Describe one of your favourite photographs

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card 487 with Model Answer:

Describe one of your favourite photographs.

You should say:

• when the photograph was taken
• what it depicts
• what memory this photograph holds

and explain why it is one of your favourite photographs.

[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.]

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Model Answer 1:

I have always enjoyed standing in front of a camera and taking a picture of myself. In fact, at one point in my life, I became so passionate about taking pictures that I even bought an expensive camera by selling a lot of my “personal” pieces of stuff. But, that’s a different story altogether, so I will just go ahead and talk about one of my favourite pictures instead - which I took with that camera.

This particular picture, I am talking about, was taken at a wedding ceremony of one of my female cousins about 2/3 years ago. Now, before I go to talk about the picture, I should tell you a little about my cousin who was very much like an elder sister to me. So, her marriage indeed was a very special occasion for me, especially, because we shared a very special bond.

I remember taking quite a few pictures at that wedding ceremony but the picture, I am talking about here, was a special one because it was taken at a rather emotional moment for my cousin. In fact, it was taken at a time when my cousin, a new bride, was crying like a little baby as she was leaving her parents’ house to start a new life and family. 

Now, I am not too sure how the other members of my family were feeling about the grand departure of my cousin at the time of taking that picture, but as far as I am concerned, I felt like I was losing a part of me since that special lady had treated me all along just like her own younger brother – a brother she never had. 

Anyway, it is one of my favourite pictures as it had come as natural as one possibly could get. Besides, the picture was also a “mysterious” one in that I never quite figure out if those “tears” of my cousin were the “tears of joy” (of starting a new life) or the “tears of separation” from her own families – families which had raised her and loved her unconditionally.

Model Answer 2:

Introduction:
Photographs are an excellent way to capture memories, and I have many photographs that I really like. I'd like to thank you for this excellent topic. For this topic, I'll describe one of my favourite photographs.

When the photograph was taken:
The photograph was taken in August 2019, on the fourth day of my trip to Hawaii. We had gone to visit a famous beach on the North Shore of Oahu Island called "Waimea Bay Beach Park."

What it depicts:
The photograph depicts my sister and me standing on the beach, with the crystal clear blue water and the lush green mountains in the background. We were wearing matching floral dresses, and our hair was blowing in the gentle sea breeze.

What memory this photograph holds:
This photograph holds a lot of special memories for me. It was my first time visiting Hawaii, and it was a dream come true. My sister and I had planned this trip for months, and it was everything we had hoped it would be. This photograph was taken on the day that we had our first swim in the ocean. The water was so clear and refreshing, and we had so much fun playing in the waves.

And explain why it is one of your favourite photographs:
This photograph is one of my favourites because it captures a special moment in time that I will always cherish. It reminds me of the joy and excitement that I felt during my trip to Hawaii, and it makes me feel grateful for the time I spent there with my family. Every time I look at this photograph, I am transported back to that moment, and it makes me feel happy and content.

Model Answer 3:

Introduction:
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about this nice topic. I am excited to talk to you about one of my favourite photographs that I really like.

When the photograph was taken:
The photograph was taken on my university graduation day, which was one of the most significant moments of my life.

What it depicts:
The photograph depicts me, along with my parents, my younger sister, a few close friends, and one of my favourite teachers, who had a significant impact on my academic and personal growth. In the photograph, we are all standing together in front of the university's main building, wearing our graduation robes and hats. My parents are standing on either side of me, beaming with pride, and my sister is standing in front of me, giving a cheeky grin to the camera. My friends are standing behind me, giving the "thumbs up" sign, and my teacher is standing on the other end, looking on with a mix of happiness and nostalgia. The background is a clear blue sky, with a few fluffy white clouds that seem to be hovering above us like guardians of this special moment.

What memory this photograph holds:
The photograph holds the memory of my graduation day, which was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. It was a day filled with mixed emotions of joy, pride, and sadness as I was leaving behind a chapter of my life and starting a new one.

And explain why it is one of your favourite photographs:
This photograph is one of my favourite photographs because it reminds me of the immense support and love that I received from my family and friends throughout my academic journey. It also symbolizes the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication that I put in to reach my goals. Whenever I look at this photograph, it fills me with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for all the people who have played a role in shaping my life.