Describe Your Stay at A Resort- IELTS Cue Card

Introduction to IELTS Cue Cards

There are a total of three parts in the IELTS speaking section. The cue card is the second part of this section, where you are given a topic to discuss for around 2 minutes. This card will contain a situation where you have to explain it or give an answer to a question. Like in this cue card, you will give the answer to the question of a resort that you visited. Moreover, you will need to create a plan for how you will approach that response. Furthermore, after the IELTS speaking part 2, you will discuss the same cue card in 3rd part, which will contain follow-up questions based on your response. Now, in the next section, you will read about the ways to answer a cue card.

How to Answer the Cue Card?

A cue card holds a lot of importance in your exam as it checks your fluency in the language and also evaluates you based on your thinking on a particular topic. Moreover, while speaking about your topic, you first need to introduce the topic and then continue with the things that you will include in your cue card. Always keep in mind that you will have 2 minutes in total to submit your response. In addition, you can get any topic in your cue card, but here, we will discuss the topic “Describe Your Stay at a Resort” with sample answers.

You can use the following pointers in your response:

Describe your stay at a resort

• You should say:
• Where it is?
• When you stayed there?
• What the resort was like?
• And explain how you felt about staying there.

Let us show you what your IELTS cue card may look like. Refer to the image below.

Now, let us read the samples to understand how you can approach the responses to the cue card. The mentioned section has 3 samples on the topic “ Describe Your Stay at a Resort,” which will be followed by the possible follow-up questions.

Describe Your Stay at a Resort - Sample 1

Here is the first example of the cue card. You can use the structure and tone of the response to score well in the IELTS exam.

Introduction

Escaping the busy life of the city during the vacations and ending up in a beautiful and peaceful resort is something every human needs in their present life.

Where It Is

A few months ago, I stayed at a resort in Munnar, which is a beautiful hill station located in the state of Kerala in southern India. Munnar is well known for its scenic tea plantations and cool climate, making it a perfect getaway spot.

When you Stayed There

I stayed at the resort last August during the monsoon season. This time of year is special because the entire region becomes very green and vibrant with frequent rains that add to the freshness and beauty of the landscape.

What the Resort Was Like

The resort itself was nestled right in the middle of expansive tea gardens. It consisted of several wooden cottages connected by stone pathways, giving it a very natural and rustic feel. The design was simple but elegant, blending well with the surroundings. The rooms were spacious, well-ventilated, and decorated with natural tones and materials, which created a calming and soothing atmosphere. One of the highlights was the panoramic view of the hills covered in mist and clouds, visible right from my cottage. The resort also had an in-house spa, where guests could enjoy relaxing massages, and an organic restaurant that served fresh, locally grown food.

And Explain How You Felt About Staying There

Staying at the resort was a very enriching experience for me. I felt completely disconnected from the hustle and bustle of city life and was able to immerse myself in nature’s beauty. The calm environment and fresh mountain air helped me relax and rejuvenate both my body and mind. It was a peaceful retreat where I could clear my thoughts and feel refreshed. Overall, the experience was unforgettable, and I would love to visit the resort again in the future.

Describe Your Stay at a Resort - Sample 2

This is another sample for the same topic cue card. Here, you can carry forward the tone of the response in your exam.

Introduction

Escaping the busy life of the city during the vacations and ending up in a beautiful and peaceful resort is something every human needs in their present life.

Where It Is

I stayed at a desert resort in Jaisalmer, which is a historic city located in the state of Rajasthan, near the famous Thar Desert. Jaisalmer is well known for its desert landscapes and ancient forts.

When You Stayed There

I visited the resort in the winter of 2022. This is considered the best time to visit Rajasthan because the weather is cool and pleasant, unlike the extremely hot summers that the region experiences.

What the Resort Was Like

The resort was built in the traditional haveli style, which means it had sandstone walls with beautiful, intricately carved balconies. It featured a central courtyard surrounded by ethnic furnishings, creating an authentic Rajasthani atmosphere. Every evening, folk music played, adding to the cultural experience. The resort also offered activities like camel rides through the desert and bonfires at night, which made the stay more exciting and memorable. The overall ambiance was very exotic and immersive, giving guests a real taste of desert life.

And Explain How You Felt About Staying There

Staying there made me feel like I had stepped back in time and was living a royal desert lifestyle. The blend of traditional culture with modern comfort was delightful. I especially enjoyed the warmth of the Rajasthani hospitality, which made me feel very welcome. The unique environment, combined with the special activities like camel rides and folk music, created lasting memories. I left the resort with a deep appreciation for the local culture and a heart full of wonderful experiences. It was truly a magical stay, and I hope to visit a place like that again someday.

Describe Your Stay at a Resort - Sample 3

This is the last sample response of the cue card. By these 3 samples, you will learn how you can do variations in the responses.

Introduction

Escaping the busy life of the city during the vacations and ending up in a beautiful and peaceful resort is something every human needs in their present life.

Where It Is

Last year, I stayed at a beautiful beachside resort on the island of Phuket in Thailand. Phuket is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, famous for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife.

When You Stayed There

I visited the resort in December, during the winter break. This is the peak tourist season because the weather is perfect—crystal-clear skies and warm, balmy conditions, making it ideal for beach activities and outdoor relaxation.

What the Resort Was Like

The resort was ultramodern and very luxurious. It featured a private beach exclusively for guests, an impressive infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and spacious suites with panoramic sea views. The interior design was sleek and minimalist, which created a peaceful atmosphere perfect for relaxation. Every morning, guests could join yoga classes held on the beach, which added to the wellness vibe. In the evenings, the resort hosted seafood buffets, offering fresh and delicious local dishes. Overall, everything about the resort felt carefully planned and curated to provide the highest level of comfort and luxury.

And Explain How You Felt About Staying There

Staying at this resort was an unforgettable experience. I was honestly blown away by the attention to detail and the exceptional standard of service provided by the staff. It truly felt like a tropical paradise where I could relax completely and forget about everyday worries. I didn’t want to leave because everything was so perfect—from the stunning views to the calming environment. The trip left me feeling refreshed, pampered, and eager to return someday to enjoy that peaceful luxury once again.

Lexical Resources

To improve your word bank and vocabulary for IELTS, learning new words is important. It will help you in setting a positive impression on the examiner. So, this section mentions some advanced words from the samples with their meanings.

Overall, this is the list of some words that you can use during the IELTS speaking section to boost your score.

So, these are some of the lexical words that can help you improve your IELTS score. Now, in the next section, you will go through some of the follow-up questions that the examiner can ask you in the 3rd part of the speaking section. So, you can go through them to get an idea of what kind of questions the examiner can ask.

Follow-up Questions

After you complete the cue card part of the speaking section, the examiner will ask you follow-up questions related to your response only. This part generally lasts 4-5 minutes. Here, you will get the possible cross-questions the examiner can ask based on your IELTS speaking part 2. Read them for a better understanding of the examiner's behavior.

1. What were the rooms like in the resort?

Ans. When I entered the room for the first time, I was amazed to see a spacious room with soft, neutral tones, accented by vibrant pops of color inspired by the local landscape. The room also included High-quality linens, plush furnishings, and thoughtful details like a well-stocked refreshment center and luxurious bathroom amenities, complete the experience, creating a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation.

2. What kind of activities were available at the resort?

Ans. The resort where I stayed offered a wide range of activities, including a swimming pool, sports courts (tennis, volleyball), spa services, and evening entertainment like live music or movies. Apart from that, there were some small shops in the resort area to get the daily use stuff, and also some interesting candies and snacks.

3. What made the resort special and memorable?

Ans. There are several factors that make the resort where I stayed special and memorable. Firstly, because I was with my friends, any place with them becomes interesting and special. Apart from that, the time we spent at the swimming pool every morning and night is something that I will always remember.

4. Do you feel it was worth the cost?

Ans. Yes, I definitely feel that my visit to that resort was worth spending the money. Access to the swimming pool, luxurious rooms, and the entire city was something that will always remain in my good memories. Apart from that, the amenities we got were up to the mark, proving the cost they asked us.

Now that you have read the samples, lexical resources, and possible follow-up questions with their answers, it is time to understand how you can improve your score on this test.

Tips to Excel in IELTS Cue Card

The IELTS exam needs extra effort and regular practice to score well. Moreover, there are a few other tips that will help you overall.

1. It is helpful and important to note the bullet points and keywords to structure your response.
2. You can use mock tests to manage your time and get an idea of the exam structure.
3. Try to use some advanced words, phrases, and idioms to put a positive impression on the examiner.
4. You should stick to the theme of your response to keep the examiner engaged.
5. Try adding newspapers and magazines to your daily habit. Also, you can listen to English songs and watch movies to carry the accent and tone of the words.
6. Use advanced words in your response to put a positive impression on the examiner.

So, these are some of the tips that will help you achieve good marks in the IELTS exam. Moreover, these tips will make this exam easy for you. Therefore, let us conclude this blog here.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is recommended that you put some of the extra effort in the IELTS speaking section. This will help you clear the exam with the desired score on the first attempt. Thus, if you go through the samples and the tips mentioned above, understand the tone of response, and follow these tips, you will fulfill your dream of studying abroad as early as possible. Moreover, if you still face any issues during your preparations, you can opt for our offline and online IELTS classes, where the experts will help you in the preparation process until you succeed.