Describe an interesting conversation you had with very old person: IELTS Exam Cue Card

Bhargavee Sisodia

24 Jun 2024

Describe an interesting conversation you had with very old person: IELTS Exam Cue Card

Are you willing to make your dream of studying or working overseas a success? If you are considering moving to an English-speaking country, the IELTS test is the standard that would show your capability in using the English language as a mode of communication. After all, the IELTS exam is an internationally accepted standardized language proficiency test that measures your language ability and suggests that you can navigate through life and career in a different country.

Although the IELTS test is organized as IELTS Academic for students and IELTS General Training for working people, you need to appear for either of the two depending on your objective. Also, the IELTS speaking and listening sections are alike in both types, whereas the reading and writing sections vary.  In the IELTS examination, you will attempt reading, writing, and listening together in a single setting. For the IELTS speaking test, you can choose your slot whenever you are ready to take it. 

The IELTS speaking test would require you to indulge in face-to-face interaction. This is why you need to have a good grip on the IELTS speaking test format and enhance your fluency. In the context of this speaking test, you will be tested for specific aspects such as verbal ability, pronunciation, vocabulary, clarity in forming sentences, and grammatical usage. For the IELTS speaking part, you will get to appear for the three parts in one go, i.e. the introduction and answering questions to topics, cue card task, and discussion. 

The cue card task of the IELTS exam is often regarded as the most challenging part since you get just a minute to prepare. Among various IELTS speaking topics, you will be assigned to speak on one topic for two minutes, after which the questions follow. To ace the IELTS speaking examination, 

• You must practice IELTS exam samples, and skim through IELTS speaking topics.
• You can also pair up with a friend to attempt IELTS speaking questions.
• For your IELTS test, you must be willing to take IELTS exam preparation seriously before a few months or a year. It will help you stay acquainted with the structure and teach you how to manage time well while practicing multiple IELTS speaking topics. 

Now it is time to make you ready for the IELTS speaking test through thorough IELTS exam preparation. For the same, we are bringing a few IELTS exam samples on a significant topic that is often given as a prompt in the IELTS exam: Describe an interesting conversation you had with very old person. 

Before going through the samples, let us show how you need to prepare this topic. Play smart by breaking the topic into three or four parts. Then proceed with these:

1. Introduction:

   Firstly, a short introduction is essential to familiarize the examiner with the person you met, including who they were, where you met, and details of the context regarding the given situation. 

2. Justify your claims based on the situation or perspective. 

Then, you can focus on specifying and justifying the particular outlook by including reasons and instances to support those claims. Here you can answer the following: 

1. What was his/her experience? - Highlight the whole experience of the old person. 
2. How did this conversation stand out?- State how the conversation brought unique and fresh opinions to light. 
3. What do you feel about his/her experience? - Describe any emotion or feeling that you went through following the meeting. 
4. Why and how did it impact you? - For this, you should focus on how the conversation impressed you. Also, focus on how this meeting with the old person impacted you. 

                  3.  Conclusion: 

Try ending the monologue with a conclusion emphasizing the overall experience to show how much it meant to you. 

IELTS exam sample 1: Describe an interesting conversation you had with very old person. 

Introduction 

Sure. I would like to feature the experience I had while having an intellectual conversation with my grandfather back when I was in my teenage years. Usually, I have casual talks with my grandparents, but this time I was ready to have an intellectual conversation while enjoying my summer vacation. Little did I know that this would be so enlightening since it was about my grandfather's initiative to publish traditional books in our native language.  

What was his experience?

At a time, when traveling and accessibility were not conducive, my grandfather overtook those challenges and never cared about the setbacks. Each time he traveled across cities to meet with the editors and writing experts, it felt like a new milestone unlocked. Hardwork and perseverance mattered a lot as those took him to places. From his words, I could make out how he had a rewarding and fulfilling life because he was able to serve the purpose of edifying society through books.

How did this conversation stand out? 

Following this conversation, I became aware of how the era before technological developments posed a lot of challenges. I could comprehend the delays in his publishing process which were majorly due to the unavailability of faster communication and transportation. Despite that, he was successful in publishing around 50+ books that involved crediting authors and seeking acknowledgment. Also, it might have been such a delightful experience to meet with the concerned professionals personally, and it can never be equivalent to emails, or online meetings.

Why and how did it impact you? 

His words have been etched into my heart and soul since that day. I was not only proud but he inspired and motivated me to try my best in whatever I want to do or attain in life. He felt like a role model with a sense of purpose and a self-driven attitude who was passionate, determined, and open to learning. It also helped me find my drive to work for community upliftment. The mere thought of it has now evolved into my purpose to contribute to the environment and society through education and advocating for rights and justice.

Conclusion

My grandfather's sensible insights and honesty left me feeling humbled positively. I could also comprehend why down-to-earthiness is superior. I learned that it is wiser to stay mindful and persevere while tackling the distractions and challenges in life. I feel blessed as I could take in crucial life lessons from my grandpa's life experience. 

IELTS Exam Sample 2: Describe an interesting conversation you had with very old person

Introduction 

In spring 2021, I decided to go for charity work and spend my time in an old age home. Moreover, it was my birthday, and being a philanthropist, I chose to celebrate it with the elderly. Upon reaching there, I greeted and talked with them, but there was one old lady with whom I became close. She captivated me the most because she was the most flexible, and open-minded despite growing up in a time when the internet was not a thing. 

What was her experience?

She fascinated me when she told me that it was her intentional decision to stay at the facility even after having a home of her own. She acknowledged how in a capitalistic society, unlike the one she grew up in, the priorities become different. She remarked that her children who are working professionals hardly have a work-life balance although they are successful in their careers. Having found it difficult to get used to the dynamic, she was undaunted to live in a facility where she could enjoy companionship and quality time.

How did this conversation stand out?

I realized that it was never right to generalize that older people tend to be childlike, inflexible, or have stereotypical views. She proved to be an exemplary person who was way beyond her age in thinking and perceiving the world and relationships. With acceptance towards the changing culture and dynamics despite finding it uncomfortable, she was determined to make the best out of her life. The significant takeaway was that she was extremely happy residing there as she had companions, and she had no sense of loathing towards anything. 

Why and how did it impact you? 

To this day, I have never met an old person so calm, composed, and accommodating which made me realize that life is no misery until one makes it one. Her perspectives towards life which were practical had left an impact on my way of thinking, and perception. Her opinions imbued in me the mindset to steer my life on my own and seize what's best for me. 

Conclusion

Overall, it taught me to remain positive and hopeful for the future no matter what life throws at me. I will never forget the heartfelt conversation I had with that old lady, and this is something I will cherish forever. It was a blessing for my birthday and she happened to be my guardian angel. 

IELTS Speaking Follow-Up questions 

Question 1: Does old age make people rigid? 

Answer 1: Old age is not an excuse to say that people have turned rigid. The inflexible attitude might have always been a problem for people, but with growing age, it is seen that those who are stubborn-headed do not change their nature, and hence, the rigidity in many elderly becomes visible. 

Question 2: Is it possible for the young and old to bond over shared interests? 

Answer 2: Those young and old people who share common interests such as hobbies or specializations in any domain, tend to bond better. This can definitely help build a sustainable and strong bond even if they belong to different generations. 

Question 3: What can be taught to the older generations by the younger people? 

Answer 3: The younger generation needs to participate in teaching the necessity to adapt and stay open to change in the modern world, especially to the elderly. It is also in the hands of the younger people to familiarize them with digital skills like internet surfing, placing orders, or contacting someone. 

Conclusion

At DVIVID, our team is committed to helping you proceed with your study and work overseas plan. If you are planning to take the IELTS test,  DVIVID can be of use to help you attain excellent results within a few months. Here, we make sure that the learners and IELTS test aspirants get access to personalized help, and counseling from preparing for the IELTS test to appearing for it. For IELTS exam preparation, we offer access to IELTS practice tests and IELTS sample tests, so that your success is guaranteed.