Describe Something That You Picked Up That Was Thrown By Someone Else - IELTS Cue Card

During part 2 of the IELTS speaking test, candidates are asked to share their experiences or perspectives regarding a designated subject based on a prompt. These tasks are designed to measure the speaker's fluency, self-assurance, and vocabulary range. Given the strict two-minute time limit, you must deliver a well-rounded response efficiently by focusing strictly on key points. Fortunately, each cue card provides 3 to 4 helpful prompts that you can elaborate upon.

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IELTS Cue Cards are important for several reasons:

• Cue cards hold significant weight in the overall IELTS speaking assessment. Out of the 9 total bands available in IELTS Speaking, the cue card section accounts for 4 bands.
• The cue card exercises allow examiners to gauge your command of the English language by measuring how fluently and assuredly you speak.
• It tests your ability to think within 1-minute duration.
• Your performance on the Cue Card task directly influences your speaking score. This grade plays a critical role in satisfying language proficiency criteria at prestigious universities.
• The follow-up questions required you to use a wide range of vocabulary to discuss the answer in detail.

Where was it?

There was an incident that took place at the local park in my neighbourhood. People here come for morning walks and fresh air as it has a lot of greenery.

When was it picked up?

One day I was having a walk in the park in the evening. There weren't many people around, so it was peaceful and quiet. But then, I saw something that made me sad—a plastic bottle lying on the ground.

What did you do after you picked it up?

I didn’t like seeing the litter, so I picked up the bottle and looked for the trash bin around. I didn’t find it anywhere so I carried the bottle with me. On my way, I found a dustbin and dropped the bottle there.

How did you feel?

At first, I felt upset that someone had thrown their trash on the ground. But when I picked it up and put it in the bin, I felt proud that I had helped keep the park clean. It made me realise how important it is to take care of our environment and our community spaces.

Where was it?

One day while walking in my society, I saw a broken flower pot lying on the ground. Its once-bright blossoms lay among broken pottery pieces. Due to the carelessness of someone, it was broken.

When was it picked up?

I started collecting the shattered pieces to avoid any injury to anyone. I soon picked up the broken flower pot and collected the pieces and kept it aside.

What did you do after you picked it up?

After scooping up the broken flower pot, I carefully gathered and disposed of the broken parts. I then made sure everything was tidy and safe by cleaning the surroundings. I planned to replace the pot with a new one and plant new flowers since I was determined to bring beauty back to the area.

How did you feel?

Resolved to restore the neighbourhood's beauty, I felt a mix of sadness at the damage caused by negligence and determination as I picked up the broken flower pot and cleaned the area. When I took action, I felt a sense of pride and commitment to improve the neighbourhood.

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Where was it?

During a trip to the beach with my family, I observed a pile of plastic wrappers and empty bottles spread around the shore. The beach, known for its beauty, was ruined by the garbage left behind by careless tourists.

When was it picked up?

As I walked along the sandy beach, the sight of rubbish among the natural beauty upset me. Without hesitation, I began picking up the dropped objects, determined to restore the beach to its previous cleanliness.

What did you do after you picked it up?

After gathering plenty of rubbish, I looked for nearby trash cans to dispose of it. Despite the lack of trash bins, I kept collecting litter, determined not to leave it behind. In the way, I found a dustbin and dumped all the collected litter there.

How did you feel?

At first, seeing the pollution on the lovely beach discouraged me. Yet, taking action filled me with a sense of duty and responsibility. Picking up the trash empowered me, as I knew my efforts helped preserve the natural beauty of the coastline and safeguard the marine life living there.

Where was it?

During a warm summer evening in Mumbai, I strolled along the shore of Juhu beach, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and the gentle sea breeze.

When was it picked up?

While taking in the scenic coastal views and the famous Mumbai skyline, I noticed a group of kids playing cricket on the sand nearby. Suddenly, a cricket ball landed right at my feet.

What did you do after you picked it up?

Without any hesitation, I picked up the ball and tossed it back to the excited children, who greeted me with joyful smiles and enthusiastic waves of gratitude.

How did you feel?

Despite interrupting my quiet walk, that spontaneous exchange brought me a warm sense of connection. Interacting happily with the kids stirred up nostalgia for my carefree childhood days, and I smiled at the unexpected turn of events.

Candidates must answer follow-up questions about the discussed topic after completing the cue card task. Potential questions for "Describe Something That You Picked Up That Was Thrown by Someone Else" include:

Q1. Do you think a simple deed helped to create a happy environment?

Ans: Yes, even simple actions, such as picking up a ball thrown by another person, can help foster a positive atmosphere. In India, such gestures are often viewed as acts of compassion and goodwill, strengthening community bonds and a sense of belonging. Responding positively to the situation can spark a ripple effect of kindness and positivity, ultimately enhancing the overall mood.

Q2. Why do you think picking things is important?

Ans: Within the Indian context, picking things up matters because it demonstrates cleanliness and accountability. Keeping public spaces clean and litter-free helps provide a healthier and more sanitary environment for everyone. Picking up items left behind by others also reflects respect for community areas and consideration for fellow residents, nurturing civic pride and duty.

Q3. Have you ever been in a similar circumstance when you had to pick something?

Ans: Yes, during a community cleanup drive, our task was to collect litter along a nearby riverbank. Despite initial hesitation, our group jumped right in, and as we gathered the rubbish, we noticed a positive transformation in the surroundings. This cleanup improved the neighbourhood while instilling a shared sense of unity and responsibility among participants. It was encouraging to witness how such a simple effort could tangibly improve our environment.

Q4. Do people deliberately throw things?

Ans: While some individuals try to avoid polluting their surroundings, many others still harm the environment by littering. If you are dedicated to protecting the environment, you have the power to make a difference.

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Answering an IELTS Cue Card may look challenging, but regular practice will help you master it. Dedicate sufficient time to your preparation and apply these tips to present your ideas:

• Tip 1: Understand the topic. Make sure you address every question.
• Tip 2: Improve your pronunciation and intonation. Speak clearly, without interruptions.
• Tip 3: Be conscious of your pace. Speaking very fast can lead to mistakes. Speaking slowly may make it seem like you're struggling to speak.
• Tip 4: Expand your vocabulary. Present your ideas clearly and avoid repeating the same words.
• Tip 5: Demonstrate your English proficiency by using compound and complex sentences.
• Tip 6: Stay calm. It’s okay to be nervous, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Practise sufficiently to answer the question.
• Tip 7: Be sincere in your engagement with the issue. Personal experiences and examples may help you provide a more persuasive solution.
• Tip 8: Prepare for follow-up questions by adding details to your cue card responses.

The IELTS speaking section poses difficulties for test-takers, who often feel pressured to perform within a strict time limit. Although this test is shorter than other parts of the exam, all four sections—writing, reading, speaking, and listening—carry equal weight. Practising key cue cards ahead of time will help you remain calm on exam day.

Preparing for IELTS is not easy. You have to do many things. These include shortlisting and applying to universities, getting visas, finding scholarships, and more. If you are just starting on your academic journey, and feel overwhelmed with all these steps, get in touch with our Ashiraj experts. In 2023, Ashiraj helped 4,500+ students secure admissions to top universities worldwide. We can help you too. Reach out to us today!