IELTS SPEAKING CUE CARD
[PART 2]
Describe something important you learned in a math class from your primary school
You should say:
- What the skill was
- How you learned it
- Who taught you
And explain why it was useful to you
A N S W E R
To be honest, I’m not a big fan of Math subject during my school days since I was not intellectually gifted in terms of numbers. I was a student whose interest was focused on art. I remember I always had tough times every time I took major Math exams.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
(In this criterion, the examiner will check your ability to use a wide range of vocabulary in expressing your thoughts without using very common words or without repeating the use of the same words over and over again. The use of paraphrasing and collocations is also taken into consideration.)
Not a big fan [expression] – disliking something
Intellectually gifted [expression] – the intellectual ability is higher than average
In terms of [phrase] – with regard to; concerning; related to
Tough times [noun] – hard times
T I P
i) Introduction: The speaker did not just say ‘I’d like to talk about…’, instead he started his answer in a creative way by talking about his personality of not liking math. This is a very good way to start a story since the speaker shows his language ability to the examiner.
Well, the only Math lesson that I learned by heart in my elementary days and that I considered indispensable was arithmetic. As we know, it’s the basic foundation of mathematics – learning addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. I admit that during my first three years in primary school, mathematics was a piece of cake since I only learned how to calculate small numbers. For me, learning arithmetic is essential that every student should spend time learning since it is considered one of the practical life skills.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
By heart [phrase] – to learn something in a way that you can repeat it from your memory
Indispensable [adj.] – important
Arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) [noun] – a branch of mathematics that deals with the manipulation of numbers -this is considered as a topic vocabulary since the subject is about math; words such as addition, subtraction, and the like are expected to use
A piece of cake [idiom] – very easy
Practical life skills [noun] – skills that are needed in everyday life to survive in society
T I P S
i) The speaker uses a transitioning device ‘well’ to smoothly start his storytelling after the introduction. ii) In this paragraph, the speaker focuses on talking about the subject of math which he considers as important. He gives a narrative here about arithmetic and how it is essential in people’s lives.
Anyway, my arithmetic teacher was very creative in teaching us the subject, I can still remember that we often had activities in which we could have actual experiences to show our skills in numbers. He utilized some realia such as coins, paper money, fruits, and candies in teaching us how to add and subtract numbers. We had some role plays as if we were in a market buying some goods using real money that our teacher had prepared. He let us experience the actual situation in which we could apply our basic skills in math.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Creative [adj.] – the use of original ideas to create something
Utilize [verb] – to use something; make use of something
Realia [noun] – objects or materials that are used in real life as teaching materials
Role play [noun] – acting out
T I P S
i) The speaker uses another transitioning device ‘anyway’ to continue developing his story. Transitioning devices are a must to be able to make your story smooth.
ii) In this paragraph, he answers the key question of who taught him about the subject. He uses a certain technique of recollecting the past. Recollection is a very good way to add details to the story.
I found it really helpful since that’s what people encounter in their day-to-day lives. People need to use the money to buy something. Because of that lesson and the creativity of my teacher, I gained confidence in understanding the value of money and it became my habit to always check my change after buying something.
If I could be a teacher of math, I would surely make that subject lovable to all of my students by applying some effective teaching strategies like what my arithmetic teacher did in order for my students to enjoy the subject instead of hating the subject.
GRAMMAR & TIPS
i) The speaker uses the conditional tense (If + present + will) in constructing his final word which is very good for making a high point in grammar.
ii) His last sentence talks about his realization of what he can possibly do to make people like math. This is a very good way to end his story as it acts as a conclusive statement.
PART 3
Do computers help us learn math?
Based on my personal experience yes. Computers help people learn how to calculate big numbers without them thinking or spending so much time figuring out the answer.
Take, for instance, the use of Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheets, people can calculate numbers in the fastest way by just inputting numbers and applying formulas. Professionals such as accountants, teachers, businessmen, and many others use computer programs to perform math functions with their respective jobs to get better and quicker results. This has impacted their lives positively.
With the advent of computers, learning math has never been so good, and without computers, the ability to learn the subject would be stagnated to traditional learning.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
(In this criterion, the examiner will check your ability to use a wide range of vocabulary in expressing your thoughts without using very common words or without repeating the use of the same words over and over again. The use of paraphrasing and collocations is also taken into consideration.)
Calculate [verb] – compute; evaluate
Figure (-ing) out [phrase] – to understand or solve something
Input (-ting) [verb] – putting data into a computer
Impact [verb] – to have an effect on something or someone
With the advent of…[expression] – the coming of
Never had it so good [idiom] – have never before enjoyed success
Stagnate [verb] – stand still; stop developing
Traditional learning [noun] – the old way of learning; the absence of computer
TIPS
i.) First paragraph: Instead of immediately saying ‘Yes’ as a response to the answer, the speaker uses the expression ‘Based on my experience’ followed by his answer. This is a very good way to show to the examiner that the speaker is confident in using language as he’s able to relate his experience to answer the question. And in this paragraph, he immediately provides his answer to the question directly.
ii) Second paragraph: The speaker provides a thorough explanation of his answer by citing a specific example that supports his argument. In that case, he achieves ‘Coherence’.
iii) Third paragraph: The speaker ends his answer by providing a summary of his realization of how helpful computers are in learning math. By doing that, his answer is properly ended.
Why do you think some people are not good at math?
I believe there are many reasons why some people are slow learners in learning numbers, however, I want to discuss the two major factors. First, genetics plays a very important role, as we know the characteristics of a child are inherited from his parents, when a child’s parents or any of his parents are not skillful in math, then most likely the child will not be good at mathematics as well.
Second, the lack of determination to learn. Some learners easily give up when they encounter some challenges or difficulties in learning math. They think that it is just complicated and that there is no other way for them to learn. If they only strive much harder and see their situation as a challenge in order for them to grow or develop their skills more, then the chance of learning is high. Some learners already give up before trying. There are other reasons why some people are bad at math, however, those two are the most common.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Slow-learners [noun] – refers to a person whose ability to learn is delayed compared to others
Inherit [verb as used in the answer] – obtain genetically from parents
Lack (of) [noun] – the absence of something
Encounter [verb] – come across; run into; experience
Strive [verb] – try hard
TIPS
i.) First paragraph: The speaker starts his answer by acknowledging that there are many reasons but he just wants to give emphasis on the important reasons. This is a very good way to organize the introductory part of your discussion. And this will also help you focus on the things that matter most in your answer.
ii) Second & Third Paragraph: The speaker provides his two answers and discusses them one by one in a clearer way that achieves ‘Coherence’. Also, in the second paragraph, he uses the conditional tense (If + present + will) sentence construction. Using advanced sentence construction helps him get a better mark in the criterion, ‘Grammar’.
iii) Fourth paragraph: The speaker recognizes again that there are other reasons but the ones he has mentioned are considered more important than others. A very good way to end his answer properly.
Do you think everyone needs to learn math?
Yes, it is a must. Everyone needs to have at least a basic knowledge of mathematics in order to have a convenient life in terms of understanding the value of money when spending. What I mean by that is, if we do not educate ourselves about math we surely have difficulty in our everyday life since everything is associated with math. When we buy something, may it be our needs or wants we spend money on it. If we are ignorant about the worth of our money then we will not be able to know how much we can buy with the amount of money that we have. If that is the case, we can be deceived easily by others who want to take advantage of our ignorance in terms of calculating or doing basic math.
I know, a lot of people loathe learning math since it is simply complicated but life is more than complex if one is completely ignorant of the said subject.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
In terms of [phrase] – with regard to; concerning
Associated [verb as used in the answer] – related; linked; connected to
Deceived [verb as used in the answer] – tricked; misled; swindled
Loathe (lohth) [verb] – strong dislike
Ignorant [adj.] – the lack of knowledge
TIPS
i) First paragraph: The speaker gives a straight ‘yes’ answer to the question and provides his main answer to the question. You don’t always need to paraphrase every question that you get and it is not that really good to always give a direct answer without paraphrasing. In other words, you have to make it balanced.
ii) Second paragraph: The speaker provides a thorough explanation of his answer. His way of explaining his answer is more situational, which is very good because it is organized and easy to understand. The use of conditional tense in his answer helps him get a better mark in
iii) Third paragraph: The speaker ends his answer by being reflective. A very good way to end the answer by leaving an important statement worth reflecting on.
Develop a story better in Part 2 for
the recent IELTS Speaking CUE
CARD about
Describe A Beautiful Or Handsome Person You Met
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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