Details

Written by IELTS Mentor

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

Describe a subject you did not like when you were at school but now you find interesting.

You should say:

• what subject it was
• how much time you spent to learn it
• why you did not like it in school

and explain why you find this subject interesting now.

[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:

Is learning the ‘history’ of the world important? The answer is “yes”. Then again, I used to always ask myself during my school years if remembering the facts about some dead people, who were only too busy killing others at every opportunity, was worth the effort and time. I have asked the same questions again and again from 6th grade to 10th grade keeping myself busy to learn the “history” of the world, only to find out that the “history” subject wasn’t exactly “my cup of tea”.

The main reason, why I didn’t exactly enjoy studying it, was because it involved a lot of memorization of some random dates while learning about Christopher Columbus “discovering” the continent of North America, even though the native Americans/ Red Indians were living there already, didn’t exactly make much sense to me. On top of that, the history class wasn’t really interactive with very little or no opportunity for active participation, which made it even more boring and tiring. As a result, I did not study it much. While some of my classmates, who grew an affection for this subject, were up to reading "history" from many different sources, I invested a little time reading anything related to history outside my syllabus.

However, as I am older now and beginning to learn about the world in an objective manner, I feel like learning history is imperative. In fact, the very reasons, for which I used to dislike “history” as a subject, seem to be rather interesting to me now. Learning history can be engaging, compelling and intriguing because, without it, we just won’t be able to learn our past in order to create the future that we would prefer.

Learning history can be really fascinating as it helps us understand our world at present as the culmination of many, many events in the past. Besides, learning history can be really interesting as it acts as a storehouse of data and information on how people and societies behave. Finally, our world has gone through many fascinating changes in the past, and we don’t understand why those changes took place, it will be just mighty difficult for us to predict any event that is supposed to happen in the future.

Model Answer 2:

One subject that I initially struggled with in school but now find fascinating is mathematics. Despite my early challenges and frustrations with the subject, my perspective on mathematics has evolved over time, leading me to develop a newfound appreciation for its beauty and significance. I'd like to thank you for the opportunity and time to explain this changing perspective of mine about mathematics.

During my school years, mathematics was a subject that often left me feeling perplexed and overwhelmed. The abstract concepts, complex equations, and intricate problem-solving techniques seemed daunting and inaccessible, leading me to approach the subject with apprehension and reluctance. I struggled to grasp the underlying principles and often found myself struggling to keep up with the pace of the lessons.

In school, I dedicated significant time and effort to studying mathematics, often seeking extra help from teachers and tutors to improve my understanding. Despite my efforts, I found it challenging to connect with the material and struggled to see its relevance to my everyday life. 

My dislike for mathematics during school stemmed from a variety of factors. Firstly, the abstract nature of mathematical concepts made it difficult for me to visualize and comprehend the underlying principles. Additionally, the emphasis on rote memorization and formulaic problem-solving techniques left me feeling uninspired and disengaged from the subject. I struggled to see how mathematics applied to real-world scenarios, which further hindered my motivation to learn.

Despite my initial challenges with mathematics, my perspective on the subject began to shift as I explored its applications in various fields and disciplines. I discovered that mathematics serves as the foundation for many scientific, technological, and engineering advancements, playing a crucial role in solving complex problems and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. Moreover, I came to appreciate the elegance and beauty of mathematical concepts, from the simplicity of basic arithmetic to the intricacy of advanced calculus and beyond. Through self-directed study and exploration, I gained a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of mathematical principles and their relevance to diverse areas of study. Through perseverance, exploration, and a willingness to embrace its challenges, I have developed a newfound love for mathematics, which continues to inspire me in my academic and professional pursuits.

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

• Prev
• Next