The cue card task is the second part of the test, after the introduction round. This task assesses your spoken language skills, making it essential to prepare well for this part. Read the blog, which contains IELTS cue card “Describe an Interesting Old Person” samples, along with the follow-up questions and their answers. In addition to that, the write-up also mentioned how to answer the cue card and some helpful tips to excel in this task. So let us first begin by understanding all about cue cards.
Table of Contents
The IELTS speaking part 2, commonly known as the cue card round, aims to assess a candidate's ability to organize thoughts and fluency along with appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar. A prompt is provided which shows the topic as well as the related pointers around which the response must revolve. Candidates are expected to speak for 1-2 minutes. Besides, they are provided with one minute to read the cue card and make notes before speaking. Although the specific topics may change, but, the general types of topics in the IELTS speaking section focus on areas like describing places, people, events, experiences, or objects.
The IELTS speaking section response is evaluated on the basis of the flow of your content, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, fluency, and coherence. Thus, it is essential to use appropriate idioms and phrases in your response. Moreover, your answer to “Describe an Interesting Old Person” must include the following pointers:
You will get a minute to prepare your thoughts and then speak on the topic provided in the IELTS speaking section. Now, let us see what the cue card looks like.
Here is a sample response for your reference. This will help you to ace the IELTS speaking part 2 of the exam.
Recently I met Mr. Anand Mishra, a remarkable elderly man who lives two blocks away, and is an important member of the neighborhood club.
He used to be a school principal and is now in his early eighties. He is known for his sharp mind and has a kind heart.
I first met him when I volunteered at a local neighborhood library where he conducts free tuition classes for underprivileged children.
Over the past few days, I assisted him during his tuition classes. I helped him organize books and plan interactive lessons for students. Moreover, we have also been to parks for evening walks, where he shared his life experiences and knowledge with me.
Although I haven’t known him long I find Mr. Mishra interesting because of his unwavering commitment to betterment of the society. Even at this age, he is sharing crucial life lessons with children. In fact, he has taught me an important lesson which is to overcome challenges with a smile. Thus, his morals and values are both inspirational and motivating for me.
In conclusion, Mr. Mishra is a dedicated, wise, and cheerful personality. His stories are truly interesting. Indeed, one of the most interesting old people who continues to make a positive impact on those around him.
Look at the second sample for the IELTS speaking section. It will help you in achieving a great band score.
Today, let me tell you about someone really special - my grandmother, Mrs. Heera Oberoi. Honestly, she’s the most interesting old person I have ever met.
My grandmother is in her late eighties and used to be a history professor. Even though she’s retired, she’s still full of energy and always imparts her wisdom with everyone around her.
I have known her ever since I was little kid, but we really became close when I stayed with her during high school. Most of my summer holidays were spent at her house, and those are some of my favorite memories.
When I was younger, we would spend hours playing cards and take care of plants. She loves telling stories about her youth, especially about what it was like during India’s independence. Sometimes, I’d even sit in on her history classes, and I find it truly captivating. The way she teaches is so engaging, and she really inspires her students.
What makes her so special is that even at her age, she is always keen to learn new things whether it is figuring out how to use a smartphone or travel the world, she has conquered it all. Her storytelling is amazing too; she can turn any ordinary event into exciting sagas. Honestly, she inspires not just me, but everyone around her.
To sum it up, my grandmother’s zest for life and her wonderful personality make her my role model. Her receptiveness and wonderful personality make her very interesting.
Here is the last sample response for achieving 8+ band scores in your IELTS speaking part 2, which is the cue card round.
I want to talk about Mr. Aditya Sharma, an interesting elderly artist who lives in my society.
He is a 60-year-old man who is a painter by profession. He is very popular locally because of his beautiful landscapes as well as portraits. In fact, he even has a studio in the city.
It was just last year when I encountered him when I joined a children's art workshop he conducted at his art studio. He appreciated my drawings and began to communicate with me by inquiring about my name.
After that workshop, I often visit his studio, where we paint and sketch together. We also discuss and try out various art techniques. Besides, it isn’t just art; he also teaches me about history and many different topics.
Mr. Sharma’s passion for art and how he looks at the world truly interests and inspires me. Even with all the difficulties he has encountered in life - illness, poverty, and injustice, in his early days, he is still producing such beautiful paintings. He inspires young people to pursue their passions and to be imaginative. Apart from this, he speaks about so many things at his painting exhibitions that are so interesting and have opened my eyes so much.
All in all, Mr. Sharma is a creative, gifted, tough, and charitable person, who is thoroughly skilled at his work. Thus, he is an interesting old person who has enriched my life in more ways than one could imagine.
Here is a list of lexical resources along with their meanings. These words have been taken from the samples above that will help you enhance your responses in the IELTS cue cards section.
| Lexical Resources | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Remarkable | Unusual and surprising in a way that people notice |
| Underprivileged | Having less money, and fewer rights, opportunities, etc. than other people in society. |
| Assisted | To give help or support to (a person, cause, etc), aid. |
| Interactive | That involves people working together and having an influence on each other. |
| Unwavering | Continuing in a strong and steady way, constant. |
| Inspirational | Making you feel hopeful or encouraged. |
| Impart | To pass information, knowledge, etc. to other people. |
| Captivating | Something is very interesting or attractive in a way that holds your attention completely. |
| Engaging | To interest or attract somebody. |
| Keen | Showing a quick and ardent responsiveness, enthusiastic. |
| Conquered | To take control of a country or city and its people by force, especially in a war. |
| Sagas | A very long story; a long series of events. |
| Receptiveness | The state or quality of being willing to listen to and accept new ideas, suggestions, or information. |
| Portraits | A picture, painting or photograph of a person. |
| Studio | A room where an artist or photographer works. |
| Encountered | To experience something (a danger, difficulty, etc.). |
| Exhibitions | A collection of objects, for example works of art, that are shown to the public. |
| Charitable | Full of love for and goodwill toward others. |
Now that the vocabulary for IELTS is clear. Let us move on to some follow-up questions regarding the topic.
After you complete speaking on the topic provided in the cue card, the next part of the IELTS speaking section is follow-up questions. This consists of a few questions related to the cue card provided. Moreover, the difficulty of questions may range from easy and medium to hard. Thus, you may even take a few online IELTS classes to prepare well for this section. Generally, there are about 5-7 follow-up questions.
This round is used to evaluate your speaking skills. Now let’s discuss some possible follow-up questions that you can encounter for this topic.
1. Do You Think Older People Are More Interesting Than Younger People? Why or Why Not?
In my opinion, it is not correct to say that older people are more interesting than younger people, or vice versa. Interest can be subjective and depends on individuals and their perspectives, not on age. I think that both older and younger individuals can be interesting, fascinating, and engaging.
2. What Are the Common Characteristics of Interesting Old People?
Interesting old people often share traits like curiosity, a love for learning, a positive outlook, resilience, strong social connections, and a sense of purpose. Besides, they have a lot of stories to share and life lessons to give.
3. How Can Society Benefit from the Experiences of Older People?
Older people's experiences offer benefits the society. This is because they provide wisdom and contribute towards making the generations educated and knowledgeable. The life lessons that they provide can help younger children navigate through the challenges of life and also make informed decisions.
4. Why Do You Think It Is Important to Interact with Older People?
Interacting with older people is important for a variety of reasons, including:
Do you know what could help you score an 8+ band in the IELTS speaking part 2? Here are a few tips that will allow you to excel in the cue card round.
Overall, the IELTS speaking section is considered one of the most challenging parts of the exam. Thus, students must practice well for this particular part. We have covered the cue card topic “Describe an Interesting Old Person” for reference along with its three samples. Further, the blog also contains lexical resources and useful tips for you to excel in this round. If you are facing issues or want to explore more about the speaking section, then join our IELTS course.
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