Describe an interesting conversation you had: cue card and sample answer

Cue card

Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone.

You should say:

who you talked to
where you were
what you talked about

and explain why you found it interesting.

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 258 words, or roughly two minutes of speaking.

The conversation I want to describe took place on a long-distance bus about two years ago. I was travelling to visit my cousins, and the journey was nearly six hours, so I was prepared to be bored.

The man sitting next to me must have been in his seventies. For the first hour we didn't speak, but then the bus stopped for a break, we both bought coffee, and he asked where I was going. It turned out that he was a retired ship's engineer who had spent forty years working on cargo ships.

We talked for the rest of the journey. He told me about crossing the Pacific in storms, about ports that had changed beyond recognition, and about spending months at a time away from his family. What surprised me was how honest he was about the cost of that life. He said he had missed most of his children's birthdays and that he would choose differently if he could start again. He also asked me a lot about my own work and seemed really interested in the answers.

I found it interesting partly because his life was so different from mine. I've always worked in an office, and I'd never thought about the people who move goods around the world. But the main reason was his advice. Just before we arrived, he told me not to wait until retirement to do the things I cared about. It's a simple idea, but coming from him it carried weight, and I've thought about it many times since.

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

it turned out that: I discovered that
changed beyond recognition: changed so much that you would not know it
months at a time: for several months without a break
the cost of that life: what he lost by living that way
carried weight: was convincing because of who said it

Rounding-off question

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

Do you enjoy talking to people you have just met?

Part 3 questions: Communication

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

What makes someone a good listener?

A good listener gives you their full attention, which is rarer than it sounds. They don't look at their phone or wait for a gap so they can talk about themselves. They also ask questions that show they've understood, instead of jumping in with advice. I think the best listeners are comfortable with silence and let you finish your thought.

Is it easier to have a serious conversation face to face or by message?

Face to face, without doubt. In a message you can't hear the tone of voice or see the other person's expression, so it's very easy to misunderstand. People also write things they'd never say directly. Messages are fine for arranging a time to meet, but for anything that matters, I'd always prefer to be in the same room.

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 letters and emails and evenings, 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.