[Band 8.5] Describe a time when someone asked for your opinion IELTS Cue-Card
In Describe a time when someone asked for your opinion Cue Card, you should say:
1. Who asked for your opinion?
2. Why someone wanted to know your opinion?
3. What opinion you gave?
4. Explain how you felt when he/she asked for your opinion?
Here’s the first sample answer to Describe a time when someone asked for your opinion IELTS Speaking Cue Card:
Introduction
I don’t exactly have strong opinions that I like to force on other people. However, there are some topics and beliefs about which I occasionally feel really strongly. Today, I’d like to discuss one such viewpoint that many people find to be highly unpopular.
Who asked for your opinion?
When we were studying Environment during under-graduation, one day the Professor told us to prepare individual assignments on a topic which must include our opinion.
And the topic was, should we impose higher Goods and Sales Tax on all kinds of tobacco products/cigarettes and ban public smoking or not?
Why someone wanted to know your opinion?
Actually, public health and the protection of the environment have always remained heated topics. Smoking can result in lethal conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema, and pneumonia apart from the more common health problems like asthma, wheezing, a cough, or a cold.
Additionally, given that trillions of cigarette filters and butts are discarded each year worldwide and take roughly a decade to disintegrate before being absorbed by the soil, the harmful impacts of smoking on our ecosystems are simply enormous.
So, our teacher wanted to know what we thought about that.
What opinion you gave?
My opinion was plain and simple. Levying a vat or sales tax of greater than 100% on all tobacco goods and cigarettes, and, if at all possible, banning smoking in public. In fact, I’ve had this viewpoint for more than 10 years, ever since I saw one of my dear uncles pass away, but in recent years, after learning more about how harmful smoking is to our health and the environment, my feelings have only become stronger.
Explain how you felt when he/she asked for your opinion?
When the Professor had given us the assignment, I was excited. Because I always held a strong opinion on health and environment-related matters. However, I also felt that this is a controversial viewpoint, partly because the businesspeople who are engaged in the manufacturing and sale of tobacco goods are adamantly opposed to it because doing so would cost them customers and revenue.
Concluding the Cue Card
By the way, When I actually presented this opinion in front of the class, the Professor was stunned at the details. So, I could proudly say that it was a nice experience of expressing my opinion when someone asked me to.
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MODEL ANSWER 2
The majority of survey questions intrigue me because of how they are phrased. However, for some obvious reasons, I usually try to avoid them when it comes to giving my opinion on them. But now, I’d like to talk about a situation where I thought making my voice heard was crucial.
I participated in a poll that sought thoughts on whether smoking in public places should have been met with a two-year punishment. Participants could only select “YES” or “NO” as their response.
However, I thought the survey—which was conducted by the Ministry of Environment of my country—was important since I also thought that public smoking was a significant issue in the city where I was living at the time. In fact, the Ministry stated in its survey introduction that, according to a number of data, the majority of adult people in my hometown smoke. The Ministry also discussed how smoking had contributed to a progressive rise in the number of people who were experiencing respiratory issues of some kind.
The fact that many youngsters were developing smoking addictions while attending their schools/colleges made the situation even more dangerous. Overall, the trend was harmful to the residents of my hometown in terms of their health.
By the way, I was requested to participate in the poll mainly because I was a non-smoker who had graduated recently, and I presented my opinion that this should be met with the harshest punishment.
However, I was actually happy to participate in the survey because it would assist my city spread awareness about the dangers of smoking in public. I was also relieved that this survey will help my city’s administration save money on health expenses, money that could then be used to deal with other issues.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience for me to give my opinion on this moot issue.
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FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
Following are the probable set of IELTS Speaking Part-3 follow-up questions for Describe a time when someone asked for your opinion cue card:
1) Why do some people dislike giving their opinions?
There are several reasons why some people prefer not to express their opinions or beliefs. They occasionally lack the courage or skills necessary to fully articulate their opinions. They believe that if someone disagrees with them, they will be ashamed and may not be able to defend their position. Another explanation can be that some people are naturally reserved and prefer to keep things to themselves.
2) Are there any apps designed for collecting opinions about products or services?
Yes, there are some survey-based apps like Survey Monkey available on the Appstore that are known to gather opinions about products and services. Besides this, there are some great websites that collect and present customer reviews and rate nearby products and service providers.
3) Why do people like to express their opinions on the Internet nowadays?
The main justification for this is that people use the internet as a forum to communicate their opinions about anything and everything while remaining anonymous. Additionally, the internet gives them the opportunity to express themselves without worrying about what other people will think. Furthermore, one can opt to participate or not in a conversation as it suits them.
4) What are the disadvantages of sharing opinions on the Internet?
I believe sharing opinions on the internet comes with a lot of drawbacks. First off, by posting offensive opinions online, people frequently harm each other’s feelings. I have seen people calling each other names in chat forums over seemingly insignificant issues. Secondly, I think that most internet debates are ineffective and a sheer waste of time.
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I hope it gives you some realistic idea on how to carry a conversation around Describe a time when someone asked for your opinion IELTS Cue card topic. However, it is strongly advised not to reproduce the same answer during the exam. You should rather reformulate and personalize your answer.
If you still need any help, don’t be shy to comment below.
ALL THE BEST!
Rajit
