Scorify.uzThe cue card
Describe an occasion when you tried food that was new to you.
You should say:
- what the food was
- where and when you tried it
- who you were with
- and explain what you thought of it
Band 7 sample answer
I would like to talk about the first time I tried sushi, which was about a year ago at a Japanese restaurant in Tashkent. I had always avoided raw fish because the idea seemed strange to me, but a friend of mine kept telling me I would like it.
We went there one Saturday evening to celebrate her birthday. The restaurant was small and decorated in a traditional style, with low lights and soft music. I felt a bit nervous, so I started with something safe, a roll with cooked chicken and cucumber. Then my friend persuaded me to taste a piece of salmon nigiri with a little soy sauce and wasabi.
To my surprise, the fish was fresh and gentle, not strong at all. The rice was slightly sweet, and the wasabi made my eyes water, which made everyone laugh. I did not love everything, though. I found the seaweed a little chewy, and I thought the prices were quite high for the portions.
Overall, it was a pleasant experience, and it made me more open-minded about trying unfamiliar dishes. Since then, I have also tried Korean and Thai food. I now believe that you should not judge food before tasting it, because your first impression can be completely wrong. The funniest part of the evening was that the waiter showed me how to hold chopsticks properly, and I dropped a piece of ginger on my friend's plate. Everyone laughed, and I think the relaxed mood helped me enjoy the meal far more than I expected.
About 257 words, roughly 2 minutes of natural speech.
Key vocabulary
- an acquired taste — something you learn to like over time
- open-minded — willing to try new things
- savoury — salty or spicy rather than sweet
- mouth-watering — looking or smelling delicious
- out of my comfort zone — unfamiliar to me
- texture — how food feels in the mouth
- portion — amount of food served
Tips for this cue card
- Describe taste and texture with specific adjectives.
- Mention your feelings before and after trying.
- Include one small negative detail to sound natural.
Part 3 follow-up questions
Do people in your country like foreign food?
Idea: Yes, especially in big cities where Korean, Turkish and Italian restaurants are popular among young people.
Is traditional food healthier than fast food?
Idea: Home-cooked traditional food is usually fresher, but heavy dishes can be unhealthy if eaten too often.
Why are some people afraid of trying new food?
Idea: Fear of bad taste, allergies or unfamiliar ingredients, and habits formed in childhood.
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.