IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe something you have made yourself (from wood, metal, paper or other material).
You should say:
- what you made
- why you made it
- how you made it
and explain how you felt about it.
Model Answer 1:
I have a habit of visiting handicraft stores from time to time because I really like the cool and beautiful-looking stuff there for decorating our homes. So, the other day, when I was visiting one such handicraft store, I saw a very gorgeous wooden flower vase, and I wanted to buy it for my room, except, of course, it was a bit too expensive for me. Suddenly, an idea hit me, and needless to say, I liked it.
I wanted to make my own flower vase out of wood, just like the one I saw at the store, but I really didn’t know what kind of wood or material was used to make it. But I assumed that it was made out of some expensive wood because it looked extraordinarily beautiful and polished.
So, I decided to choose my own material – I chose bamboo. But, it wasn’t exactly easy to find the great quality bamboo where I lived, so I travelled to a bamboo garden in a distant area in order to find a perfectly round shape bamboo which was green in colour, and it was really hard. After bringing that bamboo, I cut it into some evenly-sized thin slices. If I remember correctly, I believe that I made about 10 slices, which were about 1 foot high each. After that, I connected their edges with each other with some strong glue to give them a round shape with about a 6-inch hollow space at the centre around them. In no time, I saw that my flower vase was getting shape. So, I decided to close one pole of my newly-made flower vase after painting it with my favourite golden colour in order to hide some unwanted spots on it.
Anyway, after making the flower vase, I felt surprisingly proud of my achievement because I did it with my own hands and by using my own technology. But the best thing about it was that neither did it actually take much time, nor did I have to spend a fortune to make my beautiful-looking flower vase.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you so much for this exciting topic, and for that, I’d like to describe something I made myself. Well, it’s actually quite unusual, and I hope you will appreciate me making it when I was much younger. Well, without much ado, I would like to reveal that I made a simple water purifier using basic materials when I was just 14 years old.
What you made:
So, I built a non-electric water purifier using items like a clay pot, sand, charcoal, small stones, and cotton. It wasn’t a professional device, of course, but it could filter out visible impurities from water and make it much cleaner.
Why you made it:
I made it as part of a school project where we had to demonstrate a practical solution to a real-life problem. Access to clean water is a major issue in many areas, so I chose this topic because it felt meaningful and relevant. I also wanted to challenge myself by creating something useful rather than just presenting theory.
How you made it:
First, I purchased a medium-sized clay pot, and then carefully layered different materials inside it. I placed cotton at the bottom, followed by charcoal to absorb impurities, then sand to filter smaller particles, and finally gravel on top to catch larger debris. After assembling everything, I poured muddy water through it and watched as it slowly came out clearer from the bottom. I tested it a few times and adjusted the layers to improve the result.
And explain how you felt about it:
Honestly, I felt really proud after making it. It was fascinating and motivating to create something of my own and get a good grade in the exam as recognition for my hard work. You know, creating something practical with our own hands is always encouraging, and that was exactly the case for me. When I saw the water becoming visibly cleaner, I felt a real sense of achievement. It was also highly praised by my teacher for its ability to quickly purify 10 litres of water.
Sample Answer 3:
I made different toys in my childhood, and sometimes, I built some simple to moderately complex electronic devices in my teenage years. Making those was a kind of hobby for me, and it was an exciting pursuit. I felt overwhelmed whenever I had been able to make something that I had planned for. For this topic, I would like to talk about a wooden boat that I made in my childhood when I was 8 or 9 years old.
I saw a very great looking boat in a toy store and was fascinated to purchase and own it. But the price was too high for me, and I did not ask my parents to buy it for me, as I knew that it was very expensive. A few days later, after my 5th-grade final exam, I went to visit my grandfather’s house, and there I planned to make a boat similar to the one I had seen in the store. The original boat I saw was made of metal and plastic, but I planned to make one using the board, plastic and wood. The plan came to my mind as the pieces of wood and boards were available in my grandfather’s house.
I started making the boat from my memory, and at a time, I found that I was making the wrong one. Then I realised I won’t be able to make the boat that I planned. So, I sketched the boat on paper first, and then started building the parts of the boat once again. This time, I was successful, and I was able to make a magnificent boat. Later, I coloured it and wrote my name on it.
This was a fascinating experience as it was the first time I made something from wood and board. Before that, I mostly made toys from paper. After I made that boat, I showed it to everyone. I was very excited to have it, and I was proud that I had been able to make it. I had this toy with me for one year or so, and this was a toy that inspired me to make other toys at a later time.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe something you created by yourself using materials like wood, metal, paper, or any other resource. You need to clearly explain what you made, why you decided to make it, how you actually made it step by step, and how you felt after completing it. To make your answer more engaging, you can describe the process, any challenges you faced, and the sense of achievement you experienced at the end. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. A handmade photo frame (wood):
One thing I made myself was a wooden photo frame, which I created as a gift for a family member. I decided to make it because I wanted to give something personal instead of buying a ready-made item. I used simple tools to cut and shape the wood, then polished and decorated it carefully. After finishing it, I felt extremely proud because it looked beautiful and had emotional value.
2. A paper greeting card:
I once made a handmade greeting card using coloured paper and craft materials. I made it for a friend’s birthday because I wanted to add a personal touch. I designed it, cut different shapes and added handwritten messages. After completing it, I felt happy and satisfied because it was simple yet meaningful.
3. A small bookshelf (wood):
Something I made myself was a small wooden bookshelf for my room. I made it because I needed a place to organise my books. I measured the wood, cut it into pieces and assembled it using nails and glue. I felt very accomplished afterwards because it was both useful and made by my own effort.
4. A metal key holder:
I created a metal key holder as part of a practical activity. I made it because I wanted something durable to organise my keys. I shaped the metal carefully and fixed hooks onto it. After finishing it, I felt proud because working with metal was challenging but rewarding.
5. A DIY water purifier:
One of the most interesting things I made was a simple water purifier using basic materials. I made it as part of a project to understand how filtration works. I used layers of sand, charcoal and gravel to filter water. After making it, I felt very satisfied because it worked effectively and taught me something practical.
6. A paper model or craft project:
I made a paper model, such as a miniature house, during a school project. I created it because it was required for an assignment. I used cardboard, glue and colours to design and build it. I felt happy after completing it because it looked creative and was appreciated by my teacher.
7. A handmade notebook:
I once made a notebook by binding pages together and designing a cover. I made it because I wanted something unique for my personal notes. I arranged the pages, stitched them and added a decorative cover. After finishing it, I felt satisfied because it was both useful and personalised.
8. A simple wooden pen holder:
I created a wooden pen holder for my study table. I made it because I wanted to organise my stationery in a neat way. I cut the wood, shaped it and polished the surface. I felt proud because it improved my workspace and was made by my own hands.
9. A decorative wall hanging:
I made a decorative wall hanging using paper and thread. I created it to decorate my room and make it look more attractive. I carefully designed patterns and assembled the pieces. After completing it, I felt joyful because it added a personal touch to my room.
10. A handmade gift box:
I once made a gift box using cardboard and decorative materials. I made it to present a gift in a creative way. I cut and folded the cardboard, then decorated it with colours and designs. I felt very happy after finishing it because it looked unique and thoughtful.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card:
Hand-crafted: Made by hand rather than by machine.
Example: I wanted to create a hand-crafted gift for my brother rather than buying something generic from a store.
Artisanal: Relating to a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.
Example: The final product had an artisanal quality that you just can’t find in mass-produced furniture.
Raw materials: The basic material from which a product is made.
Example: I spent the first weekend gathering all the raw materials, including high-quality oak and some brass screws.
Blueprint: A technical drawing or detailed plan for a project.
Example: Before I started cutting the wood, I spent hours sketching a detailed blueprint to ensure the dimensions were perfect.
Intricate: Very complicated or detailed.
Example: The pattern I carved into the lid was quite intricate, requiring a very steady hand and a lot of patience.
Sanding: The process of smoothing a surface with sandpaper or a sander.
Example: Sanding the surface took a long time, but it was essential to get that smooth, professional finish.
Assembly: The action of fitting together the component parts of an object.
Example: The assembly was the most challenging part because all the joints had to fit together perfectly.
Customised: Modified to suit a particular individual or task.
Example: I customised the dimensions of the bookshelf so it would fit perfectly into the narrow corner of my room.
Sense of achievement: A proud feeling of having done something difficult and worthwhile.
Example: Standing back and looking at the finished piece gave me a massive sense of achievement.
Therapeutic: Having a good effect on the body or mind; contributing to a sense of well-being.
Example: I found the process of working with my hands to be very therapeutic after a long week of office work.
Durable: Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.
Example: I used a specific type of metal alloy to ensure the tool was durable enough for outdoor use.
Meticulous: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Example: You have to be meticulous when measuring the paper for origami, as even a millimetre can ruin the final shape.
Upcycle: To reuse discarded objects or materials to create a product of higher quality or value.
Example: I decided to upcycle some old wooden pallets to create a rustic-looking coffee table.
Varnish: A clear liquid applied to wood to give it a hard, shiny surface for protection.
Example: Applying the final coat of varnish really brought out the natural grain of the wood.
Bespoke: Made to a particular customer’s order; unique.
Example: It’s a bespoke piece of jewellery that I designed and soldered myself from sterling silver.
Labour of love: A task done for pleasure, not reward.
Example: It took me three months to finish the model ship, but it was a true labour of love.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe something you have made yourself (from wood, metal, paper or other material)”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a thing you made which was appreciated by all.
2) Describe a handcrafted item which you made yourself.
3) Describe a hobby you have.
4) Describe a hobby you had when you were a child.
5) Describe a toy or tool that you made yourself.
6) Describe a skill you have.