Cue Card Sample

IELTS Cue Card Sample 523 - Describe your favourite bird

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Last Updated: Sunday, 03 November 2019 11:58
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

Describe your favourite bird.

You should say:

  • what it is
  • what it looks like
  • if it is a common bird in your country

and explain why it is your favourite bird.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

 

Model Answer 1:
I like all kinds of birds simply because they have the ability to spread their wings at will and live right now, this moment, by getting lost in the big and blue sky without having anything to worry about. Of course, it would be great if I could talk about all of them here, but I just wouldn’t be allowed enough time for it, so I would just talk about a “peacock” – the bird which I just adore – instead.

Not sure where to start, when trying to describe a peacock, but describing this beautiful bird is not like describing any other birds in the kingdom of other two-legged creatures because they are just so “majestic” in their looks. However, if we want to describe them in simple words, we could say that they are “perfectly” large in size with colourful pheasants (typically blue and green), and they are famously known for their “distinctive” tails with lustrous colours like those of the beautiful rainbow. In fact, their tails spread out in such a distinctive train that they are easily measured as more than 50/60 per cent of their total body length, with colourful “eye” marks all over it which are usually blue, gold, red, and other hues. The large train, used in mating rituals and courtship displays, is arched into a magnificent fan, which reaches across the bird's back, while also touching the ground on either side. By the way, it should be also mentioned here that even though peacock is my favourite bird, it is not commonly seen in my country.

Anyway, the peacock is my favourite bird primarily because it has such a stunningly unique and beautiful look. Not only that but also, they display a spectacular dance in order to attract the female “peahen”. These beautiful creatures also make a melodious sound to call others during the sunrise and the sunset, the fact, which is unique to them only. Finally, it is one of my favourites because they symbolize “eternal love” as when they pair with a mate, they are always loyal and faithful to their partners.

 

Sample Answer 2:
I love birds and I am very fond of parrots. Due to the beautiful colours, sweet vocals and friendly characteristics, the parrot is my favourite bird. 

Parrots are also known as psittacines and the main characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, strong legs, their vivid colours, an upright stance and clawed zygodactyls feet. Some parrots are multicoloured and very intelligent. This bird has roughly 393 species and some species have a distinctive ability to imitate human voices. Those birds are very popular as pets. 
 
Yes, parrots are common in our country and according to a survey we have more than 38 species of this bird in our country. It is very unfortunate that these birds are often subject to more exploitation than other groups of birds.  Parrots mostly eat seeds, fruits, buds, pollens, nectars and sometimes arthropods and other animal prey. Some parrots including macaws and cockatoos have long a lifespan. 
 
In my early childhood, I visited a bird’s park with my parents and parrots enchanted me with their varying length, beautiful colours and on top of that their ability to mimic my voice. I was so fascinated with these birds that my parents had to take me to this bird’s park a few more times. I guess my fascination for parrots in my childhood turned out to make this species my favourite bird. Up until then, I have never seen any other birds or animals could mimic human voices. 
 
In my early school days, my parents bought me two parrots and I spent many hours watching their activities and talking to them. These two birds could tell my name and many other words and that brought me closer to them. With time, I started to like them even more. When I turned to 9, my grandmother told me some stories about the encaged birds and how inhuman it is to put them in a cage when they like to fly in the open space. She also told me that it is a sin to confine the birds for our personal entertainment. Luckily I was touched by her lessons and stories and in a few days, I released them. Now I feel somewhat proud of this event and the parrot will always be my favourite bird.
 

 

Sample Answer 3:
Shy Albatross is one of the most available birds in Australia. This is the bird that has undergone several changes in its category and known in different names. I like it most than any other birds for some reasons.

Shy Albatross is a medium-sized bird that is also known as Shy Mollymawk. Earlier, there were some confusions over the classification of this bird. After a number of research and argumentations, bird specialists have reached the decision that Shy Albatross belongs to Thalasarche species. It was shifted from its former class – Diomedea. In the beginning, everyone thought that this one belongs to Salvin’s albatross but observing some changes in its behaviours and types, the species class was changed finally. Now the bird is available on three Australian islands. The bird is also known as the white-capped albatross.

Shy Albatross is the bird that has a different look in the size and shape of the albatross family. Usually, a Shy Albatross is 35 inches in length while its wingspan is around 100 inches. It looks a healthy bird for its weight that ranges around 4 kilogrammes. The bird is largest in its species and comes with different colours including white, slate-grey and black. The underwing contains a black thumb marking which has made it attractive while flying. Moreover, the matured Shy Albatross comes with a white forehead accompanied by a crown. The face is pale grey. Some of the body parts are grey-black while the rest of the body is white in colour. Shy Albatross has a grey-yellow beak as well. As a result, the bird has got a gorgeous look.

Shy Albatross is a common bird in my country. But somehow it is getting endangered and within the next few days, it may turn into a vulnerable species. Basically climatic changes, loss of their habitat for causes created by men, wild animals etc. are the key reasons behind its vulnerability. To preserve the Shy Albatross, initiatives have been adopted and the research is still underway. Once it was available in almost all the islands of Australia but now the breeding of the bird has declined to a notable extent. Survival for the birds is becoming difficult. Now the birds are available on Albatross Island, Mewstone and Pedra Branca.    

I like the bird very much for its special nature and looks. Shy Albatross is not a hunting bird but it can participate in pursuit to feed itself. The bird mostly takes fish, tunicates and cephalopods etc. Its breeding is also interesting. Almost all the birds breed in some calm atmosphere but it breeds on rocky islands. The bird is able to make its nest nicely. The nest is made of grass, roots, and soil collected from different places. The child birds have an unbelievable skill of flying. They are able to fly even to South Africa at a stretch. Shy Albatross is able to produce stomach oil which helps them to fly a long distance or to create a food source for their chicks. Sometimes they use it to protect themselves as well. For all such reasons, Shy Albatross has become my preferred bird.

 

More Ideas to talk about this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card topic:

Topic: Describe your favourite bird.

1. The house sparrow is my favourite bird. This is a tiny creature with a lightweight body. The bird is available across the UK. I love the house sparrow because it helps me to get up from sleep every day. This is the only bird that does not make any unnecessary noise. Besides, a house sparrow also looks very nice with its coloured feathers. Its beaks are smaller and it has an overall attractive look. Considering all the matters, this is my favourite bird.

2. I love to hear the noise of woodpeckers. In fact, the hairy woodpeckers are my favourite birds in this state, Ohio. The bird has a smart look with a large beak. The colour may vary often but most of them are available in black and white. They are very common in the USA. The sound created by the bird is awesome. Moreover, I adore the labour it invests to dig a tree. So, this is my favourite bird.

3. Though three separate species of this bird is found, I like the black and white magpie. The birds are available in separate colour combinations and the average size is around 43 centimetres. The back markings of the bird are different than the other types of this species. The Australian Magpies is available across Australia. The bird prefers to stay on the ground than flying. And they look wonderful when they jump with the small thin legs. So, this is my favourite bird.

4. Slaty Bunting is my preferred bird here in China. The bird is distinctive than the other birds because of its unusual tail. It is available in brown colour and comes in a smaller size. This is a common bird across the country and comes with a few varieties. I love the bird because it helps to keep the environment cleaner. It takes insects and other unwanted invertebrates as diet. So, the environment remains clean. Considering the environmental issue, I love the bird.

5. Asian Koel is the only bird that I love most in my city in India. The bird belongs to the cuckoo family. This is a singing bird and comes with a light black and brown colour. But the male birds are a bit greenish-black. Sometimes the colour appears light brown as well. This is a very common bird in the country and even it has become the symbol of the local poetry. The bird can sing very well and often I wake up with the sweet whistles of the bird near my window. Therefore, Asian Koel has become my favourite bird.  
 
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