Describe a meal you enjoyed

In IELTS Speaking Part 2 you get this card, one minute to prepare and up to two minutes to speak. Below: the notes a strong candidate might make in that minute, a natural Band 7–8 answer, the words that make it work, and the Part 3 discussion the examiner usually moves on to.

The cue card

One-minute notes

Notes in the preparation minute should be keywords, not sentences — one line per bullet, plus the one detail that makes your story yours. Something like:

• a fish dinner at a tiny harbour restaurant
• last summer, a coastal town
• with my parents, their anniversary
• no menu — the fish caught that morning
• enjoyed: food simple, but the evening was perfect

Band 7–8 sample answer

I'd like to talk about a dinner I had last summer with my parents, in a small coastal town where we spent a few days for their thirtieth wedding anniversary.

The restaurant was tiny — maybe six tables — right next to the harbour, and the interesting thing about it was that there was no menu. The owner came to our table, told us which fish the boats had brought in that morning, and asked how we'd like it cooked. We ended up with grilled sea bass, a big bowl of salad with lemon and olive oil, fresh bread and some fried potatoes. It was very simple food, nothing fancy at all.

I was there with just my mum and dad, which doesn't happen often these days, as I live in a different city. We sat outside, the sun was going down over the water, and the owner kept bringing extra little dishes for free because he'd found out it was their anniversary. At one point my dad started telling stories about how they met, some of which I'd honestly never heard before.

I think I enjoyed it so much because everything came together at the right moment. The food was excellent because it was so fresh, but I've had good fish before. What made it special was the atmosphere and the company — seeing my parents relaxed and happy after a difficult few years. If you asked me to choose one meal to have again, it would be that one, without a second thought.

About 255 words — roughly two minutes at a relaxed pace. Notice what it does: one specific story instead of general statements, every bullet covered, natural spoken linking rather than "firstly… secondly…", and the "why" part of the card answered properly at the end — that is where many candidates run out of things to say. Use it to see the structure; don't memorise it. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and your own story will always sound more fluent.

Useful vocabulary

• nothing fancy — simple, not expensive or complicated
• bring in (fish/a catch) — to bring fish back to the harbour
• the company — the people you are with
• come together — when different parts combine perfectly
• without a second thought — immediately, without needing to think
• mouth-watering — looking or smelling extremely delicious

Part 3: questions and model answers

After your two minutes, the examiner moves to a discussion linked to the card's topic. These questions are more abstract: give an opinion, a reason and an example, and it's fine to say "it depends" — as long as you explain on what.

How have eating habits changed in your country?

People eat out and order delivery much more than they used to, especially in cities. Families also eat together less often, because everyone has different schedules. On the positive side, there's more interest in healthy and international food than when I was a child.

Is fast food a serious problem?

I think it's a serious problem when it becomes a habit rather than an occasional treat. It's cheap, fast and designed to be addictive, so people on low incomes or with little time end up relying on it. The effects on health, especially for children, are pretty well documented.

Should schools teach cooking?

Definitely. Being able to cook a few basic, healthy meals is a life skill, just like managing money. Many young people leave home without knowing how to make anything, so they depend on ready meals. A practical cooking class would probably do more for public health than another poster about vegetables.

Do family meals still bring people together?

They can, but it takes more effort now. When there's a family meal, it's one of the few times everyone puts their phones away and actually talks. In my family, Sunday lunch is almost compulsory, and I think it's a big part of why we're still close.

More cue cards about activities and habits

• Describe a skill you learned as an adult
• Describe a sport you enjoy watching or playing
• Describe an outdoor activity you did for the first time
• Describe a hobby you would like to take up
• Describe a healthy habit you have

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