Ashore for webTry a mock test
Part 2 cue card · Events · New for September–December 2026

Describe a course that impressed you a lot.

Describe a course that impressed you a lot.

You should say:

  • ·what the course was about
  • ·where you took the course
  • ·what you did during the course

and explain why it impressed you a lot.

One minute to prepare, up to two minutes to talk. Then Part 3 asks the questions below.

Sample answers

Two answers to the same card

Same story, two levels. Both were written by Ashore, then checked against the public band descriptors in a separate pass. The bands are practice estimates, not official IELTS results.

A simpler answer

Checked at band 6.5 · 164 words

One course that impressed me was a basic cooking course. It was about preparing simple Chinese dishes and learning some kitchen skills. I took it at a community centre near my home last year. It ran for six weeks, with one evening class each week.

During the course, the teacher showed us how to cut vegetables safely and how to cook things like fried rice and tomato soup. We worked in small groups, so I could practise with other people. I also learned to taste the food while cooking and add salt little by little. Before that, I usually followed recipes without thinking much.

The course impressed me because the teacher explained everything clearly, and we could use what we learned at home. After the course, I cooked dinner for my parents several times. They said the food was good, which made me feel proud. It was not a difficult or expensive course, but it gave me useful skills and made cooking more enjoyable.

  • Specific detail · “It ran for six weeks”
  • Summing up the benefit · “made cooking more enjoyable”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7.5 · 240 words

Honestly, the course that impressed me most was a six-week beginner's cooking class. It focused on making everyday Chinese dishes, but it wasn't just about following recipes. We also learned basic skills like safe knife handling, timing, and how to balance flavours. I took it at a community centre near my flat last year because I wanted to stop relying on takeaway food after work.

Each week, we cooked in pairs. The instructor first demonstrated a technique, then we tried it ourselves. I remember making fried rice and tomato and egg soup; the teacher showed us how to prepare ingredients before turning on the stove, which made the whole process feel less stressful. We practised chopping vegetables safely and tasted our food as we went, adding seasoning a little at a time. I used to follow instructions mechanically, so that was a real change for me.

What made the course impressive was how quickly I could use the lessons at home. After a class, I cooked the same soup for my parents, and I could adjust it when it tasted too sour. The instructor was patient and gave specific feedback rather than simply saying whether a dish was good or bad. Even though it was only a short evening course, it changed the way I think about cooking. If I hadn't taken it, I'd probably still be nervous about preparing a full meal; now it's something I genuinely enjoy doing.

  • Precise vocabulary · “everyday Chinese dishes”
  • Relative clause · “which made the whole process feel less stressful”
  • Process detail · “adding seasoning a little at a time”
  • Contrast · “rather than simply saying”
  • Conditional · “If I hadn't taken it”
Angles

2 ways to answer it

  1. 1A photography elective where you photographed overlooked corners of campus and noticed the light
  2. 2A community first-aid course where hands-on practice made the steps easier to remember
Expressions

4 expressions that fit this card

hands-on practice
learning by doing an activity
bring the subject to life
make a subject vivid and interesting
stick in my mind
remain easy to remember
put what I learned into practice
use new knowledge in a real situation
Part 3

The questions that follow

After the long turn, Part 3 asks bigger questions on the same theme. Each one comes with two points you can build an answer from.

  1. 1

    What do people need to remember in their daily lives?

    • ·Appointments, tasks and frequently used information need remembering each day.
    • ·Reminders can free attention for more demanding decisions.
  2. 2

    Why do some people have a better memory than others?

    • ·Attention, practice methods and interest can influence memory.
    • ·People may use associations and categories rather than relying on natural ability alone.
  3. 3

    Do people like things of memorial significance?

    • ·Keepsakes connect people with experiences, making them valuable beyond their price.
    • ·Others prefer photographs or memories rather than keeping physical objects.
  4. 4

    Which can help people remember things better, words or photos?

    • ·Photos evoke a scene, while words can preserve precise details.
    • ·Combining them, such as captioning an old photo, can make memories clearer.
Stories

One story, many cards

This card fits this story. Prepare the story once and you can bend it to every card listed with it on the season page.

  • A driven classmate or colleague

    Someone with a clear goal: what they want to become, how they study or work, a problem they solved.

Say it out loud and get a band score