7. IELTS Academic Speaking Part 2: Describe a Book That Influenced You (Cue Card + Model Answer + Vocabulary + Quiz)

Example: If the card says “Describe a time when you helped someone,” underline who the person was, how you helped them, what result it had, and why it was important.

Example notes: classmate → exam stress → explained study plan → improved confidence → grateful friendship.

Example introduction: “I’d like to talk about a situation when I helped a classmate prepare for an exam.”

Example conclusion: “This experience was meaningful to me because it strengthened my friendship and reminded me how important it is to support others.”

1. I would like to talk about ___(topic)___.

2. This happened ___(when/where)___.

3. At the beginning, ___(background detail)___.

4. One key aspect is that ___(main point)___.

5. In addition, I remember ___(extra detail/example)___.

6. Another significant part was ___(second idea + reason)___.

7. Finally, what impressed me most was ___(final reflection)___.

8. Overall, I believe ___(personal conclusion)___.

Cue Card

Describe a book you have read that influenced you.

You should say:

• what the book was,
• when you read it,
• what the main story or content was,
• and explain how it influenced you.

Timers (Customisable)

Default settings: Preparation 60s • Speaking 120s

Preparation — Countdown

Use this time to plan your talk.

Speaking — Timer & Recorder

Submission

Written Sample Answer

1) I would like to talk about a book that influenced me profoundly, which is Atomic Habits by James Clear. 2) I read it during my final semester at university when I was juggling coursework and a part‑time job. 3) At the beginning, I felt overwhelmed and inconsistent, so I was searching for practical advice to manage my time and energy better. 4) One key aspect is that the book explains how tiny, consistent actions can generate remarkable results over time. 5) In addition, I remember the author’s “habit stacking” idea—attaching a new habit to an existing routine—which helped me start daily reading after breakfast. 6) Another significant part was the focus on identity: rather than aiming to “get organised,” I began telling myself I was the kind of person who plans and reviews. 7) Finally, what impressed me most was how the book turned motivation into a system, showing me that small improvements, repeated, can reshape a life. 8) Overall, I believe this book influenced me because it transformed my mindset from chasing big goals occasionally to building small routines consistently, which has boosted my confidence and productivity.

Sample Answer — Audio (🟢 Placeholder)

Play to hear natural pacing, intonation, and linking devices.

1) Fluency & Coherence

1. It starts decisively with “I would like to talk about…,” avoiding hesitation and signalling topic control.

2. The talk follows a clear arc: context → key concepts → application → impact → conclusion.

3. Sequencing and signposting (“At the beginning…,” “One key aspect…,” “Another significant part…,” “Finally…”) guide the listener smoothly.

4. Short, concrete examples (habit stacking after breakfast) prevent the answer from sounding abstract or memorised.

5. The final sentence provides a rounded reflection so the answer still feels complete if the examiner stops you.

2) Task Fulfilment & Development

6. All bullet points are directly addressed: what the book is, when you read it, what it’s about, and how it influenced you.

7. Influence is explained with real‑life changes (identity framing, routines), not just opinions, showing depth.

8. The answer balances description of content with personal impact, which examiners expect for higher bands.

3) Lexical Resource

9. Topic‑appropriate collocations appear naturally: “tiny, consistent actions,” “habit stacking,” “boosted my confidence and productivity.”

10. Paraphrase reduces repetition: instead of repeating “influence,” it uses “transformed my mindset,” “reshaped my life,” and “built small routines.”

11. The vocabulary is precise but not over‑ambitious, keeping meaning clear and idiomatic.

4) Grammatical Range & Accuracy

12. Tense control is accurate: past simple for the reading experience, present simple for general truths, and present perfect for ongoing results.

13. Complex sentences with relative clauses (“which helped me…”) and reason clauses (“because…”) show flexibility without errors.

14. Parallel structures (“context → concept → application”) create rhythm and clarity.

5) Pronunciation & Delivery

15. Key content words (e.g., “influenced,” “routine,” “identity”) carry sentence stress, aiding intelligibility.

16. Pauses align with idea boundaries after signposts (“One key aspect is that… | Another significant part… | Finally…”), improving coherence.

17. Thought groups are kept short, reducing the chance of fillers and allowing a steady pace.

18. Linking (e.g., “kind of,” “sort of,” connected speech) can be added naturally during delivery to sound more fluent.

6) Personalisation Tips

19. Swap the book for a different non‑fiction or a novel and keep the same structure to avoid memorisation.

20. Replace “habit stacking after breakfast” with your own specific routine change to make the story authentic.

21. End with one concrete outcome (e.g., better grades, improved health), which strengthens the sense of influence.

influence /ˈɪn.flu.əns/ (BrE) · /ˈɪn.flu.əns/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: noun & verb

Word Pattern: have an influence on sth/sb · influence sb to do sth

Definition: the power to change how someone thinks or behaves, or to affect how something develops.

Example: “That book had a strong influence on my study habits.” → (means it changed the way I study).

Synonyms: impact, effect

Common Mistakes: Learners often say “influence to” ✘. Correct: “influence on.”

mindset /ˈmaɪnd.set/ (BrE) · /ˈmaɪnd.set/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: noun (countable/uncountable)

Word Pattern: adopt/change a mindset · mindset towards sth

Definition: a person’s general way of thinking or attitude towards something.

Example: “Reading that book helped me develop a positive mindset towards challenges.” → (means I learned to see challenges more positively).

Synonyms: attitude, outlook

Common Mistakes: Confusing “mindset” with “mind” ✘. “Mindset” is broader and more permanent.

routine /ruːˈtiːn/ (BrE) · /ruːˈtiːn/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: noun (countable/uncountable)

Word Pattern: daily routine · build/establish a routine

Definition: a set of regular activities or habits that you do in the same order.

Example: “The book motivated me to establish a morning routine of exercise and reading.” → (means a fixed habit I do every morning).

Synonyms: schedule, practice

Common Mistakes: Learners sometimes confuse “routine” with “route” ✘. They are unrelated.

productivity /ˌprɒd.ʌkˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/ (BrE) · /ˌproʊ.dʌkˈtɪv.ə.t̬i/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: noun (uncountable)

Word Pattern: increase/boost productivity · productivity in sth

Definition: the rate at which someone works effectively, producing useful results.

Example: “After applying the lessons, my productivity at work improved dramatically.” → (means I achieved more in less time).

Synonyms: efficiency, output

Common Mistakes: Learners confuse “productive” (adjective) with “productivity” (noun).

habit /ˈhæb.ɪt/ (BrE) · /ˈhæb.ɪt/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: noun (countable)

Word Pattern: develop/break a habit · have a habit of doing sth

Definition: something you do regularly, often without thinking about it.

Example: “The book encouraged me to form the habit of reading for 20 minutes daily.” → (means reading became part of my regular behaviour).

Synonyms: custom, practice

Common Mistakes: Learners may say “make a habit” incorrectly. Correct: “form/develop a habit.”

broaden one’s horizons /ˈbrɔː.dən wʌnz həˈraɪ.zənz/ (BrE) · /ˈbrɔː.dən wʌnz həˈraɪ.zənz/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: idiom (verb phrase)

Pattern: broaden + one’s horizons

Definition: to increase your knowledge, experience, or interests beyond what you are familiar with.

Example: “That book really broadened my horizons about how small actions shape big results.” → (means it expanded my way of thinking).

Synonyms: expand perspective, open up new worlds

Common Mistakes: Learners often drop the possessive “one’s” ✘. Correct form: “broaden my horizons.”

food for thought /fuːd fə ˈθɔːt/ (BrE) · /fuːd fər ˈθɔːt/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: idiom (noun phrase)

Pattern: provide/offer food for thought

Definition: something that makes you think seriously about a subject.

Example: “The author’s ideas about identity were real food for thought.” → (means they gave me deep ideas to consider).

Synonyms: material for reflection, point to ponder

Common Mistakes: Learners misuse it literally ✘. It is metaphorical and never about eating.

leave a lasting impression /liːv ə ˈlɑː.stɪŋ ɪmˈpreʃ.ən/ (BrE) · /liːv ə ˈlæs.tɪŋ ɪmˈpreʃ.ən/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: collocation (verb phrase)

Pattern: leave a lasting impression on sb

Definition: to strongly affect someone so that they remember it for a long time.

Example: “The book’s message about identity left a lasting impression on me.” → (means I still remember it deeply).

Synonyms: make a deep impact, remain unforgettable

Common Mistakes: Learners sometimes use “impression in me” ✘. Correct: “impression on me.”

change the way you see the world /tʃeɪndʒ ðə weɪ juː siː ðə wɜːld/ (BrE) · /tʃeɪndʒ ðə weɪ juː siː ðə wɝːld/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: idiomatic phrase (verb)

Pattern: change the way sb sees the world

Definition: to completely transform someone’s perspective or worldview.

Example: “That novel truly changed the way I see the world.” → (means it shifted my overall perspective).

Synonyms: alter one’s outlook, reshape perspective

Common Mistakes: Learners shorten it to “change world” ✘, which is unclear.

turn over a new leaf /tɜːn ˈəʊ.və ə njuː liːf/ (BrE) · /tɝːn ˈoʊ.vɚ ə nuː liːf/ (AmE)

Part of Speech: idiom (verb phrase)

Pattern: turn over a new leaf (no object)

Definition: to start behaving in a better or more responsible way.

Example: “After reading the book, I decided to turn over a new leaf and organise my daily life.” → (means I made a fresh positive start).

Synonyms: make a fresh start, change for the better

Common Mistakes: Learners say “open a new leaf” ✘. Correct form: “turn over a new leaf.”