Describe a memorable meal: cue card and sample answer

Cue card

Describe a meal you had that you remember well.

You should say:

where you had the meal
who you were with
what you ate

and explain why you remember this meal so well.

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 246 words, or roughly two minutes of speaking.

I'd like to describe a meal I had at my grandmother's house about five years ago. She lives in a small village a few hours from my city, and the whole family had gathered there for her seventieth birthday. There must have been about twenty of us, including cousins I hadn't seen for years.

The funny thing is that it was supposed to be a surprise party, with all the food brought from a restaurant. My grandmother found out, cancelled the order and insisted on cooking everything herself. She made a slow-cooked lamb dish that she's well known for, along with rice, fresh bread and three or four vegetable dishes from her own garden. For dessert there was a rice pudding flavoured with cardamom, which I've never managed to copy.

We ate outside in the courtyard at one long table, and the meal went on for most of the afternoon. Nobody was looking at a phone. My uncles were telling stories about their childhood, and my grandmother kept putting more food on everyone's plate, whether they wanted it or not.

I remember it so well partly because the food was delicious, but mainly because of the atmosphere. It was the last time the whole family was together in one place, as two of my cousins have since moved abroad. Whenever I smell lamb cooking now, it brings back that afternoon. It made me realise that a meal is really about the people you share it with.

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

gather: to come together in one place
insist on: to say firmly that you will do something
be well known for: to be famous for something
go on for: to continue for a period of time
atmosphere: the feeling or mood in a place
bring back: to make you remember something

Rounding-off question

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

Do you often have meals like that?

Part 3 questions: Food and eating habits

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 families eat together less often than they used to?

Mainly because their timetables no longer match. Parents work long or irregular hours, children have activities after school, and everyone gets home at a different time. Ready meals and delivery apps also make it easy to eat separately. I think it's a pity, because the evening meal used to be the one time families talked properly.

Do you think governments should tax unhealthy food?

I'm in two minds about it. A tax on sugary drinks has reduced sales in some countries, so it can work, and the money can be spent on health care. The danger is that it hits poorer families hardest, since cheap food is often the least healthy. I'd support it only if healthy food were made cheaper at the same time.

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 eating out and tea and coffee, and a Part 3 discussion.

Start this Speaking test

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.