I would like to talk about an app called Obsidian, which has become an indispensable tool in my daily life. It is essentially a note-taking and knowledge-management application that functions as a personal digital brain. I use it almost religiously every single day, often starting my morning by drafting a to-do list and ending my evening by jotting down reflections on the books I have read. I access it primarily on my laptop, but I also keep the mobile version synced for whenever inspiration strikes while I am commuting. I stumbled upon this program about two years ago while I was spiralling down a YouTube rabbit hole, searching for ways to improve my productivity. A tech blogger described how it used a method called 'linked thinking', where you connect notes via hyperlinks rather than folders. That concept really resonated with me because it felt more like how a human brain actually operates. I decided to install it that very afternoon, and after a short learning curve, it became the backbone of my workflow. The reason I find it so incredibly useful is that it allows me to build a complex web of ideas over time. Unlike standard apps that just store information in a linear fashion, Obsidian helps me see patterns in my notes that I would have otherwise missed. It has transformed my writing process from a chaotic scramble into a structured, creative endeavour, making it far easier to retrieve information when I am working on a project or simply trying to remember a specific detail from a lecture months later.
The cue card
Describe a program or app on your computer or phone
You should say:
- →What it is
- →How often you use it
- →When/how you use it
- →When/how you found it
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
A film, book, song or programme
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Jot down keywords for each bullet point to ensure you cover all requirements.
- 2
Choose an app you genuinely use so your enthusiasm sounds authentic and natural.
- 3
Focus on how the app changes your workflow rather than just listing its features.
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
indispensable
something that is absolutely necessary and essential
religiously
doing something regularly and with great consistency
spiralling
becoming quickly involved in a complex situation
rabbit hole
a complex situation that leads to more
resonated
evoked a sense of personal connection or agreement
learning curve
the rate at which someone gains new skills
backbone
the most important part of a complex system
endeavour
a serious effort or attempt to achieve something
6 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What are the differences between old and young people when using apps?
- 2Why do some people not like using apps?
- 3What apps are popular in your country? Why?
- 4Should parents limit their children's use of computer programs and computer games? Why and
- 5how?
- 6Do you think young people are more and more reliant on these programs?
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 program or app on your computer or phone"?+
Jot down keywords for each bullet point to ensure you cover all requirements.
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: a film, book, song or programme
- Describe a book or movie that has influenced you
- Describe a book that you enjoyed reading because you had to think a lot
- Describe a book you read that you found useful
- Describe a breaking news story you followed
- Describe a digital comic or graphic novel
- Describe a film trailer that impressed you
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
- IELTS speaking practice with AI scoring
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- IELTS speaking predictions
- IELTS pronunciation practice
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