Cue Card Sample
IELTS Cue Card Sample 48 - Describe a practical skill you have
- Details
- Written by IELTS Mentor
IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a practical skill you have.
You should say:
- what the skill is
- how often you use it
- who taught it to you
and explain how it helps you in your life.
Follow-up Questions:
- What skills are important for jobs sector in your country?
- Why students should focus on practical aspects of education than theoretical aspects?
- Why having technical skills are important?
Model Answer 1:
I love playing with computers whenever I get a chance because there are just too many things to learn about this wonderful and sophisticated machine. However, it is even better to learn how to fix or repair a computer in the process of playing with it because I actually consider it to be a great practical skill in today’s world.
Anyway, I am glad to say that I know how to repair a computer whether it has a hardware problem or software problem. Of course, when I say that I know how to fix a computer, I don’t necessarily mean that I would be able to fix all kinds of computer problems just like an expert professional quickly. Rather, all I am suggesting that I am skilled enough to try different kinds of remedies and techniques to fix a computer whether it has a problem in its network settings, video graphic card, RAM or computer cable.
By the way, there can be so many types of computer problems that it would be almost impossible to list them all. Anyway, in order to learn this skill, I have opened a computer several times to understand the physical relationships among their different parts, only to find out, of course, that I would need a lot more time to call myself an expert in this particular field. But, I am still glad that I get to use my computer repairing skill every once in a while not only to fix my own computer but also the computers of my friends and other people around me. Besides, I would also like to thank the senior computer lab assistant at my junior college who was kind enough to teach me this great practical skill.
Anyway, this skill helps me greatly because I can fix most of my computer problems on my own without spending any money most of the times. Besides, I also get some extra respect and attention at my work because of this skill, since I can use this skill to fix some of the computer problems at my work.
Sample Answer 2:
The practical skill that I have is digital / computer designing. I had a passion for designing and art in my childhood and after my father bought me a computer when I was in class 7, I started my journey towards designing.
I still remember that I started my painting on MS Paint and later on I learned 2-3 major designing software namely Photoshop and Illustrator. I took a 2-years diploma course on designing and have worked for the card, banner, poster, logo and web designing. Besides, I have learned how to build web pages after designing it.
I have gained the skill by practising a lot. I read different books on designing how to and concepts, spent numerous hours designing and learned many things from the teachers who used to take our classes. I have learned many designing aspects, tips and tutorials from different design-related websites as well.
Practice and the opportunity to work on several tasks helped me master the skill. I still need a long way to go and I am still a passionate designer. Besides my academic study, I still work on designing specifically on freelancing projects and that brings me a good amount of money.
I am sure this skill will help me do even better in the professional sector in the future.
Tips for answering this Cue Card Question:
Talk about something you know and which is helpful in some way. Usually, practical skills are handy for people to do some creative works, handy works, practical works, household works or something that adds value to your career. Some of the practical skills are mentioned below that you can talk about:
- Cooking
- Computer skill
- Woodwork skill
- Sewing skill
- Skill to create something from wood, metal, paper, cloths and other materials.
- Skill to repair vehicles, electronic devices etc.
- Painting, dancing, computer graphics designing etc.
Firstly, say the skill you have and give details of the things involved in this skill. Then say what you can do it and how you learned it. There must be someone who taught you that or maybe helped you getting better on it. Talk about this person and his/ her contribution to teaching you learning/ fine-tuning this skill.
People born with some sort of skills like singing, painting and you can also talk about it. For this scenario, talk about a family member or a teacher who helped you get better with your skill.
At the end say how this skill of yours give you advantages in your life. Usually, a special skill helps you doing particular things that ordinary people can't do. Moreover, with your skill, you would get advantages in your career and also be able to help others. Mention some points on these three issues and that would make your answer a good one.
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