Describe a television programme that you like to watch
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 television programme that you like to watch.
You should say:
- what the programme is
- what it is about
- when and how often you watch it
and explain why you 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
259 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
A programme I like watching is a nature series called Planet Earth, presented by Sir David Attenborough. I first saw it on television when I was in my early teens, and I've since watched it again on a streaming service with my younger sister.
Each episode focuses on a different environment, such as mountains, deserts, oceans or jungles, and shows the animals that live there. The filmmakers spent years waiting for the right moments, so the footage is incredible: snow leopards hunting in the Himalayas, huge flocks of birds moving across the sky, and creatures in the deep sea that look as though they come from another world. The commentary is calm and full of fascinating facts, delivered in a warm voice that's almost impossible to forget.
I used to watch it every Sunday evening, when it was originally shown, and we would all gather in the living room. These days I tend to watch an episode every few weeks when I need to switch off. Each one lasts about fifty minutes, which is a perfect length.
There are a few reasons why I like it. Firstly, it's both informative and entertaining. I've learned more about animals and ecosystems from it than from some of my school lessons. Secondly, the photography is breathtaking, so even if you turn off the commentary, it's a pleasure just to look at. Lastly, it makes me feel more concerned about nature and conservation. After watching how fragile some habitats are, I became far more careful about waste and about the products I buy.
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 long-running series | a programme that has been on for many years |
| binge-watch | watch many episodes in a row |
| tune in | watch or listen to a broadcast |
| an episode | one part of a series |
| light-hearted | funny and not serious |
| informative and entertaining | teaching you something while amusing 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
- A cooking or travel programme
- A nature documentary series
- A comedy or quiz show the family watches
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the programme is
- 25 swhat it is about
- 25 swhen and how often you watch it
- 45 sand explain why you like it.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Television and society. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- How has television changed over the past twenty years?
- Do you think there is too much violence on television?
- Are TV programmes for children educational enough?
- Why do some people prefer streaming to traditional television?
- Should television channels be regulated by the government?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Books, films and media
- Describe a book that you enjoyed reading
- Describe a mobile phone app that you use a lot
- Describe a television programme or video series about science or technology that you found interesting
- Describe an interesting piece of news that you read or heard about recently
- Describe a computer or video game that you enjoyed playing
- Describe a funny film or comedy that made you laugh 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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