A couple of months ago, my close friend Sarah and I decided to take on the daunting task of renovating our shared community garden. It was a neglected patch of land behind our apartment block that had become an eyesore, filled with weeds and broken pavement. We spent three consecutive weekends, typically from dawn until dusk, clearing the debris, tilling the soil, and planting a variety of native wildflowers and vegetables. The physical labour was exhausting; my hands were perpetually covered in dirt, and the smell of damp earth became a permanent fixture for those few days. However, seeing the transformation from a desolate wasteland into a vibrant green space was incredibly rewarding. We chose to do this together because, frankly, neither of us could have managed the sheer volume of manual work alone. Sarah has a knack for botany and planning the layout, while I am quite handy with building raised beds and irrigation systems. Our skills complemented each other perfectly. Beyond the practical necessity, we did it to foster a sense of belonging in our neighbourhood. We wanted to create a communal area where residents could interact, rather than just passing each other in the hallways. By putting in the effort as a team, we were able to turn a solitary chore into an engaging social project. It strengthened our friendship and gave us a profound sense of pride every time we see our neighbours enjoying the garden we cultivated with our own hands.
The cue card
Describe something that you did with someone/a group of people.
You should say:
- →What it was?
- →Who you do it with?
- →How long it took you to do this?
- →And explain why you did it together.
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
An activity or habit
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Identify a clear, specific activity to avoid rambling during your two-minute response.
- 2
Jot down keywords for each bullet point to ensure you cover all requirements.
- 3
Use descriptive adjectives to make your narrative engaging and reach a higher vocabulary band.
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
daunting
seeming difficult to deal with in prospect
eyesore
a very ugly or unpleasant looking thing
tilling
preparing and cultivating land for growing crops
desolate
a place that is bleak and empty
knack
an acquired or natural skill for something
complement
to add to something to improve it
communal
shared by all members of a community
cultivated
prepared land and used it for crops
6 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1How do you get a long with your neighbors?
- 2How do neighbors help each other?
- 3Do you think neighbors help each other more often in the countryside than in the city?
- 4How do children learn to cooperate with each other?
- 5Do you think it's important for children to learn about cooperation?
- 6Do you think parents should teach children how to cooperate with others? How?
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 something that you did with someone/a group of people."?+
Identify a clear, specific activity to avoid rambling during your two-minute response.
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 activity or habit
- Describe a bodyweight workout routine outdoors
- Describe a challenging fitness activity
- Describe a challenging puzzle activity
- Describe a craft activity that reuses waste
- Describe a creative activity you do at home
- Describe a creative writing activity at school
- 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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