Last Updated on August 29, 2024
The IELTS is a famous test that judges people’s skills in English. It’s planned to measure how good non-English speakers are at understanding and using the language correctly. This global examination checks four big parts: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The exam is under the management of the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English.
The IELTS test uses a numbering system from 1 to 9 for scoring. Larger numbers mean better English skills. Universities, employers, and immigration departments worldwide recognize this test as an accurate way to evaluate one’s knowledge of English. People who want to study, work, or move to an English-speaking country often need this examination.
Regarding IELTS, there are two kinds: Academic and General Training. The Academic type is for people who want to study at a university or college in an English-speaking country or need it for professional registration such as doctors and nurses. The other kind called “General Training” can be used by those wishing to work abroad or move permanently to places where English is frequently spoken.
IELTS Test Format
The test of IELTS has a setup which is commonly split into four sections. Each part is made for measuring one particular language skill: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Normally people finish the parts that focus on Listening and Reading first, then they move to the task of Writing; usually, they end with the Speaking part.
The Listening part has four recordings of monologues and conversations that check if you get the main ideas, details, views or purposes. The Reading part includes three texts from books, journals, magazines and newspapers to measure your comprehension as well as abilities to understand literature’s significance.
In Academic IELTS, you will be given a writing task that requires explaining some graph, table or diagram before composing an essay. In General Training Writing there are tasks for letter writing and also an essay. The Speaking part is like a personal interview where they test how well you can speak. They assess your English fluency by looking at coherence, lexical resources, grammar range and accuracy, along with pronunciation.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Cue Card Section
Part 2 of IELTS Speaking, also called the Cue Card section, is a vital part of the IELTS Speaking test. In this part, people get handed a cue card that has a topic and some prompts to talk about it. They have one minute to prepare their speaking time and after that they need to speak on a given subject for 1-2 minutes.
Usually, the cue card tells candidates to talk about an experience, object, person or situation in depth. This part is to see if the aspirant can speak for a longer time frame, use correct vocabulary and grammar, arrange their thoughts logically and give related examples or reasons. The examiner will ask further questions about the topic to evaluate more thoroughly how well the speaking skills of the candidate. For the IELTS Speaking test, it’s beneficial to prepare yourself thoroughly. Some instances of good preparation are:
- Practicing with provided cue cards. You can refer to the IELTS Cue card by Admissify
- Making plans on how to arrange and give a well-structured response
What should you say?
For the IELTS Cue Card topic Describe a book that had a major influence on you, you must say:
- What is the name of the book?
- How did you first hear of the book?
- What’s the main story of the book?
Sample Questions
Example 1: Describe a book that had a major influence on you.
Introduction
Books are strong containers of information, creativity and human understanding. They take us to different places, make us think differently and help us become better people. From very old writings to new great works, books have influenced cultures, motivated actions and opened up limitless capacities of the human intellect. The journey through the written word is a deep exploration of self-discovery and relationship with our surroundings. For the cue card topic given to me today, I am going to talk about a book that had a major influence on me.
What is the name of the book?
The name of the book I am talking about is ‘Looking for Alaska’.
How did you first hear about the book?
I first heard about the book from the internet while I was browsing all the books written by my favourite author of the time.
What’s the main story of the book?
The story revolves around Miles Halter who enrolls at Culver Creek Boarding School in search of his “Great Perhaps.” He meets quirky Alaska Young and falls for her, before tragedy strikes. The coming-of-age story explores teen life, love, grief, and the labyrinth of the human mind, as Miles and his friends grapple with Alaska’s untimely death, learning profound life lessons.
Conclusion
This is one of the few books that moved my heart and it will forever be special to me.
Example 2: Describe a book that has a major influence on you.
Introduction
Books are like robust vessels that hold within them information, imagination and human comprehension. They transport us to diverse locations, alter our thought processes and aid in our personal growth. Whether we look at very ancient writings or fresh significant works, books have left their mark on cultures throughout time. They have inspired people to take action and showcased the boundless capabilities of the human mind. I enjoy reading books and have read a lot of them. For the topic given to me today, I will speak about a book which influenced me greatly.
What is the name of the book?
The book I am talking about is The kite runner by Khaleid Hosseini.
How did you first hear about the book?
I first heard about the book from my elder sister who is also a passionate reader. She recommended this book to me last year.
What’s the main story of the book?
The story belongs to Amir and Hassan who are inseparable friends in Afghanistan until an unspeakable incident destroys their bond. After the fall of the monarchy, Amir emigrates, but guilt haunts him. Years later, he returns on a quest for redemption, facing the consequences of his loyalty’s betrayal and seeking atonement for past wrongs amidst the tumultuous Afghan conflicts.
Conclusion
After completing the book, I sobbed for a long time. This book broke my heart while teaching me the importance of friendship in life.
Example 3: Describe a book that had a major influence on you.
Yes, I have a love for reading books. So, in my free time, I like to read books. Today, you have asked me to talk about a book that influenced me greatly. So, Here I would like to talk about a famous self-help book called ‘The Secret’. This is written by Rhonda Byrne who is a famous writer. This book has changed the way I think and motivates me a lot too.
In addition, I learned about this book approximately 7-8 years ago. I recollect feeling extremely down and disheartened by everything during that period. But, my cousin’s brother had recommended this book to me and instructed me to read it. He also mentioned that you will surely change your vision after reading it. As I mentioned previously I enjoy reading books, therefore I take them on loan from him and visit the home. After that, I started to read it. At first, when I only read one or two pages, I couldn’t have predicted that this would become my life-changing book.
I find that this book resolved every single issue I had and in the end, it responded to all my questions. ‘The secret’ book was built on the idea of the law of attraction which believes that thoughts can alter a person’s life directly. It does not have any specific story. No, it was not. This story was inspired by life truths and a motivational book. Some things are connected to our life such as how one can get happiness, more money or good health only through the law of attraction which means what we think in our mind thoughts.Â
I read this book, and I googled it. The book is based on a movie that was released before this one. So, after searching for the movie, I watched it and everything which I read in the book can be found here too. Then again, the life tricks mentioned in both the book as well as the movie – I have tried all of them in my life too.
Truly, I altered everything in my life and obtained things as per my vision or dreams. For all these changes, I am always grateful to my brother and felt blessed a lot, to have a brother like him who encouraged me. And he told me the secret of life.
Other Cue Card:
Describe A Good Law In Your Country
Describe Your Summer Holidays Or Vacations
Describe The Most Photographed Place In Your Country
Describe A Famous Scientist Or Inventor You Know About
Follow Up Questions for the IELTS Cue Card topic: Describe a book that had a major influence on you
How important are books for you?
Books hold a great importance to me. They shape me up as a person and help me live my life to the fullest. I always carry a book around with me wherever I go. I believe books are the best friends of humans, they can always count on them.
What is the plot or story of the book?
The story of The Alchemist is about a boy from Andalusia who works as a shepherd, and his name is Santiago. He always dreams that he will find treasure near Egyptian pyramids. After meeting with someone mysterious in Tarifa, he goes on an adventure across Africa’s deserts to search for “Personal Legend,” which means finding life’s purpose or destiny. During this trip full of difficulties, Santiago meets many wise guides and gains important knowledge – follow what your heart tells you to do; read signs in the world around us; accept all parts of our journey through life because they are necessary for reaching the ultimate happiness and fulfilment (Coelho).
Why did this particular book influence you so greatly?
What made this book so meaningful to me, was how it explored the common elements of self-exploration, spiritual understanding and bravery in pursuing personal dreams. The straightforward yet significant lessons tested my viewpoint on life and motivated me to act genuinely. It pushed me to accept the unexpected path, believe in the universe’s arrangement and have confidence in myself.
What specific lessons or messages from the book impacted you the most?
The idea of searching for your “Personal Legend,” or a distinct path and purpose in life that each person has, is a lesson with a big effect. It says we should follow our own unique journey no matter what difficulties and uncertainties may come up along the way. The book also helped me understand how crucial it is to live in the present moment, notice small signs called “omens” which act as guidance for us, and value ordinary instances of beauty.
How did this book change your perspective or influence your decisions?
When I finished reading The Alchemist, it made me understand and value the power of transformation through taking risks and accepting uncertainty. It motivated me to be more daring, leave my safe place behind, and do things that I love or have goals in life – not simply living out of habit but with purposeful action instead. This book’s message also inspired me to see life from a spiritual and flexible viewpoint, understanding everything is connected.
Did you recommend this book to others, and if so, what was their reaction?
Yes, I have suggested The Alchemist as a read to many of my friends and family members. They all reacted very positively. A lot of them told me that they too were inspired and deeply touched by the wisdom in this book which is both deep but also easy to understand. It has ignited deep discussions about the purpose of life, individual development, and the significance of pursuing our aspirations.
Do you have any other books from the same writer or type of story that also gave you a strong feeling?
The Alchemist, for me, is most preferred. Also, I have read other writings from Paulo Coelho like “The Zahir” and “The Pilgrimage.” These books go deeply into the same themes of self-understanding, spirituality and what it means to be human. I appreciate Coelho’s way of writing because it combines poetic beauty with being relatable which helps his philosophical ideas touch the heart.
This Frequently Asked Questions section contains detailed replies that demonstrate the candidate’s capacity to talk about the influential book in a comprehensive manner, emphasizing on its story, subjects and personal effect. The answers show thoughtful contemplation, ability to dissect literature and skill of participating in substantial discussions about this given subject matter.
Aakriti Kumari is a passionate content writer who finds solace in the world of books. An avid reader from a young age, she has cultivated a deep love for the written word. When she’s not crafting compelling content, you can find her lost in the pages of a captivating novel. Aakriti shares her literary adventures and book recommendations on her Instagram account, @aakthereader, dedicated to her love of reading. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, she brings words to life, inviting readers on a journey through her writing.
