The cue card
Describe a rule that you think is important.
You should say:
- what the rule is
- where it applies
- what happens when people break it
and explain why you think this rule is important.
You have one minute to make notes, then speak for one to two minutes.
Band 8–9 sample answer
Written by Abroadway as a model of natural, high-band speaking (not an official IELTS sample).
I'd like to talk about a fairly ordinary rule that I only started to appreciate after a summer abroad, and that's the rule that drivers must stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings.
It applies on roads all over the UK, which is where I came across it properly. A couple of years ago I spent about two months in Edinburgh, staying with my cousin, who was doing a PhD there. On my first day, I was standing at one of those black-and-white striped crossings, waiting for a gap in the traffic, as I would at home. To my surprise, a bus stopped, then a taxi, and they all just waited patiently until I'd crossed. My cousin laughed at me and explained that once you step onto the crossing, drivers are expected to give way, and most of them will stop even if you're just waiting at the kerb.
As for what happens when people break it, drivers who fail to stop can be fined and get penalty points on their licence, and if they build up too many points, they can lose their licence altogether. But honestly, what struck me more than the legal penalty was the social pressure. I once saw a car speed over a crossing while an elderly woman was halfway across, and the reaction from people on the pavement was remarkable. Several of them shouted at the driver, and someone took a photo of the number plate.
The reason I think this rule is so important is that it protects the most vulnerable road users: children, older people and anyone with a disability. Pedestrians have no armour, so to speak, and a rule like this puts the responsibility on the person in control of a heavy machine. When I came back to Dhaka, I found myself wishing we had a similar culture here, because crossing a busy road can feel like a gamble.
Useful phrases from this answer
- give way
- let another person or vehicle go first
- what struck me
- what I noticed and found surprising or impressive
- the most vulnerable road users
- the people most likely to be hurt on the roads, such as pedestrians
- so to speak
- used when you are describing something in an unusual or not literal way
- can feel like a gamble
- seems risky because the result is uncertain
- out of fear
- because someone is afraid
- a matter of principle
- something you do because you believe it is morally right
- get away with
- do something wrong without being caught or punished
Part 3 follow-up questions and answers
What kinds of rules do children have to follow at school?
Most schools have a mix of rules about behaviour, appearance and safety. In Bangladesh, for example, children usually have to wear a uniform, arrive on time and stand up when the teacher enters the classroom, which is seen as a sign of respect. There are also rules about not using mobile phones in class, not cheating in exams and not fighting. I'd say most of these are clearly sensible, because they keep children safe and help them concentrate. Others, like very strict rules about haircuts, seem to be more about tradition than any practical purpose, although supporters would argue that they teach discipline and a sense of belonging.
Should children always obey the rules their parents make?
Generally speaking, yes, especially when they're young, because parents have far more experience and are usually trying to keep them safe. A rule like 'don't go near the pond on your own' isn't something a five-year-old should be debating. That said, I don't think obedience should be absolute. As children grow into teenagers, they need some space to question rules and understand the reasons behind them, otherwise they may simply follow them out of fear and rebel later. I'd argue the best parents explain their rules and are willing to adjust them as their children mature, rather than relying on 'because I said so'.
Why do some people break rules?
There are quite a few reasons, and they're not all bad. Sometimes people break rules simply because they think they won't get caught, or because the rule is inconvenient, like parking in a no-parking zone to save five minutes. In other cases, people break rules because everyone around them does, so it starts to feel normal. That's quite common with things like jumping queues. On the other hand, some people deliberately break rules they see as unfair, and history has plenty of examples of peaceful protests against unjust laws. So I'd say it depends on the rule; breaking it can be selfish, but occasionally it's a matter of principle.
Are strict punishments the best way to make people follow rules?
I don't think they're the best way on their own, although they do have a role. Harsh penalties can deter people to some extent, but if people believe they're unlikely to be caught, even severe punishments probably won't change their behaviour much. So consistent enforcement arguably matters more than severity. Beyond that, I'd argue that education and social norms are more powerful in the long run. If people genuinely understand why a rule exists and see others around them respecting it, they tend to follow it willingly. The zebra crossing rule I mentioned seems to work largely because drivers there have grown up with that expectation, not just because they fear a fine.
How can governments make sure that people respect traffic laws?
I think it needs a combination of enforcement, infrastructure and education. First, the laws have to be enforced consistently, and technology can help a lot here; traffic cameras, for instance, make it much harder for drivers to get away with running red lights. Second, governments need to design roads that make the right behaviour easy, with proper footpaths, clearly marked crossings and separate lanes for slower vehicles. In a city like Dhaka, where buses, rickshaws and pedestrians all compete for the same space, that's a huge challenge. Finally, road safety education should start in schools and continue through driving tests, so that respecting the rules becomes a habit rather than a reaction to the fear of a fine.
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