1. Describing a Person
These cards ask you to talk about someone you know, admire, or have encountered.
A dedicated teacher: Describe a teacher who went above and beyond for their students.
An elderly person: Talk about an old person you enjoy spending time with or who has influenced you.
A successful person: Someone you consider successful or talented in a specific field.
2. Describing a Place
These topics focus on locations, ranging from your immediate surroundings to travel destinations.
A beautiful house or apartment: Describe a place you have visited or would like to live in.
A crowded place: A location that was very busy, such as a festival or a mall.
A historical building: An old building or museum that left an impression on you.
A natural beauty spot: A place like a beach, mountain, or park with a "good view".
3. Describing an Object
These cards require you to detail a physical item and its significance to you.
A gift you received: Describe a memorable or "great" gift, like a piece of technology or a handmade item.
A piece of technology: A machine or device you use often, such as a computer or mobile phone.
A piece of clothing: Your favorite outfit or something you wore for a special occasion.
An old thing you have kept: An object from your childhood that you still possess.
4. Describing an Event or Experience
These are "storytelling" cue cards where you narrate a specific occurrence in your life.
A time you did something well: An achievement or a moment where you received praise from a teacher or parent.
An exciting activity: A time you tried something adventurous, like river rafting or scuba diving.
A time you were very busy: A period where you had a lot of responsibilities at once.
A holiday or trip: Details about a recent vacation, such as a trip to a hill station or a beach.
5. Describing an Item of Media or Culture
These cards ask for your thoughts on intangible cultural products.
An advertisement you remember: An ad from your childhood or one that made a strong impression.
A book or movie: A story you enjoyed or a novel that was adapted into a film.
A website you visit often: A site that is useful for your studies or entertainment.
A traditional rule: A rule at your school or a cultural tradition you follow.
Briefly introduce the topic
Paraphrase the cue card
👉 “I’d like to talk about a time when…”
When and where it happened
Who was involved
👉 This sets the scene, like the opening of a story
What exactly happened
Key actions or events
👉 This is the longest part (you can expand here easily)
How you felt
What happened in the end
👉 Examiners LOVE this part — it shows depth
A short reflection or summary
👉 “Overall, it was a memorable experience…”
Describe something you liked very much which you bought for your home. You should say:
what you bought
when and where you bought it
why you chose this particular thing and
explain why you liked it so much.
Introduction
Here I would like to talk about a clock that bought for my home some time ago.
Background info
About two years ago, my family bought a wooden clock for our living room. The older one got worn and had stopped working. So, we decided to replace it.
Details
At first, I tried to change the batteries, but it didn’t seem to work. The, we gave it for repair, but the repairer said that it couldn’t be fixed. So, I made up my mind to purchase a new one.
As my village is in Rajasthan, when I went there for my vacations I went to a handicrafts store to buy a new clock with my family. At the store, there were about 10-15 clocks on the wall with variety of designs. Some had minimalistic design without numbers, while others had brilliant exterior design on a shiny copper-colored material. Some also had a modern design that were completely digital, even with temperature and date display.
We chose one with an amazing peacock-design. There was also some artwork on the clock surface. I was really excited to see how it would look on my living room wall, and indeed it truly looked wonderful. It even matched with the furniture and décor of the room.
Result/Feelings
I was very satisfied with the purchase that we made. Even many guests appreciated its design and asked us where we had got it from. So, this was the item that we bought for our home.
You should say:
What kind of cake it was
Who gave it to you
On what occasion you received it
And explain why it was special for you.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are cakes given on special occasions different now compared to the past?
Do you think customized cakes will become more popular in the future?
Do you think people today celebrate birthdays in a more extravagant way?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying cakes online?
Why do people often associate cakes with celebrations?
What can bakeries do to attract more customers?
You should say:
Who the person is
How you know him/her
What he/she does to protect nature
And explain why you admire this person.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are young people’s attitudes toward nature different from older generations?
Do you think environmental awareness will increase in the future?
Should schools teach environmental protection more seriously?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of living close to nature?
Why do some people care deeply about protecting the environment?
What can governments do to encourage people to protect nature?
You should say:
What the story or book is.
When you read or heard it.
What characters or animals are in it.
And explain why you found this story/book interesting.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are children's animal stories different from stories written for adults?
Do you think animal-based stories will remain popular in the future?
Should schools encourage children to read more storybooks?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning through stories?
Why do many writers use animals as characters in books and stories?
What can parents do to develop reading habits among children?
You should say:
What the electronic device was.
When this incident happened.
What the specific problem was.
And explain how you resolved the issue.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How do younger and older people differ in their use of electronic devices?
Do you think electronic devices will become easier to use in the future?
Should schools teach students how to use electronic devices effectively?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using electronic devices every day?
Why do some people struggle more than others with technology?
What can companies do to make their electronic products more user-friendly?
You should say:
What product or service was being advertised.
Who the famous person in the advertisement was.
Where you saw or heard this advertisement.
And explain how you felt about the advertisement.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are advertisements today different from those in the past?
Do you think advertisements will become more personalized in the future?
Do famous people have too much influence on consumers?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of celebrity endorsements?
Why are people often attracted to advertisements featuring famous personalities?
What can governments do to protect consumers from misleading advertisements?
You should say:
What the technological problem was.
When and where it happened.
How it affected what you were doing.
And explain how you managed to fix it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are older people and younger people different when dealing with technological problems?
Do you think technology-related problems will become less common in the future?
Should schools teach students basic technical troubleshooting skills?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of relying heavily on technology in daily life?
Why do some people become frustrated more easily than others when facing technological issues?
What can companies do to help customers solve technical problems more quickly?
You should say:
What the show or program is.
What it is about.
When and with whom you watched it.
And explain why you decided to watch it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are online programs different from traditional television shows?
Do you think online streaming platforms will replace television in the future?
Should parents control the content that children watch online?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of watching TV shows regularly?
Why do some TV shows become extremely popular?
What can content creators do to make educational programs more appealing?
You should say:
Where this place is located.
When you visited it.
What you did or saw while you were there.
And explain why you would highly recommend it to other travelers.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How is travelling within your country different from travelling abroad?
Do you think people will travel more frequently in the future?
Is travelling important for personal development?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism for local communities?
Why are some destinations more popular among tourists than others?
What can governments do to encourage sustainable tourism?
You should say:
Who this person is.
How you know them.
Which languages they can speak.
And explain why you think they are so successful at learning languages.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How is learning a foreign language different for children and adults?
Do you think people will need to learn foreign languages in the future?
Should schools make foreign language learning compulsory?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being multilingual?
Why do some people learn languages more quickly than others?
What can governments do to encourage people to learn foreign languages?
You should say:
What the goal or ambition is.
When you first decided to pursue it.
What steps you need to take to achieve it.
And explain why this goal is so important to you.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are the goals of young people different from those of older people?
Do you think people's ambitions will change in the future?
Is it important for people to set long-term goals?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having ambitious goals?
Why do some people achieve their goals while others fail?
What can schools do to help students achieve their ambitions?
You should say:
When and where this happened.
Why there was a traffic jam.
What you did while you were waiting.
And explain how you felt about being stuck in that situation.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How is traffic in large cities different from traffic in smaller towns?
Do you think traffic congestion will become a bigger problem in the future?
Should governments invest more money in public transportation?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a private vehicle?
Why do many cities suffer from severe traffic congestion?
What measures can be taken to reduce traffic problems in urban areas?
You should say:
When and where you went.
Who you were with.
What you did during the day.
And explain why it was special despite not spending much money.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How do inexpensive leisure activities differ from expensive ones?
Do you think people will spend more money on entertainment in the future?
Is it necessary to spend a lot of money to enjoy oneself?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of low-cost recreational activities?
Why do some people believe that expensive experiences are better?
What can cities do to provide affordable entertainment for residents?
You should say:
Whose home it is.
Where it is located.
What the interior and environment look like.
And explain why you enjoy visiting it but wouldn't want to reside there permanently.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are modern homes different from traditional homes?
Do you think homes will change significantly in the future?
Is it better to live in a house or an apartment?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a large home?
Why do people have different preferences when choosing a place to live?
What can governments do to improve housing conditions for citizens?
You should say:
What activity or method you used.
When and how often you did it.
How it helped you understand the language better.
And explain how effective you think this method was for you.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How is language learning today different from language learning in the past?
Do you think technology will make language learning easier in the future?
Should children start learning foreign languages at an early age?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning a language online?
Why do some people lose motivation while learning a new language?
What can teachers do to make language learning more engaging?
You should say:
What the event was and when it took place.
Who attended the event.
How you prepared for it.
And explain why you consider it a successful organization.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are family celebrations different from public events?
Do you think events will become more technology-driven in the future?
Is it important for young people to learn event-management skills?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of organizing large events?
Why do some events become successful while others fail?
What can organizers do to ensure that events run smoothly?
You should say:
Who you sent the message or email to.
What the message or email was about.
Why you needed a response.
And explain how you felt about the long delay in receiving a reply.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How is communication today different from communication in the past?
Do you think people will rely even more on digital communication in the future?
Is it important to reply to messages promptly?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of instant messaging applications?
Why do some people take a long time to respond to messages?
What can people do to improve communication in their personal and professional lives?
You should say:
Which city it was
When you visited it
What you did there
And explain why you enjoyed visiting it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are modern cities different from cities in the past?
Do you think cities will become more crowded in the future?
Is it better to live in big cities or small towns?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of city life?
Why do many people prefer traveling to famous cities?
What can cities do to attract more tourists?
You should say:
What the job is
In which country you would like to do it
Why you are interested in this job
And explain what benefits you would get from it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are job opportunities abroad different from jobs in your country?
Do you think more young people will work abroad in the future?
Should young people be encouraged to work in foreign countries?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of working abroad?
Why do many people want international work experience?
What can governments do to support people working overseas?
You should say:
What the place is
Where it is located
When you went there
And explain why you found it boring.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are entertainment options today different from those in the past?
Do you think people will become harder to entertain in the future?
Do you think modern lifestyles make people bored more easily?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in quiet places?
Why do some people enjoy visiting quiet or less crowded places?
What can cities do to make public places more interesting?
You should say:
What the law would be
Why you want to introduce it
Who would be affected by it
And explain how it would benefit society.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are laws today different from laws in the past?
Do you think countries will introduce stricter laws in the future?
Should governments involve citizens while making laws?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of strict rules?
Why do some people dislike following laws?
What can governments do to make people follow laws more responsibly?
You should say:
When it happened
Why you got up early
What you did after waking up
And explain how you felt about it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are people’s daily routines different now compared to the past?
Do you think people will have healthier routines in the future?
Do you think schools and offices should start later in the morning?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of waking up early?
Why do some people prefer working at night?
What can people do to improve their sleeping habits?
You should say:
What the program is
Where you watch it
What it is about
And explain why you enjoy watching it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How is online entertainment different from traditional television?
Do you think online platforms will completely replace TV in the future?
Do you think children spend too much time watching online content?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of streaming services?
Why are reality shows so popular these days?
What can parents do to control children’s screen time?
You should say:
Which city it is
What the city is famous for
What people can do there
And explain why you think it is interesting.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are tourist cities different from ordinary cities?
Do you think famous cities will become more expensive in the future?
Should governments spend more money promoting tourism?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism for cities?
Why are some cities internationally famous?
What can governments do to protect famous cities from overcrowding?
You should say:
What the video was about
Where you watched it
Who shared it with you
And explain why you found it interesting.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are videos today different from videos people watched in the past?
Do you think short videos will become even more popular in the future?
Do you think social media videos influence people’s opinions?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of educational videos?
Why do some videos become viral so quickly?
What can people do to avoid wasting too much time watching videos?
You should say:
Where the building is
What it looks like
When you saw it
And explain why you like or dislike it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are modern buildings different from traditional buildings?
Do you think cities will have more skyscrapers in the future?
Should governments preserve old buildings?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of tall buildings?
Why do many cities build skyscrapers nowadays?
What can architects do to make buildings more environmentally friendly?
You should say:
When it happened
What the group task was
Who you worked with
And explain how you felt about working in the group.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How is teamwork different from working alone?
Do you think teamwork skills will become more important in the future?
Should schools focus more on group activities?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in teams?
Why do some people dislike group work?
What can companies do to improve teamwork among employees?
You should say:
Who the person is
What kinds of plants he/she grows
How often he/she spends time gardening
And explain why you think this person enjoys growing plants.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How is gardening different for young people and older people?
Do you think more people will grow plants at home in the future?
Should schools encourage children to learn gardening?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing plants at home?
Why do some people enjoy gardening so much?
What can cities do to promote gardening and green spaces?
You should say:
Who the person is
What kind of business he/she has
How you know this person
And explain why you think the business is successful.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are family businesses different from large companies?
Do you think more people will start their own businesses in the future?
In your opinion, is running a business more stressful than doing a job?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business?
Why do some businesses become successful while others fail?
What can governments do to support small businesses?
You should say:
What the decision was
When you made it
Why it was important
And explain how it affected your life.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Are important decisions made differently by young people and older people?
Do you think people will rely more on technology to make decisions in the future?
Should parents make important decisions for their children?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of making quick decisions?
Why do some people find it difficult to make decisions?
What can people do to improve their decision-making skills?
You should say:
Who the person is
What company he/she works for
What kind of work he/she does
And explain why you think the company is successful.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
What are the differences between working in a large company and a small company?
Do you think people will work from home more in the future?
In your opinion, should employees change jobs frequently?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of working in a successful company?
Why do many people prefer to work for famous companies?
What can companies do to keep their employees satisfied?
You should say:
Where the place is
How you know about it
What you would do there
And explain why you would like to visit it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are places for relaxation different in cities and villages?
Do you think people will travel more in the future?
Is it important for people to spend time relaxing during their free time?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of visiting tourist places?
Why do people like visiting new places?
What can governments do to make tourist places more attractive?
You should say:
What the food is
On which occasions people eat it
How it is prepared
And explain why it is popular on special occasions.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are traditional foods different from modern fast food?
Do you think traditional dishes will remain popular in the future?
Should families continue preparing traditional food for celebrations?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating outside during special occasions?
Why do people connect food with celebrations and festivals?
What can be done to preserve traditional recipes and cooking styles?
You should say:
What the event was
Where you watched it
Who you watched it with
And explain why you enjoyed it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
What are the differences between watching sports live and watching them on TV?
Do you think sports events will become more popular in the future?
Should schools encourage students to participate in sports?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of attending live sports events?
Why are some people extremely passionate about sports?
What can governments do to promote sports among young people?
You should say:
Who the person is
What medical career he/she wants to choose
Why he/she is interested in this field
And explain whether you think he/she will succeed.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How are doctors’ jobs different from other professions?
Do you think there will be a greater demand for medical workers in the future?
In your opinion, should medical education be cheaper?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in the medical field?
Why do many people admire doctors and nurses?
What can governments do to improve healthcare services in their countries?
1. Describe an occasion when you were not allowed to use your mobile phone
o Where you were.
o Why you were not allowed to use your phone.
o What you did instead.
o And explain how you felt about not being able to use your phone.
2. Describe a program or app on your computer or phone
o What the program or app is.
o How long you have been using it.
o What you use it for.
o And explain why you find it useful.
3. Describe a natural place (e.g. parks, mountains, etc.)
o Where this place is located.
o What it looks like.
o What people can do there.
o And explain why you like or recommend this place.
4. Describe an occasion when many people were smiling
o When and where this happened.
o Who was there.
o Why everyone was smiling.
o And explain how you felt during this occasion.
5. Describe an item on which you spent more than expected
o What the item was.
o Why you needed to buy it.
o Why it cost more than you expected.
o And explain how you felt about spending that much money.
6. Describe a person who solved a problem in a smart way
o Who this person is.
o What the problem was.
o How they solved it.
o And explain why you think their solution was smart.
7. Describe a time when you needed to use your imagination
o When it was.
o What you needed to imagine.
o Why you needed to use your imagination.
o And explain how you felt about the experience.
8. Describe a natural talent you want to improve, like sports or music
o What the talent is.
o When you first discovered it.
o How you plan to improve it.
o And explain why you want to get better at it.
9. Describe a time when you were waiting for something special that would happen
o What you were waiting for.
o How long you had to wait.
o What you did while waiting.
o And explain how you felt when it finally happened.
10. Describe a time when you encouraged someone to do something that he/she didn't want to do
o Who the person was.
o What you encouraged them to do.
o Why they didn't want to do it.
o And explain how you felt after they did it.
11. Describe an event you attended in which you didn't like the music played
o What the event was.
o Where it took place.
o What kind of music was played.
o And explain why you didn't like the music.
12. Describe an unusual meal you had
o When and where you had it.
o What the meal consisted of.
o Why it was unusual.
o And explain how you felt about eating it.
13. Describe an interesting building
o Where it is located.
o What it looks like.
o What it is used for.
o And explain why you find it interesting.
14. Describe a perfect job you would like to have in the future
o What the job is.
o What requirements are needed for it.
o Why you want this job.
o And explain what you think a typical day in this job would be like.
15. Describe a bicycle/motorcycle/car trip you would like to go on
o Where you would like to go.
o Who you would go with.
o What you would see on the way.
o And explain why you want to go on this particular trip.
16. Describe a time when you received good service in a shop/store
o What shop/store it was.
o When you went there.
o What the service was like.
o And explain why you think the service was good.
17. Describe something that you can't live without (not a computer/phone)
o What it is.
o How long you have had it.
o How often you use it.
o And explain why it is so important to you.
18. Describe a positive change that you have made recently in your daily routine
o What the change is.
o Why you decided to make this change.
o How it has affected your daily life.
o And explain how you feel about this change.
19. Describe a time when you felt proud of a family member
o Which family member it was.
o What they did.
o When it happened.
o And explain why you felt proud of them.
20. Describe a movie you watched recently that you felt disappointed about
o What the movie was.
o When and where you watched it.
o What the movie was about.
o And explain why you felt disappointed.
21.Describe a person who makes plans a lot and is good at planning
o Who this person is.
o What kind of plans they make.
o How they organize their plans.
o And explain why you think they are good at planning.
22. Describe the home of someone you know well and that you often visit
o Whose home it is.
o Where it is located.
o What it looks like inside.
o And explain why you like visiting this home.
23. Describe a child who loves drawing/painting
• Who the child is.
• How you know this child.
• What kinds of things he/she likes to draw or paint.
• And explain why you think this child enjoys drawing/painting so much.
24. Describe one of your friends who learned something without a teacher
• Who the friend is.
• What they learned.
• How they managed to learn it on their own.
• And explain how you felt about their achievement.
25. Talk about a time when you gave advice to someone
• Who you gave the advice to.
• What the situation was.
• What advice you gave.
• And explain how the person reacted to your advice.
26. Describe a person who often helps others
• Who this person is.
• How you know them.
• What kind of help they usually provide.
• And explain why you admire this person for their helpfulness.
27. Describe a piece of technology (not a phone) that you would like to own
• What the technology is.
• How you first heard about it.
• What you would use it for.
• And explain why you would like to own this particular piece of technology.
1. Describe an interesting traditional story
You should say:
what the story is.
where you learned it from.
what happened in the story.
and explain why you found it interesting.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why do you think traditional stories are important for a culture?
Do you believe traditional stories are still relevant for modern children?
In what ways do traditional stories influence people's values and beliefs?
Do you think traditional stories should be adapted for film or television?
How do you think technology has changed the way people tell and share stories?
Do you think some traditional stories are too violent or scary for children?
2. Describe a successful sportsperson you admire.
You should say:
who this person is.
what sport they play.
what makes them successful.
and explain why you admire them.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
What qualities do you think a successful sportsperson needs to have, besides talent?
Do you think professional athletes are good role models for young people?
How does a country's culture influence which sports are most popular?
Do you think the high salaries of professional athletes are justified?
How has technology changed professional sports?
Do you believe sports have the power to unite people from different countries?
3. Describe a talk you gave to a group of people
You should say:
what the talk was about.
who the audience was.
how you prepared for it.
and explain how you felt about giving the talk.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why is public speaking considered an important skill?
What are the main differences between speaking to a small group and a large audience?
Do you think schools should put more emphasis on teaching public speaking?
How important is it for a leader to be a good public speaker?
Do you believe a person's public speaking skills can be improved with practice?
What are some common fears people have about public speaking, and how can they be overcome?
4. Describe a good habit your friend has, and you want to develop
You should say:
who your friend is.
what habit they have.
when and how you noticed this habit.
and explain why you want to develop this habit yourself.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why do you think some people find it difficult to form good habits?
How can a person's habits affect their future success?
Do you think habits are more important than natural talent for achieving goals?
How can parents help their children develop positive habits?
Do you believe a person's character can be judged by their daily habits?
In your opinion, what is the most challenging habit for most people to change?
5. Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media
You should say:
when and where you saw it.
what you saw.
why you found it interesting.
and explain how you felt about it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Do you think social media has a generally positive or negative influence on society?
What is the difference between sharing information on social media and sharing it in person?
In what ways has social media changed how we communicate?
Do you believe social media platforms have a responsibility to control the information shared on their sites?
How do you think social media affects people's mental health?
Do you think social media will continue to be as popular in the future?
6. Describe a time when you told your friend an important truth.
You should say:
when and where this happened.
what the truth was.
why it was important to tell them.
and explain how your friend reacted.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How important is honesty in a friendship?
Are there situations where you think it is acceptable to not be completely honest with a friend?
What are the benefits of always telling the truth, even if it is difficult?
Do you think people today are less honest than they were in the past?
What do you think is the difference between telling a white lie and being truly dishonest?
In your opinion, how can parents teach their children the importance of being truthful?
7. Describe the time when you first talked in a foreign language
You should say:
what the foreign language was.
when and where this happened.
who you talked to.
and explain how you felt about this experience.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why do you think so many people are interested in learning foreign languages?
What are the main benefits of being bilingual or multilingual?
Do you believe it is more important to be fluent in a language or to simply be able to communicate?
Do you think learning a foreign language helps people understand other cultures better?
How has technology made learning a foreign language easier or more difficult?
In your opinion, should foreign language education be mandatory in schools?
8. Describe a book you read that you found useful
You should say:
what the book was.
when and where you read it.
what you learned from it.
and explain why you found it useful.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How has technology changed the way people read books?
Do you believe reading fiction is as useful as reading non-fiction?
Why do you think some people prefer to read physical books while others prefer e-books?
How important is it for schools to encourage students to read for pleasure?
Do you think libraries are still relevant in the digital age?
In what ways can reading a book be more beneficial than watching a film?
9. Describe a time when someone apologized to you
You should say:
when this happened.
who apologized to you.
what they apologized for.
and explain how you felt about their apology.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why do you think some people find it difficult to apologize?
What are the key elements of a sincere apology?
Do you believe apologizing is a sign of weakness or strength?
How important is it to be able to forgive someone who has hurt you?
Do you think an apology can always fix a problem?
How do you think cultural differences influence the way people apologize?
10. Describe an occasion when you lost your way
You should say:
when and where this happened.
who you were with.
how you got lost.
and explain what you did to find your way.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How has technology changed the way people navigate and travel?
Do you think people are becoming too reliant on GPS and navigation apps?
What are the advantages of getting lost while traveling?
Do you believe having a good sense of direction is a natural skill or a learned one?
How do you think getting lost in a new city can affect a person's confidence?
What are some of the dangers of getting lost in a natural environment?
11. Describe a time when you saw something in the sky (e.g. flying kites, birds, sunset, etc.)
You should say:
what you saw.
when and where this happened.
who you were with.
and explain how you felt about it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How do you think people's relationship with nature has changed over time?
Why do people often find things like sunsets and constellations so beautiful?
Do you think observing the sky can be a way to relax and reduce stress?
How has pollution affected the visibility of the sky in urban areas?
Do you believe it's important for people to be more aware of the natural world around them?
What are some of the benefits of activities like stargazing or birdwatching?
12. Describe a place you went to and an outdoor activity you did there.
You should say:
where the place was.
who you went with.
what outdoor activity you did.
and explain why you enjoyed this experience.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why is spending time outdoors important for both physical and mental health?
How has urbanization affected people's access to outdoor spaces?
Do you think governments have a responsibility to protect natural areas and encourage people to use them?
What are the advantages of participating in team outdoor sports compared to individual ones?
How has technology changed the way people experience the outdoors?
In what ways can outdoor activities help people connect with each other?
13. Describe someone else's room you enjoy spending time in
You should say:
whose room it is.
what it looks like.
what you usually do there.
and explain why you enjoy spending time there.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How does a person's living space reflect their personality?
Why is it important for a person to have a comfortable and organized living space?
What are the key differences between a private space and a public space?
Do you think people's homes will be very different in the future?
How does the design of a building affect the mood of the people who live or work there?
To what extent do you think our possessions define who we are?
14. Describe a singer whose music/songs you like.
You should say:
who this singer is.
what kind of music they sing.
what their most popular songs are.
and explain why you like their music.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How has technology changed the way people discover and listen to music?
Do you think music can have a strong influence on a person's mood and emotions?
What is the difference between music that is popular and music that is considered high quality?
Do you believe the music industry has a responsibility to promote positive messages?
How do you think live music performances differ from listening to recorded music?
Do you think music has the power to bring people from different cultures together?
15. Describe a piece of technology you own that you feel is difficult to use
You should say:
what it is.
how long you have had it.
what you use it for.
and explain why you find it difficult to use.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Do you believe modern technology is becoming too complicated for the average person to use?
What are the potential drawbacks of relying too heavily on technology in our daily lives?
How has the rapid development of technology affected people's jobs?
In your opinion, what is the most important quality for a new piece of technology to have?
Do you think a person's age affects how they interact with technology?
How do you think technology will change education in the future?
16. Describe a time when the electricity suddenly went off
You should say:
when and where this happened.
what you were doing at that time.
what you did when the power went off.
and explain how you felt about this experience.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How reliant is modern society on a constant supply of electricity?
What are the main problems caused by a large-scale power outage?
Do you think people are prepared for a long-term loss of electricity?
How has the way we generate and use electricity changed over the last 50 years?
Do you believe governments are doing enough to ensure a stable and reliable power supply?
What are some alternative sources of energy that could be used in the future?
17. Describe an exciting activity you have tried for the first time
You should say:
what the activity was.
where you did it.
who you did it with.
and explain why you found it exciting.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why do you think some people are naturally more adventurous than others?
What are the benefits of trying new and exciting activities?
Do you think it's important for children to be encouraged to take risks?
How can trying new activities help a person develop their personality?
Do you believe adventure sports should be promoted more, given their risks?
How has the internet influenced the types of activities people try?
18. Describe an important decision made with the help of other people
You should say:
what the decision was.
who helped you make it.
how they helped you.
and explain why this decision was important.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why is it often a good idea to consult others when making an important decision?
What are the potential downsides of relying too much on other people's advice?
How important is it for a leader to listen to their team before making a decision?
Do you think that making a decision is a skill that can be improved?
How does culture influence the way decisions are made in a family or a group?
Do you believe group decisions are always better than individual decisions?
19. Describe a great dinner you and your friends or family members enjoyed.
You should say:
what the dinner was.
when and where you had it.
who you had it with.
and explain why it was a great dinner.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why is sharing a meal often considered an important social activity?
How has the way people eat dinner changed over time?
Do you think cooking at home is more beneficial than eating out?
In what ways can food bring people from different cultures together?
How important is the atmosphere of a restaurant to the dining experience?
Do you believe that fast food has had a negative impact on people's health and social lives?
20. Describe a friend of yours who is good at music/singing.
You should say:
who this friend is.
what kind of music they are good at.
when and where you heard them.
and explain why they are good at it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Do you think musical talent is something you are born with or something you can learn?
How important is music education in schools?
Do you believe it's important for a country to support its musicians and artists?
What is the difference between singing for pleasure and singing professionally?
How has the internet changed the music industry for up-and-coming singers?
Do you think every person has the potential to be musical in some way?
21. Describe a good friend who is important to you.
You should say:
who this person is.
how you met them.
how long you have known each other.
and explain why this person is important to you.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
What qualities do you think are most important in a good friend?
How has social media changed the nature of friendship?
Do you believe it's possible for people to have many close friends?
How important is it for friends to share similar interests?
In what ways can a person's friends influence their life decisions?
Do you think friendships change as people get older?
22. Describe an important old thing that your family has kept for a long time
You should say:
what it is.
how long your family has had it.
where it came from.
and explain why it is important to your family.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why do people often keep old things that have a personal or family history?
Do you think it's important to preserve historical objects in museums?
What is the difference between a valuable object and an old object with sentimental value?
Do you think modern objects are designed to last as long as old ones?
How do you think people's attitudes towards possessions have changed?
Do you believe it's a good idea to pass on family heirlooms to the next generation?
23. Describe a time when you broke something.
You should say:
what you broke.
when and where it happened.
how you broke it.
and explain how you felt about it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why do some people find it difficult to admit when they have made a mistake?
How do you think a person's reaction to making a mistake reveals their character?
Do you believe it is more important to learn from mistakes or to avoid them completely?
How does the fear of making a mistake affect people's behavior?
What is the difference between an accidental mistake and a careless one?
How do you think people's attitudes towards mistakes in the workplace have changed?
24. Describe a wild animal that you want to learn more about.
You should say:
what the animal is.
where it lives.
what you know about it already.
and explain why you want to learn more about it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Why is it important to protect wild animals and their habitats?
Do you think zoos are a good way to protect endangered animals?
What are the main threats to wildlife today?
Do you believe people should have the right to own exotic pets?
How has technology helped us learn more about wild animals?
What is the difference between wild animals and domesticated animals?
25. Describe a person you know who enjoys working for a family business (e.g. a shop, etc.)
You should say:
who this person is.
what the business is.
what this person's role is.
and explain why you think they enjoy it.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of working for a family business?
Do you think family businesses have a different work culture compared to large corporations?
In what ways do you think a family business can impact family relationships?
Do you believe the number of family-owned businesses is increasing or decreasing?
How can a family business ensure its success for future generations?
What kind of skills do you think are necessary for a person to run a successful business?
26. Describe a long journey you had and would like to take again.
You should say:
where you traveled.
who you traveled with.
what you did during the journey.
and explain why you would like to take it again.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
How has travel changed over the last 50 years?
What are the benefits of traveling to new places?
Do you believe it's more important to travel often or to get to know one place very well?
How do you think travel can help people understand different cultures?
Do you believe that tourism has a positive or negative impact on the places people visit?
What are some of the challenges of long-distance travel?
27. Describe a creative person (e.g. an artist, a musician, an architect, etc.) you admire
You should say:
who this person is.
what they do.
what creative things they have done.
and explain why you admire them.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
Do you think creativity is something you are born with or something you can develop?
How important is creativity in a person's education?
What is the difference between a person who is artistic and a person who is creative?
Do you believe that technology has made people more or less creative?
How do you think creativity can be encouraged in the workplace?
Why is it important for a society to support its artists and creative individuals?
28. Describe a popular/well-known person in your country.
You should say:
who this person is.
how you know about them.
what they are famous for.
and explain why they are so popular.
Part 3 Follow-up Questions:
What do you think makes a person famous in today's world?
Do you believe that famous people have a responsibility to be good role models?
What are the main differences between being famous in the past and being famous now?
Do you think a person's fame can affect their personal relationships?
How has social media changed the way we view and interact with famous people?
Do you believe that people are too obsessed with celebrity culture?
29. Describe an outdoor sport you would like to do.
Cues:
What the sport is.
Where you would do it.
Why you would like to try it.
And explain what you would need to learn to do it well.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What are the advantages of playing sports outdoors compared to indoors?
Do you think outdoor sports are becoming more or less popular today? Why?
How can governments encourage more people to take up outdoor activities?
What kind of risks are associated with extreme outdoor sports?
How do you think technology has influenced the safety of outdoor sports?
30. Describe a film that made you laugh.
Cues:
What the film was.
When and where you watched it.
Who you watched it with.
And explain why it made you laugh so much.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
Why is humor important in people's lives?
Do you think the type of comedy people enjoy changes as they get older?
What are the differences between comedy in films and comedy in live theatre?
Do comedies from different countries share the same kind of humor?
How has the internet changed the way people consume comedy (e.g., short clips)?
31. Describe a place in your country or part of your country that you would like to recommend to visitors/travelers.
Cues:
Where this place is.
What is special about it.
What visitors can do there.
And explain why you would recommend it.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
How important is tourism for a country's economy?
What steps can be taken to protect popular tourist destinations from damage?
Do you think local residents always benefit from an increase in tourism? Why or why not?
What makes a place suitable for ecotourism?
How do people usually find information about travel destinations now?
32. Describe a sports event you would like to watch.
Cues:
What the event is.
Where it would take place.
Who you would like to go with.
And explain why you want to watch this specific event.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What are the main reasons why people enjoy watching live sports events?
Do you think professional athletes deserve the high salaries they receive?
How important is hosting international sports events for a city or country?
In what ways can technology enhance the experience of watching sports on TV?
What can be done to encourage more children to take part in competitive sports?
33. Describe a person's house/apartment that you think is very good.
Cues:
Whose house/apartment it is.
Where it is located.
What it looks like inside and out.
And explain why you think it is very good.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
How important is the design and appearance of a home to people?
Do you think homes in the future will look very different from homes today?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a house versus an apartment?
How does the design of a home affect the mood and well-being of the people living there?
Do you think people should be allowed to build very modern houses in historic areas?
34. Describe a time when you forgot/missed an appointment.
Cues:
When this happened.
What the appointment was for.
Why you forgot/missed it.
And explain how you felt about missing the appointment.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
Why do people often forget important things like appointments?
What methods can people use to manage their time and remember appointments better?
How can being late or missing appointments negatively affect professional relationships?
Do you think people in your country are generally good at being punctual?
Should there be consequences for people who frequently miss appointments without notice?
35. Describe a person who you think wears unusual clothes.
Cues:
Who this person is.
What their clothes look like.
When and where you usually see them.
And explain why you think their clothes are unusual.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
Why do some people choose to wear clothes that stand out?
Do you think fashion is more important for young people than for older people?
How has social media influenced the latest fashion trends?
In what ways can clothing reflect a person's culture or identity?
Do you believe there are times when people should follow a dress code (e.g., at work)?
36. Describe your favorite place in your house where you can relax.
Cues:
Where this place is in your house.
What it looks like.
What you usually do there.
And explain why this is your favorite place for relaxation.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
Why is it important for people to have a quiet place to relax at home?
Do you think people today find it harder to relax than in the past? Why?
What are some other common ways people in your country relax after a busy day?
How does the environment (like noise or light) affect a person's ability to relax?
Do you think the design of public spaces (like parks) helps people relax?
37. Describe a popular place for sports (e.g. a stadium) that you've been to.
Cues:
What the place is and where it is located.
When you went there.
What you did or saw there.
And explain why it is a popular place for sports.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What role do stadiums and sports venues play in a city's culture?
Do you think governments should invest a lot of money in building large stadiums?
What are the challenges of managing large crowds at sports events?
How can sports venues be made more environmentally friendly?
What are the benefits of having community sports facilities in a neighborhood?
38. Describe a time when you saw a lot of plastic waste (e.g. in a park, on the beach, etc.).
Cues:
When and where this happened.
What kind of plastic waste you saw.
What you did when you saw it.
And explain how you felt about seeing so much plastic waste.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What are the main sources of plastic waste in your community?
What steps can ordinary people take to reduce their daily consumption of plastic?
Do you think plastic recycling programs are effective? Why or why not?
What role should large companies play in reducing packaging waste?
How can education help raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution?
39. Describe a city you have been to and would like to visit again.
Cues:
What city it is.
When you visited it.
What you did there.
And explain why you would like to visit it again.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What do you think makes a city attractive to visitors?
What are the common problems that major cities face today?
Do you believe modern cities are better places to live than cities from the past?
How can transportation infrastructure be improved in rapidly growing cities?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a large city versus a small town?
40. Describe an argument two of your friends had.
Cues:
Who the friends were.
What the argument was about.
When and where it happened.
And explain how the argument was resolved.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
Why do conflicts or arguments sometimes happen between close friends?
Do you think arguments can ever be beneficial for a relationship? Why?
What are the most effective ways for people to resolve a disagreement peacefully?
Do people from different age groups argue about the same kinds of topics?
How do you think social media has changed the nature of arguments between people?
41. Describe a person from a different cultural background with whom you enjoy spending time.
Cues:
Who this person is.
What their cultural background is.
What you usually do together.
And explain why you enjoy spending time with them.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
Why is it important for people to learn about different cultures?
What are the challenges of communicating with someone from a very different culture?
Do you think globalization is making cultural differences less significant?
How can schools encourage students to be more open to different cultural backgrounds?
What benefits can a person gain from living in a culturally diverse city?
42. Describe a website you often visit.
Cues:
What the website is.
How often you visit it.
What you use it for.
And explain why you like it so much.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What are the main reasons people use the internet every day?
Do you think there are any dangers associated with spending too much time online?
How do people usually decide if a website is trustworthy or reliable?
How has the internet affected the way people get their news and information?
What differences do you notice between websites designed for education and those for entertainment?
43. Describe a sports competition you watched.
Cues:
What the competition was.
When and where you watched it.
Who you watched it with.
And explain why you found it interesting.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What is the main appeal of watching competitive sports for most people?
Do you think there is too much focus on winning in professional sports today?
How can people benefit from participating in sports competitions themselves?
What role does media coverage play in making a sports competition popular?
Do you believe technology like instant replay is beneficial or harmful to sports events?
44. Describe your first day at school that you remember.
Cues:
When this was.
What you remember about the place and the people.
What you did that day.
And explain how you felt about your first day.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
How important is the first day of school for a child's development?
What are the key differences between primary school and secondary school education?
How can teachers help new students feel more comfortable on their first day?
Do you think education systems have changed significantly in your country over the last few decades?
What are the most important skills a child learns during their early years in school?
45. Describe a website that sells second-hand items.
Cues:
What the website is.
What kind of items it sells.
How long you have known about it.
And explain why you think these websites are popular.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What are the main advantages of buying second-hand items?
Do you think buying second-hand items is beneficial for the environment? How?
What kinds of things should people be careful about when buying second-hand items online?
Why do you think the market for used items has grown recently?
What is the difference between buying second-hand items online versus in a physical store?
46. Describe a program you like to watch.
Cues:
What the program is.
When and where you watch it.
What the program is about.
And explain why you like it so much.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What kind of programs are most popular in your country right now?
How has technology changed the way people consume television programs and movies?
Do you believe there are too many reality TV programs available today?
What impact do educational programs have on people's knowledge and learning?
In what ways can a person's choice of program reflect their personality?
47. Describe a story or novel you have read that you found interesting.
Cues:
What the story or novel was.
When you read it.
What the story was about.
And explain why you found it interesting.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
Do you think reading fiction is as valuable as reading non-fiction? Why?
How important is it for children to read stories that reflect different cultures?
Why do some people prefer to read physical books while others prefer e-books?
How has the internet affected the popularity of reading books?
What are the main differences between reading a novel and watching a movie adaptation of it?
48. Describe a person you have met who you want to work/study with.
Cues:
Who this person is.
Where you met them.
What you would like to work/study with them on.
And explain why you want to collaborate with them.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What are the most important qualities of a good teammate or study partner?
Do you think people work better individually or as part of a team?
How can technology help people collaborate on projects when they are in different locations?
What are the potential drawbacks of working with someone who is your friend?
How important is effective communication in a successful working relationship?
49. Describe a problem you had while shopping online or in a store.
Cues:
When and where this happened.
What the problem was.
How you solved the problem.
And explain how you felt about the experience.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What are the biggest differences between shopping in a large department store and a small local shop?
Do you think customer service is better in online stores or in physical stores?
What rights do consumers have when they buy a faulty product?
How has the rise of online shopping affected local businesses?
What can stores do to deal with customer complaints more effectively?
50. Describe a difficult thing you did and succeeded in.
Cues:
What the difficult thing was.
When you did it.
What made it difficult.
And explain how you felt about your success.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
Why is it important for people to challenge themselves occasionally?
Do you believe success is more about hard work or natural talent?
How do people's attitudes towards failure change as they get older?
What role does education play in preparing people to overcome difficult challenges?
Do you think technology makes people more or less capable of solving real-world problems?
51. Describe a time when you needed to search for information.
Cues:
When this happened.
What information you were searching for.
Where you searched for the information.
And explain how easy or difficult it was to find.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What are the most popular methods people use today to find information?
Do you think people rely too much on search engines for quick answers?
How important is it for people to verify the sources of information they find online?
What are the differences between searching for academic information and searching for general information?
How has the ability to easily access information affected the role of libraries?
52. Describe a time when someone gave you something that you really wanted.
Cues:
What the item was.
Who gave it to you.
When and where they gave it to you.
And explain why you wanted it so much.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
Why do people enjoy giving gifts to others?
What is the difference between a gift that is handmade and one that is bought?
Do you think the value of a gift is more important than the thought behind it?
How have cultural traditions influenced the practice of gift-giving?
When is it appropriate for people to exchange gifts in your culture?
53. Describe a famous person you would like to meet.
Cues:
Who this person is.
How you know about them.
What they are famous for.
And explain why you would like to meet them.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3):
What are the reasons why certain people become famous in modern society?
Do you think being famous is mostly a benefit or a burden?
How has social media changed the relationship between celebrities and their fans?
What kind of impact do famous people have on young people in your country?
Do you believe famous people have a responsibility to be good role models?