Describe a book that you would recommend to a friend
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
Describe a book that you would recommend to a friend.
You should say:
- what the book is
- what it is about
- who you would recommend it to
and explain why you think your friend would like it.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
266 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
A book that I'd happily recommend to a friend is Atomic Habits by James Clear. I read it last year, after seeing it at the top of a bestseller list, and I thought it was one of the most practical books I'd ever picked up.
It's a non-fiction book about how small, regular changes in our behaviour can lead to remarkable results over time. The author argues that instead of focusing on big goals, we should concentrate on building tiny habits and improving by just one per cent each day. He supports this with stories from sports, business and everyday life, and gives clear, simple methods, such as making a good habit obvious, easy and satisfying, and doing the opposite for bad habits. Each chapter ends with a short summary of the key points, so it's very easy to follow.
I would recommend it to my friend Aziz, who is always starting new routines, such as going to the gym or learning a language, but loses motivation after a couple of weeks. I think he'd like it for a few reasons. First, the book is highly readable, with a friendly tone and no complicated language. Second, the advice is realistic. It doesn't promise miracles, but explains why most people fail and how to avoid it. Third, it's a real eye-opener. After reading it, I changed my own morning routine and began to study for twenty minutes every day, which made a big difference. It's the kind of book that is worth your time from start to finish, and I'd be happy to lend him my copy.
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
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a bestseller | a book that sells in very large numbers |
| highly readable | easy and enjoyable to read |
| a real eye-opener | something that gives new understanding |
| right up your street | exactly what you like |
| worth your time | good enough to spend time on |
| from start to finish | from beginning to end |
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 motivational book for a friend who needs encouragement
- A novel for a friend who loves mysteries
- A history or science book for a curious friend
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the book is
- 25 swhat it is about
- 25 swho you would recommend it to
- 45 sand explain why you think your friend would like it.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Recommendations and reading culture. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do people like to recommend books to others?
- Do you trust online reviews when choosing a book?
- Do bestsellers always deserve their popularity?
- What can bookshops do to survive in the digital age?
- Is it important for people to read books in other languages?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Books, films and media
- Describe an interesting piece of news that you read or heard about recently
- Describe a story or legend from your culture that you know well
- Describe a book that you loved reading when you were a child
- Describe a song or piece of music that you like
- Describe a television programme or video series about science or technology that you found interesting
- Describe a mobile phone app that you use a lot
Part 1 topics on the same subject
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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