Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe an important email you wrote to someone - Cue Card # 807
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe an important email you wrote to someone.
You should say:
- when it was
- whom you sent this email
- what it was about
and explain why this email was so important.
[Instruction: 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:
Introduction:
I believe that writing emails is an essential skill in this technology-driven era, and most of us use emails in our daily lives. Recently, I had to write an email to my professor, Dr. Rachel, which was very important for my academic career. Before telling you about this important email that I wrote, I would like to thank you for the time and chance to allow me to talk about this topic.
When it was:
I wrote this email a few weeks ago when I was working on my research paper. I had some doubts and needed guidance from my professor to proceed further.
Whom you sent this email:
I sent this email to my professor, Dr. Rachel, who is an experienced academician in the field of political science. She is known for her research work and has guided many students to excel in their respective fields.
What it was about:
In my email, I explained my doubts and requested her to provide me with some guidance to proceed with my research paper. I shared my progress so far and asked her for her valuable feedback on my work. I also asked her if she could spare some time for a one-on-one meeting to discuss my research paper in detail.
And explain why this email was so important:
This email was essential for me because I was stuck with my research paper, and I needed guidance from an expert to proceed further. Dr. Rachel's feedback was crucial for me to improve my work and make it more relevant. Her insights and suggestions helped me to see the research topic from different perspectives, which made my research paper more comprehensive and insightful. Additionally, her guidance helped me to boost my confidence and prepare for my final submission.
Model Answer 2:
I frequently write emails in order to communicate with my family, friends and relatives. Of course, most of these emails are [/were] pretty normal in terms of their contents and substances. But, today, I would like to talk about an email which I thought was very important.
I wrote it about 3 years ago when I was a final-year university student. At that time, one of my younger cousins also wanted to study at my university since it is one of the best and most prestigious universities in my country, especially, when it comes to studying engineering. But, the problem was that my poor cousin didn’t really meet the standard academic requirements at that time which would allow him to secure admission at my university. Of course, he was also quite aware of his rather “mediocre”, past academic performance, but he would still hope to get admission at that university because he was a good athlete.
In other words, he wanted to get admission in the “sports” quota even though I told him not to have such high hopes of securing that admission because, after all, the competition to study at my university was very high. But, I still held my hope and applied to the university, on behalf of my cousin, only to find out that he – my cousin that is – wasn’t after all eligible to study at my university. So, I just wrote him an email, later on, explaining to him as best and objectively as I possibly could. After all, I didn’t really want him to feel sad and heartbroken.
Now, even though I wasn’t sure how he exactly reacted to my email, I was sure about one thing - it was an important email because it would motivate him (or “force” him, rather) to decide on his next course of actions, as far as his academic future is concerned. It was an important email also because it would encourage him to try even harder and become more competitive, in order to pursue his academic dream as well as his dream career.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
The email is definitely a marvellous invention and has revolutionised the way we communicate. Its use is ubiquitous, and the modern world would cease to exist without this technology. To give an example, more than 400 billion (yes, that's correct) emails are sent every day, and an average office worker receives more than 120 emails a day excluding spam emails. This topic reminds me of a very important email that I wrote to someone a couple of months ago.
When it was:
This important email that I'm talking about was sent by me in mid-October, six months ago - to be exact. After much consideration, I started writing this email at around 11:00 at night and it took me no less than an hour to finish writing it and then hit the "send" button.
Whom you sent this email:
I wrote this email to my younger sister - Bella, who was struggling to decide whether to pursue her higher education in our homeland or take the opportunity that she has been offered at a prestigious UK university.
What it was about:
Before telling you what it was about, I think I should first explain why I wrote this email instead of talking to her in person. Well, the first reason was that I was living in a faraway city from our hometown at that time, and the second reason was that I thought writing to her would allow me to express my thoughts and opinions in a more organised manner. Well, I wrote to persuade her to take the opportunity to complete her higher education in the UK and not to worry about our parents at all. I also assured her that as soon as she would move to the UK for her education, I'd move to our hometown to stay with our parents.
And explain why this email was so important:
I think it was an important email because it helped me unload some of my burning thoughts about my plans, my parents and my younger sister's academic career. I was already hesitant about whether to live close to my parents or continue a job in a distant city. When my sister was indecisive about her plans, I helped her take the best course of action for her future while also taking on some responsibilities for my family.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When talking about important emails you have written, it’s crucial to focus on both the content and the reason why the email was significant. Below are several ideas that can help you structure your response and include personal details to make it engaging and clear.
1. Job Application Email:
This email was sent last year when I applied for a position at a well-known company. I sent the email to the hiring manager with my resume and cover letter attached. The purpose was to express my interest in the job and to highlight my qualifications. The email was important because it was my first step toward securing a new career opportunity, and I wanted to make a positive impression with my professionalism and attention to detail.
2. Important Request for a Meeting:
I sent this email to my boss last month requesting a meeting to discuss a potential project. I had to be clear and concise in explaining why the meeting was important and what we would cover. The email was important because it was a pivotal moment in advancing a project I had been working on, and it set the stage for the next phase of the project.
3. Thank You Email After a Job Interview:
This email was written after a job interview I had with a tech company. I sent it to the recruiter thanking them for the opportunity and reiterating my enthusiasm for the position. This email was significant because it helped me leave a positive impression and showed my professionalism and appreciation for their time.
4. Email to Resolve a Miscommunication:
This email was sent to a colleague with whom I had a misunderstanding during a project. I had to address the issue respectfully and propose a solution to clear up the confusion. The email was important because it allowed me to restore a good working relationship and avoid further misunderstandings, ensuring the project continued smoothly.
5. Email to a Friend for a Special Occasion:
I sent an email to a close friend last year for their birthday, sharing my wishes and reflecting on memories we had together. I included personal stories and expressed my gratitude for their friendship. This email was important because it deepened our bond and made my friend feel appreciated on a special day.
6. Email to Request Information for Travel:
I sent this email to a travel agency when I was planning a trip to Europe. I asked for details about their packages, itineraries, and accommodations. This email was crucial because it helped me plan my vacation and ensure that I would get the best deals on my trip, making it an essential part of the planning process.
7. Email to a Mentor for Career Advice:
I sent this email to my mentor, asking for guidance on my career trajectory and seeking advice on the next steps in my professional life. This email was significant because I value my mentor’s insights, and their response helped shape my career path in ways that are still impacting me today.
8. Email to a Client for Clarification:
This email was sent to a client after a meeting to clarify the details of a project and confirm expectations. The email was vital because it helped ensure there was no confusion about what was required and ensured that both parties were on the same page moving forward with the project.
9. Email to a Family Member to Share Important News:
This email was written to my family when I moved to a new city for work. I shared my excitement, how I was settling in, and the challenges I was facing. This email was meaningful because it allowed me to keep my family informed and connected, especially since we were far apart.
10. Email to a Teacher Regarding Grades:
This email was sent to one of my professors after receiving my mid-term grades. I expressed concern about my performance and asked for guidance on how to improve in the class. This email was important because it showed my commitment to my education and my desire to excel, as well as fostering a positive teacher-student relationship.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an important email you wrote, using vocabulary that conveys the significance of the content, the formality of the communication, and the potential impact of the email can create a clear and effective response. Focusing on the purpose and the desired outcome will help explain its importance. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
A crucial communication – A very important piece of information that needed to be conveyed.
Example: It was a crucial communication regarding the upcoming project.
A formal correspondence – A written exchange that adhered to professional standards.
Example: The email served as a formal correspondence outlining the agreement.
A pivotal message – A key message that could significantly influence a situation.
Example: This email contained a pivotal message that could change the course of events.
Requesting urgent action – Asking for something to be done immediately.
Example: I sent the email requesting urgent action on the pending issue.
Confirming a significant decision – Verifying an important choice that had been made.
Example: The email was to formally confirm a significant decision.
Expressing strong interest in – Clearly stating a keen desire for something.
Example: I wrote the email to express my strong interest in the job opportunity.
Conveying sensitive information – Communicating delicate or private details.
Example: The email was used for conveying sensitive information that required careful wording.
Seeking clarification on – Asking for more details or explanation about something.
Example: I sent an email seeking clarification on several key points.
Providing essential updates – Giving necessary new information about a situation.
Example: The email was about providing essential updates on the project's progress.
Potential ramifications – Possible consequences or effects of the email's content.
Example: I understood the potential ramifications of the information I was sharing.
Setting the stage for future developments – Laying the groundwork for what might happen next.
Example: This email was crucial in setting the stage for future developments.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe an important email you wrote to someone", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a job you would like to have in the future.
2) Describe a letter you wrote to someone.
3) Describe an important email you have received.
4) Describe an email you have received lately.
5) Describe an important letter you received from someone.
6) Describe a time when you received some good news.
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