Category: cue cards

  • Describe a time that something changed your life in good ways.

    Question – Describe a time that something changed your life in good ways.
    You should say:
    – When and where it happened
    – What happened
    – How you felt about it
    – And explain how it changed your life in good ways

    • Nature follows the law of change.
    • Many things, whether known or unknown, influence changes in our lives.
    • Let me share a time when my life took a positive turn about two years ago.
    • Two years ago, my cousin Jasleen, who had gone to Canada for her higher education, visited us.
    • The Jasleen I knew used to be a size XXL.
    • However, the Jasleen in front of me after two years was a size XS, and she was unrecognizable.
    • Despite being with us for only two days, she significantly changed me.
    • I, too, was on the borderline of obesity, and nothing had worked for me in terms of weight loss until then.
    • I inquired about Jasleen’s journey from extra-large to extra-small.
    • She revealed that it hadn’t been easy, but she was determined to lose weight gradually and sustainably.
    • She prioritized walking to her college, which was just a mile away, while her friends took the bus.
    • Surprisingly, they reached the college in almost the same time, as she reached in 14 minutes with her brisk walk while they waited 5-10 minutes for the bus.
    • In the evenings, she spent time at the college library.
    • These daily four miles, combined with dietary changes like adding more fruit and cutting out sugar, transformed her in two years.
    • Inspired by her, I incorporated walking into my routine, cut out sugar from my tea, and opted for fruit as snacks between meals.
    • This lifestyle change not only improved my appearance but also boosted my confidence and overall health.
    • Now, all my clothes look good on me, and I no longer feel self-conscious about my body.
  • Describe a difficult task that you completed at work/study that you

    Question – Describe a difficult task that you completed at work/study that you felt proud of.
    You should say:
    – What the task was
    – How you completed it
    – Why the task was difficult
    – Why you were proud of the completion of the task

    • Life without challenging tasks seems pointless and boring to me.
    • Accomplishing difficult tasks provides us with a sense of fulfillment, one of the best feelings in the world.
    • Today, I want to discuss a task I never thought I could achieve: winning a public speaking competition.
    • Winning this competition was challenging because of my childhood fear of public speaking.
    • I discovered this fear in the fourth grade when my teacher asked me to read the news in front of the class.
    • On stage, I choked and couldn’t speak for more than 10 seconds, leading to laughter from many classmates and exacerbating my fear.
    • I avoided speaking in front of the class for a long time, often pretending to be sick to skip news reading turns.
    • However, recognizing the necessity of public speaking as a skill, I knew I had to overcome this fear.
    • My mother played a crucial role in pushing me to conquer this fear by enrolling me in a speech competition in the eighth grade.
    • Initially, she had me practice in front of her, and I spoke without any problems.
    • She then invited some of her friends, encouraging me to speak in front of them, gradually increasing my comfort level.
    • Practicing for an hour every evening boosted my confidence.
    • On the day of the competition, I felt strangely confident, speaking fluently and without hesitation, similar to how I spoke in front of my mother’s friends.
    • The highlight was when the results were announced, and I discovered I had secured the first position.
    • It was a surreal moment, making me immensely proud and reinforcing the belief that hard work can make anything possible.

  • Describe a beautiful city.

    Question – Describe a beautiful city.
    You should say:
    – Where the city is
    – How you knew the city
    – What buildings the city has
    – What it is famous for
    – And explain why you think this city is beautiful

    • India, with its diverse landscape, boasts many beautiful cities characterized by either historical charm or modern architecture, nestled in mountains or valleys, and exuding warmth through its people.
    • One such city worth highlighting is Chandigarh, also known as ‘The City Beautiful,’ meticulously designed in 1952 by the French architect Le Corbusier, making it India’s first planned city post-independence.
    • Chandigarh, recognized as the cleanest and happiest city in India based on surveys conducted in 2010 and 2015, holds the distinction of being the country’s first smoke-free city.
    • This union territory serves as the capital for two states, Punjab and Haryana, and features attractions like the innovative Rock Garden, the expansive Sukhna Lake, the bustling Sector 17 market, and the vast Rose Garden, Asia’s largest with numerous rose varieties.
    • With 47 well-organized sectors, each housing residential and commercial zones, Chandigarh’s roads are strategically designed to provide shade most of the day.
    • Notably, the city’s planning, dating back to 1952, remains a testament to its enduring status as India’s most well-planned and beautiful city.
  • Describe a park or a garden in your city.

    Question – Describe a park or a garden in your city.
    You should say:
    – When you often go there
    – Where it is
    – Who you often go there with
    – What it is like
    – And explain why you like to visit it

    • In the contemporary urban landscape dominated by concrete jungles, parks and gardens play a crucial role as the breathing spaces of cities and towns.
    • Discovering a green oasis within the bustling urban areas is a genuine delight in today’s world.
    • Residing in Chandigarh, often referred to as ‘The City Beautiful,’ I am fortunate to experience a well-developed infrastructure adorned with numerous parks and gardens.
    • The city earned this moniker in the 1950s when a French architect, recognizing the significance of green spaces, meticulously designed it.
    • Chandigarh boasts several parks where residents can unwind and connect with nature.
    • In my neighborhood, there are three enchanting parks, each with its unique charm, but my personal favorite is the ‘Hibiscus Garden.’
    • This meticulously landscaped garden features undulating slopes, a meandering stream, charming bridges, and a diverse array of hibiscus plants.
    • Alongside the hibiscus, the garden is adorned with majestic trees under which I often find solace, reveling in the beauty of nature.
    • Families frequent the park for picnics on holidays, with children rolling down the gentle hillocks and youngsters cycling along the sloping pathways.
    • Whenever time allows, I visit this haven, often opting for solitary strolls to absorb its beauty and find peace.
    • As a fervent photographer, this park has gifted me numerous breathtaking shots.
    • To me, this park is a slice of heaven on earth, providing a meditative retreat for my soul.
  • Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with.

    Question – Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with.
    You should say:
    – Who this person is
    – When you studied/worked with this person
    – What you did together
    – What this person did to become successful
    – And explain how you felt about studying or working with this person

    • Let me introduce you to my friend Ramesh, who is a professional software engineer.
    • In his mid-20s, Ramesh is approximately my height, characterized by a friendly face and dark hair.
    • His constant smile never fails to uplift my spirits whenever we meet.
    • Our initial encounter took place in college, where Ramesh became my roommate during the first year in the hostel.
    • On the day we moved into the hostel, Ramesh introduced himself, initiating a conversation that led to a deepening friendship.
    • Ramesh, excelling as a software engineer, has been honing his skills since our university days studying computer science together.
    • Throughout college, he played a pivotal role in helping me grasp complex computer languages and algorithms.
    • Collaboratively, we developed an app for hospital queue management, showcasing Ramesh’s prowess in programming.
    • His programming acumen not only landed him a position at Google but also secured him a record salary package.
    • Witnessing Ramesh’s dedication to his studies during college inspired me, and he became a role model for me.
    • Thanks to his influence, I too secured a job in a prestigious company.
    • Ramesh’s success can be attributed to his strong work ethic and unwavering persistence.
    • Despite residing in a different city now, we regularly connect on social media to reminisce about our college days.
  • Describe an exciting activity that you experienced with

    Question – Describe an exciting activity that you experienced with someone else.
    You should say:
    – What the activity was
    – Who you were with
    – When and where it happened
    – Why you went for it
    – And explain how you felt about it

    • In recent times, adventure sports have gained immense popularity, attracting numerous young enthusiasts seeking the thrill and excitement they provide.
    • Succumbing to their magnetic appeal, I recently embarked on a bungee jumping adventure in Rishikesh with my close friend, Suresh.
    • Interestingly, a mutual friend had experienced this exhilarating activity with his family earlier in the year, and his enthusiastic account of the adventure motivated us to give it a try.
    • His incessant chatter about the experience continued for an entire month, eventually compelling us to try it ourselves, if only to put an end to his ceaseless tales.
    • Considering Suresh’s mild fear of heights, we also viewed this as an opportunity for him to conquer his apprehensions.
    • During this year’s summer break, Suresh and I chose Rishikesh for our bungee jumping escapade, considering it as the closest and most economical option among various locations offering the activity in India.
    • Reflecting on my emotions, they underwent a transformation over time.
    • Initially, I was brimming with excitement.
    • As the actual date approached, my enthusiasm became tinged with a hint of nervousness.
    • I remained excited, albeit with a touch of apprehension.
    • Just moments before the jump, thoughts of canceling and retreating crossed my mind.
    • However, witnessing Suresh overcome his fear of heights to take the leap inspired me to push through my own reservations.
    • With that thought in mind, I forged ahead, still harboring fear but managing to keep it in check.
    • Upon taking the plunge, my fear dissipated instantly, replaced by an overwhelming sense of exhilaration.
    • It felt as though I had accomplished the seemingly impossible.
    • The only letdown was that the experience was far briefer than I had envisioned.
  • Describe a skill that you learned in your childhood.

    Question – Describe a skill that you learned in your childhood.
    You should say:
    – What the skill was
    – Who taught you this skill
    – How they taught you
    – And explain why you think it is important.

    • As a teenager, I found joy in learning how to cook.
    • At first, I was curious about how my mother made delicious meals, so I started by observing her in the kitchen.
    • She taught me the basics of cooking like chopping vegetables, boiling rice, and making simple dishes.
    • I loved experimenting with different ingredients and flavors.
    • I would often help my mom while she was cooking and gradually learned to prepare meals on my own.
    • It was exciting to create something tasty from scratch.
    • My favorite dishes to make were pasta, fried rice, and homemade pizzas.
    • I followed recipes from cookbooks and online videos. I’d try new recipes every week and enjoyed the process of making something delicious.
    • I also liked baking cakes.
    • Baking allowed me to be creative and share the cakes with my family and friends.
    • Cooking wasn’t just about making food; it was a way to bond with my family.
    • We would cook together on weekends, sharing stories and laughter while preparing meals.
    • Learning to cook taught me patience and responsibility.
    • I learned about food safety, how to handle kitchen tools, and the importance of cleanliness.
    • Whenever guests came over, I would cook for them.
    • Their compliments boosted my confidence and encouraged me to keep improving my cooking skills.
    • Cooking became a skill I treasured as a teenager.
    • It was more than just a hobby; it was a way for me to express myself and bring joy to others through delicious meals.
  • Describe a person who is good at making people feel welcome

    Question – Describe a person who is good at making people feel welcome in his/her home.
    You should say:
    – Who this person is
    – How you knew him/her
    – How he/she makes you feel welcome
    – And explain how you feel about this person.

    • My aunt, Mohini, stands out as a master at creating an exceptionally warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone in her home.
    • Throughout the time I’ve known her, she has consistently embodied the highest standards of hospitality.
    • The moment you step into her residence, she welcomes you with an authentic smile and a sincere greeting.
    • With a unique talent, she ensures that everyone feels special and appreciated.
    • Attentive to the smallest details, she not only offers refreshments upon arrival but also ensures comfortable seating and addresses every guest’s needs.
    • What sets my aunt apart is her effortless ability to connect with people.
    • An adept conversationalist, she eagerly listens to your experiences while sharing her own stories.
    • She goes the extra mile to include everyone in conversations, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
    • I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have such an extraordinary aunt who epitomizes the true spirit of hospitality.
    • Her warmth and kindness transform each visit to her home into a delightful experience.
    • She cultivates an environment that encourages laughter, bonding, and the creation of cherished memories.
    • Through her genuine care and welcoming demeanor, she not only makes her home inviting but also leaves a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to visit.
    • I deeply admire and respect her exceptional ability to make people feel truly at home.

  • Describe something that you picked up that was thrown by

    Question – Describe something that you picked up that was thrown by someone else.
    You should say:
    – Where was it?
    – When it was picked up?
    – What did you do after you picked it up?
    – How did you feel?

    • Every weekend, I join friends in the nearby park for games.
    • Last sunny Sunday, amidst swings and fun, I noticed a boy littering with a plastic bottle near a bench.
    • Motivated to address the litter, I picked up the bottle and headed to the nearby dustbin, contributing to park cleanliness.
    • Despite being a small gesture, I approached the 10-12-year-old boy, emphasizing the wrongness of littering.
    • His mother, witnessing the interaction, saw him correct the mistake by disposing of the bottle in the dustbin.
    • As he smiled in acknowledgment, I felt satisfied with the impact of my small intervention.
    • Friends observed, smiled, and we continued playing, proud of doing the right thing.
    • Reflecting on my parents’ lessons on environmental cleanliness, small actions like picking up trash were recognized for their significant impact.
    • Caring for our surroundings is crucial, and I hope everyone plays a part in maintaining clean parks and streets.
    • Every small effort contributes to a cleaner and healthier environment.
  • Describe a film you watched or describe a film that impressed

    Question – Describe a film you watched or describe a film that impressed you a lot.
    You should say:
    – When and where you watched it?
    – What was the movie about?
    – Why you chose to watch it?
    – How you felt about it?
    – and explain why it made you think a lot?

    • I’ve watched numerous movies in my life, but one that left a lasting impression on me is ‘Pihu.’
    • This true-story-based film was discovered on Netflix during a brief browsing session for something to watch.
    • Watching it alone, I found it so engrossing that I couldn’t shut down my laptop until the end.
    • The movie revolves around a 2-year-old girl left alone with her mother, who has tragically taken her own life after a marital dispute.
    • Pihu, unaware of the situation, repeatedly tries to wake her sleeping mother, creating a tension-filled narrative.
    • The emotional impact of the film lingered in my thoughts for days, especially upon learning that it was based on a true incident.
    • Aside from the poignant storyline, the film delves into issues faced by married couples and emphasizes the importance of communication.
    • Remarkably, the entire movie features a 2-year-old child in the main role, making it a unique filmmaking challenge.
    • Recognized with awards, including Best Film in Morocco and as the opening film at the International Film Festival of India in 2017, ‘Pihu’ has received widespread acclaim.