Describe a photo that you took and are proud of

'Describe a photo that you took and are proud of' is one of the cue card topics on the IELTS speaking test. For this, you’ll have 1 minute of preparation time and 2 minutes to talk about your topic.

The IELTS cue card topic would usually be related to your personal experiences and opinions. Before discussing the IELTS cue card ‘Describe a photo that you took and are proud of’, let’s quickly look at the IELTS speaking test.

The IELTS speaking test is one of the IELTS sections that evaluates your English fluency and coherence, grammar, and pronunciation.

The IELTS speaking test has three parts, taking 11-15 minutes to complete. You’ll be given the cue card during part 2 of the IELTS speaking test.

If you need more information, sample questions, and answers, refer to this guide for IELTS speaking cue card topics. Below are some tips and examples to describe a photo that you took and are proud of.

Also read: IELTS Exam pattern 2024

Describe a photo that you took and are proud of: How to answer?

The best way to answer the cue card questions is to break your answer into small sections. Start with an introduction, move to the key points and cover all the questions in the cue card, and end with a conclusion. 

Here's how we'll break our questions down. 

1. Introduce the photo with specific details. For example, explain the subjects or elements captured in the photo.
2. You could also say who was in the photo.
3. Say when you took the photo.
4. Include points about the time and situations when you clicked the photo.
5. Say why are you proud of this photo.
6. Finally, say what type of camera you used, and end with a conclusion.

Also read: Your quick guide to IELTS scores

Sample 1:

Describe a photo that you took and are proud of.

You should say

• When did you take this photo?
• Who/What was in the photo?
• Explain why you are proud of this photo.
• What type of camera did you use?

During a recent ride to the city beach, I clicked a beautiful picture of my motorcycle. It was parked at the beach, close to the sea. After a long solo ride, I took this photo on a beautiful evening.

It was my first solo ride, about two months back. The ride was about 150 kilometres and half a day long. The weather was perfect with clear skies and a gentle breeze. Halfway through the ride, I stopped at a bridge that led to the beach. Standing there, I clicked my first picture of the day – a picture of the surroundings. 

When I reached the beach, I parked the motorcycle and stood beside it watching the sunset. It was a thrilling and unforgettable experience. Right away, I clicked this picture of my motorcycle with the sunset in the background, on my smartphone, since I didn't have a professional camera then. 

I am proud of this photo because it is an important milestone in my life. Owning a motorcycle has always been my dream, and this photo represents that in reality. I paid attention to detail while clicking this picture, making the photo even more special. This picture, in fact, is one of my favourite photographs till date. Additionally, it is a result of my hard work, as I saved up for a long time to make this purchase. 

The photo makes me nostalgic about the time when I first took my motorcycle out for a ride. It is perhaps the best picture of my motorcycle that I’ve taken so far. Being my first solo ride, this picture will always be a special one for me.

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Sample 2:

Describe a photo that you took and are proud of.

You should say

• When did you take this photo?
• What was in the photo?
• What makes this so special?
• What type of camera did you use?

About three years ago, I clicked my cat’s photo for the first time. The photo has my adorable cat Sandy, sleeping in the living room of my home. He was two weeks old at the time, and everything was new to him. This photo will always be a special moment for me, as it reminds me of my early days with him.

I remember struggling to capture Sandy’s photo, as he used to keep running all the time. It was so difficult to hold him in one place and take a photo. Finally, one day when he was sleeping, I quickly took a photo on my phone.

I took this photo on my first mobile – my Sony smartphone. Despite being taken with a phone, the photo came out really well. It had an amazing camera quality, and it captured the details of Sandy’s fur.

This photo reminds me of the happiness that Sandy brought into my life. Sandy was my first pet, and I still remember how excited I was to have him at home. In this photo, he will face away from the camera with half-closed eyes. Over the years, this photo has become a cherished keepsake showing my wonderful memories with him.

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Sample 3:

Describe a photo that you took and are proud of.

You should say

• When did you take this photo?
• Who/What was in the photo?
• What makes this so special?
• What device or camera did you use?

I recently took a photo with my childhood friend, when we met after ten years. The photo is a selfie of me and my friend. I love this photo because it captures our long-awaited reunion, after a decade. We had drifted apart due to various situations, such as education and careers, and hadn't seen each other in person since high school. 

This photo shows our friendship and bonding despite the long gap. We had also taken many more photos after that, throughout the day. The highlight is that I used my friend’s professional camera – a Canon EOS 3000D. I held the camera facing us, and tried taking a selfie. To our surprise, it came out so well!

We tried multiple times to get a good photo, but it didn’t turn out as expected. But we wanted to capture the moment as a selfe in a professional cam! After almost 10 minutes of trying our best, I was able to click a good one, through a random shot. 

Since we used a professional camera, the photo had an amazing picture quality with a clear focus on our faces. We shared this photo on our social media accounts, posting how we met after such a long time. We also took many photos of the places we went to that day and made a photo frame out of those.

Describe a photo that you took and are proud of: Follow-up questions

Once you’re done with part 2 of the IELTS speaking test, the interviewer will ask you some questions related to the cue card topic, “Describe a photo that you took and are proud of”. 

Below are some sample questions that might be asked.

1. Do you click photos with a camera or use your phone?

I use my phone to take photos most of the time because it's always easy to carry. Since I love taking photos, I definitely enjoy using a professional camera, if I get to use one. I use it when I'm trying to capture something with more detail.

2. Which is better, taking photos or keeping a diary?

As for whether taking photos or keeping a diary, the best one depends on what you are aiming to achieve and your personal preferences. Photos can be effective in holding memories of people, places and events. On the other hand, a diary provides more information and a record of what actually happened during that time period. It brings about feelings and events that photographs might not be able to communicate.

3. Are photographs the best way to remember something?

Photographs help in remembering something better since they preserve images from a given point in time (Kessous). They immediately bring memories back and remind us of how we felt during those moments. This largely depends on the perspective of whether they are the best mode of recalling. Others may find written descriptions or audio recordings better.

4. Why do some people like to use photographs to document important things?

Some people like to document using photographs because photos can capture a moment and preserve it lifelong. It is also very easy to share photos. You can also convey your experiences visually. Additionally, looking at photos can be a quick way to relive your memories.

Also read: IELTS Academic

In the IELTS speaking test, interviewers will check your delivery of a speech in English and how fluent you are in answering all the questions spontaneously, without taking up too much time. If you continuously practice IELTS cue card topics and sample IELTS questions, you can achieve your target score. 

You can learn how to prepare for the IELTS exam, and start your study abroad journey with Edvoy. Register now to achieve a score of 6 or higher with our free IELTS Masterclass!

Also read: IELTS introduction questions with answers

Frequently asked questions

How can I start speaking on the IELTS cue card?

You can refer to your cue card as instructions. When you start speaking, remember the key points of the topic one by one and narrate the summary. 

How to prepare for a cue card in 1 minute?

1. You can refer to your cue card as instructions.
2. Collect your thoughts about the topic that you have to talk about and jot them down using the pencil and paper provided. You can expand the points further, at the time of speaking.

How do I talk for 2 minutes in IELTS?

When you speak, add specific details to your answers. This will be more attractive to the interviewer. You can practice the speech by recording, listening, correcting mistakes, and repeating the process until you speak fluently. If you practice consistently, you can talk for 2 minutes continuously without hesitation.