Scorify.uzThe cue card
Describe a meal that you enjoyed.
You should say:
- when and where you had it
- who you had it with
- what you ate
- and explain why you enjoyed it
Band 7 sample answer
A meal I will never forget was the dinner we had on my grandmother's birthday last spring. We gathered at her house in the countryside, about thirty people altogether, including cousins I rarely see.
She had spent two days preparing traditional dishes. There was a huge pot of plov, fresh salads from her garden, warm bread from the tandoor and homemade sweets for dessert. The smell of the food filled the whole yard, and everyone sat at long tables under the apple trees.
I enjoyed it so much not only because the food was delicious but also because of the atmosphere. We laughed, told old stories and listened to my grandfather's jokes. It showed me that a good meal is about the people you share it with as much as the dishes themselves.
What I remember best is the moment my grandmother brought out the cake she had baked herself. She had decorated it with fresh strawberries from the garden, and when we sang to her, she laughed and tried to hide her face, which made everyone laugh even more.
About 180 words, roughly 1 minutes of natural speech.
Key vocabulary
- mouth-watering — looking or smelling delicious
- home-cooked — prepared at home
- a feast — a large, special meal
- gather — come together
- savour — enjoy slowly
- homemade — made at home, not bought
- hospitable — welcoming to guests
Tips for this cue card
- Use the senses: taste, smell, sight and sound.
- Give the setting and the people, not just the dishes.
- Connect the meal to a feeling or tradition.
Part 3 follow-up questions
Is eating together as a family important?
Idea: Yes, it strengthens relationships and often leads to healthier eating.
Why are fast-food restaurants so popular?
Idea: They are cheap, quick and convenient for busy people, though less healthy.
Do you think food traditions will disappear?
Idea: Globalisation changes diets, but traditional dishes remain symbols of identity at festivals and family events.
More discussion questions with full answers: IELTS Speaking Part 3 topics.
Study guides
How Is IELTS Scored in Speaking and Writing? Criteria, Weighting and Rounding
The short answer first, then the Speaking and Writing criteria tables, how Task 1 and Task 2 combine and how the overall band is rounded.
IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors Explained in Plain English
The IELTS Speaking test is marked on four criteria. Here is what each one means at bands 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, with short examples you can compare with your own answers.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: How Many Minutes to Speak (With a Practice Timer)
How long Part 2 lasts (1 minute to prepare, 1–2 minutes to speak), a practice timer, a four-step structure and a model answer.