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Describe a story/book with animals in it: IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card and Part 3 Questions

IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 · Current season: 7.15-8.07 Predicted · Updated 2026-08-09

Illustrated speaking scene for the IELTS cue card Describe a story/book with animals in it
AI-assisted teaching visual · IELTSpeaking original
One minute to prepare

Part 2 cue card

Describe a story/book with animals in it

You should say:

  • What animals are in it
  • What the story/book is about
  • Why you read the story/book
  • And explain what you think of this story/book

You will have one to two minutes to talk about this topic.

Full answer demonstrationNotice how the answer develops and connects its details.Listen for pace, sentence stress, linking and small natural corrections.
Read the complete transcript

One book with animals that made a big impression on me is Charlotte’s Web, a children’s novel by E. B. White. The main animals are Wilbur the pig, Charlotte the spider, Templeton the rat and a group of geese and cows on the farm. I especially liked Charlotte because she’s clever and calm, and the geese add comic relief with their chatter. The story follows Wilbur, a pig saved from being slaughtered by a girl called Fern, and later by Charlotte, who spins words into her web to save him. It’s really about friendship and the way different animals – and people – can help each other in unexpected ways. For example, Charlotte’s web tricks the farmer into treating Wilbur as special. I read it when I was at primary school and then again as an adult because someone recommended it to me for its humane message; the first time I loved the characters, the second time I noticed deeper themes about life and death. It’s written simply but with warmth, so it’s easy to return to. Overall I think it’s a lovely, slightly melancholic book that teaches kindness without being preachy, and it still makes me well up when I think of Charlotte’s final act.

This AI-generated learner demonstration is a practice example, not an official IELTS response.

Preparation status: Predicted topic cycle. This independent practice resource is not an official IELTS paper, and the questions in your test can be different. How topics are labelled.

Question playlist

Part 3 discussion questions

Move one question at a time: listen, answer, compare and retry. The complete question text remains in the page HTML for accessibility and search.

  • 01Should schools teach children about animals?
  • 02Some people think pets should not be kept in cities. What do you think?
  • 03Many people regard pets as members of their family. What do you think?
  • 04Do many people keep pets in your country?
  • 05What are the advantages of keeping a pet?
  • 06Why do people always tell children stories with animals?
Visual warm-up

See the topic before you speak

Use the images as idea prompts. Describe what you notice, connect it to your experience, then answer the real question.

Visual speaking prompt 1 for the topic describe a story book with animals in it
Prompt 1Notice three concrete details, then answer without writing a script.
Visual speaking prompt 2 for the topic describe a story book with animals in it
Prompt 2Change the viewpoint or example and record a second, more specific answer.
Listen · compare · repeat

Model answers, heard side by side

Start with the simpler answer, switch bands to hear how the same task can be developed, then record a personal response. These are teaching examples, not official answers or score guarantees.

Part 2 — Model Answer

Part 2 cue-card response

Band 6 model

A story with animals that I remember is Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. The main animals are Wilbur the pig, Charlotte the spider, Templeton the rat and some geese and cows. The book is about Wilbur, a pig who is saved from being killed by a girl called Fern, and later a clever spider Charlotte helps him by writing words in her web so people think he is special. I read the book when I was a child at school because it was on the reading list and my teacher recommended it. I liked it because the animals felt like real characters and it was easy to understand. Overall I think it is a kind and sad story that teaches friendship and caring for others.

Speaking criteria note: The Band 7 answer is lifted by greater length, more varied vocabulary and grammar, extra connective phrases and a deeper personal reflection on themes and examples.

Part 3 — Model Answers

Should schools teach children about animals?

Band 6 model

Yes, I think schools should teach children about animals. It helps children learn basic biology and where food comes from. Lessons or school trips to farms can also teach kindness and how to look after animals. Teaching about animals can make children more responsible and aware of nature.

Speaking criteria note: The Band 7 answer uses a wider range of ideas, links benefits across curricular and moral domains and gives concrete examples.

Some people think pets should not be kept in cities. What do you think?

Band 6 model

I don’t fully agree that pets shouldn’t be kept in cities. Many people in towns and cities keep small pets like cats or small dogs and they can be happy if owners are responsible. Space is smaller so you must take care with exercise and noise. Some exotic pets or large dogs might not be suitable in built-up areas.

Speaking criteria note: The Band 7 response balances benefits and risks, introduces the idea of regulation and infrastructure, and uses more nuanced language.

Many people regard pets as members of their family. What do you think?

Band 6 model

Yes, many people see pets as members of their family. Pets give emotional support and company, and owners often treat them like children, buying toys and clothes. This makes sense because pets are always there and people form strong bonds with them.

Speaking criteria note: The Band 7 answer explores social reasons, gives examples of behaviours and notes consequences, showing depth and wider vocabulary.

Do many people keep pets in your country?

Band 6 model

Yes, in my country many people keep pets, especially dogs and cats. Some families have fish, birds or small mammals too. Pet ownership seems to be quite common across towns and cities, and shops and vets are easy to find.

Speaking criteria note: The Band 7 reply gives a fuller picture with trends, examples of less common pets and the wider pet economy, demonstrating more vocabulary and elaboration.

What are the advantages of keeping a pet?

Band 6 model

Keeping a pet has many advantages. Pets give company and can reduce loneliness. Dogs in particular encourage exercise because you have to walk them. Pets can also teach children responsibility and caring.

Speaking criteria note: The Band 7 answer expands on psychological and social benefits, mentions therapeutic uses and links advantages to different age groups.

Why do people always tell children stories with animals?

Band 6 model

People tell children stories with animals because animals are fun and make stories interesting. It is easier for kids to understand lessons about right and wrong when animals act like people. Animals in stories can be simple examples to teach morals.

Speaking criteria note: The Band 7 response analyses reasons in more depth, refers to cultural examples and uses higher-level vocabulary and linking phrases.

How to answer Describe a story/book with animals in it IELTS Speaking questions

For the Describe a story/book with animals in it cue card, use the preparation minute to build a route through the talk. Choose a clear subject, add two specific moments or details and end with why it matters. Then use the linked Part 3 questions to practise broader explanation and comparison.

Cue-card prompts:

  • What animals are in it
  • What the story/book is about
  • Why you read the story/book
  • And explain what you think of this story/book
  1. Opening: identify the person, place, object or event.
  2. Development: describe two details or moments in a logical order.
  3. Extension: explain a reason, result, comparison or problem.
  4. Reflection: finish with why the subject is memorable or important.

Question-by-question approach

Practice questionUseful answer move
Should schools teach children about animals?Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script.
Some people think pets should not be kept in cities. What do you think?Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script.
Many people regard pets as members of their family. What do you think?Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script.
Do many people keep pets in your country?Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script.

Vocabulary focus

Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes empathy, ecosystems, animal welfare, infrastructure, regulate, heavy-handed, emotional investment, wellbeing. Learn the meaning and a natural word partnership, then use each item in a different answer instead of copying a complete script.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Giving a memorised response that only partly answers the question.
  • Adding difficult vocabulary without checking meaning or collocation.
  • Restarting after every error instead of correcting briefly and continuing.
  • Reading the model answer before recording your own first attempt.

Describe a story/book with animals in it practice FAQ

How should I use the Describe a story/book with animals in it cue card preparation minute?

Write keywords for an opening, two or three details and a final reflection. Do not try to write complete sentences.

Do I have to cover every cue-card bullet?

The prompts help you organise the talk. Covering them is useful, but a coherent one-to-two-minute response matters more than mechanically ticking off each line.

How are Part 3 questions connected to Part 2?

They develop the same broad theme through reasons, comparisons, social effects or future possibilities, so answers normally need more explanation than Part 1.

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