Describe a computer or video game that you enjoyed playing
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 computer or video game that you enjoyed playing.
You should say:
- what the game was
- how you played it
- who you played it with
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
256 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
A game I really enjoyed was Minecraft, which I started playing when I was about eleven. My cousin showed it to me at a family party, and I was so fascinated that I asked my parents to buy it the next week.
For anyone who hasn't played it, it's a game in which you live in a world made of blocks, and you can dig, build and craft whatever you can imagine. There are two main modes: in survival mode, you have to collect resources and protect yourself from monsters at night, and in creative mode you have unlimited materials and just build for fun. I mostly played on my parents' computer in the evenings after finishing my homework, and at weekends I would spend several hours online in multiplayer mode with my cousin and two school friends.
I enjoyed it for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's extremely creative. Together we built an enormous castle with towers, a drawbridge and a secret underground tunnel, and it took us nearly three months. It gave me a real sense of achievement. Secondly, it was social, because we had to cooperate, share tasks and decide on designs, which taught us a lot about teamwork. Thirdly, it wasn't violent or stressful like some games, so my parents were happy for me to play. It was also quite addictive, and I'd often lose track of time. I don't play as much now because of university, but I sometimes open it to build something small, and it takes me right back.
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 |
|---|---|
| level up | advance to a higher stage in a game |
| immersive | making you feel completely involved |
| multiplayer mode | a way of playing with other people |
| a gripping storyline | a plot that holds your attention |
| hand-eye coordination | the ability to match what you see with hand movements |
| addictive | so enjoyable that you find it hard to stop |
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 football or racing game with friends
- A puzzle or adventure game on your phone
- A strategy game that made you think
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the game was
- 25 show you played it
- 25 swho you played it with
- 45 sand explain why you enjoyed it.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Video games and society. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why are video games so popular among young people?
- Do you think video games can be educational?
- What are the possible negative effects of playing too many games?
- Should there be restrictions on how long children can play games?
- Do you think professional gaming should be regarded as a real sport?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Books, films and media
- Describe a video you watched online that taught you something useful
- Describe a type of music that you enjoy listening to
- Describe a website or online resource that helps you to learn something
- Describe a song or piece of music that you like
- Describe a book that you loved reading when you were a child
- Describe an interesting piece of news that you read or heard about recently
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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