Describe a Movie You Watched Recently – IELTS Cue Card

I am a 14-year experienced IELTS coach, and I know how crucial the IELTS Speaking is, particularly Part 2, in which you get your cue card and must speak 1-2 minutes. This is the most critical section in knowing how well and smoothly you can speak sensibly on a subject.

In this blog, I would like to introduce a typical cue card topic, which is: “Describe a Movie You Watched Recently.” I would also like to provide some well-structured sample answers, tips on how to plan for the task, vocabulary enrichment ideas, and how to answer the follow-up questions confidently.

The cue card is the second component of the IELTS Speaking test, normally 3 to 4 minutes long in total. You are presented with a topic, and using some bullet points, you are to set out your thoughts. Spending around a minute to plan what you are going to say, you then speak for a maximum of 2 minutes on the topic.

That would be true for either the Academic or General Training test. A number of my students have indicated that they have been extremely anxious about this section of the test their whole lives. I find that it is really the simplest section to prepare for if you do things my way.

How to Answer the Cue Card?

From my experience, the best way to tackle a cue card is by structuring your answer into three clear parts:

Introduction – Briefly introduce what you’ll talk about.

Body – Answer the bullet points given in the card in detail.

Conclusion – Wrap up with your final thoughts or opinions.

Keep in mind that your response is graded on fluency, coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), and grammatical range. Therefore, it’s important that you maintain a natural but still structured response. Here’s the way you might tackle this particular cue card:

Cue Card Topic: Describe a Movie You Watched Recently

You must say:

When and where did you see it?
What was the film about?
Why did you watch it?
How did you like it?

Now, here are some sample answers that I frequently teach my students in order to help them comprehend how to create high-scoring answers.

Sample 1: Describe a Movie You Watched Recently

Introduction:

– One of the most affecting movies I have seen recently was Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh.

– It is a compelling Indian historical courtroom drama directed by Karan Singh Tyagi.

When and Where Did You Watch It?

I just watched it at the PVR cinema in Jaipur a few days ago. It was a Sunday evening, and I went with a group of good friends. We all love historical films and are particularly interested in lesser-known events from India’s history.

What Was the Movie About?

The movie is concerning the aftermath of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. It involves an Indian barrister, C. Sankaran Nair, who tries to take the British to court in seeking justice for the victims on that fateful day. The plot is powerful, grimy, and raw, both emotional and strong, and fundamentally rooted in the freedom struggle in India.

Why Did You Choose to Watch It?

I definitely opted to see it not just because of its all-star cast, as Akshay Kumar received brilliant reviews and excellent reviews from Ananya Pandey, but personally I have a law background. I was interested in the court drama.

How Did You Feel About It?

Frankly, the movie made a powerful emotional impression. It made me feel patriotic and admire the sacrifices of our forefathers. I even got emotional watching some scenes.

Conclusion:

Overall, Kesari Chapter 2 is a must-see, and I recommend it to everyone interested in history or justice. I’d watch it again with pleasure.

Sample 2: Describe a Movie You Watched Recently

Introduction:

I head for another film, which I recently viewed: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. It translates to “You Only Live Once.” It is an Indian road-trip movie directed by Zoya Akhtar.

When and Where Did You Watch It?

Although an oldie, I got to re-watch it last weekend on the OTT platform. I had some friends over, and we felt so nostalgic about watching something that we all liked a lot.

What Was the Movie About?

This is a story of three childhood buddies going on a road trip throughout Spain. The three assist each other in creating connections, overcoming individual fears, and gaining insight into friendship and life itself while traveling. It is a good-feeling movie with slightly serious undertones, so the audience can sit and reflect on themselves.

Why Did You Choose to Watch It?

I mostly opted for watching it due to the cast-Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol-that ensures enjoyment with a certain amount of introspection. I likely appreciated that the film gives one the occasional reminder of being in the here and now.

How Did You Feel About It?

I felt light, relaxed, and reminded how vital in life it is just to pause for some time, embrace living, and nurture relationships with individuals we hold dear.

Conclusion:

If you haven’t yet watched this film, I really suggest you watch it. It’s an uplifting, lighthearted, and thought-provoking film.

Sample 3: Describe a Movie You Watched Recently

Introduction:

Quite recently, I had the opportunity to watch yet another iteration of the timeless Zoya Akhtar movie, Dil Dhadakne Do.

Where and When Did You See It?

It was in some random local movie theatre in Delhi in its re-release. My family and I were out and about shopping on a Sunday, until we spontaneously decided to catch a show.

What Are the Premises of the Movie?

It is about the life of a wealthy Indian family during a cruise dinner party to celebrate the anniversary of a wedding. Beneath the glamour, it reveals the cracks in their relationships, particularly among parents and offspring.

Why Did You Watch It?

What piqued my interest was the weird plot, for which even to narrate their story with the help of a dog named Pluto! And I also greatly appreciate Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Ranveer Singh for their fantastic acting.

What Do You Think of It?

I was moved by the way it portrayed the challenges of contemporary families in a very realistic manner, while gently prompting the audience to listen to their hearts and disobey societal norms.

Conclusion:

The movie is a fun ride, but it gives us plenty to think about. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they do think of another one?

Lexical Resources

To assist you in enhancing your vocabulary, a few helpful words from the following answers are included below:

Word/Phrase – Meaning

Heartwarming – Causing happy or pleasant feelings

Repercussion – Unforeseen consequences or aftereffects

Co-counsel – Legal co-advocate on a court case

Intrigued – Interested or curious

Patriotism – Love and allegiance to one’s nation

Free-spirited – Unhampered; living life freely

Dysfunctional – Not functioning properly, especially in relationships

Voice-over narration – Comment from an off-camera voice

Sequel – Follow-up of a story

Follow-Up Questions with Sample Answers – Describe a Movie You Watched Recently

Following the cue card, you’ll be given some follow-up questions that are slightly related. This is how I instruct my students to answer them:

What types of movies do youth especially enjoy in your nation?

Sincerely, it’s everywhere. Some are completely fixated on these crazy superhero movies—Marvel, DC, you get the idea—while others simply need a goofy romcom they can quote with their buddies. But honestly, if a movie seems like something they can really relate to or fantasize about, they’re there. Anything that won’t put them to sleep, essentially.

Do you believe some movies aren’t appropriate for all ages?

Uh, yeah. I mean, you don’t sit a seven-year-old down in front of a horror movie or an especially gory crime thriller, right? Unless you enjoy being awakened at 3am because they think there’s a zombie in the closet. Some things just aren’t for kids, and that’s okay.

How would you characterize a good movie?

To me, a great movie is one that has a meaningful story, touches the heart, and makes a lasting impact. It doesn’t have to have big-name stars—substance is more important than style.

Do famous actors need to be in a movie for it to be successful?

Though big names draw crowds, they don’t assure success. Plot, direction, and emotional depth contribute much more to how well a film performs.

Tips to Excel in the IELTS Cue Card

These are my best tips for cue card mastery:

Practice regularly using mock tests.
Use your 1-minute preparation time wisely—write down keywords.
Record your responses to identify weak areas.
Adhere to the bullet points provided in the cue card.
Use real-life stories to personalize your response.
Speak confidently and calmly.
Don’t leave long pauses—remain fluent and coherent.
Get expert feedback to refine your delivery.

Conclusion

The IELTS Speaking test is a challenging one, but if you prepare well, practice, and have the right mindset, you will do well. In this post, I demonstrated how to answer the cue card, “Describe a Movie you watched recently” and 3 sample answers which got a score of 8 or 9, vocabulary enhancers, follow-up questions, and tips.

If you continue to require additional assistance or suggestions, or would like to sign up for my one-on-one IELTS tutoring lessons, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I wish you achieve your desired band score!