A couple of years ago, while I was finishing my final year at university, I noticed a recurring issue in our departmental library. Students were constantly struggling to find specific academic journals because the physical archive was organised in an archaic, manual system that nobody understood. I had a sudden epiphany while drinking coffee in the study lounge: we should digitise the inventory and create a simple QR-code-based tracking system. It seemed like a straightforward solution to a persistent headache. I decided to pitch this to Professor Halloway, who headed the department. I was quite nervous because he was notoriously traditional, but I presented him with a mock-up of a mobile interface I had sketched out on my tablet. I explained that by scanning a code on the shelf, a student could instantly check availability and reserve the item online. I genuinely believed this would revolutionise our study habits. The primary reason I felt this would be a massive improvement was the sheer time-saving potential. We were wasting hours browsing dusty shelves for books that were often already checked out. By shifting to a digital database, we would eliminate the guesswork and foster a more efficient research environment. Furthermore, it would allow the librarians to spend their time helping students with complex research rather than performing repetitive administrative tasks. It was essentially about modernising our infrastructure to match the digital literacy of the student body, ultimately reducing frustration and allowing us to focus on the actual academic work rather than the logistical nightmare of finding resources.
The cue card
Describe an idea you had for improving something at work or college.
You should say:
- →When and where did you have your idea what was your idea?
- →Who did you tell about your idea?
- →And explain why you thought your idea would improve.
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
An experience
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Note down the specific problem to ensure your solution remains logical and focused.
- 2
Use the bullet points to create a clear chronological flow for your narrative.
- 3
Include a specific person's reaction to make your story feel authentic and personal.
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
archaic
very old or old-fashioned and no longer useful
epiphany
a sudden moment of deep and clear understanding
notoriously
well-known for being bad or difficult in nature
mock-up
a model or design used for testing purposes
revolutionise
to change something completely in a positive way
infrastructure
the basic systems and structures of an organisation
logistical
relating to the planning and organising of tasks
digital literacy
the ability to use digital technology and tools
6 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1Some people think that education should be about memorizing the important ideas of the past.
- 2Should education encourage students to have new ideas?
- 3How do you think teachers could help students to develop and share their ideas?
- 4Should employers encourage their workers to have new ideas about improving the company?
- 5Do you think people sometimes dislike ideas just because they are new?
- 6What is more difficult: having new ideas or putting them into practice?
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 an idea you had for improving something at work or college."?+
Note down the specific problem to ensure your solution remains logical and focused.
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 experience
- Describe a bad service you received in a restaurant/shop
- Describe a colourful cultural parade you saw
- Describe a community sports event you joined
- Describe a course or training you completed that helped you
- Describe a creative workshop you attended
- Describe a day trip to an historic monument
- 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
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