IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a time when you enjoyed giving your opinion in a survey or questionnaire.
You should say:
- when it was
- what the survey or questionnaire was about
- what opinion you gave
and explain why you enjoyed giving your opinion in this survey or questionnaire.
[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:
Oh, thank you so much for this interesting topic. For this topic, I’d like to talk about a time when I genuinely enjoyed giving my opinion in a survey, which doesn’t usually happen, to be honest.
Well, it took place about a year ago when my university conducted an online questionnaire about improving the quality of teaching and campus facilities. I received the survey link through email, and at first, I almost ignored it, because most surveys feel boring and repetitive. But when I opened it, I realised the questions were actually relevant to my daily experience as a student.
The survey focused on several areas, such as teaching methods, classroom environment, digital resources, and student support services. I gave quite detailed opinions, especially about the use of technology in lectures. I mentioned that some teachers relied too heavily on slides without engaging students, and I suggested more interactive approaches like discussions and real-life examples. I also shared my thoughts on improving the library facilities, such as extending opening hours and providing better study spaces.
I really enjoyed giving my opinion in this survey because I felt that my voice actually mattered. The questions allowed me to express my thoughts clearly instead of just ticking boxes. It didn’t feel like a meaningless task; it felt like a chance to contribute to something that could bring real change. Perhaps another reason I enjoyed it was that I could reflect on my own learning experience. While answering the questions, I realised what worked well for me and what didn’t. That process itself felt quite meaningful.
Model Answer 2:
Thank you very much for this quite interesting topic. It reminds me of a recent experience where I felt that my voice truly mattered in a professional setting when I participated in a survey.
It occurred about six months ago, shortly after my company announced a major restructuring of our corporate policies. We were sent an internal, comprehensive “Workplace Evolution” survey. The questionnaire was hosted on a very sophisticated online platform and was designed to gather employee feedback on how we should balance remote work with office-based collaboration in the post-pandemic era. It wasn’t just a simple “yes or no” form; it was a deeply nuanced set of questions covering everything from mental well-being and productivity to the physical layout of our headquarters.
Well, in the survey, I was quite vocal about advocating for a “Result-Oriented Hybrid Model.” My primary argument was that fixed “9-to-5” office hours were becoming a bottleneck for creativity. I suggested that the company should prioritise “Deep Work” phases at home while utilising the office specifically for “Synchronous Collaboration” and team-building. I also gave some very specific feedback regarding our office environment, suggesting that we replace some of the open-plan desks with “Focus Pods” to reduce noise pollution, which I felt was a major deterrent to efficiency.
I think I found this experience particularly enjoyable for a couple of reasons. First, I was impressed by the survey logic and the use of open-ended questions. Unlike many “tick-box” exercises that feel restrictive, this questionnaire allowed for “Advanced Branching” – meaning if I answered that I preferred remote work, it would follow up with specific questions about my home-office setup. This made the experience feel tailored and intelligent. Moreover, there was a profound sense of satisfaction in being asked for your input on decisions that directly affect our daily lives. It felt less like a top-down mandate and more like a collaborative effort to build a better culture. Ultimately, I enjoyed it
so much.
Idea Generation for this Topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when you enjoyed giving your opinion in a survey or questionnaire. You should explain when it happened, what the survey was about, what opinion you shared, and why you found the experience enjoyable. To make your answer a great one, include your feelings, the impact of your opinion, and whether you felt your voice mattered. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your response:
1. A university course feedback survey:
The time I enjoyed giving my opinion was during a university course feedback survey at the end of a semester. The questionnaire was about teaching methods, course materials, and classroom environment. I gave my honest opinion about how interactive classes helped me learn better and suggested more practical examples. I enjoyed it because I felt my feedback could actually improve the course for future students, which made me feel valued.
2. A product review survey:
The experience happened recently when I completed an online survey about a product I had purchased. The questionnaire asked about quality, usability, and value for money. I shared my opinion about both the strengths and weaknesses of the product. I enjoyed it because I felt like I was helping other customers and also influencing the company to improve its product.
3. A mobile app feedback form:
I gave my opinion in a mobile app survey a few months ago after using the app for a while. The survey asked about user experience, design and features. I suggested adding more customisation options and improving performance. I enjoyed it because I use the app regularly, and it felt good to contribute to something I personally benefit from.
4. A public opinion poll on social issues:
The time I enjoyed giving my opinion was when I participated in an online poll about a social issue. It asked about people’s views on equality and fairness in society. I shared my perspective clearly and supported positive change. I enjoyed it because I felt I was contributing to an important conversation and expressing my beliefs openly.
5. A workplace satisfaction survey:
I gave my opinion during a workplace survey conducted by my company last year. The questionnaire was about job satisfaction, management and work environment. I gave honest feedback about communication and work-life balance. I enjoyed it because it felt like the company genuinely wanted to improve conditions for employees.
6. A customer service feedback form:
The experience happened when I filled out a feedback form after receiving customer service. The survey asked about staff behaviour, response time and service quality. I appreciated the staff’s professionalism, but also suggested quicker response times. I enjoyed it because it felt satisfying to give balanced feedback and possibly improve future service.
7. A school improvement survey:
I gave my opinion in a school survey when I was a student. It asked about facilities, teaching quality and extracurricular activities. I suggested improving library resources and adding more clubs. I enjoyed it because I felt my opinion mattered and could make the school experience better for everyone.
8. A travel experience survey:
The time I enjoyed giving my opinion was after a trip when I received a travel feedback questionnaire. It asked about accommodation, transport and overall experience. I shared detailed feedback about both positive and negative aspects. I enjoyed it because it allowed me to reflect on my trip and help improve the service for future travellers.
9. A website usability survey:
I participated in a website usability survey after browsing an online platform. The questionnaire focused on navigation, design and ease of use. I gave my opinion on how some features could be made more user-friendly. I enjoyed it because I like analysing design, and it felt like I was contributing to improving digital experiences.
10. A government public feedback survey:
The experience happened when I took part in a government survey about public services. It asked about transport, safety and infrastructure. I gave my honest views on areas that needed improvement. I enjoyed it because I felt I was participating in something meaningful that could influence real change in society.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Participating in a survey might seem mundane, but using the right terminology can make your description sound sophisticated and professional. Whether the survey was about a product, a social issue, or your workplace, these words will help you explain the structure of the questionnaire and the value of your input. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
User-friendly: Easy for the user to understand and use.
Example: The interface was incredibly user-friendly, which made the whole process much more enjoyable.
Constructive feedback: Helpful information or criticism that is given to someone to improve their performance or a product.
Example: I felt like I was providing constructive feedback that could actually lead to better service.
Voice my opinion: To express one’s thoughts or feelings about something publicly.
Example: It was a rare opportunity to voice my opinion on local environmental policies.
Anonymity: The condition of being anonymous; having your identity kept secret.
Example: The survey guaranteed total anonymity, which allowed me to be completely honest.
Comprehensive: Complete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.
Example: It was a comprehensive questionnaire that covered everything from pricing to customer support.
Open-ended question: A question that cannot be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Example: I enjoyed the open-ended questions because they allowed me to explain my thoughts in detail.
Likert scale: A scale used to assess attitudes or opinions, typically ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”.
Example: The survey used a five-point Likert scale to measure our level of satisfaction.
Streamlined: Made more efficient and effective by employing faster or simpler working methods.
Example: The digital format was so streamlined that it only took me five minutes to complete.
Influence: The capacity to affect the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something.
Example: I liked the idea that my responses might influence the future design of the app.
Quantitative: Relating to, measuring, or measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality.
Example: Most of the survey was quantitative, focusing on ratings and statistics.
Qualitative: Relating to, measuring, or measured by the quality of something rather than its quantity.
Example: The qualitative section gave me a chance to describe my personal experiences in my own words.
Incentivised: Provided with an incentive or motivation for doing something.
Example: The survey was incentivised with a small discount code, but I would have done it anyway.
Demographic: Relating to the structure of populations (age, gender, income, etc.).
Example: The first part of the form asked for basic demographic information like age and occupation.
Impactful: Having a major impact or effect.
Example: I felt that my contribution was impactful because the company later implemented several of my suggestions.
Unbiased: Showing no prejudice for or against something; impartial.
Example: The questions were written in an unbiased way, which made me trust the organisation more.
Thought-provoking: Stimulating careful consideration or relevant ideas.
Example: Some of the questions were quite thought-provoking and made me reflect on my own habits.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe a time when you enjoyed giving your opinion in a survey or questionnaire”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when you were asked to give your opinion in a questionnaire or survey.
2) Describe a time when someone asked for your opinion.
3) Describe a time when you have taken part in an important survey or questionnaire.
4) Describe something new or exciting you did recently.
5) Describe something you did recently that took a long time to finish.
6) Describe an online survey that you ever took part in.