Describe a book you enjoyed: cue card and sample answer

Cue card

Describe a book you have read that you enjoyed.

You should say:

what the book was
when you read it
what it was about

and explain why you enjoyed reading it.

You have one minute to prepare and should speak for one to two minutes.

Try it before you read the sample. Answer this card out loud with our AI examiner and get an estimated band.

Practise with the AI examiner

Sample answer

About 239 words, or roughly two minutes of speaking.

I'd like to talk about a novel called The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, which I read a couple of years ago during a long summer holiday.

A friend lent it to me and told me I wouldn't be able to put it down, and she was absolutely right. I finished it in about four days, which is quite unusual for me.

The story is set mainly in Afghanistan and follows a boy called Amir and his friendship with Hassan, the son of his father's servant. Without giving too much away, Amir fails to help his friend at a crucial moment, and the rest of the book is really about guilt and whether it's ever possible to make up for a terrible mistake. It moves from Kabul to the United States and back again, so it also shows how the country changed over several decades.

I think I enjoyed it for two main reasons. Firstly, the characters felt completely real; even though Amir does something awful, you understand why, and you want him to find a way to put things right. Secondly, I learned a lot about the history of the region, which I knew very little about beforehand. It's quite a sad book in places, and I'll admit it brought tears to my eyes more than once, but it stayed with me for a long time afterwards, which to me is the sign of a really good book.

Why this works: it covers every point on the card in order, gives specific details and a short story rather than general statements, and ends by explaining the feeling or reason, which the last line of the card asks for.

Useful vocabulary

can't put it down: a book is so interesting you keep reading
without giving too much away: without revealing the ending
make up for: to do something good to correct a past wrong
put things right: to correct a situation
bring tears to your eyes: to make you feel emotional enough to cry
stay with you: to be remembered for a long time

Rounding-off question

After you finish, the examiner may ask one short question, such as:

Would you recommend this book to other people?

Part 3 questions: Reading and books

In Part 3, the examiner asks more abstract questions linked to the cue card topic. Give an opinion, explain why, and add an example.

Why do you think some people don't read books any more?

I think it's mostly competition for attention. Phones offer instant entertainment in small pieces, whereas a book needs sustained concentration, and many people find that harder than they used to. Time is another factor; after a long working day, watching a series feels more relaxing than reading.

Should parents choose which books their children read?

To some extent, especially for younger children, because parents can make sure the content is suitable. But I think teenagers should have a lot of freedom. If they're forced to read books they find boring, they may stop reading altogether, whereas choosing for themselves helps them develop a lifelong habit.

Now say it out loud

Reading a good answer helps, but speaking is what improves your band. This set includes this cue card, Part 1 questions on your home and reading, and a Part 3 discussion.

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This sample answer was written by TestWise Prep to show language that scores well. It is not official IELTS material. Use it for ideas, not to memorise, because examiners mark rehearsed answers down.