First day at school cue card

“Describe your first day at school” is one of the sample topics on the IELTS speaking cue card, which examines your English fluency and speaking skills. You can speak about your first-day school experience and share your unforgettable school memories with the interviewer. 

Before that, let’s read about the IELTS speaking test and its parts, which include the cue card.

IELTS speaking test

The IELTS speaking test is an important part of the IELTS exam. It checks your fluency in English through an interview lasting around 15 minutes. Its total band score is 9. It follows the same syllabus of IELTS academics and IELTS general training. 

There are 3 parts in the speaking interview:

IELTS speaking test part 1

The speaking test begins with a general introduction. The interviewer asks common questions about your educational achievements and family life. This session will take 4-5 minutes to complete.

IELTS speaking test part 2

In part 2 of the speaking test, you will receive a cue card from the examiner. It contains the topic with a few questions, and you will speak about it for 2 minutes. 

IELTS speaking test part 3

The interviewer will ask you questions related to the topic from part 2. During this session, you can share your thoughts and opinions. This IELTS speaking test part will take 4-5 minutes to complete.

If you want to work or study in a different country where English is the main language, you must pass the IELTS before going abroad. 

Next, let’s understand what the IELTS cue card is.

Also read: IELTS Exam pattern 2024

What is the IELTS cue card?

In part 2 of the IELTS speaking test, you get a cue card with a specific topic to speak about. In addition to the topic, the IELTS cue card also includes questions. 

You have 1 minute of preparation time and 2 minutes to talk about your topic.

Your IELTS cue card topic would usually be related to your personal experiences and opinions. The examiner assesses your English fluency, vocabulary, and ability to express your thoughts.

Below, we have some example cue cards to describe your first day at school. If you need more examples, instructions, questions, and answers, then you can refer to this IELTS Speaking cue card topics.

Further, let’s discuss how to answer cue card questions by collecting key points.

Also read: Your quick guide to IELTS scores

How to structure the flow of the first day at school cue card topic?

Remember, the interviewer checks your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and English fluency in the IELTS speaking test part 2. So, note the keywords and important points relevant to your topic, in this case, the first day at school cue card.

Let's see the first day at school cue card sample.

Sample 1:

These are the components of the cue card.

Describe your first day at school.

• What was your first school like?
• Tell about your school environment
• How did your teachers help you?
• Describe a memorable event on your first day at school

I have attended three schools in my life. I went to Little Bird Preschool in Bradford, and I will never forget my preschool experience because it is so special to me. On my first day, I went to school with my parents. 

My teachers were welcoming and helped me do many activities such as drawing, colouring, and vegetable painting. I was so afraid of the new environment and people, but after a few hours, I mingled with my classmates and enjoyed being with them. 

My school environment was beautiful, surrounded by nature. When I looked out the window, the birds were chirping, and the wind was blowing, and I felt enthusiastic. The school’s atmosphere encouraged me to learn new things. 

My adorable teacher William, was so kind to me. He introduced me to all the students, gave me a piece of coloured paper, and taught me how to create cat crafts. Later, he gave me clay, and I made different shapes of animals. That was a new and fun-filled experience for me.

My school was decorated with balloons and colourful posters. I happily enjoyed my whole day with my new friends. My teacher kept me in the playroom, where I played hopscotch with my friends and teacher. I still remember the song played during the game ‘The Dwarfs Planet Song’. At the end of the day, I never wanted to leave because I got new friends and teachers, and it was the first time I explored myself outside the home.

Register now to achieve a Score of 6 or higher with our free IELTS Masterclass!

Sample 2:

These are the components of the cue card.

Describe your first day at school.

• How did you feel on your first day at school?
• With whom did you go?
• Where is your first school located?
• What were the activities conducted on your first day of school?

My first day of kindergarten seemed like yesterday. That day, I had mixed expressions on my face. I was so excited and happy, and at the same time, I had a fear in my mind. When I entered the classroom, I could not quickly adapt myself to the school environment. When I saw the school size and number of students, I was so frightened. But I knew it was an important milestone in my educational journey. 

I went to a primary school called Evelyn School in Rio Grande City. It was an unforgettable moment. The first time I entered the school gate, I held my father's and mother's hands tightly. In my classroom, other students were playing with toys. Other kids were laughing and singing with their friends. I tried to talk with them, and at that moment, my first teacher entered the classroom. She made every student introduce themselves. When my turn came, I introduced myself to everyone.

My class teacher was so friendly. Her kind nature made me comfortable with everyone. On my first day, I made new friends, and it was a wonderful experience. I could easily connect with them through activities and games such as musical chairs, where we were made to form a circle and transfer the ball while music played.

All these experiences made my first day at school a very special and memorable one, leaving a smile on my face whenever I think about it.

Wish to score high in your IELTS? Download our comprehensive 30-day study guide for free.

Sample 3:

These are the components of the cue card.

Describe your first day at school.

• How did you feel on your first day at school?
• With whom did you go?
• Where was your first school located?
• What were the activities conducted on your first day of school?

I attended nursery school in Southwark. It was a precious experience because these were the best days of my life. On my first day at school, I felt so anxious, but my teachers were so welcoming. When I was in my school uniform first time, I loved my presence. I got a little bit confident to go on my first day of school. Soon after, I started to enjoy myself with the other kids. But some of the kids were disturbed and messed up. 

I went to school with my mother. Before entering the school, my mother used to say, “Be kind to all your friends and teacher”. She also told me to share my snacks with my friends. My class teacher asked our names one by one. After completing the introduction part, he taught about their daily activities and behaviour in the classroom. He educated students about how to practice hygiene. Till now, I have followed his instructions and taught others too. 

It was a surprising day for me because of the school infrastructure and their arrangement for welcoming new students. The senior school students also congratulated us and performed a drama about good habits and mono-acting about social issues. I won’t forget those events in my life because it was helpful for me to become a socially responsible person. 

At the end of the day, filled with a lot of fun activities, I was encouraged to go to school the next day as well.

Here are some downloadable PDFs for sample cue card topics:

• Describe an area of science that interests you
• Describe a successful businessperson you know
• Describe a party that you enjoyed
• Describe a difficult thing that you did and succeeded
• Describe a beautiful city

What next: Questions and answers

In the speaking test part 3 section, the interviewer will ask questions about the given topic in part 2. These questions and answers will help you provide more interesting and detailed answers so that the interviewer can evaluate your ability to English fluency. 

Here, let’s take a look at some follow-up questions suitable to the IELTS speaking cue card topic in discussion - Describe your first day at school.

Sample question 1: How do you believe your first day at school has an impact on your life?

My first day at school has impacted my life in a good way. When I face challenges in a new environment, it helps me navigate the situations easily. I can also be more friendly to new people.

Also read: IELTS introduction questions with answers

Sample question 2: Do you believe that school education should concentrate on social development or academic excellence?

I believe that school education should focus on both academic and social aspects, which are important for students. Social development and educational excellence play an equally critical role in students' skill development, such as leadership, teamwork and communication.

Sample question 3: What are the efforts the school should take to make the new students comfortable?

Schools can take various steps to comfort new students, such as appointing senior students and teachers to guide them and conducting multiple events and fun activities.

Also read: IELTS Speaking questions with answers

In the IELTS speaking test, you can prove your communication skills and English proficiency by describing your first day at school. This test plays a significant part in the IELTS exam. 

Further, interviewers will check your delivery of a speech in English and how fluent you are in answering all the questions without taking up too much time.

Also read: IELTS Cue card: Describe a course that you want to learn

Start your study abroad journey with Edvoy. You can learn how to prepare for the IELTS exam. If you continuously practice IELTS cue card topics and sample IELTS questions, you can achieve your target score.

Frequently asked questions

How to prepare for the IELTS cue card task?

• Carefully read the cue card topics and instructions
• Plan your preparation time
• Organise your thoughts and speech
• Speak clearly and confidently
• Explain your personal experience with relevant details
• Utilise the given time and speak confidently
• Practice vocabulary and pronunciation

Can I crack IELTS in 15 days?

Yes, you can crack IELTS with a 6.5 score and above in 15 days with the correct plan and practice. It requires some effort and preparation time to acquire a high score in IELTS.

Is IELTS difficult to crack? 

No, it is not difficult to crack. It needs a focused mindset, dedicated planning of your study schedule and time management.