The IELTS is one of the most popular language proficiency tests taken by non-native speakers of English. Every year, 4 million people take the test to study or pursue a career in a foreign country. The IELTS has four parts, among which the speaking test is integral. The speaking test is divided into two parts. The second part lasts 4-5 minutes and has an important part - the cue card. That brings us to the topic of this blog.
When you get a cue card with a topic, you get 1 minute to prepare. Following this, you have to speak for another 2–3 minutes. Here, we will discuss a cue card— “your favourite dress”. Preparing within a short time can induce anxiety among students, but it is crucial to articulate and communicate confidently. For more tips on IELTS and the study-abroad process, connect with a Yocket expert today! With 10,000+ successful admits, and 30% of students making it to the top 100 universities, Yocket is the consultancy you need to stay ahead.
What Is an IELTS cue card?
An IELTS cue card provides a prompt to guide candidates' responses during the speaking test. It contains a topic and accompanying prompts. The cue card helps candidates structure their responses effectively, thus showing their proficiency in English.
The table below shows the duration of the IELTS speaking cue card.
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Task |
Duration |
|
Preparation |
1 minute |
|
Speaking |
2-3 minutes |
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Why are IELTS cue cards Important?
The IELTS cue cards are an essential part of the speaking section of the exam. IELTS cue cards are important for various reasons.
One of the first steps is to familiarise yourself with the format of the speaking test. It can seem a little confusing in the beginning. But, once acquainted with the format, preparing can be easy. You can practise by answering random questions to improve your performance on the IELTS Speaking test.
Describe your favourite dress: Sample Answer 1
Introduction
Dresses have an important part in making impressions and forming judgments. Clothing preferences are related to how and where you spend your time.
What is it?
My favourite dress is the Kurti, which is a classic long frock. It is typically worn during events or family gatherings. Kurtis is easy to wear, allows me to move freely and easily, and always appears sober. They come in a variety of colours and styles.
How often do you wear it?
I wear them every day, except when I'm out with my friends. I wear them, especially for special occasions and family gatherings. Kurtis is considered a dress code at my workplace.
Explain what is so special about it.
Kurtis, as I previously stated, are traditional clothes that express the country's cultural and ethical values. Another feature that distinguishes it is that it provides a variety of styles based on my preferences, ensuring that I never run out of options no matter how particular I am. Furthermore, Kurtis are typically constructed of light silk and cotton, which helps to keep the heat away, making them ideal for summer.
Describe your favourite dress: Sample Answer 2
Introduction
Multiple kinds of clothing are available today and clothes are an integral part of human society. These styles are created and worn based on location, occasion, and season. When it comes to clothing, I prefer to follow current trends.
What is it?
My favourite dress is a one-piece. It is a single-cloth dress that is typically worn at parties and outings. One-piece outfits include gowns, robes, and cloaks. It is also worn while swimming or at the beach.
How often do you wear it?
I wear it to almost every friend gathering I attend. A nightgown is my ideal outfit since it puts me at ease quickly. Also, I enjoy collecting trendy footwear to pair with my clothing to create a complete look. When I go out to eat with my close cousins, we sometimes dress in one-pieces to show our bond.
Explain what is so special about it.
Firstly, one-piece dresses are always in style. It shows how confident and open a female is in society. Furthermore, I've seen that a fashionable single-piece long dress fits every body shape because it has an undefined waistline and drapes loosely on the body.
Wearing a one-piece gives me confidence and ease. Because of their accessibility, shopping platforms provide abundant options, so I never run out of options when buying.
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Describe your favourite dress: Sample Answer 3
Introduction
Nowadays, there are so many new outfits available on shopping platforms, and some become trendy. People should choose their dresses wisely. I always prioritise comfort over appearance, so I chose a dress that allowed me to feel comfortable all day. When I say all day, I mean I can sleep wearing that dress.
What it is?
Tracks and T-shirts are the ideal outfit for me. I usually wear loose T-shirts and long track pants, with pockets. When it comes to wardrobe colours, I prefer black T-shirts.
How often do you wear it?
I prefer to wear tracks and T-shirts that prioritise my comfort. I wear them at home, on walks, and when shopping. I don't care much about how I look in public, so I wear my comfortable clothes almost everywhere.
Explain what is so special about it.
Comfort is special and people now and then crave that. I believe that if a person is not at ease, he will not perform satisfactorily. Also, black T-shirts are popular among everyone, particularly my generation. My favourite attribute about black is that it does not showcase excessive physical features. Tracks with pockets appeal to me since they let me carry items such as chocolates and biscuits that I will undoubtedly use regularly. These clothes are also appropriate for working out or engaging in activities such as dancing.
Describe your favourite dress: Sample Answer 4
Introduction
In the current era, people are always conscious about what they wear. They follow the latest trends in clothes and try to look stylish. In such a look-conscious era, I prefer to wear comfortable and ethnic outfits.
What is it?
Salwar suits are my all-time favourite dress. The salwar is loose pyjama-like trousers. The legs are wide at the top, and narrow at the ankle. The kameez is a long shirt or tunic, often seen with a Western-style collar and carried with a dupatta. It is an Indian outfit which is worn by almost every Indian woman.
How often do you wear it?
I find this outfit comfortable and I wear it almost every day. I wear a salwar suit at home while going outside shopping, on a family occasion, and many such occasions. The dress code at my workplace is Indian attire, so I wear it at my workplace.
Explain what is so special about it.
The salwar kameez is special to me for several reasons. Firstly, it is a traditional Indian attire that reminds me of my cultural background. Wearing it makes me proud of my culture and identity. Second, the salwar kameez is quite comfortable to wear, due to the free and flowy fit of the trousers and tunic. The fabric, typically cotton or silk, lets my skin breathe and keeps me cool even on hot days.
Additionally, salwar kameez is available in various colours, designs, and embroidery styles. This enables me to convey my style and attitude through my clothing selections. Whether I want to look elegant in a silk kameez or informal in a cotton suit, there is a salwar set for any occasion.
Follow Up Questions
After the candidate has spoken for 3-4 minutes, the examiner asks follow-up questions. A few potential questions for "Describe your favourite dress" include:
Q1. What distinguishes young people's dressing styles from those of older people?
Ans: In my opinion, young people are always mindful of how they appear in public. That is why social media influencers push fashion more than anything else today. Older people, on the other hand, are less concerned about their appearance when they go out with friends. They have enough tasks and duties to be concerned about. As a result, young people dress in a variety of fashion, such as denim jackets and jeans, whereas the elderly dress simply.
Q2. What type of clothes should people wear to work?
Ans: The authorities usually set a dress code for the job. If not, I will always prefer to wear formal attire. Clothes that make me feel at ease allow me to focus entirely on my work, therefore formal attire is appropriate to wear at work.
Q3. Does personality influence how people choose what to wear?
Ans: Yes, it does. Wearing correct formal clothing in a professional setting shows that the individual understands and respects the atmosphere and decorum of that environment. Wearing the same outfit at a house party does not make sense.
Q4. What clothes are trendy today?
Ans: Denim-type dresses are currently dominating the fashion market. Denim-style dresses feature items such as fabric jeans and T-shirts. Hoodies are popular throughout the winter months, and they also contain one-piece winter apparel, worn as a dress code during outings.
Q5. Do you prefer purchasing online?
Ans: Yes, I believe shopping on Internet platforms is significantly superior to going to various shops in search of good clothing. There are various advantages to online shopping. First, the price has been reduced, and second, there is availability and access to several branded companies. Online purchasing has always let me compare pricing for the same outfit on multiple retailers.
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Tips to Answer IELTS Cue Card
Answering an IELTS cue card may seem difficult, but with practice, you will be able to ace it. Give enough time to the IELTS preparation, and follow the following tips to present your ideas :
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Tip 1: Understand the topic. Make sure you address every question.
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Tip 2: Improve your pronunciation and intonation. Speak clearly, without interruptions.
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Tip 3: Be conscious of your pace. Speaking very fast can lead to mistakes. Speaking slowly may make it seem like you're struggling to speak.
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Tip 4: Expand your vocabulary. Present your ideas clearly and avoid repeating the same words.
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Tip 5: Demonstrate your English proficiency by using compound and complex sentences.
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Tip 6: Stay calm. It’s okay to be nervous, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Practise sufficiently to answer the question.
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Tip 7: Be sincere in your engagement with the issue. Personal experiences and examples may help you provide a more persuasive solution.
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Tip 8: Prepare for follow-up questions by adding details to your cue card responses.
Conclusion
The IELTS speaking section challenges test-takers. The pressure to perform within the allocated time frame further adds complexity. On receiving a cue card, they may struggle to form and articulate ideas. However, thorough preparation can help the candidates build confidence and deliver concise answers. This process effectively showcases their language skills.
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