A complete model answer and preparation guide for this IELTS Speaking cue card topic. Includes key vocabulary, follow-up questions, and examiner-approved response strategies.
Originally published September 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, you will see a sample cue card question, high-level answer and feedback.
Model Answer
I’d like to talk about the litter problem that we have where I live. When you walk around your village, go into the town, visit monuments or any places really, there is always litter lying on the ground. Even though there are many rubbish bins in places that you pass, people still leave litter on the streets or anywhere they want. This is a huge problem for the environment, as animals can hurt themselves and obviously it looks terrible.
The main reason that this is such an issue, is that there are hundreds, maybe thousands of tourists that come here every year, leaving litter. The bins provided in many areas are quite small, often overflowing so much that there is a huge pile of growing litter right next to the bin. They are not emptied often enough in busy areas, causing a problem. this leads to stray animals inspecting the contents of the trash and makes the area look bad. The litter left behind in some areas, like next to ancient ruins or monuments is just carelessness from tourists. I have seen broken glass, bottles, papers and coffee cups all next to a very well known monument here on the island. I have collected litter to put into the bin, especially if it is broken glass and my dog is with me.
The people on the island are always complaining about the litter problem here, with demonstrations in town. The litter is not collected, sometimes for over a week and rubbish bins start to overflow. Sometimes the garbage collectors go on strike, leaving mountains of rubbish growing every day. This is a real issue, especially with so many tourists visiting the island each year.
To solve this problem, the authorities should provide more bins in built up areas and empty the trash daily. They could also put more signs up saying not to litter and perhaps introduce strict fines for those who do, for example, in the UK there are hefty fines for littering. They need to make people aware that it is not allowed and wrong to leave litter anywhere, making the place look untidy and harming the environment. If the local authorities can make some changes in the short term, then the whole of the island environment and famous well known areas will benefit in the long term.
Feedback
This is a high-level answer, as there are concrete words being used to describe the problem. Words and phrases are used to describe thoughts and feelings about this problem. The bullet points have been covered with the extra information given (examples), which extends the answer. A solution is offered to combat this problem, with good use of vocabulary and collocations.
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Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – Describe a restaurant you enjoyed going to.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – Describe a small business you want to start.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – Describe a photograph that you remember.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – A problem that effects the environment.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – An activity you like to do in your free time.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – The perfect vacation.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – Something you like to do in the winter.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – A Job That Is Considered Important In Your Country.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – An object that is important to you.
Practice with sample cue cards for the IELTS Speaking Test part 2. You can read a sample question, answers and feedback on the topic – A place you have visited when you were a child.
A complete model answer and preparation guide for this IELTS Speaking cue card topic. Includes key vocabulary, follow-up questions, and examiner-approved response strategies.
Originally published September 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, you will see a sample cue card question, high-level answer and feedback.
Describe an activity that you like to do in your free time after work or study
You should say –
What you do
Where you do it
When you do it
Who you do it with
And explain why you like to do this activity.
You will have to talk about the topic for 1-2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say and may make notes during that time.
Model Answer
I’d like to talk about walking my dog, we recently rescued a dog who was found by our neighbour by the side of the road. At the time he was only around 4 weeks old and quite ill, he was covered in fleas, had a belly full of worms and various skin conditions. He soon became healthy after many vet visits and now has grown into a large healthy dog, who has a routine of walks at certain times every day to burn off his energy. We started his walking routine slowly when he was little, as he was scared of the park at first. He soon loved to go there and looks really happy with the freedom he has to be able to venture out on his own.
I normally walk him around my village in the morning before work for around 45 minutes. Then in the afternoons after work at around 7 pm we will visit the park, so he can run free. He loves to be able to run around and explore the park, meeting up with other dogs and playing. He enjoys running after people jogging and cycling, showing them that he can go faster than them. He also likes to have his photograph taken with tourists when they are posing next to monuments in the park. I really enjoy seeing him look so happy when he has the freedom off the leash to run as fast as he can and to play with other dogs.
In my opinion, walking with my dog is great exercise, as we walk together (or run) daily for at least 2 hours. This is good for both of us, as he can burn off his energy and I can also keep fit. I also think that getting away from my desk and breathing in the fresh air is beneficial for my health and to clear my mind. It helps to keep my mental health in check, by taking these walks and having the time to think about things. I will continue to walk my dog every day, taking him with me to various locations on the island, as he also enjoys the beach and the town park, but these areas are busy in the summer months, so he will have to wait until the autumn.
Feedback
This is a high-level answer, as there are concrete words being used to tell a story (the story of the dog and the relationship to the activity). Words and phrases are used to describe thoughts and feelings. The bullet points have been covered with the extra information given (examples), which extends the answer.
IELTS Cue Card Topics
People:
Describe a person you once lived with
Describe your favourite politician
Describe your most favourite Math teacher
Describe a teacher from the past whom you remember
Describe one of your relatives whom you like
Describe a famous person you know from your country
Places:
Describe an unusual building you have visited
Describe a cafe/restaurant you have recently visited
Describe your favourite park in your city
Describe a place where you would like to travel to
Describe a place near water where you enjoyed visiting
Describe a garden or a public place you remember visiting
Describe a house or an apartment you would like to live in
Describe your favourite library
IELTS Describe a cyber cafe in your locality
Describe a building/structure with architectural interest
Describe a city you have visited and liked
Describe your favourite shopping mall
Describe a picnic spot or a recreational public spot
Describe a river or a sea you have visited
Describe a shopping center you often go to
Experiences:
Describe an important event in your life
Describe an exam that was very hard for you
Describe an event when someone denied your request
Describe a time when you missed a bus/ train/ aeroplane
Describe a time when you trusted a stranger
Describe a time when you had to wait in a long queue
Describe a night when you could not sleep
Describe a birthday celebration you have attended recently
Describe a competition/contest you have entered
Describe your first day at work or study
Describe a training session
Describe an unusual or interesting thing you did recently
Describe a gift that you gave to someone recently
Describe a room where you stayed for a long time
Describe an outdoor activity that you did for the first time
Describe a funny incident that happened to you
Describe how you would organize a surprise party for your friend
Describe a nation you know well
Describe an occasion or event when you were congratulated
Describe an irritating neighbour in your locality
Describe a trip you have taken recently
Describe a holiday you have recently celebrated
Interesting story you heard when you were a child
Describe a place where you like to go to often
Describe a life-changing experience
Describe a worth-watching theatrical performance
Describe a memorable childhood experience
Describe a sporting event you attended
Describe a bad weather experience you have had
Describe a library that you visited
Describe a happy event of your life
Feelings:
Describe a memorable experience
Describe a peaceful place that you like
Describe the most beautiful natural scenery
Describe a stressful day at school/ university/ work
Describe an interesting holiday destination
Habits and Likes:
Describe a subject you would study
Describe an indoor game that you enjoyed as a child
Something that you want to learn more
Describe the age or stage you enjoyed most
IELTS Academic Reading Sample The history of the biro
Describe someone who is your online friend
Describe your favourite bird
Describe one of your favourite books from your childhood
Describe your favourite subject in your academic life
Describe one of your favourite electronic media
Describe one of your typical days
Describe the best holiday you ever had
Describe the environmental pollution in your city
Describe a practical skill you have
Describe something useful you learned from a member of your family
Describe your favourite animal
Describe your holidays
Describe your favourite season in your country
Describe your favourite music band
Describe a thing which is important to you
Objects:
Describe a successful company you know
Describe a paid job you did or someone you know did
Describe something interesting you learnt from the internet
A gift you have received that was important to you
Describe something you have that you no longer use
Describe a method that helps you to save money
A situation when others didn’t tell you the whole truth
Describe a magazine you think is interesting
Talk about the most important benefit of the internet
Describe the job/ career you have or hope to have
Describe a pet that you or someone you know once had
A product you bought and was dissatisfied about
Describe a foreign country you have planned to visit
Describe an important invention
Describe a traditional meal
Describe a national festival in your country
Describe the most useful household appliance
We hope you found this post helpful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. Let us know in the comments or on the Facebook page if you have any questions. The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, and then follow us onInstagramand Pinterest. We offer essay correction services, mock exams, and online courses. If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can help you achieve your desired band score faster.
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
Proven strategies for this IELTS Listening question type. Includes prediction techniques and common traps to avoid.
Originally published August 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
Using the allocated time of 1 minute to make some notes before your talk can help you to organise your ideas.
The examiner will not look at your notes, they will only mark you on your spoken answer. You should practice making notes that will help you during your talk. This will allow you to;
Think in-depth about the topic.
Organise your ideas and improve coherence.
Give you more to talk about – improving fluency.
Don’t write too much when you are making notes, use the time you have to think and write down ideas and words. You need to be able to look at your notes and think of your next idea quickly so that your talk flows naturally.
You can use arrows to lead your eye to the next keywords, or group words together for each bullet point, or you can create a mind map around the topic.
You can also circle key words from the cue card questions – like where, when, what, how etc. Make sure you answer them in your notes, using the key words as headings.
Fluency And Coherence
The examiner will be assessing your fluency and coherence during the test, seeing how easy it is to follow what you are saying and being able to understand your ideas. Your notes can help you to organise and link your ideas together in a logical way.
One way of linking your ideas togetheris by using linking words and phrases, for example; after that, however, although, even though, because, also, but, firstly, secondly, etc. You can also connect your ideas by using pronouns. It is also really important to use a variety of language when you are speaking and don’t repeat the words on the cue card. To gain a high score in the speaking test you should also use collocations.
A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly used together in English. Think of collocations as words that usually go together. There are different kinds of collocations in English. Strong collocations are word pairings that are expected to come together, for instance;
To save time
To be prepared
To make progress
To do the cleaning
Take a risk
Do the homework
Organising Your Notes – Example 1
Read the cue card question below and give yourself one minute to make some notes >>
Making notes will help you to plan your ideas and give them some logical thought, for example;
Notes
What – Swimming/walking
When – Started when I was younger / now I live close to the sea/pools
How – In the summer months every day/winter indoor pools
How – Swimming is good exercise for all of the body – working all muscles/salt water is good
Model Answer
I think it’s important to exercise every day or at least three times per week, so I like to walk every morning and swim as often as I can. I learned to swim when I was at school and since then regularly visited the indoor pool, then when I moved to Greece I was going swimming nearly every day in the summer months. In the winter I like to go to an indoor pool, as it is heated and of course protects you from the elements outside.
There are many beaches close to my house, with crystal clear waters, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and hotels with large swimming pools, so I have a good choice of places to visit for a swim. I like to go to the pool when it is quiet, or the sea when it is calm. The clear salt waters are good for your health and it’s great to swim alongside the fish.
I used to go to a lot of classes in the UK, including Zumba and body combat. I had an accident during a body combat class and broke a bone in my foot, which meant that swimming and cycling were the only options open to me for a while. My doctor encouraged me to go swimming regularly, as he said the salt water would help my foot to heal and obviously to keep up my exercise routine. I really enjoyed swimming, so just kept doing it even after my foot had healed. Swimming keeps me fit and healthy as it is an all over body workout, using all of the muscles it is a great way to do cardiovascular exercise.
Feedback
This is a strong answer, as there is background given and the topic has been fully discussed.There are various tenses and structures used, for the past and present. The notes have prompts and keywords so that the topic could flow and include all of the given points from the cue card.
Organising Your Notes – Example 2
Read the cue card question below and give yourself one minute to make some notes >>
Another way to make notes is to underline, highlight or circle keywords that can be used as headings in your notes, for example;
Notes
Where – The Lake District
When – When I was around 10 years old /in 1990
What – Visited different lakes, national trust sites, Beatrix Potters House, Wordsworth’s house.
Would – Visit again – a good place in the summer, beautiful scenery.
Model Answer
I’d like to talk about a place I visited with my parents when I was about 10 years old in 1990. We went to the Lake District in Cumbria one summer. This is a lovely place, full of green fields, hills and of course lakes. It was about a 2-hour drive from our house and one into the countryside, the surrounding areas just became more and more beautiful to see.
In the summer, it is the perfect weather for exploring the lakes, from Lake Windermere to Grasmere, we explored the surrounding areas, with a visit to Beatrix Potters house, which is a National Trust owned property and also to the poet William Wordsworth’s house. I was very interested in reading when I was younger and enjoyed visiting the former homes of these well-known writers.
There are also many hiking trails in the Lake District, over the fells and beyond. We walked a great deal, with a map and a compass to guide us and even stopped for a picnic on the top of a hill. I enjoyed walking in the hills, learning about each area and how to read a map.
I would definitely visit the Lakes again and would like to see how the areas have changed since I was last there. I would also like to visit Beatrix Potters house again, now that I am older, I think I would appreciate it more. She is a very inspiring author and illustrator and I love that she was inspired by the nature and animals around her. I would also like to stay in a hotel near to Lake Windermere and if the weather is good, hire a boat and sail around to enjoy the surrounding nature.
Feedback
You can clearly see that the structure of the notes has been used to clearly lead the talk through the main points. The notes have been used as a prompt, with information being added, from the memories of visiting the places mentioned.
Your Turn
Now it is your turn! Try making some notes for the cue cards above and time yourself – no longer than 1 minute. Practice giving a talk for 1-2 minutes to your speaking partner and include all of the main points, using your notes as a prompt.
I hope this post has been helpful to you, let me know how your practice is going in the comments below >>
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
