. The conversation happened while we were both exploring the place. We talked about culture, traditions and how different countries preserve their history. I found it interesting because I got to see my own country from a completely different perspective through their eyes.
3. A stranger at a café:
The person I had a conversation with was someone sitting next to me at a café. The conversation started when we both ordered the same drink and made a small joke about it. We talked about daily routines, work stress and hobbies. I found it interesting because it felt natural and unexpected, and it showed how easily strangers can connect over simple things.
4. A co-passenger during a flight:
The person I spoke with was a co-passenger during a flight. The conversation took place while we were waiting for the plane to take off. We talked about travel experiences, favourite destinations and cultural differences. I found it interesting because the person had travelled to many countries and shared fascinating stories.
5. A participant at a seminar:
The person I talked to was another participant at a seminar I attended. The conversation happened during a break between sessions. We discussed the topic of the seminar and shared our opinions and ideas. I found it interesting because I learned new viewpoints and expanded my understanding of the subject.
6. A shopkeeper in a local market:
The person I spoke with was a shopkeeper at a local market. The conversation happened while I was buying something. We talked about business, customer behaviour and daily challenges. I found it interesting because I realised how much effort goes into running a small business.
7. A stranger during a bus journey:
The person I talked to was someone sitting beside me on a bus. The conversation started when we discussed the traffic situation. We later talked about our jobs, family and daily routines. I found it interesting because it was a simple conversation that slowly became meaningful and enjoyable.
8. A volunteer at an event:
The person I had a conversation with was a volunteer at an event I attended. The conversation took place while I was asking for directions. We ended up talking about the event’s purpose and their personal experiences. I found it interesting because it gave me deeper insight into the event and the people behind it.
9. A person at a gym:
The person I spoke with was someone I met at a gym. The conversation happened while we were taking a break between exercises. We talked about fitness routines, diet and motivation. I found it interesting because I learned useful tips that I could apply to my own routine.
10. A fellow attendee at a cultural festival:
The person I talked to was another visitor at a cultural festival. The conversation took place while we were watching a performance. We talked about traditions, music and cultural differences. I found it interesting because it was enjoyable to share opinions and learn something new in a lively environment.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a conversation with a stranger, using specific vocabulary can help you articulate the spontaneous nature of the meeting, the depth of the exchange, and why the interaction stood out to you. These words will help you move from describing simple “talking” to explaining complex social dynamics and shared insights. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Encounter: A brief or unexpected meeting.
Example: It was a chance encounter at a train station that led to one of the most interesting chats I’ve ever had.
Rapport: A close and harmonious relationship in which people understand each other’s feelings and communicate well.
Example: Despite being complete strangers, we established an immediate rapport.
Intriguing: Arousing one’s curiosity or interest; fascinating.
Example: The person had an intriguing background, having travelled to over fifty countries.
Perspective: A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Example: Our conversation gave me a fresh perspective on the importance of work-life balance.
Spontaneous: Performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse and without premeditation.
Example: It started as a spontaneous comment about the weather and turned into a deep dive into climate change.
Engaging: Charming and attractive; keeping someone’s interest.
Example: He was an incredibly engaging storyteller who kept me interested for the entire duration of the flight.
Thought-provoking: Stimulating careful consideration or relevant ideas.
Example: Many of the points she raised were thought-provoking and stayed with me for days afterwards.
Serendipity: The occurrence and development of events by chance, happily or beneficially.
Example: Meeting someone with such similar interests in a random coffee shop felt like pure serendipity.
Insightful: Having or showing an accurate and deep understanding.
Example: The stranger provided several insightful comments about the local architecture.
Anonymity: The condition of being anonymous; the state of being unknown.
Example: Sometimes the total anonymity of talking to a stranger allows you to be more honest than with a friend.
Eloquent: Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
Example: Even though they weren’t speaking their native language, they were remarkably eloquent.
Compelling: Evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.
Example: I found her reasons for changing her career mid-life to be absolutely compelling.
Animated: Full of life or excitement; lively.
Example: The discussion became quite animated as we realised we shared a passion for independent cinema.
Small talk: Polite conversation about unimportant or uncontroversial matters.
Example: We moved past the usual small talk very quickly and started discussing more meaningful topics.
Common ground: Opinions or interests shared by each of two or more parties.
Example: It didn’t take long for us to find common ground regarding our favourite literary genres.
Fleeting: Lasting for a very short time.
Example: It was a fleeting interaction, but it left a lasting impression on me.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone you did not know”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone you had never met before.
2) Describe an important conversation that has brought a positive change in your life.
3) Describe an important conversation you had in the past.
4) Describe an interesting phone conversation you had with someone.
5) Describe an interesting person you have recently met.
6) Describe a time when you talked to a stranger.
7) Describe an interesting discussion you had as part of your work or studies.
8) Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone recently.
9) Describe a conversation you had with an old person.
10) Describe a conversation with someone that you enjoyed a lot.