I’m an amateur photographer, but there is one particular shot that stands out as my proudest achievement. It is a candid portrait of an elderly street musician I encountered in the historic district of Lisbon, Portugal. I took this photograph about two years ago during a solo backpacking trip through Southern Europe, on a crisp autumn afternoon when the golden hour light was hitting the cobblestone streets just right. I remember wandering through the Alfama neighbourhood, listening to the haunting notes of a fado guitar, when I spotted this man sitting against a weathered, blue-tiled wall. His face was a map of deep creases, telling a story of decades spent in the city. I didn't want to stage the photo, so I waited patiently until he looked up, caught in a moment of pure, melancholic concentration. I am exceptionally proud of this photo because it captures a raw, fleeting human emotion that I managed to freeze in time. Technically, the composition is balanced, with the warm, honeyed light highlighting the texture of his skin and the worn wood of his instrument, contrasting beautifully with the cool shadows of the alleyway. It wasn't just about the settings on my camera; it was about the connection I felt in that split second. When I look at the print hanging in my hallway, it reminds me that the most powerful images aren't those that are meticulously planned, but those that emerge from quiet observation and patience. It remains a testament to my growth as a photographer.
The cue card
Describe a photo you took and are proud of
You should say:
- →What the photo is of
- →When you took it
- →Where you took it
- →And explain why you are proud of this photo
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
An object
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Select a photo with a strong emotional story to make speaking easier.
- 2
Use the first thirty seconds to outline the 'who, what, where' sequence.
- 3
Spend the remaining time noting sensory details to enhance your descriptive language.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.
Say it and get a band free →8 words
Useful vocabulary for this cue card
candid
A photograph taken naturally without posing the subject.
golden hour
The period of daytime shortly after sunrise or sunset.
melancholic
Feeling or expressing a pensive or gentle sadness.
composition
The arrangement of elements within a visual image.
fleeting
Lasting for a very short period of time.
meticulously
Done with great attention to every small detail.
testament
Something that serves as evidence of a fact.
creases
Lines or wrinkles found on a person's face.
5 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
- 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
- 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
- 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
- 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a photo you took and are proud of"?+
Select a photo with a strong emotional story to make speaking easier.
How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+
You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
How is the cue card scored?+
Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.
Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
Keep practising
More cue cards: an object
- Describe a beanbag chair in your bedroom
- Describe a bedside table you use in your bedroom
- Describe a board game you enjoy playing
- Describe a colourful beach towel you own
- Describe a colourful tie or scarf you wear
- Describe a comfortable armchair or sofa you like
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
- IELTS speaking practice with AI scoring
- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
- IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions
- IELTS speaking predictions
- IELTS pronunciation practice
- Get the BandLadder app
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy