The cue card
Describe a film that made an impression on you. You should say:
- what the film was
- when you saw it
- what it was about
- and explain why it made an impression on you
You have 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1 to 2 minutes.
🎙 Practise this card with the examiner
Notes you could make in 1 minute
Write key words only, one line per bullet point:
- documentary about plastic in oceans
- last year, at home
- turtles, plastic
- changed my habits
Band 7+ sample answer
A film that really made an impression on me was a documentary about plastic pollution in the oceans. I watched it at home one evening last year, mainly because there was nothing else on, and I wasn't expecting much.
It followed a team of scientists and filmmakers as they travelled to different parts of the world to show how much plastic ends up in the sea. Some of the scenes were really hard to watch, especially footage of sea turtles and birds that had swallowed plastic bags and bottle caps. There was one part filmed on a remote island where the beaches, which should have been untouched, were covered in rubbish that had floated there from thousands of kilometres away.
What made it so powerful was that it didn't just show the problem. It also explained how ordinary things we use every day, like takeaway coffee cups and plastic packaging, contribute to it, and it showed people who were trying to make a difference.
It made an impression on me because it really hit home how much of my own daily life involved single-use plastic. The next day, I bought a reusable coffee cup and a water bottle, and I've become much more conscious of what I buy at the supermarket. I know one person can't solve the problem, but I think the film changed my habits more than any article or advertisement ever had. I've recommended it to quite a few friends since then.
About 245 words, or roughly 2 minutes at a natural speaking pace.
Useful vocabulary for this topic
- eye-opening
- to raise awareness
- to leave a lasting impression
- it really hit home
- hard-hitting
- to make a conscious effort
Why this answer works: it covers every bullet point, tells a short story with specific details (names, places, numbers), uses a range of tenses, and finishes with the "explain" point, which is where you show your best vocabulary.
Follow-up and Part 3 questions
Examiner's follow-up (Part 2): Would you watch it again?
Part 3 discussion questions:
- Why are films from some countries popular around the world?
- Should governments support their local film industries?
- Will people still go to cinemas in the future?
- Do films influence how people behave?
Answer Part 3 questions in 3–4 sentences: your view, a reason, an example, and the other side.
More cue cards
Frequently asked questions
How long should my answer to 'Describe a film that made an impression on you' be?
Speak for up to 2 minutes; the examiner will stop you. That's roughly 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The sample answer on this page is about 245 words.
Can I memorise this sample answer?
No. Examiners are trained to recognise memorised answers, and it can lower your score. Use the sample to see the structure and borrow a few phrases, then talk about your own experience.