Cue Card # 189: A time when you talked to a stranger

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card # 189

Describe a time when you talked to a stranger.

You should say:

• when it was
• who this person was
• what the conversation was about

and explain how you felt about the conversation.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer:

Not too long ago, I actually tried to avoid talking to a complete stranger unless I really, really have to. Then an embarrassing incident forced me to change that habit, and let me tell you, it was a change for the better. Since then, I have talked to complete strangers on many occasions, and here I would like to just share the experience of one of them.

It was about 3 years ago, and I met this stranger at a company where I went for a job interview. By the way, if you actually come to think of it, each and every person at a place, which you have never visited before, is a stranger because you have never met them before. So, anyway, this stranger was sitting next to me while talking over his phone a bit loudly. Up until that time, I didn’t really know who he really was nor did I care to know. But, then his loud voice started to bother me, so I just politely requested him to talk in a lower voice. But, as soon as I requested to do so, he just hung up his phone and went completely quiet. Needless to say, I felt a little guilty after that. After all, I didn’t really want him to stop his conversation like that.

But, then, as I was eagerly waiting for my interview call, he suddenly told me that “we all are servants of our habits”. He also implied very politely that I might also have some habits which I couldn’t change or needed to change. After a little pause, I also wanted to say something but as I was called for my interview, I just left the place.

Anyway, still I don’t know who that stranger really was, but the brief conversation, we had, was really deep and meaningful. Indeed, we all have some habits that we need to change, if not for the good of other people but for our own good. But, instead of doing that, we all are busy finding or pointing at the faults or habits of other people.