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Describe a book that you enjoyed reading

Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.

Practice it like the exam

Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe a book that you enjoyed reading.

You should say:

  • what the book was
  • who wrote it and what it was about
  • when and why you read it

and explain why you enjoyed it.

Ready

1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.

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Band 8 sample answer

258 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.

A book I thoroughly enjoyed is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I read it two summers ago on the recommendation of a colleague who said it had changed the way she thought about her career, and I'm glad I took her advice.

The story follows a young shepherd called Santiago who travels from Spain to Egypt in search of treasure he has seen in a recurring dream. On the way, he meets a series of interesting characters, including an old king, a merchant and an alchemist, and each of them teaches him something about listening to his heart and following his personal destiny. It's quite a short book, only about 200 pages, so I finished it in three days during a long train journey.

I enjoyed it for a few reasons. Firstly, it has a simple, almost fairy-tale style, which makes it easy to read, but underneath there are some very thought-provoking ideas about fear, dreams and perseverance. One line that stuck in my mind says that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. Secondly, the plot is gripping, because you never know what obstacle will appear next, and I really couldn't put it down once Santiago reached the desert. Finally, it came at a good moment for me. I was trying to decide whether to leave a stable job to study again, and the book gave me the courage to take that risk. I've since lent my copy to at least four friends, and each of them has told me they found it inspiring.

What to notice

  • It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
  • Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
  • The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.

We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.

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Useful vocabulary

PhraseMeaning
a page-turnera book so exciting you can't stop reading
couldn't put it downfound it too interesting to stop
a gripping plota story that holds your attention
well-drawn characterscharacters that feel real
thought-provokingmaking you think deeply
a classica book of lasting quality and fame

Plan it in one minute

Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.

Who or what you could talk about

  • A novel recommended by a friend
  • A biography or self-development book
  • A book from your school days that stayed with you

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swhat the book was
  2. 25 swho wrote it and what it was about
  3. 25 swhen and why you read it
  4. 45 sand explain why you enjoyed it.

Part 3 questions

In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Books and reading habits. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.

  1. Do people in your country read as much as they used to?
  2. Why do some children dislike reading?
  3. Are printed books likely to disappear in the future?
  4. What can schools do to encourage students to read more?
  5. Do you think reading fiction is as useful as reading non-fiction?

Frequently asked questions

How should I describe a book, film or programme in an IELTS cue card?

Do not retell the whole plot. Give the title and what it is about in two sentences, then spend your time on one part you remember and why it affected you. Your opinion is what fills the two minutes.

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