Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe your favourite item of clothing - Cue Card # 116
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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 your favourite item of clothing.
You should say:
- what type of clothing item it is
- where you got it
- how expensive it is
and explain why you like this particular clothing item.
[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:
I’m not much of a clothes horse, to be honest. As I’m not very interested in fashion, so at first, I thought this topic might be quite hard. However, I’ve thought of one. I’ll tell you what it is, when and why I bought it and why I like it so much.
The item is in itself unremarkable. It is a purple Craghoppers long-sleeved shirt. It is made of a quick-drying poly-cotton blend and the fabric has some stretchy qualities which make it easy to wear. The fabric keeps out the sun, and the design incorporates a couple of pockets, one of which has a zip so you can keep small items securely on your pockets. It is designed as a travel shirt, and to be honest, was rather expensive compared to clothes I would normally buy.
I bought the shirt online ahead of travelling to South East Asia. It was just coming out of winter in the UK, but I’d be going to a hot climate. I wanted something lightweight and comfortable to take with me. It was the wrong time of year to be browsing shops in England, they were all still full of winter clothes, so I just had to trust the description on the site that this would be a good buy, but I was nervous in case it didn’t fit or wasn’t practical. I shouldn’t have worried.
I LOVE this shirt. It is incredibly comfortable to wear, the colour suits me quite well, and even though it is designed as a travel shirt, it’s actually smart enough to wear for work if you match it with some respectable trousers (or a skirt I suppose, but I never wear skirts!). It washes brilliantly, and if you shake it out and put it on a hanger it dries crease-free within an hour or so. The hidden pocket is handy for carrying emergency cash, and I like to have a hanky with me too – there is a pocket for that as well. Because the shirt is so comfy, and much harder wearing than I expected, I wore it almost all the time on my travels. This means that the shirt is now linked to very many happy memories of places I’ve been, people I’ve met and adventures I’ve had. I wish I’d bought loads of them at the same time. I’ll be heartbroken when it eventually wears out as one day it surely must.
[ Written by - Lucy Marris | Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
Sample Answer 2:
To tell the truth, I have a number of favourite clothing items, depending on what I like to wear on what occasions and what time of the year. For example, I have a favourite clothing item for the summertime and another for the winter. But, since this is wintertime, I would like to talk about one of my favourite clothing items which I like to wear during this cold season.
This favourite clothing item is a “Blazer” that I own. Of course, we all know what a blazer really is in general, but, to be more specific, my one is a double-breasted jacket which is buttoned near the waist and ends at the bottom of the buttocks. Interestingly, this distinct piece of clothing called "Blazer" has endured for a century because it builds out the shoulders of a man while also exaggerating the trimness of his waist at the same time, and its solid lines allow the eyes to move up and down the body without actually being jarred to the right or left.
Luckily, I already have one of these clothing items, and it is made of wool, apparently because I like to wear it during the wintertime only in order to keep myself warm. By the way, a blazer can either be expensive or affordable depending on what kind of fabric it is made of. For example, if it is made from pure wool or brushed cotton, it would be expensive. But, if it is made from some kind of polyester or synthetic fabric, it would be rather affordable. So, really, its price depends on your taste in the fabrics.
I like this item of clothing, primarily because it helps me keep warm during the winter season, especially, when I am going out of my home. Besides, it is also one of those clothing items which make a man look elegant. Finally, it is one of my favourite clothing items also because it is so versatile, as I can wear it for any occasion both formally or casually with any other kind of outfit.
Idea generation for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
Below are some personal-style ideas for describing your favourite item of clothing/ piece of clothing:
1. My black leather jacket:
I bought this leather jacket from a local shop during a winter sale. It was moderately expensive, but I didn’t mind because I loved how it looked on me. I like it so much because it gives me a cool, confident vibe whenever I wear it.
2. A handmade sweater from my grandmother:
My grandmother knitted this sweater for me when I was a teenager. I didn’t pay for it, but to me, it’s priceless. I treasure it because it reminds me of her love and warmth, and it’s also incredibly cosy during winter.
3. A traditional áo dài I wore for a school event:
I had this áo dài made by a tailor for a school performance. It wasn’t very expensive, but it fit me perfectly. I love it because it represents my culture, and I felt proud and beautiful when I wore it.
4. A pair of jeans I wear all the time:
I bought these jeans at a shopping mall a year ago. They were quite affordable, but they’ve become my go-to outfit. I love them because they’re comfortable, fit me well, and match with almost anything I wear.
5. A formal blazer I wear to presentations:
I picked this blazer up at a boutique store just before a university presentation. It was a bit pricey, but worth it. I always wear it when I want to feel sharp and professional, and it boosts my confidence every time.
6. A hoodie I bought during a trip abroad:
I got this hoodie from a souvenir shop when I travelled to Japan. It wasn’t too expensive, but I wear it all the time. It’s my favourite because it reminds me of that amazing trip and keeps me comfortable every day.
7. A birthday dress from my best friend:
My best friend gave me this beautiful dress on my birthday. It was a surprise gift, so I don’t know how much it cost. I love it because it’s both stylish and meaningful to me, and I always feel special when I wear it.
8. A scarf I bought from a night market:
I found this colourful scarf at a night market while travelling with my cousins. It was really cheap, but it adds such a nice touch to my outfits. I like it because it’s unique and reminds me of that fun evening.
Model Answer 3:
There are many dresses I really like to wear, and out of those, the leather jacket that I have is my favourite. This is a brown stylish jacket that I purchased almost 2 years ago. I bought it from an expensive brand shop which mainly sells winter clothing.
After I moved to the capital city of our country around 2 years ago, I found that my winter dresses were not serving me well in terms of keeping me warm enough and keeping up with the fashion trends. So I planned to purchase a new winter dress. And I ended up buying this leather jacket. Now, it is a favourite piece of clothing that I have in my collection. I visited several shops and markets and was having a hard time finding a stylish and good-looking jacket. All of a sudden this one caught my eye and after trying it on me, I decided to purchase it.
I wear it only during the winter season, and this jacket protects me from the chilly and cold weather. I can wear it with both casual and formal dresses, and that gives me a great advantage. Besides fashion, this cloth offers utilitarian values as well. I feel comfortable in this dress, and it did not cost me a lot of money.
I don’t have a huge collection of dresses, and I do not purchase dresses that I would not wear. But sometimes I find myself in a dilemma when I purchase a dress and later on find it very ordinary. But this leather jacket was exceptional. I felt great joy after I purchased it, and still, this is the best winter jacket I have. For all those reasons this dress has become my favourite piece of clothing that I have.
Sample Answer 4:
Introduction:
Thank you very much for the topic. I’m really happy to talk about my favourite piece of clothing, something that holds not just aesthetic appeal but also sentimental value for me.
What type of clothing item it is:
The piece of clothing I’m referring to is a deep navy-blue blazer. It’s a classic single-breasted blazer with a tailored fit and subtle silver buttons, giving it a refined and elegant look. I’d say it falls somewhere between smart casual and formal, so I can dress it up or down depending on the occasion.
Where you got it:
I bought this blazer about two years ago from a boutique store in our city while I was shopping with a friend. I wasn’t actually planning to buy anything that day, but when I tried it on, it felt like it was made just for me. The store owner even made a few minor alterations to give it a more customised fit.
How expensive it is:
It was slightly on the pricier side—around 300 USD, which is quite a bit for a blazer in our country. But I consider it a "good purchase" because the quality of the material is top-notch, and it has held up really well over time. The fabric is breathable yet structured, which makes it very comfortable to wear.
Explain why you like this particular clothing item:
What I really love about this blazer is its versatility. I can wear it to formal events, and presentations, or even with jeans on a casual day out. It gives me a boost of confidence every time I wear it, perhaps because of the way it fits and how it reflects my personality—simple, classic, and polished. Also, it reminds me of the spontaneous day I bought it and the great time I had with my friend. So, it’s not just a fashion item but a piece of memory stitched into fabric.
Vocabulary for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
When describing your favourite item of clothing, it's helpful to use precise and descriptive vocabulary. This list includes moderately advanced words and phrases that will help you talk about clothing style, quality, emotional value, and personal preferences with more fluency and confidence:
Wardrobe staple – An essential piece of clothing that you frequently wear.
Tailored fit – Clothing that has been adjusted to fit the body perfectly.
Versatile – Suitable for many different situations or occasions.
Sentimental value – Emotional importance attached to an object.
Chic – Stylish and fashionable in a sophisticated way.
Well-crafted – Made with skill and attention to detail.
Figure-flattering – Designed to make someone’s body look good.
Minimalist style – Simple design with clean lines and no excessive details.
Vintage-inspired – Designed to look like something from the past.
Elegant – Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
Compliment magnet – Something that often receives praise from others.
Occasion wear – Clothing reserved for special events or formal settings.
Soft fabric – Material that feels gentle or smooth to the touch.
Monochrome – Clothing in a single colour or shades of one colour.
Statement piece – A bold or distinctive item that stands out in an outfit.
Similar Cue Card Topics:
Your ability to talk about this topic would enable you to talk about the following topics as well:
1. Describe your favourite dress.
2. Describe an item of clothing you have bought recently.
3. Describe a dress you wear occasionally.
4. Describe a traditional dress in your country.
5. Describe your favourite piece of clothing.
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