While attempting the practice tests for the IELTS speaking section, you must have come across the cue card task. This is a task that requires you to describe certain events, people, places, etc., in your own words. This way it gives you a chance to showcase your speaking skills and abilities. Hence, in this blog, we shall explore the samples to help you ace the IELTS speaking part 2 or cue card task.
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The speaking module in the IELTS comprises three parts. Among these, the second part is popularly known as the cue card. This task requires the test taker to talk about a given topic for 1 to 2 minutes. For example, in the ‘Describe a Time When You Received Money as a Gift’, the examiner will expect a response that includes an incident where the test taker has been presented with money. Hence, take a look at the ways in which you can answer these questions.
In order for you to ace the IELTS speaking part 2 or cue cards, you first need to understand the structure of the exam. For this task, you will get the questions on a cue card, as seen in the image below. This question will further contain three-pointers that you will need to include in your delivery. You can make use of the paper and pen provided to you for writing and drafting your ideas in the given 1 minute. You then need to talk about the topic on the cue card for over a minute or two. The questions on the cue card for ‘Describe a Time When You Received Money as a Gift’ can be as given below:
The following is the first sample that you can follow for describing the moment when you were given money as gift.
Let me share a memorable occasion when I received money with blessings. As a part of the Diwali celebrations, my grandparents gifted me a significant amount.
It was the joyous occasion of Diwali and the atmosphere was filled with excitement. This is when after the rituals when I touched my grandparents’ feet they bestowed on me a generous amount of money. This gesture symbolised their blessings and love towards me.
Aiming to spread and share their goodwill with others I planned to buy all my family members a gift. Also, I saved a part of this money to fulfil my personal interest of pursuing sketching classes.
Further, receiving this monetary gift made this Diwali a memorable one for me. I am grateful to my grandparents for this thoughtful and generous gift.
Hence, it is true that receiving money as a gift on any occasion is a reminder of the traditions and values that we hold so sacred.
If you want to explore more ways for responding to these questions, then here is another sample for you.
I would like to recount an event from my life which is quite cherished by me.
It was the day of my graduation ceremony and my family had organised a small celebratory party. On this occasion, my elder sister accorded me a part of her savings to commemorate this milestone in my academic journey.
I thought about the various ways in which I could use this money and then finally settled on utilising it to procure a new laptop. As I was entering the next phase of my life this will prove to be a good investment.
When I purchased the laptop, I felt very blissful and gratified towards my sister. She had presented me with an unforgettable gift.
Even now, I am still incredibly appreciative of my sister’s kindness and compassion, which still motivates and touches me.
Below is another one of the alternatives that you can refer to for attempting the cue card task.
Gifts have long been a way for us to show our love for our kith and kin. I was also fortunate to receive a monetary gift on my birthday. Let me share the experience with you.
It was my 20th birthday and I was anticipating to celebrate it with my friends and family. During the party, my mother introduced me to a distant relative who presented me with an envelope.
When I opened it, I was astounded to see that it was filled with money. Upon seeing this amount, I decided to make the most of this opportunity. Thus, I ended up opening a bank account and deposited the money as savings.
I was very impressed by this considerate gift. It gave me a chance to think about my future and invest in it. Further, this gave me a lesson on importance of money.
I believe that this money will come in handy in times of any emergencies. Moreover, I am delighted that I decided to save it.
A rich vocabulary for IELTS is crucial if you wish to ace the cue card task. Hence, here are some of the hard words from the above samples that you can also use while responding to the questions in the IELTS speaking questions. Thus, enhance your word bank with the list given below:
| Lexical Resources | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Memorable | Worth remembering |
| Significant | Important |
| Atmosphere | Surrounding environment |
| Bestowed | To give something to somebody |
| Goodwill | Helpful feelings |
| Monetary | Connected with money |
| Thoughtful | Thinking about what other people want or need |
| Cherished | To keep a thought in mind |
| Accorded | To give something to somebody |
| Commemorate | Take place to make people remember a special event |
| Milestone | Important event |
| Procure | To obtain something |
| Investment | A thing you have bought |
| Blissful | Happy |
| Gratified | Satisfied |
| Appreciative | Grateful for something |
| Kith and kin | Relatives and friends |
| Fortunate | Lucky |
| Anticipating | To expect something |
| Distant | Not closely related |
| Astounded | Feeling great surprise |
| Make the most | Use to the best advantage |
| Considerate | Thinking about other peoples wishes |
| Come in handy | To be useful |
| Delighted | Extremely pleased |
After the completion of the cue card, the examiner will ask you follow-up questions. These make up the third task of the IELTS speaking section, which comprises a discussion on the cue card topic. The following are some of the examples of the questions that you can face in this part:
1. Do you think receiving money as a gift is more meaningful than other gifts?
Receiving money as a gift can be practical. However, what truly matters are the thoughts and sentiments behind any gift. Whether it’s a physical item or a monetary contribution, the intention and thoughtfulness of the person giving the present are what make the gift meaningful.
2. Why do restaurants and shopping centres give free gifts?
The current business environment has intense competition among various entrepreneurs, leading to strategies aimed at attracting customers through free gift schemes. Businesses believe that such schemes encourage repeat visits from customers.
3. Does teaching money management benefit an individual in their earning years?
Parents need to educate their children on how to save money, whether they give them pocket money or even if they receive it as a gift. This way, they will be responsible people who know how to handle their money and will be able to make wise financial decisions without unnecessary risks.
4. Do you think money makes a good gift? Why or why not?
In some situations, presenting money can be a practical and thoughtful gesture. This can help a person achieve something of significance or put it to some other use.
5. Have you ever given money as a gift to someone? Why?
Yes, I have once given money to my younger brother on his birthday. I wanted to give him the freedom to choose what he truly desired. It felt rewarding to share that experience and support his interests.
Preparation for the IELTS speaking part 2 or cue cards requires you to follow a strategic plan. Therefore, given below are a few tricks and tips that can help you with this question:
Suggested to read:
Describe The Place Where You Live Ielts Cue Card
Describe An Interesting Conversation You Had With A Very Old Person Ielts Cue Card
Describe A Useful Object In Your Home That You Cant Live Without Ielts Cue Card
Describe A Person Who Always Has Interesting Ideas Or Opinions Ielts Cue Card
On the whole, the IELTS speaking section might look challenging, but with the right kind of tools, it is possible to master it. Moreover, going through samples such as ‘Describe a time when you received money as a gift’ can help you become familiar with the task format and pattern. In addition, you can also join offline or online IELTS classes offered by the coaching like Gradding. This will further make it possible for you to get various study materials and expert guidance.
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