In the IELTS Speaking section, one of the most common type of Question is the Cue Card Speaking prompt. The IELTS Cue Card topics will prompt you to formulate a response and speak on the given topic. To attempt this question, you must narrow down the essential questions on the given topic to answer within the given time. Consider the sample Cue Card below. Study the types of question that have been formulated based on the cue card and how to go about with you response:

Describe a place you visited on vacation.

You should say

• Where this place was,
• What you did there,
• Who you went therewith,
• Why you liked this place

Sample Answer

Vacations and excursions are the most jocund combination and one of the most enticing experiences. We go on many vacations, some with friends, some with families. But, very few of them stick to our memory like this one did for me. When I was 17 years old when I went to Kyrgyzstan for my summer vacation along with my friends.

Kyrgyzstan, the magniloquent place often touted as mini Switzerland, was always on the bucket list of my hodophile friends and mine as well. Therefore, we finally actuated this dream and planned to set forth for this country after our exams were over. We traversed across every famous city of Kyrgyzstan, including Osh, Bishkek, etc., and it honestly was an exquisite experience. The cold weather with a delirious charm and enchanting tradition entranced all of us.

My school friends, along with some of my college friends, were my travel comrades for this beautiful and unforgettable trip that lasted for over 2 weeks. To this date, there has been no such journey or voyage that came close to even half of the amazement this trip caused.

This country, its rituals, traditions and cultural wealth are so diverse and affluent that anyone who has a propensity and an eye for cultures across the globe would find themselves drawn towards this nation and this is what happened to me as well. I was especially mesmerized by their beautiful traditional outfits. Honestly, this trip was extraordinary and worth every bit of it.

Vocabulary

• Excursions

Meaning: trips
E.g.: Visiting the Taj Mahal with my parents was one of the best excursions I have ever had so far.

• Enticing

Meaning: tempting
E.g.: The show was extremely enticing to the eyes.

• Magniloquent

Meaning: grand
E.g.: The magniloquent narrations of the king was worth reading.

• Actuated

Meaning: operated
E.g.: The plan on the paper was finally actuated.

• Comrades

Meaning: friends
E.g.: He, along with his comrades, seemed to have a lot of fun in the village fair.

Part 3 Questions

• What are some popular attractions that people like to visit in your country?

In my country, most people prefer to visit the hill stations in the name of travelling and trips since there are a lot of beautiful and scenic destinations such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, etc. Each of them is incredibly exquisite and truly beguiling. Apart from that, there are a considerable number of people who prefer going to beaches and coastal plains as well such as Goa, Kerala, Sundarbans, to name a few.

• Do old people and young people like to go to different places for vacation?

Well, that is an entirely subjective choice and solely depends on the nature of people and where they choose to travel to. However, younger people, conventionally rambunctious and boisterous who love fun and frolics, prefer going to places with a wide scope of entertainment and adventure. On the other hand, senior citizens generally prefer visiting holy and religious places of worship as they are spiritually inclined.

• What do old people and young people think about when making travel plans?

Young people try to ensure riveting and entrancing experiences, including adventure expeditions and amusement, while planning a trip. However, elderly people, on the other hand, consider ensuring safety, protection and tranquility as the essential dynamics.

• How do people get to know about new places?

People get to know about new places either through surfing through the travelling and tourism websites or from some television commercials. One might also know of a place to travel to through word of mouth by their known ones.

Vocabulary

• Exquisite

Meaning: beautiful
E.g.: The early morning scenery in the hills is exquisite.

• Beguiling

Meaning: fascinating
E.g.: The song was so beguiling that we kept on listening to it.

• Rambunctious

Meaning: noisy
E.g.: Those rambunctious kids were the only disturbing element on the whole trip.

• Frolics

Meaning: to behave in a happy and playful way
E.g.: Fun and frolics are the only agenda of the children in our class.

• Tranquillity

Meaning: a peaceful, calm state, without noise, violence, worry, etc
E.g.: You need to visit the monastery and find some tranquillity, or else you would die of anxiety and fear.