The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a well-known test that measures people’s abilities in English. It is designed to assess how well non-native speakers can comprehend and utilize the language accurately. This worldwide examination evaluates four major components: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. This exam is managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English.
Scoring for IELTS ranges from 1 to 9, with bigger numbers indicating a stronger skill in English. This test is recognized by universities, employers, and immigration departments globally as a reliable means to assess someone’s knowledge of English. Those who wish to study, work, or relocate to an English-speaking nation frequently require this examination.
For IELTS, there are two types: Academic and General Training. The former is for individuals who wish to study at a university or college in an English-speaking nation, or those needing it for professional registration like doctors and nurses. The latter type known as “General Training” is suitable for persons desiring to work overseas or migrate to places where English is used regularly.
IELTS Test Format
The IELTS test has a structure that is usually divided into four parts, each designed to measure a specific skill in language: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Generally, people complete the Listening and Reading sections before moving on to the Writing task; they typically finish with the Speaking part.
The Listening part has four recordings of monologues and conversations that assess if you understand the prime ideas, specific details, viewpoints, or intentions. The Reading part is made up of three texts from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers to gauge your understanding as well as skills in interpreting and analysing literature.
In Academic IELTS, you have to do a Writing task which is about explaining some graph, table, or diagram and then writing an essay. In General Training Writing, there are tasks for letter writing and also an essay. The Speaking part is like a personal interview where they test how well you can speak. They evaluate your fluency in English based on coherence, lexical resources, grammar range, and accuracy, as well as pronunciation.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Cue Card Section
The IELTS Speaking Part 2, also known as the Cue Card section, is an important portion of the IELTS Speaking test. In this part, participants are given a cue card that consists of a topic and some prompts to discuss. They are granted one minute for preparation time and following it, they must speak for 1-2 minutes on the given subject.
Typically, the cue card asks candidates to speak about an experience, object, person, or situation in detail. This part checks if the candidate can talk for a longer period, use appropriate vocabulary and grammar correctly, organize their thoughts logically, and provide related examples or reasons. The examiner will also ask more questions on the topic to assess the speaking skills of the candidate in greater detail. To get good band scores for the IELTS Speaking test, it’s very helpful to prepare well for this part. Examples of good preparation are:
- Practicing with provided cue cards
- Making plans on how to arrange and give a well-structured response
Example 1: Describe a person who thinks music is important and enjoys music
Introduction
Good Music is a delight for ears and thoughts. Some people take pleasure in the beat of music, while others appreciate its words. Those who possess the skill to play an instrument always keep folks amused and render the occasion special, whereas the rest simply enjoy listening to music.
Who is this person?
Now, for the cue card topic, I will tell you about Hari. He loves music so much, he is deep inside of it. Playing many instruments and singing well are his special skills. We have been friends since we were children and I have observed his musical path closely. The profession of his grandfather is a music teacher. Additionally, his father is an excellent musician. Therefore, we can say that music runs in his blood
How have you known him/her?
We are friends from the neighborhood, we have a bond that has grown over many years. Since we were children, we used to play and study together. He has an interest in arts and humanities while I have developed an interest in teaching and other areas. When we were in primary school, we used to play games and musical instruments such as drums, flutes, and guitar. Hari was excellent in everything, but I only knew how to play the drums.
What music does he/she like?
Hari is a person who never discriminates against any form of music; he similarly enjoys classical and Western music. He is professionally trained in classical music and also learned Western music. When it comes to classical music I believe nobody can stand around him his knowledge and understanding are unbelievable.
Why does he/she think music is important?
Music for Hari is similar to worship. He always respects this art and tradition, which he learned from his family. He thinks that it directly connects to God and brings many other positive things. When you play or hear music, it makes you feel fresh and alive at any time.
And explain how you feel about him/her.
I am fortunate to have a friend like Hari. Many people listen to popular singers using electronic equipment, but I always prefer live music. Each week for me is similar to a party where we gather, sit together, and jam or sometimes it is just about enjoying some time over a cup of coffee and light rain showers. Hari sings and plays guitar beautifully which makes me feel like I’m in heaven every time he performs. I am always grateful that my friend Hari has made each occasion special with his amazing talent at music-making; whether we’re having fun during our weekly gatherings or simply relaxing together – his skills never fail to impress!
Example 2: Describe a person who thinks music is important and enjoys music.
Introduction
Good Music provides joy to both ears and thoughts. Some like the beat of music, some its words. Those who can play an instrument always keep people amused and make the event special, while others just enjoy listening to it. For the cue card topic presented to me, I am going to describe a person I know in my life who loves music.
Who is this person?
The person I am talking about here is my grandfather. He loves and worships music. I have always admired this quality of his.
How do you know him/her?
I have known him since I was a child as he is my grandfather. We used to visit him during my summer vacation. Every evening we would sit in the garden and hear him play his favorite instrument i.e. ‘Tabla’.
What music does he/she like?
He has always been into Indian Classical music. The modern day music is not his taste however he is a great fan of music legend AR. Rehman.
Why does he/she think music is important?
Music for my grandfather is like worship. He always gives respect to this art and tradition, as he learned it from his family. He believes that music connects directly with God and brings more good things to life. Music gives you a fresh and alive feeling, whether you are playing it or listening to it.
And explain how you feel about him/her.
I feel lucky to have a grandfather who loves music so much. I am an admirer of his work and aspire to be a great ‘Tabla’ player like him someday. He is my idol.
Example 3: Describe a person who thinks music is important and enjoys music.
Introduction
Good Music offers pleasure for all ears and minds. Some people appreciate the beat, others the lyrics. Those who know how to play an instrument are always entertaining and bring a special touch to the occasion, but some only like hearing it. Explaining the cue card topic given to me, I will describe a person I know in my life who loves music.
Who is this person?
The person in my life who thinks music is important is my best friend Taylor. He adores music, and he is so much within it. Playing different instruments and having good singing abilities are his unique talents. We have been friends from childhood so I know his musical journey well. He comes from a family where his grandfather has the profession of being a teacher of music. Moreover, his father is also good at playing instruments and music runs through their blood.
How do you know him/her?
We are childhood friends. We first met when we shifted house to this new apartment. There she was my neighbor and soon we became inseparable. Growing up I saw her fall in love with music. I admire her skills a lot.
What music does he/she like?
She is mostly into country music but also likes to listen to rap songs sometimes. The guitar is her favourite instrument to play. She is a pro in it. She always plays my favourite songs on her guitar to cheer me up whenever I am feeling low.
Why does he/she think music is important?
She thinks music is important because she expresses her emotions via music. She is not a chatty girl. Therefore she uses her music to speak her mind.
And explain how you feel about him/her.
I am fortunate to have a talented friend like Taylor. She is a great musician and has the [potential to be a great artist someday. I will always admire and support her.
Other Cue card:
Describe A Tourist Place No One Visits: IELTS Cue card
Describe a time when you were sleepy but had to stay awake: IELTS Cue card
Describe a time when you were in a public place and you overhead a stranger talking on the phone
Describe Some Technology That You Decided To Stop Using: IELTS Cue Card
Describe a Library you have Visited Cue Card
Follow-up Questions for the IELTS Cue Card topic: Describe a person who thinks music is important and enjoys music.
What type of music does this person prefer?
 According to me, this person has a wide-ranging musical taste. Even though they like classical music a lot, they also take pleasure in discovering other styles such as rock, jazz, and even world music from different cultures.
How does this person usually listen to music?
At their house, they have a special room for music and use good sound equipment. But, they also enjoy listening to music while moving around. They put on noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds when traveling or exercising.
Does this person play any musical instruments?
Yes, they are good at playing the piano. They started learning it when very young and still practice it often. They see playing the piano as a therapy and a way of creative fulfilment.
How does music impact this person’s mood or emotions?
Music affects their emotions deeply. They frequently use calm tunes for relaxing after a tough day or to cheer up when they feel low. Some music brings back memories, while other pieces motivate or make them think about things.
Has this person ever attended live music performances or concerts?
For sure, they love to see music live. They go to concerts or recitals as much as they can because it gives a different kind of feeling when you are present in person. They enjoy the lively vibe and the chance to interact with artists and music lovers during these events.
The provided answers show a glimpse of the person’s music likes, routines, and how they integrate music into their everyday life. This demonstrates that the candidate can respond to follow-up inquiries with suitable information and instances.
Aakriti Kumari is a passionate content writer who finds solace in the world of books. An avid reader from a young age, she has cultivated a deep love for the written word. When she’s not crafting compelling content, you can find her lost in the pages of a captivating novel. Aakriti shares her literary adventures and book recommendations on her Instagram account, @aakthereader, dedicated to her love of reading. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, she brings words to life, inviting readers on a journey through her writing.
