I am an IELTS coach and I have guided many minds in enhancing their speaking skills and excelling at IELTS Speaking. One common topic for the cue card in Speaking Part 2 is “Describe a historical period.” For this task, write about a period in history that interests you, why you are interested in it, and what you can do to learn more about it. The examiner will present you with a cue-card containing a topic and you will be given 1 minute to prepare and then you will speak for 2-3 minutes along with follow-up questions.
Describe a Historical Period
You should say:
- Which time frame do you want to inquire about?
- What makes you want to know more about it?
- How do you think you could know about it?
Response 1: Describe a Historical Period
Introduction:
History really intrigues me, and I enjoy reading stories from the past. My childhood was filled with stories from my grandparents about momentous historical events, one of which I found the most stirring was India’s pre-independence era.
What is the time frame I am interested in?
The pre-independence period is one of the crucial periods in Indian history. The freedom fighters of that time struggled and sacrificed their lives to free us from British domination. One leader who really stood out for me was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose contribution to uniting India was invaluable.
Why do I even care to find out about it?
My interest in learning about leaders who helped bring freedom to my country has always prevailed. The role played by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the integration of 562 states into a single nation cannot be emphasised enough. I’m still inspired by his selflessness and patriotism.” Listening to my grandfather tell his stories made me feel intimately bonded to this time in history, and I wanted to know more.
What do I think I know about this?
I think reading history books and looking at real records is the best way to learn about this time. There are also documentaries and interviews with historians who delve into the freedom movement and the figures who led it. There are motivations for me to do good for my country after their morals, values, and sacrifices.
Conclusion:
I am very interested in learning more about the pre-independence era, which to this day is one of the most interesting time periods of our history.
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Response 2: Describe a Historical Period
Introduction:
With its rich cultural history, India is a country I always wanted to visit to discover its ancient civilizations. This is partly because there have been a few historical periods that I am very interested in, they are the Vasahi Bharatiya age — it is the seed age of Bharatvarsha.
When do I want to know when it happened?
I want to learn about the Vedic period of India, during which the Vedas, the ancient scriptures of Hindus, were composed. The spiritual development of India started taking place under the then philosophic or religious thought.
Why do I care about it?
It was during this time that two great epics of Hinduism, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, arose. Still the teachings of Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita are applicable for billions of people across the globe. The ideas presented during this time continue to resonate with me, which I think is interesting.
How do you expect me to know about it?
The only way to navigate this period is through historical texts, scriptures, and a variety of books. More documentaries, online courses, and historical research papers explain deeply about this era. Seeing series on Mahabharata and Ramayana is also a big help for me to grasp how they perceived their lifestyle and values during that time.
Conclusion:
This is the main reason why I need to know about the Vedic era because it is an important era in India’s history, and I look forward to learning more about the wisdom, teachings, and cultural contributions that the Vedic era has made.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Describe a Historical Period: Discussion Questions
Do you feel that children these days are learning too much about history?
No, for that reason, and indeed a lot of kids today are less engaged about history precisely because they are much more engaged in technology and current breakthroughs. Nonetheless, knowing history is essential to prevent repeating past errors and making a more humane future.
However, many children find history boring (that has dates and names). Do you agree?
I agree, yes: Kids get in trouble with history because it’s so full of dates and names. It turns out that all of this knowledge to help learn about history through storytelling and visual media can make it much more engaging and relevant.
Why do you think it is important to learn from past experiences?
Absolutely! History gives us lessons on what we humans do right, wrong, and how we change as a species. It helps avoid repeating mistakes, as they say, learn from the past.
How do people find reliable information about history?
There are genuine history books, museums, and web archives to access. Historical and university institution websites also usually have well-supported information.
Should museums have to charge an entry fee?
Yes, museums should charge a reasonable fee to maintain exhibits and ensure proper preservation of historical artifacts. However, educational visits for students should be subsidized.
Conclusion
You will not be asked to provide an idea in your IELTS Speaking test, it will be about how well you present the subject in a fluent and logical way. Structure your answer by talking about what you’re interested in, why this topic matters, and how you can learn more about it. With sufficient practice, relevant confidence, and thought-out replies, you will do this cue card topic justice and increase your IELTS Speaking band scores!
Other IELTS speaking cue card topics
Describe a Foreign Person You Have Heard About
Describe a Situation When You Helped Someone
Describe Something in Your Country That You Are Interested In
Describe A Famous Athlete You Know