IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a subject you did not like when you were at school but now you find interesting.
You should say:
- what subject it was
- how much time you spent to learn it
- why you did not like it in school
and explain why you find this subject interesting now.
[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:
Is learning the ‘history’ of the world important? The answer is “yes”. Then again, I used to ask myself during my school years if remembering the facts about some dead people, who were only too busy killing others at every opportunity, was worth the effort and time. I have asked the same questions again and again from 6th grade to 10th grade, keeping myself busy to learn the “history” of the world, only to find out that the “history” subject wasn’t exactly “my cup of tea”.
The main reason why I didn’t exactly enjoy studying it was that it involved a lot of memorisation of many random dates while learning about Christopher Columbus “discovering” the continent of North America, even though the native Americans/ Red Indians were living there already, didn’t exactly make much sense to me. On top of that, the history class wasn’t really interactive, with very little or no opportunity for active participation, which made it even more boring and tiring. As a result, I did not study it much. While some of my classmates, who grew an affection for this subject, were up to reading “history” from many different sources, I invested a little time reading anything related to history outside my syllabus.
However, as I am older now and beginning to learn about the world in an objective manner, I feel like learning history is imperative. In fact, the very reasons for which I used to dislike “history” as a subject seem to be rather interesting to me now. Learning history can be engaging, compelling and intriguing because, without it, we just won’t be able to learn our past in order to create the future that we would prefer.
Learning history can be really fascinating as it helps us understand our world at present as the culmination of many, many events in the past. Besides, learning history can be really interesting as it acts as a storehouse of data and information on how people and societies behave. Finally, our world has gone through many fascinating changes in the past, and we don’t understand why those changes took place; it will be just mighty difficult for us to predict any event that is supposed to happen in the future.
Model Answer 2:
One subject that I initially struggled with in school but now find fascinating is mathematics. Despite my early challenges and frustrations with the subject, my perspective on mathematics has evolved over time, leading me to develop a newfound appreciation for its beauty and significance. I’d like to thank you for the opportunity and time to let me explain this changing perspective of mine about mathematics.
During my school years, mathematics was a subject that often left me feeling perplexed and overwhelmed. The abstract concepts, complex equations, and intricate problem-solving techniques seemed daunting and inaccessible, leading me to approach the subject with apprehension and reluctance. I struggled to grasp the underlying principles and often found myself struggling to keep up with the pace of the lessons.
In school, I dedicated significant time and effort to studying mathematics, often seeking extra help from teachers and tutors to improve my understanding. Despite my efforts, I found it challenging to connect with the material and struggled to see its relevance to my everyday life.
My dislike for mathematics during school stemmed from a variety of factors. Firstly, the abstract nature of mathematical concepts made it difficult for me to visualise and comprehend the underlying principles. Additionally, the emphasis on rote memorisation and formulaic problem-solving techniques left me feeling uninspired and disengaged from the subject. I struggled to see how mathematics applied to real-world scenarios, which further hindered my motivation to learn.
Despite my initial challenges with mathematics, my perspective on the subject began to shift as I explored its applications in various fields and disciplines. I discovered that mathematics serves as the foundation for many scientific, technological, and engineering advancements, playing a crucial role in solving complex problems and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. Moreover, I came to appreciate the elegance and beauty of mathematical concepts, from the simplicity of basic arithmetic to the intricacy of advanced calculus and beyond. Through self-directed study and exploration, I gained a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of mathematical principles and their relevance to diverse areas of study. Through perseverance, exploration, and a willingness to embrace its challenges, I have developed a newfound love for mathematics, which continues to inspire me in my academic and professional pursuits.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a school subject that you did not like in school/college but have gradually become interested in later in life. You need to explain what the subject was, how much effort or time you spent learning it, why you found it difficult or boring during your school years, and why your opinion about it has changed now. To make your answer more engaging and realistic, you can talk about your teachers, learning style, maturity, career goals or real-life applications that helped you appreciate the subject later. You may also mention how your understanding improved over time and how you feel about the subject now. Here are a few detailed ideas to help you develop your own response naturally and effectively.
1. Mathematics:
One subject I strongly disliked at school was mathematics. I spent several hours every week trying to understand formulas, equations and problem-solving techniques, but I often found the subject stressful and confusing. Back then, I disliked it mainly because my classes focused too much on memorisation rather than practical understanding, and I struggled to keep up with the speed of the lessons. However, as I grew older, I started understanding how useful mathematics is in real life, especially in technology, business and daily decision-making. Now I find it interesting because solving mathematical problems feels intellectually satisfying and improves logical thinking.
2. History:
A subject I did not enjoy during school was history. I had to spend a lot of time memorising dates, wars and historical events for exams, which made the subject feel boring and repetitive. At that time, I thought history had little connection to modern life. However, after watching documentaries and reading about world politics and cultures, I gradually realised how history shapes societies and human behaviour. Now I enjoy learning about historical events because they help me understand the present world more clearly.
3. English Literature:
One subject I disliked in school was English literature because I found long poems and novels difficult to understand. I spent many hours reading texts and preparing summaries, but I rarely enjoyed the process back then. The teaching method focused heavily on exams and analysis rather than creativity or emotions. Nowadays, I appreciate literature much more because I understand the deeper meanings, emotions and life lessons hidden in stories and poems. I now find it interesting because it improves imagination and communication skills.
4. Physics:
Physics was one of the subjects I struggled with during school. I spent a lot of time trying to understand formulas, calculations and scientific laws, but the subject seemed extremely complicated at that age. I disliked it mainly because I could not connect the theories with practical life. Later, after watching science videos and learning how physics explains everyday phenomena and technology, I became much more interested in it. Now I find physics fascinating because it explains how the universe and modern inventions work.
5. Chemistry:
A subject I never enjoyed at school was chemistry. I had to memorise chemical reactions, formulas and laboratory procedures, which felt overwhelming and difficult. I spent many evenings preparing for tests, but still found the subject confusing. Over time, however, I started appreciating chemistry after learning how it is connected with medicine, food production and environmental science. I now find it interesting because it explains the composition and behaviour of materials around us.
6. Geography:
Geography was a subject I did not like much in school because I found maps, climate data and geographical terms difficult to memorise. I spent a reasonable amount of time studying it, especially before exams, but I never felt truly interested then. As I became older and started learning more about travel, culture and environmental issues, my interest in geography grew naturally. Now I find it fascinating because it helps me understand countries, nature and global issues more deeply.
7. Biology:
One subject I disliked during school was biology because there was a lot of memorisation involved, especially scientific terms and diagrams. I spent hours studying chapters related to plants, cells and the human body, but I often found the lessons too theoretical. Later, after becoming more aware of health, medicine and human life, I began appreciating the subject more. Now I find biology very interesting because it explains how living organisms function and how life itself works.
8. Economics:
Economics was another subject I found boring during school because concepts like inflation, markets and financial systems felt too abstract at the time. I spent considerable time studying graphs and theories, but struggled to relate them to real life. As I grew older and became more interested in business and global affairs, I realised how relevant economics is to daily life. I now find it interesting because it explains how money, trade and society function together.
9. Computer Science:
Although it may sound surprising, I did not enjoy computer science at school because the lessons were mostly theoretical and outdated. I spent time learning basic concepts, but did not find them exciting at first. Later, when I started exploring programming, app development and modern technology on my own, my interest changed completely. Now I find computer science extremely engaging because it allows creativity, innovation and problem-solving.
10. Art:
Art was a subject I once considered unimportant because I was more focused on academic subjects. I spent only limited time practising drawing and creative work during school. At that age, I thought art was only about painting pictures. However, over time I realised that art develops creativity, imagination and emotional expression. I now appreciate it because it allows people to communicate ideas and emotions in unique ways.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card:
Tedious: Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
Example: I used to find history incredibly tedious because school lessons focused entirely on memorising dry facts.
Rote learning: A memorisation technique based on repetition, often without deep understanding.
Example: The curriculum relied heavily on rote learning, which completely killed my initial curiosity about the subject.
Abstract: Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.
Example: Mathematics felt too abstract when I was younger, as I couldn’t see how it connected to the real world.
Monotonous: Dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest.
Example: The teacher’s delivery was quite monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged during the afternoon classes.
Dread: To anticipate with great apprehension or fear.
Example: I used to dread physics exams because the formulas never seemed to make any logical sense to me.
Perception: A way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression.
Example: My perception of chemistry changed entirely once I saw its practical application in everyday cooking and medicine.
Intriguing: Arousing one’s curiosity or interest; fascinating.
Example: Now that I look back, the way ecosystems balance themselves is actually quite intriguing.
Practical application: The actual use of a concept or theory in real-world scenarios.
Example: Once I understood the practical application of statistics in computer programming, the data became fascinating.
Demystify: To make a difficult or mysterious subject clearer and easier to understand.
Example: Watching educational documentaries helped to demystify complex scientific theories that confused me at school.
Enlightening: Providing spiritual or intellectual insight; informative.
Example: Reading historical biographies as an adult has been an enlightening experience that shifted my worldview.
Perspective: A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Example: Gaining a mature perspective allowed me to appreciate the economic principles I once dismissed as boring.
Comprehend: To grasp mentally; understand fully.
Example: It took some time, but I can finally comprehend the complex social dynamics that drove past global events.
Relevance: The quality or state of being closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand.
Example: I failed to see the relevance of learning algebra as a child, but now I use it frequently to solve coding logic.
Fascinating: Extremely interesting and charming.
Example: I find human geography absolutely fascinating now because it explains why cities develop the way they do.
Apprehension: Anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
Example: I overcame my initial apprehension about biology by studying at my own pace using interactive online resources.
Cognitive breakthrough: A sudden, significant advance in mental processing or understanding.
Example: Realising that grammar is just a logical puzzle was a cognitive breakthrough that made learning languages enjoyable.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe a subject you did not like when you were at school but now you find interesting”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a subject you didn’t like before but have an interest in now.
2) Describe a subject you enjoyed studying at school or college.
3) Describe a subject that helped you in life, even though you didn’t like it in school.
4) Describe an interesting course or training session that you attended.
5) Describe your favourite subject.
6) Describe something you would like to learn more about.