Cue cards May - August 2015Published on Monday, 11 May 2015 18:41 | Written by Kiran Makkar | Hits: 860

1. Describe a friend whom you think could be a good leader

Follow ups

1. In your culture, what kind of people can be leaders?2. Has there been a change in the characteristics a leader should have?3. Many women are earning more money now. Does it mean they can be goodleaders?

2. Describe a situation that others didnt tell you the whole truth

What the situation was

Who was involved

Why they didnt tell you the whole truth

Explain how you felt when you found out that you were not told the whole truth

Follow ups

1. On what occasions do white lies happen?2. Does lying help people feel less embarrassed?3. Should friends be honest with each other all the time?4. Do you think lying is a crime?5. Can you give us some examples of the lies you have told?6. Do you think people should lie to their colleagues at work?7. Should husband and wife lie to each other?

3. Describe something you really want to buy in the future.

What it is?

When will you buy it?

Explain why do you want to buy it.

Follow ups:

1. Where do young people in your country like to go shopping?

who this friend ishow you first methow other people behave towards him or herExplain why you think he could be a good leader

2. How has the way people buy things changed?

3. Compare online shopping websites in India to those in other countries.

4. What do you think of advertisements?

5. What kind of advertisements are the most effective?

6. Do you think companies these days spend too much money on

advertisements?

4. Describe a movie you would like to watch again.

What was it about?

When and where did you watch it?

Who you watched it with?

Explain why you would like to watch it again.

Follow ups:

1. Why do fewer and fewer people go to cinema?

2. Do you prefer to watch a movie at home or in a cinema?

3. What would you do if you couldnt understand the language in a foreign film?

4. Do people of different ages in you country watch different kinds of movies?

5. Describe a vehicle you would like to buy or own.

What kind of vehicle is it?

What does it look like?

Why would you like to own it?

Explain why you would prefer this means of transport.

Follow ups:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of public and private

transportation?

2. What are the advantages to society of having more people using mass

transportation?

3. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of using mass transport.

4. Why do some people have to travel a long distance everyday to get to work?

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in center of a city and

living in the suburbs of a city?

6. Do you think that government should control the number of private cars that

are on the roads?

7. Should it be the responsibility of the government or of individuals to limit the

number of cars that are in use?

6. Describe a family member you would like to work with.

Who this person is?

What kind of person he or she is?

Whether youve worked together before?

Explain why you would like to work with this person (more than your other family

members).

Follow ups:

1. What is a common family business in India?

2. What are the benefits of working in big companies?

3. Why do some people say we shouldnt work for the same company for too

long?

7. Describe a long journey/short trips you would like to make again.

Where you went?

Who you went with?

What you did during the trip?

Explain why you would like to make the trip again.

Follow ups:

1. What do you do before you start your journey?

2. Do you prefer travelling on your own or with your friends?

3. How do you usually plan your trips?

4. Do you like long journeys?

5. Do you always like to visit a place you have been to again?

8. Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved.

What is it?

When you first had this ambition?

Why you had this ambition?

Explain why you havent achieved it as yet.

Follow ups:

1. Do you think children should have ambitions?

2. Do you think parents should stop children from thinking too big?

3. Whats the importance of having an ambition?

4. What are the advantages of feeling ambitious towards work?

9. Describe an interesting website youve visited

When you visited it?

How you first got to know about this website?

What the website is about?

Explain why you think it is interesting

Follow ups:

1. What useful things have you learnt from the internet so far?

2. Why do young people prefer the internet to books when they want to learn

things?

3. Would online libraries replace real libraries?

4. What are the benefits of having online libraries?

5. What do you think about websites like Facebook?

10. Describe something interesting you learnt from the internet

What did you learn?

What website you learnt it from?

How did you learn it?

Explain why you found it interesting

Follow ups:

1. How has the internet changed in your country?

2. What would happen if the internet didnt work in your country?

3. Would libraries disappear in the future?

4. Why is Twitter popular in India?

5. Do you think information from Twitter is more valuable than from other

sources?

11. Describe an unusual building youve visited

Where is it?

What is it used for?

What does it look like?

Explain why you think it is unusual?

Follow ups:

1. Do buildings need to look the same?

2. Do you prefer traditional architecture or modern architecture?

3. Do you prefer tall or short buildings?

12. Describe a time when you got lost

You should say:

When and where it happened?

Who was there with you?

How you felt when you got lost?

Explain how you eventually found your way?

Follow ups:

1. Why do some people get lost easily but others dont?

2. Is digital map important?

3. Would people rely more on digital maps?

4. Why do people like travelling?

5. What kind of preparation do people need to do?

6. How do you find your way in an unfamiliar place?

7. If you got lost, and didnt have a map, what would you do?

8. What kind of problems do people face while travelling?

13. Describe a historical building in your country/hometown.

You should say:

Where this building is?

How do you about this building?

What is it like?

Explain why is it important to your hometown/country.

Follow ups:

1. Do you think we should repair old buildings?

2. How can more people be attracted to visit historical places?

3. How can historical buildings be protected?

4. Which is the most important historical building in your country?

14. Describe a time or a situation when you helped someone

What was the situation?

Who was the person?

How did you help them?

Explain how you felt after helping them.

Follow ups:

1. Do you like helping others?

2. In your view, should children be taught to help others?

3. How can we encourage children to help others?

4. Do you think people are less willing to help others these days, as compared

to in the past? (Why/Why not?)

5. Do people today trust others as much as they used to in the past?

6. How do people in your community help each other?

7. How do students, such as high school students, help each other?

8. How can (or do) charitable organizations help people?

9. What are some examples of such organizations in your country?

10. What do you think are the benefits of having unpaid volunteer workers?

11. How do think the volunteers themselves benefit?

12. Should professionals be hired, rather than using volunteer workers?

13. Do you think international aid(e.g. from one countrys government to

another) is important?

14. Can you give any examples of international aid?

15. Do you think that all countries should come together to help solve some of

the big problems they have?

15. Describe a project that you were once involved in (for example, aproject at work or a homework assignment at school or university)

the topic of this project or homework

Follow ups

1. Are there many different subjects available in your school

2. Do you think students at high school should learn many different things?

3. How do you think the school curriculum in India might change in the next 20

or 30 years?

4. How do you think school lessons could be made more interesting for

students?

5. Do you think (high school) classes in India are too big?

6. Tell me about the typical homework you had to (have to) do in high school.

7. Do you think students in India have too much homework? (Why do you say

that?)

8. Do you think homework is necessary (or, important)? (Why? Why not?)

9. How do you think modem science and technology has influenced education

today in India?

10. Do you think using examinations is a good way to educate people?

11. Is there much cheating in examinations in India? What is the status of

school teachers in India?

12. Do you think it's important (or, necessary) for children to go to school to be

educated or is it possible for a child to be educated at home, without attending

a school?

13. Why do some parents prefer home schooling for their children?

16. Describe a pleasant surprise you had

- when and where it happened

- who gave you the surprise

- why they gave you the surprise

- explain how you felt about it

Follow ups

1. Do Indian people like surprises?

2. Do you always get excited by surprises?

3. Can people learn how to be happy?

4. How do Indian people think of money?

5. Would you be happy when you dont buy anything while shopping?

when and where you did the project

what research or preparation you did

how difficult this task was

how much time you spent on this project or assignment

and explain what you learned from this experience

6. Is happiness important?

7. Is happiness important to those who are very rich?

8. How do people in your country express their happiness?

17. Describe a place near water (such as a river, lake or the ocean) thatyou enjoyed visiting:

Where was this place?

What did you do at this place?

Who went there with you?

Explain why you liked this place.

Follow ups:

1. Why do so many people like going to places near water, such as lakes, rivers

or oceans?

2. What kind of leisure activities do people like to do, in places like the ocean,

at the beach, river, lake etc.

3. As a place to spend leisure time, do you think a beach or seaside is more

suitable for children or old people?

4. Do you think children and old people do the same type of things when they go

to a beach?

5. What kind of activities would you do, if you were spending leisure time at a

beach or near the ocean?

6. Why do some people like water sports?

7. Do you think government should invest money in developing facilities for

water sports?

8. Do you think that human activity is posing a threat to the oceans of the

world?

9. How important is water in peoples everyday lives?

10. What do you think are the advantages or disadvantages of traveling on the

ocean?

18. Describe a situations when you received some useful advice.

Follow ups:

1. In what situations do young people or children need advice?

2. Do you think advice from young peoples parents is important?

What the situation was

Who gave you the advice

Was the advise useful

Explain how this advice was useful to you

3. What is the value of advice from older people?

4. What advice do parents usually give to their children?

5. Do young people always take (or accept) the advice of their parents?

6. Which advice do you think is more important (or better), advice from parents

or advice from friends?

7. Do you think it's part of a teachers job (i.e., one of the responsibilities of

being a teacher) to give advice to his or her students?

8. Do people ever get advice from strangers?

9. Why do some people give advice to strangers?

10. What people in society give professional advice?

19. Describe a piece of good news you heard from the TV or internet

- what the news was about

- when you got the news

- where you got the news

- explain why you think it was a piece of good news

Follow ups:

1. How do people in your country get news?

2. Do you think children should start watching news from a young age?

3. What kinds of news do Indians like?

20. Describe a subject you didnt like before but have interest in now

- what it was

- when you studied the subject

- why you didnt like it before

- explain why you have interest in it now

Follow ups:

1. Do you think teachers have a great influence on students studies?

2. Is interest important for students?

3. How can interest in school subjects be developed?

4. How to learn English in a fun way?

5. Do you think students should spend time on one subject or spend equal time

on all subjects?

6. How can one become a good teacher?

7. Do you like to learn from the internet?

8. Do you learn from TV?

21. Describe a park/garden you visited that impressed you.

You should say:

The name of this garden/park

Where was it?

What did it look like?

What people did (or, were doing) there?

Explain how you felt about this garden.

Follow ups:

1. Are public gardens very important in India?2. Are there many public gardens in India?3. Do you think there are enough public gardens in your hometown?4. What do you think are the benefits of having gardens in the city?5. Why do people who live in cities like public gardens?6. Do you think governments should provide public gardens for people to visit?7. Do you think the government should spend more money on public gardens forthe cities or for villages and small towns in the countryside?8. Do these gardens play the same role for old and young people?9. Do you think these gardens are more important for old people (e.g. retiredpeople) or for young(er) people?

10. Do you think its more important to have public facilities, such as gardensand parks, for young people or is it more important for old people?

11. Do you think gardens have any value for children?

12. Do you think gardens are more important for children to see and play in?

13. Which do you think is more important public gardens or private gardens?

14. Do they prefer to grow flowers or vegetables?

15. If you had your own personal garden, which would you prefer to grow vegetables or flowers? Why?

16. What do people in India prefer to do in the outside parts of their home, forexample, on their balcony or in their backyard?

22. Describe a restaurant you like (to go to)/ that impresses you.

You should say:

Where this restaurant is?

What type of food the restaurant has?

Why do you go tot his restaurant?

Explain why do you like this restaurant/why this restaurant impresses

you.

Follow ups:

1. What are some reasons why people eat out?

2. Does it give people more status to eat in a restaurant rather than to eat at

home?

3. Do people now go to restaurants more than before? Why?/Why not?

4. Do you prefer to eat in a restaurant or at home?

5. Whats the difference between eating at home and eating in a restaurant?

6. Is there any difference between home-cooked food and food in restaurants?

7. Which food do you think is healthier- restaurant food or home-cooked food?

8. How would you introduce a foreigner to the food and the food culture in (from)

your country?

9. In your opinion, what is a healthy diet?

10. What are some examples of unhealthy diet?

11. Do you think children should learn how to cook?

12. How should (or, could) a person teach a child to cook?

13. When buying food (such as in a supermarket or food market), what do you

think people (need to) pay attention to?

23. Describe a special toy you had in your childhood

- What it was

- Who gave it to you

- How often you played with it

- Why it was special for you

Follow ups:

1. Compared with the toys that children play nowadays, is there any toy you did

not have when you were young?

2. Do you think children should play with hi-tech toys?

24. Describe a happy family event from your childhood that you rememberwell

- What the event was

- When and where it was

- When and where it happened

- What you saw or did

- Explain why you remember the event so well

Follow ups:

1. Describe a typical family in your country2. What is the role of mother and father in your family?3. At what age young people in India are considered adults?4. How can we help children to become mature?5. Is it good to have only one child?6. Do you think teenagers should start working early to make money for theirfamilies?

25. Describe a childhood song you remember well

- Where you first heard this song

- How old were you when you first heard it

- What it was about

- And explain how you feel now when you hear this song

Follow ups:

1. What kind of music do different age groups in India like?2. Why do people of different ages like different music?3. Is it OK to play loud music in public places?4. Do you think music can be a source of pollution?5. When people get older, will they like the same music as they liked inchildhood?6. What can people learn from songs?

26. Describe a place you went to that was full of colour

- Where it was

- Why you went there

- What you did there

- Explain why you think that place was made so colourful

Follow ups:

1. What colours are least popular in your country?

2. Would these colours become popular in the future?

3. What was the most popular colour last year?

4. How do colours affect peoples mood?

5. What colours are mostly seen for buildings in India?

6. What colour is suitable for offices?

7. How differently do men and women look at the same colour?

8. Is there any change in the use of colours in the present and in the past?

9. Do colours make a difference in the advertisements?

10. What colours are suitable for formal occasions?

11. Do business people need to wear dark clothes?

27. Describe a time you were friendly to someone you did not like

- When and where it happened

- Who he or she was

- Why you didnt like this person

- Explain why you were friendly to him on that occasion

Follow ups:

1. How should parents teach their children good manners?

2. Whats the difference between being polite and being friendly?

3. How do you get along with your friends?

4. Are people in your country friendly to foreigners?

5. Should children be punished, if they are rude to other family members?

28. Describe an exciting sport you know

- What the sport is

- How do you know about it

- Is it difficult

- Explain why you think it is exciting

Follow ups:

1. What do you think of extreme sports?

2. Should governments ban dangerous sports for young people?

3. Would you encourage young people to do these sports?

4. What kind of ball games do Indian people like to do?

5. What kind of sports can people in your country watch on TV

6. Are there many TV programs about sports in your country?

7. Do you think these programs can help people play sports more often?

8. Why do people play extreme sports?

9. Why cant government stop people from playing dangerous sports?

10. What is the difference between professional athletes and amateur athletes?

29. Describe something you do to (help you) stay healthy.

Follow ups:

1. Is staying healthy an important question (or topic) in your country? Is it really

so important to stay healthy?

2. What activities do people in your country do in order to maintain their health?

3. Do you think elderly people (e.g. > 65) pay more attention to staying healthy

than young(er) people? (Why? How?)

4. What do elderly people do in order to stay healthy?

5. Would you say modern life creates stress in people?

6. Do you think that exercise is the best way to stay healthy, or is paying

attention to one's diet the best way?

7. Do men and women generally do the same things to stay healthy?

8. Is there much difference between the exercise that men do and the exercise

that women do?

9. Would you say food safety is an important health issue?

10. What is the government doing about food safety?

11. Do you think the best way would be to promote health awareness in

schools?

12. Did you learn anything in school about healthy living?

13. Do you think that employers (or, companies) should encourage their

employees to (do things to) stay healthy?

14. How do you suggest this could be done?

30. Describe an occasion when you got up extremely early.

When did this happen?

what you do

when you started doing this

how much time you spend doing this (or, how often you do this)

and explain what benefits you get from this activity or explain how this

activity helps you stay healthy.

What you needed to do that day?

Who were you with?

How you felt about getting up early on that day?

Follow ups:

1. Who usually gets up early- young people or old people?

2. Will working till late at night, influence the next days work?

3. Do young Indians stay up till late at night?

4. Is it easy to get up early for you?

5. What do you do to guarantee a good sleep?

6. Can you sleep well if there is noise around?

31. Describe an educational trip you went on.

Where was this place?

What did you do at this place?

Who did you go with?

Explain why you thought this trip was educational?

Follow ups:

1. What kinds of educational trips do you have in India?

2. Whats the role of the teachers in these kinds of trips?

3. Why do some parents want their kids to study at home?

4. Do you think homeschooling will be popular in the future?

32. Describe an educational TV program that you have seen.

What the program is about/What the program is?

How often do you watch or listen to this program?

What types of people enjoy this program?

Explain why this program is educational.

Follow ups:

1. Please compare TV and radio programs (Differences & similarities/

Advantages/Disadvantages)

2. What types of TV programs are most popular in India? Why?

3. How are TV programs in India today different from those of the past (e.g. 20-

40 years ago)?

4. Do you have 24-hours television in India?

5. In the future what changes do you think we will see concerning television?

6. In general, how does TV affect (or influence) people?

7. Do you think there is anything bad (or negative) about (some) TV programs?

8. Do you think violent cartoons can have an adverse effect on young children?

33. Describe a paid job you ever did or someone you know ever did.

What the job was?

How did you/this person find the job?

How long did you/this person keep this job?

How do you feel about this job?

Follow ups:

1. Is it hard to find a good job in India?

2. What kinds of preparation should people do for a job interview?

3. Why do some people keep changing their jobs?

4. What should a good employer do?

5. Would you like to work on weekends?

6. How would you define a good job?

34. Describe a time when you felt surprised to meet someone.

When did this happen?

Who this person was?

What did you do together on that day?

Explain why you thought it was a surprise to meet this person?

Follow ups:

1. Who do you like to be friends with?

2. Do you think its necessary to hang out with friends regularly?

3. Is it safe to make friends on the internet?

4. Do parents in your country teach their children how to make friends?

5. Why do some people get distant from their friends?

6. Whats the most important thing people can learn from their friendship?

35. Describe something that you want to learn more.

What is it?

How would you learn it?

Where you can learn it?

Explain why you want to keep learning it?

Follow ups:

1. Can you suggest a way that people can study together?

2. Do you think governments should pay for old people to learn something?

3. Why do people give up their hobbies?

4. What are the difficulties that people may have to continue to learn

something?

5. What do you think of online learning?

6. Do you think learning materials on the internet are reliable?

36. Describe a team that you have been a part of.

When this team was formed?

Who was on the team?

What did you do together?

Explain why you became a part of the team?

Follow ups:

1. Do you think group activity is good for children?

2. What kinds of children do not like teamwork?

3. How would you select a team leader?

4. What do you think of leadership?

5. Have you ever led a team?

6. If you were a leader and your teammates didnt respect you, what would you

do?

37. Describe an indoor game that you liked to play when you were a child.

What the game was?

When, where and with whom you usually played it?

How you played it?

Explain why you still remember this game or you liked this game?

Follow ups:

1. What is the most popular game for children in India?

2. What kinds of indoor games do girls/boys like?

3. What kinds of outdoor games did you like to play when you were young?

4. What benefits do people get from playing games?

5. What are the advantages of computer games?

6. Do you think children should play group games more often?

38. Describe a special trip you would like to go in the future.

Where this place is?

Who would you like to go with?

What would you do there?

Explain why this would be a special trip?

Follow ups:

1. Are there any special places for visiting in India?

2. Do Indian people like to travel abroad?

3. How can people benefit from travelling?

4. Do you like to travel on you own or with your family?

5. Do you like to visit popular places or less-known places?

39. Describe a person who can speak a second language

who this person is

what language this person can use

how often this person uses this language

explain why this person can master this language

Follow ups

1. What is the most difficult language to learn in the world?

2. What are your English learning methods?

3. Is it important to learn a foreign language?

4. Has the way people learn a language changed compared to the past

5. How to learn a language if you dont live in a native language environment?

40. Describe a time a child did something that made you laugh

When this happened

Who this child was

What the child did

Explain why it was funny

Follow ups

1. Why do some adults miss their childhood?

2. Why do children feel happy easily?

3. In general, do children in India enjoy their childhoods?

4. Do you like to watch comedy?

5. What is the best stage in life in your opinion?

41. Describe an age/stage you liked most in life

What the age/stage was

What did you like to do back then

Who you enjoyed mostly back then

Explain why you really liked that age

Follow ups

1. What are the popular things that people like to do in their childhoods?

2. When should people get married?

3. What are the things that people under 18 not do in India?

4. Is there anything people do to celebrate the start of their adulthood in India?

5. Do you think adults can be as happy as children?

42. Describe a place where you can read and write

Where this place is

How do you know this place

What do you do there

Explain why you think it is a good place for reading and writing

Follow ups

1. Who likes to read more young people or old people?

2. Why do some people dislike reading books in recent years?

3. Are there many libraries in India?

4. What kinds of books should children read?

43. Describe a picture or photograph in your family

What is in the picture

Where is the picture in your home

How this picture was taken

Explain why you think this picture is meaningful

Follow ups

1. Do you like to take pictures of yourself?

2. Do you think it is necessary for schools to open photography classes?

3. How do people in your country organize their photos?

4. Why do some people think old photos are more valuable?

5. What is the difference between traditional and digital cameras?

6. Would you take photography classes in the future?

7. Tell some interesting pictures that you have taken?

44. Describe a small and successful company you know

What is the company called

How did you know this company

What kind of business this company does

Explain why you think this company is successful

Follow ups

1. What factors can affect a companys development?

2. Would you work for a small but successful company in the future?

3. Is it hard to run a company in India?

4. Do you think online shopping will replace small malls in reality?

45. Describe a person you know who dresses well

Who the person is

What kinds of clothes the person likes to wear

How you know this person

Explain why you think the person dresses well

Follow ups

1. What kinds of clothes are proper for work?

2. Would you like to wear uniform to work?

3. Is it easy to buy cheap clothes in India?

4. Do young Indians shop on the Internet?

5. Do you like to go shopping on your own or with friends

6. Should parents buy their children expensive clothes?

46. Describe a change that will improve your local area

What the change is

How the change works

What kinds of problems the change will solve

How you feel about the change

Follow ups

1. Do changes always lead to a positive result?

2. How has your hometown changed in the past ten years?

3. Why is it difficult for some people to make a change in their lives?

4. Are there any changes you want to make this year?

5. Do you think governments should spend more money in making a city more

beautiful?

6. What are the disadvantages of people knowing each other in a small village?

47. Describe a place that can be good to relax ( not home)

Where this place is

What it is like

How do you spend time there

Explain why you think it is a good place to relax

Follow ups

1. How do people in India relax?

2. Why do some students think it is hard to relax even in a cinema

3. What should employers do to help their employees relax?

4. Is relaxation important for students?

5. Which place is better for relaxing indoor or outdoor place

48. Describe a gift for others that took you a long time to choose

What it was

Who you gave it to

How you chose it

Explain why you spent a long time choosing it

Follow ups

1. How do you usually choose gifts for people?

2. Do you think it is better to choose a useful gift?

3. How to choose a gift for people who already have a lot of things?

4. Have you ever received a gift you did not like?

49. Describe a time you and your friend had a disagreement

When this happened

Who you disagreed with

What you and your friend argued about

Did you solve the argument in the end

Follow ups

1. How do you usually feel when others disagree with you?

2. Do you like to hear different opinions?

3. Do schools in India teach critical thinking?

4. How should young people communicate with old people?

5. Are you a person who often disagrees with others?

6. Why do we sometimes feel that a chat will be boring if there are only

agreements?