Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a time when you helped a child - Cue Card # 831
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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 a time when you helped a child.
You should say:
- when it was
- how you helped him/her
- why you helped him/her
and explain how you felt about it.
[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.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Model Answer 1:
Oh, this is an interesting topic to talk about. It reminds me of a child I helped and who is familiar to me. In fact, he lives in the same neighbourhood as me, and I see him pretty much every week, troubling the other children while playing with them at a nearby playground. In short, he was a “troublemaker”. Anyway, let me tell you what exactly happened.
It was during the mid-day on a weekend, about a year ago, and nobody else was around, and I was just casually walking back to my home after buying some groceries. But, as I was walking, I heard a “whimpering” sound, coming from somewhere around me. So, I stopped for a while and tried to find the source of the whimpering sound. Then, I noticed that the sound was coming from above a tree, just about a hundred meters away from me. I cautiously approached the tree and saw that a 6/7-year-old boy was stuck high above that tree, and that boy was none other than the “brat” from my own neighbourhood. The boy was scared to death!
For a while, I just remained baffled, trying to find out what on earth that little boy was really trying to do so high above that tree!? And how on earth, he could possibly crawl up so high above that tree!? My question was immediately answered when the boy told me that he was trying to scare other kids from above the tree by hiding himself there, and now he just didn’t know how to get down.
I understood the situation and immediately informed the emergency rescue service. Thankfully, they arrived quickly and helped the boy get down from that tree. By the way, I helped him because I just didn’t want that little boy to get sick from that “terrible fear of height”.
Anyway, after helping that child, I felt glad and relieved because I helped him avoid a fatal accident. Besides, I also felt that we shouldn’t really be mad with the unruly behaviours and activities of our children because they just don’t always know what is good and what is bad for them.
Sample Answer 2:
Introduction:
I have always believed that helping others is a rewarding experience that can bring joy and satisfaction to both the giver and the receiver. I am so lucky to be able to share an experience of an event with you when I helped a child who needed it badly.
When it was:
It was a few months ago when I was at a local park in my neighbourhood. I went there to walk for a while as part of my everyday evening exercise routine.
How you helped him/her:
As I was walking around the park, I noticed a young child who seemed to be lost and confused. He was crying and calling out for his mother, but she was nowhere to be found. I approached him and asked him if he needed help. He told me his name and said that he couldn't find his mother. I immediately took him under my care and started looking for his mother.
Why you helped him/her:
I helped the child because I felt it was my responsibility to assist him to find his mother. Moreover, seeing the child alone and crying broke my heart, and I wanted to ensure his safety and well-being. I think in such a situation, helping the child who could not find his mother was the most important thing to do.
And explain how you felt about it:
I felt a sense of responsibility and fulfilment in helping the child. It was a small act of kindness, but it made a significant impact. Seeing the smiles on his and his mother's faces when we finally found his mother was priceless, and it made me feel good about myself.
Idea generation for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
Helping a child is often a rewarding experience that brings out the best in our sense of empathy, kindness, and responsibility. Whether it’s assisting them with studies, guiding them in a tricky situation, or simply offering support, such moments often remain in our memories for a long time. Below are several ideas you can use to develop your answer for this topic. Each example includes a brief scenario that addresses all four supporting questions of the cue card/ candidate task card.
1. Helped a lost child at a shopping mall:
A few months ago, I noticed a young child crying and looking confused at a large shopping mall. I approached him, spoke gently, and took him to the customer service desk. I helped because the child seemed scared and alone. I felt proud and relieved after the child was safely reunited with his mother.
2. Tutored a neighbour’s daughter in mathematics:
Last year, I spent a few weeks helping a 10-year-old girl in my neighbourhood with her maths homework. I assisted her every evening before her exams. I offered help because she was struggling and her parents asked for support. It felt fulfilling to see her confidence grow and her grades improve.
3. Helped a child carry school materials during heavy rain:
One rainy morning, I saw a small schoolboy struggling to carry his bag and umbrella. I offered to hold his umbrella and walked him to school, which was nearby. I helped him because he looked helpless and completely drenched. I felt really good about stepping in during an inconvenient moment.
4. Helped my little cousin learn how to ride a bicycle:
During the summer holidays, I helped my 7-year-old cousin learn how to ride a bicycle. I held the bike steady and encouraged him while he tried. I wanted to help because he was eager but afraid. I was thrilled when he finally balanced on his own and we both laughed in joy.
5. Helped a child with a school project:
I recently helped a friend’s child create a model of the solar system for a school assignment. I guided her on materials, layout, and how to present it. I volunteered to help because I love science and teaching children. It felt creatively satisfying and I enjoyed working with her enthusiasm.
6. Comforted a crying child on a flight:
A few months ago, I was on a long flight when a toddler began crying non-stop. I made funny faces and played peekaboo to distract and calm him down. I did this because his parents seemed exhausted. It felt great to ease the situation and bring smiles to everyone around.
7. Helped a child with speech practice:
I helped a neighbour’s son prepare for a school speech competition. I worked with him on pronunciation and confidence-building. I helped because he was shy and needed encouragement. Seeing him perform well in front of his class made me incredibly proud and happy.
8. Donated toys to an orphanage and spent time with the kids:
On my birthday, I visited a local orphanage and donated toys, then spent the afternoon playing with the children. I helped because I wanted to do something meaningful. The joyful expressions on their faces made me feel grateful and emotionally connected to the cause.
Vocabulary for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
The words and phrases below will help you express yourself clearly and impressively in your IELTS Speaking test when describing the experience of supporting or caring for a child.
Reassure – To make someone feel less worried or fearful.
Mentor – Someone who guides or supports another person, often a younger one.
Compassionate – Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
Empathetic – Being able to understand and share another person’s feelings.
Guidance – Help or advice given to someone, especially a younger or less experienced person.
Nurture – To care for and encourage the growth or development of someone.
Instructive – Providing useful information or teaching something.
Fulfilled – Feeling satisfied and happy because of a meaningful experience.
Bond – A close connection or relationship, often between people.
Protective – Wanting to keep someone safe from harm or danger.
Kind-hearted – Having a kind and generous nature.
Delighted – Very pleased or happy about something.
Interact – To communicate or engage with someone, especially in a meaningful way.
Encouraging – Giving someone confidence or hope.
Patience – The ability to remain calm and tolerant when helping someone, especially a child.
Rewarding – Providing satisfaction or a sense of accomplishment.
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