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Exams that require candidates to speak English, such as the IELTS, use describe cue card questions to gauge their ability to explain a particular subject for one to two minutes. In order to answer these questions, you must think systematically, use descriptive language, broaden your response, and manage your time. These questions also have a major topic and sub-points to discuss. Divide the question into a primary theme, supporting details, and approaches to address each one, making sure your response is understandable and cohesive. We’ll go over how to tackle this specific cue card topic in this blog, along with a structured response and advice on how to get better prepared. Let’s dissect the query, plan a response, and rehearse together.
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Understanding The Describe Cue Card Questions
Describe cue cards are frequently used in English-speaking tests, such as the IELTS, to assess a candidate’s ability to speak for a predetermined period of time, usually one to two minutes, about a given topic. You are typically asked to describe a person, location, occasion, item, or experience in these questions. Delivering a clear and cogent response requires an understanding of the format and methodology of these inquiries.
Here’s how to deconstruct a standard cue card query:
1. Main Topic
The primary subject of the card will be something like:
- Tell us about a book you recently finished reading.
- Give an example of someone who has motivated you.
2. Sub-points to Cover
These particular points serve as a reference for your response. As an illustration:
- What’s the story of the book?
- Why did you select it?
- What aspects did you find appealing?
- Is that anything you would suggest?
Attempting to address each sub-point in your response will help you stay organized and provide a comprehensive response.
3. Key Strategies for Answering
- Think Logically: Make use of a logical framework, such as the past, present, and future. For example, you can begin a description of an experience by outlining what occurred, your feelings about it, and the lessons you took away from it.
- Employ Descriptive Language: To make your description realistic and captivating, try to incorporate adjectives and specifics.
- Extend Your Response: Don’t respond with a single sentence. Give further information, justifications, and examples for every subpoint.
- Develop Time Management Skills: You have a limited amount of time (typically 1-2 minutes), so make the most of it by speaking clearly and thoroughly without hurrying.
How To Approach Cue Card Task
1: Most university students ........................ on campus in their first year.
- Introduce the person (a friend, family member, public personality, or teacher) in brief at the outset. Make reference to your relationship with them.
- Explain the Individual: Emphasize their traits, attributes, or deeds that motivate you, such as their hard work, inventiveness, or enthusiasm.
- Give an explanation of the inspiration: Describe how you were inspired by their words or actions. What specifically about them influenced your behavior or thought process?
- Describe What You Did: Discuss the intriguing action you took as a result of their guidance. It may be launching a project, picking up a new skill, or following a passion.
- Examine the result: Explain the effects this action has had on your life. How did it alter your outlook, your skill set, or your plans for the future?
How To Structure Your Answer
Below given is a suggested strcuture:
Introduction: Who the Person Is
- Present the individual. It might be a friend, relative, instructor, or even a well-known individual.
- Describe your relationship with the individual, such as your friendship, father, or instructor.
- Give a few noteworthy traits or attributes of this individual, such as their creativity, diligence, or passion.
Example: “My teacher, Mr. Sharma, is one individual who has really motivated me to take on an intriguing task. He always inspires us to think creatively and has a special knack of making learning fun.
How They Inspired You
- Describe the instance or period of time when they inspired you.
- Describe some aspect of them that inspired you, such as their words, deeds, or disposition.
Example: During a science class one day, he talked about how he had initiated an environmentally beneficial project in our neighborhood. I had never given it much thought before, but this experience helped me understand how important it is to support environmental conservation.
What You Did as a Result
- Discuss the particular thing you performed as a result of their impact.
- Explain why you found it intriguing or significant.
- Talk about the effects it had on you or those around you (it could have been a project, a travel, a hobby, or something else entirely).
A Model Response For “Describe A Person Who Inspired You To Do Something Interesting”
My older sister, Meera, is one of the people that motivated me to take on an intriguing project. She has always had a talent for creating exquisite handcrafted goods and is immensely inventive. She showed me one day how she made stylish accessories and home décor out of used clothing. How she could transform something that seemed worthless into something worthwhile captivated me. Her inventiveness motivated me to begin a tiny upcycling project of my own, turning used trousers into cushion coverings and tote bags. Seeing how I could revitalize antique objects was not only enjoyable but also fulfilling. My interest in sustainable living was ignited by this encounter, and I’ve since been more aware of the need to reduce trash.
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Tips For Preparing And Practicing For The “Describe” Cue Cards
- Learn about common topics, such as people, places, activities, things, and experiences.
- Make use of a defined format: introduction, details, and conclusion.
- Learn descriptive verbs and adjectives to increase your vocabulary.
- To make your responses interesting, use examples and tales from your own life.
- To communicate smoothly, concentrate on flow rather than precision.
- To find areas where you can improve, record yourself and listen.
- Organize your time by speaking for one to two minutes and going over each subpoint.
- To mimic actual exam conditions, practice with a timer.
- To get better, ask a friend or teacher for their opinion.