Ashore for webTry a mock test
Part 2 cue card · Objects · Retained in September–December 2026

Describe a program or app on your computer or phone.

Describe a program or app on your computer or phone.

You should say:

  • ·what it is
  • ·how often you use it
  • ·when/how you use it
  • ·when/how you found it

and explain how you feel about it.

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 · 172 words

I'd like to talk about the notes app on my phone. It's a simple app where I can write things down and keep them in one place. I use it almost every day, usually several times.

I use it for small things I don't want to forget. For example, I write a shopping list before I go to the supermarket, and I sometimes note down an idea or an address when I'm outside. When I get home, I can check the list and cross things off. It's also helpful at work because I can save a few points before a meeting.

I found the app when I got my current phone. It was already on the phone, so I didn't have to search for it or download anything. I tried it because I needed somewhere to keep a list, and I soon got used to it. I feel good about the app because it's easy to use and saves me time. It's not a special app, but I use it a lot.

  • State the frequency · “I use it almost every day”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7.5 · 252 words

Honestly, the app I use most is the notes app on my phone. It's a straightforward place to save short bits of information, and I can organise them into separate notes rather than trying to remember everything. It isn't fancy, but that simplicity is exactly why I keep using it.

I open it almost every day, often a few times from morning to evening, because little tasks come up throughout the day. When I'm doing errands, I use it to make a shopping list. Before I go to the supermarket, I add items as I remember them, and then I tick them off while I'm there, so I don't buy things twice or forget something important. I also save an address that someone sends me, or jot down two or three points before a work meeting. Those notes are short, but having them in one place means I can find them quickly instead of searching through messages.

I first noticed the app when I got my current phone. It was already installed, so I didn't need to look for one or download anything. At first, I only used it for shopping, but after I realised I could make separate notes, I started putting work reminders and useful addresses there too. Overall, I find it genuinely useful rather than exciting. It's simple and dependable, and it saves me from relying on my memory for small details. If I didn't have it, I'd probably forget a few things each week, especially when I'm busy.

  • Explain the feature · “organise them into separate notes”
  • Add a specific detail · “add items as I remember them”
  • Explain how you found it · “already installed, so I didn't need”
  • Use a conditional · “If I didn't have it”
Angles

2 ways to answer it

  1. 1A budgeting app: logging expenses before bed and noticing how much takeaways cost
  2. 2A notes app: a classmate recommended it to organise a whole term of lecture notes
Expressions

4 expressions that fit this card

keep track of
monitor something over time
come in handy
be useful when needed
easy to get the hang of
easy to learn to use
use it on a daily basis
use it every day
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 are the differences between old and young people when using apps?

    • ·Younger users may recognise app conventions, while older users need clearer guidance.
    • ·Experience matters too; frequent users are not necessarily young.
  2. 2

    Why do some people not like using apps?

    • ·Privacy concerns, advertising and complicated steps can discourage users.
    • ·For some tasks, an offline option may simply be more convenient.
  3. 3

    What apps are popular in your country? Why?

    • ·Messaging, payment and map apps meet frequent everyday needs.
    • ·People in different age groups and jobs also have specialised favourites.
  4. 4

    Should parents limit their children's use of computer programs and computer games? Why and how?

    • ·Limits should protect sleep and study without banning everything indiscriminately.
    • ·Agree on suitable times and distinguish learning tools from entertainment.
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