Describe an article in a magazine or newspaper that you found interesting or useful
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 an article in a magazine or newspaper that you found interesting or useful.
You should say:
- what the article was about
- where you found it
- what you learned from it
and explain why you found it useful.
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.
An article I found extremely useful was in an English-language magazine about how to sleep better. I picked it up at a dentist's waiting room about a year ago, when I was suffering from poor sleep because of my studies, and I was so absorbed in it that I almost missed my appointment.
The article was a four-page feature written by a sleep scientist. It explained why the body needs sleep, what happens in the brain at night, and why using phones and laptops late in the evening can interfere with it. What I appreciated was that it wasn't just a list of vague advice. It was well researched, with references to studies, and it presented practical tips that were easy to follow, such as going to bed at the same time every day, avoiding caffeine after lunch, and keeping the bedroom cool and dark.
I learned a lot from it. For instance, I had no idea that blue light from screens tells the brain to stay awake, so I started putting my phone in another room an hour before bed. I also stopped drinking coffee in the evenings, which I'd been doing for years. The changes were small, but within two weeks I was falling asleep faster, and I woke up feeling much fresher.
I found the article useful because it struck a chord with my own situation, and it gave me solutions that I could apply immediately. I even took a photo of the page so I could keep the advice, and I later shared it with my brother, who also had trouble sleeping.
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 feature article | a long, detailed piece in a publication |
| skim through | read quickly to get the main idea |
| well researched | based on careful study |
| practical tips | useful advice |
| eye-opening | surprising and revealing |
| strike a chord | feel familiar or meaningful to you |
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 article about health, sleep or diet
- An article about money or careers
- A travel or science feature
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the article was about
- 25 swhere you found it
- 25 swhat you learned from it
- 45 sand explain why you found it useful.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Newspapers, magazines and print media. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Are printed newspapers and magazines becoming less popular?
- What are the differences between reading the news online and in print?
- Do you think magazines have a strong influence on fashion and lifestyle?
- Why do people enjoy reading about celebrities?
- Should newspapers be free to access online?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Books, films and media
- Describe a documentary that you have watched
- Describe a television programme that you like to watch
- Describe a book that you enjoyed reading
- Describe a photograph that you like
- Describe a television programme or video series about science or technology that you found interesting
- Describe a television programme that your family likes to watch together
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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