Details

Written by IELTS Mentor

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

Describe a museum you have visited and liked.

You should say:

• what kind of museum it was
• when you went there
• what you saw and did there

and explain why you liked this museum.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer 1:

Some people might argue otherwise, but I would certainly like to suggest that no trip to Toronto is complete without visiting the “Royal Ontario Museum” because it happens to be the largest museum of art, world culture and natural history of Canada. The museum attracts more than one million visitors every year from all over the world, making it the most visited museum in the country.

When I visited the museum a few years ago, I felt like I was looking at a “luminous beacon” (or a lighthouse), made of steel structure with aluminium cladding and prismatic forms of glasses, from the outside as if it wanted to make a bold statement to its visitors. But, what I saw, after entering the amazing-looking museum complex, was what just blew away my mind because it was so huge inside with so many things to see, I would actually need the entire day, if not longer, to be able to see only a fraction of it.

So, I chose to use my common sense instead and decided to see only those exhibitions which were generally popular among the common visitors. Included among those exhibitions are a “granite bust of Cleopatra” (an image of an ancient Egyptian goddess), the magnificent “Paradise of Maitreya”, a mural that once adorned the wall of a Chinese Buddhist monastery, back in the days of Khubilai Khan and Marco Polo, and the bat cave (presenting bats in a simulated natural habitat to show how bats use echolocation to navigate at night). Then, I also saw a lot of dinosaur fossils and skeletons, some of which were even real and original bones, among many other collections.

Anyway, I really liked visiting this museum because it allowed me to wander around without any bar or restrictions. Of course, the layout was also great, the exhibits were all well-designed and interactive, and the information was easily absorbed. In fact, I would dare suggest that there was definitely something for everybody to see and enjoy. Finally, the exhibitions were great overall and they all came at a fair price.

Model Answer 2:

Oh, I am glad to have been given the chance and time to talk about a museum that I have visited and liked. For this topic, I'd love to talk about the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. In my opinion, it's such an incredible place! So, it's basically an ethnographic museum located in Hanoi, and it's all about showcasing the diverse cultures of Vietnam's ethnic groups.

I visited there last summer with my family, and it was such a fascinating experience. The museum is beautifully designed, with indoor and outdoor exhibition areas. We spent hours exploring the exhibits, which included traditional clothing, artefacts, tools, and even reconstructed houses from different ethnic communities.

One of the highlights for me was the outdoor section, where they have life-size replicas of traditional houses from various ethnic groups. It was like stepping back in time and getting a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam. We also watched some traditional performances and demonstrations, which were really captivating.

What I liked most about the museum was how it celebrates the diversity of Vietnam's ethnic groups and highlights their unique customs, traditions, and way of life. It's not only educational but also promotes cultural understanding and appreciation. Plus, the museum grounds are so peaceful and well-maintained, making it a great place to spend a day exploring and learning.

Sample Answer 3:

I went to Paris a few months ago and visited the Museum of Perfume, and that was a unique experience for me. The exhibits of the museum were perfumes from different eras, regions and categories. In fact, the idea of exhibiting perfumes and perfume bottles was a bit unusual to me. It was a fabulous experience, and I felt wonderful with the displays of the museum. This is a nice candidate task card topic and I am feeling lucky to have it in my share.

I went to this museum last February. The museum is located in Paris where I went to close a business deal. I got some leisurely hours to spend after a successful business meeting. So I decided to visit some of the notable places in the city and went to this museum after doing some online research. I learned that it was a private museum that began its journey in 1983. The mansion where the museum is located looks exquisite with its Napoleonic style. I instantly liked it.

Aside from the fact that the structure and design of the museum looked strikingly beautiful, the perfume collections of different ages, countries and kinds were something worth enjoying. Luckily, I got a guided tour and came to know about the history of different perfumes, their ingredients, and how they evolved. Most of the information was unknown to me, and I enjoyed what I learned.

I liked this museum as it revealed many secrets of perfumes and informed the visitors about the history of perfumes of different ages. It preserves a remarkable number of items related to perfume production and displays hundreds of perfumes. The whole idea that a museum could be dedicated to perfumes was something unique to me and that's why I enjoyed such a great and unprecedented experience.

Model Answer 4: 

Thank you very much for letting me talk about a museum where I have been to and relished my experience. In fact, whenever I visit a new city or a new country, I try to go to famous museums there to learn more about its history, culture, people and the way of life. For this topic, I would like to talk about the "National Museum of Australia", which I visited more than once and which is one of the best museums I have ever been to.

As far as I know, this museum was established in 1980, not long ago, and it is located in Acton, Australia. This museum preserves and interprets the social history of Australia and represents the people and events that have primarily shaped the country. It is a prominent witness of Australia's history. I went to visit the museum in 2012 for the first time with my father. I was merely a teenager at that time. However, I went there with some of my friends in 2019 for the second time and the memory of my visit is still fresh.

My latest visit to the museum was a fabulous experience. I learned that this is the world's largest museum in terms of its collection of Aboriginal bark paintings. It has more than 50 thousand years of indigenous heritage and prolific collections of different events in Australian history. It is a must-visit place for anyone interested in Australian history. This museum is also famous for its publications of a wide range of books, journals and catalogues besides the innovative technology it usages that have brought an international reputation for the museum.

The location of the museum is another attraction to the visiting tourists as it is situated on the Acton peninsula, and it offers a great view both from the inside and outside. I was taken aback by the splendid and memorable way it had decorated its entrance, a unique design for a museum.

Anyone will find so many reasons to like this museum and I adored it specifically for its outstanding design, use of technology and unique collections. Visiting this museum was like witnessing the past and I felt like I had been time travelling to the past. I liked it so much that I would like to visit it again someday.

Model Answer 5:

This is a wonderful topic and it reminds me of my travel to a fabulous museum a year ago. Before I share my experience with you, I'd like to thank you for the time and opportunity to let me talk about it. This was an experience of a trip to the British Museum in London. It was a splendid autumn afternoon when I ventured into this treasure trove of history and culture.

The British Museum is an unparalleled repository of human history, boasting a vast collection of artifacts spanning millennia and continents. I visited there last year during a trip to London, and from the moment I stepped through its grand entrance, I was captivated by its sheer grandeur.

As I wandered through the labyrinthine halls of the museum, I was mesmerized by the myriad wonders on display. From the towering Egyptian mummies to the exquisite Greek sculptures, each exhibit transported me to a different time and place, offering glimpses into the rich tapestry of human civilization.

One of the highlights of my visit was exploring the Rosetta Stone, a remarkable artefact that unlocked the secrets of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Standing before this iconic relic, I couldn't help but marvel at the ingenuity of our ancestors and the enduring power of human intellect.

What truly set the British Museum apart for me was its commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and dialogue. The museum's diverse collections showcased the interconnectedness of civilizations across the globe, reminding me of our shared humanity amidst the vast tapestry of history.

I feel that my visit to the British Museum was a truly enriching experience that left an indelible impression on me. Its unparalleled collection, immersive exhibits, and commitment to fostering cultural exchange make it a must-visit destination for anyone with a thirst for knowledge and a love for history.

Idea generating:

Cue Card Topic: Describe a museum you have visited and liked.

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, better known as the 'Met', is a classical place in New York City in the USA to visit. I was amazed by the stunning paintings and sculptures that the museum displayed for visitors. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

2. My visit to the Pergamon Museum in Berlin gave me the biggest surprise of my life. The museum was filled with fantastic artefacts. I wondered at the huge Altar of Zeus. In fact, I did not have any idea about it before. Finally, the Ishtar Gate of Babylon was a gem to discover.   

3. The Indian Museum in Kolkata contains some rare collections and ornaments of ancient times. It comes with six sections and contains numerous scientific and cultural artefacts. The museum was founded in 1814 and it is still a great attraction for many tourists and locals.

4. The Canada Science and Technology Museum is a wonderful place to get new ideas about science and technology. The museum has exhibitions of virtual travelling, science and so on. It also runs some educational programmes.

5. My last visit to the Acropolis Museum was awesome. The museum mostly focuses on the archaeological findings of Athens. The museum houses numerous artefacts including rocks of different ages. It was founded in 2003 and it has gained huge popularity these days.

6. The Army Museum in my country is a great place indeed to learn about the military of the country. It is located in the capital city of our country and has been in operation since 1961. The museum contains relics of the Army like old uniforms, tanks, weaponry etc.

7. The Hong Kong Science Museum exhibits the wonders of science. This is a thematic museum in Kowloon in Hong Kong. It exhibits areas for children, driving simulation, video flight etc. The museum houses around 500 exhibits.

8. The Museum of Islamic Art is located in Doha, Qatar, and it is a magnificent place where some old Islamic manuscripts are exhibited. The ceramic and metal works are impressive. Besides, the musical events of this museum are adorable.

9. My recent visit to the State Russian Museum was exceptional. It was established in 1895. The collections of the museum were taken from some other museums but the prevalence of private collections is more there.

If you can talk about this cue card topic, you should be able to answer the following topics as well:

1. Describe your favourite museum.
2. Describe a museum in your city/country.
3. Describe a museum or art gallery that you want to visit.
4. Describe a museum or art gallery which does not have an entry fee.
5. Describe a place you would like to visit again.
6. Describe a worth visiting place in your city.
7. Describe a place you went to with your friends.
8. Describe a place you would recommend to a foreign tourist to visit.
9. Describe a famous museum or gallery you have visited.
10. Describe a public place in your city. 

• IELTS Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking
• Candidate Task Card
• Speaking Part 2

• Prev
• Next