Describe a good idea that you had
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 good idea that you had.
You should say:
- what the idea was
- when and why you had it
- what you did with it
and explain why you think it was a good idea.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
264 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
A good idea I had was to start a book exchange corner in my university's dormitory. I thought of it about a year and a half ago, when I noticed that many students, including me, had piles of books that we'd finished reading or no longer needed, while others couldn't afford to buy new ones.
The idea came to me one evening in the common room. I saw two students arguing about a textbook that only one copy existed of, and at the same moment I realised how many unused books were lying in our rooms. I thought, why not create a place where people could leave a book and take another?
First, I asked the dormitory manager for permission to use an unused shelf in the corridor. She agreed immediately. Then I made a few posters and posted a message on the students' group chat. I also donated twenty of my own books to get it started. Within a week, the shelf was full, and within a month, we had to add a second one. Students began leaving notes in the books, with recommendations and short reviews, which I found very charming.
I think it was a good idea for several reasons. It was cheap, practical and simple, and it required little effort to maintain. It also encouraged reading and created a sense of community, since students who had never spoken to each other started chatting about novels. Moreover, the idea caught on, and another dormitory has since copied it. It shows me that a small idea can produce a surprisingly large effect.
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 |
|---|---|
| come up with an idea | think of an idea |
| it dawned on me | I suddenly realised |
| put an idea into practice | start using an idea in reality |
| a brainwave | a sudden clever idea |
| practical and cost-effective | useful and cheap |
| catch on | become popular |
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
- An idea to organise a school or community activity
- An idea for saving money, time or energy at home
- An idea for a small business or project
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the idea was
- 25 swhen and why you had it
- 25 swhat you did with it
- 45 sand explain why you think it was a good idea.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Ideas and innovation. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Where do people get their best ideas from?
- Do you think teamwork produces better ideas than working alone?
- Why do some good ideas never become reality?
- Should schools encourage students to come up with new ideas?
- How can companies encourage employees to suggest ideas?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Ideas and decisions
- Describe a study method or strategy that works well for you
- Describe a decision that you made together with other people
- Describe a subject that you found difficult to learn
- Describe an idea or belief you have about what makes a person successful
- Describe some advice that you gave to someone
- Describe an important decision you made
Frequently asked questions
How do I answer an abstract IELTS cue card, like a rule or a decision?
Make it concrete straight away: name the rule, the advice or the decision, then tell the situation where it mattered to you. An abstract card answered with a real example is easier to talk about and easier to follow.
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