Making notes on cue cards

1. SpeakingSpeaking

2. Understanding the cue cardUnderstanding the cue card
Talk about a work of art you have seen. You should sayTalk about a work of art you have seen. You should say
what the work of art waswhat the work of art was
where you saw itwhere you saw it
when you saw itwhen you saw it
And say whether you enjoyed that work of artAnd say whether you enjoyed that work of art

3. Part 1- the topicPart 1- the topic
This part simply tells you what is the topic you need toThis part simply tells you what is the topic you need to
talk about. Points to note include that:talk about. Points to note include that:
the topic will always be a general topic – the sort ofthe topic will always be a general topic – the sort of
thing every should be expected to talk aboutthing every should be expected to talk about
the topic is always personal – something YOU have seenthe topic is always personal – something YOU have seen
Talk about a work of art you have seenTalk about a work of art you have seen

4. Part 2-the detailPart 2-the detail
This part is different. You are asked to add details about the main topic. TheseThis part is different. You are asked to add details about the main topic. These
details are answers to what/where/when/who questions. Points to note include:details are answers to what/where/when/who questions. Points to note include:
the details you are asked to add are descriptions, not explanations – it is possible tothe details you are asked to add are descriptions, not explanations – it is possible to
make the task harder than it really is by thinking whymake the task harder than it really is by thinking why
you can details to the questions on the card: in fact it is good advice to do thisyou can details to the questions on the card: in fact it is good advice to do this
what the work of art waswhat the work of art was
where you saw itwhere you saw it
when you saw itwhen you saw it

5. Part 3- the explanationPart 3- the explanation
This part is different again. Here you are asked to add an explanation and theThis part is different again. Here you are asked to add an explanation and the
question is almost always a how, if or why question. Points to note includequestion is almost always a how, if or why question. Points to note include
it is sometimes easier to say more about this part – explanations tend to be longer thanit is sometimes easier to say more about this part – explanations tend to be longer than
simple descriptionssimple descriptions
there may be more to say, but explanations are harder to give normally thanthere may be more to say, but explanations are harder to give normally than
descriptions – your brain has to do more workdescriptions – your brain has to do more work

6. Making notes- focusMaking notes- focus
When you make notes, I believe it helps to focus onWhen you make notes, I believe it helps to focus on
what notes you make. If you just try to make noteswhat notes you make. If you just try to make notes
generally, you make no notes at all or get notes you can’tgenerally, you make no notes at all or get notes you can’t
use. You should also remember that you only have oneuse. You should also remember that you only have one
minute. This means that the notes you make are limited.minute. This means that the notes you make are limited.

7. vocabulary notes-vocabulary notes-
useful?useful?
paintingpainting
masterpiecemasterpiece
artistartist
gallerygallery
exhibitionexhibition

8. Detailed notesDetailed notes
You are not thinking of words, you are thinking of ideas.You are not thinking of words, you are thinking of ideas.
Ask questionsAsk questions
When?“It was last year”. (almost no language)When?“It was last year”. (almost no language)
““I can’t quite remember when, but I think it was sometime in the middle of last year.I can’t quite remember when, but I think it was sometime in the middle of last year.
I went there with a friend on a weekend because we had nothing else to do and feltI went there with a friend on a weekend because we had nothing else to do and felt
like going out”. (lots more language and some good spoken structures. This part of thelike going out”. (lots more language and some good spoken structures. This part of the
test is not all about topic language).test is not all about topic language).

9. QuestionsQuestions
what the work of art was + artist + what typewhat the work of art was + artist + what type
where it was + where exactlywhere it was + where exactly
when you saw it + when exactly + who with + why gowhen you saw it + when exactly + who with + why go
It is a test of communication, not knowledge.It is a test of communication, not knowledge.

10. Part 3Part 3
And say whether you enjoyed that work of artAnd say whether you enjoyed that work of art
EducationalEducational
FunFun

11. PracticePractice
To understand how the questions work, it can make sense to write out your own cueTo understand how the questions work, it can make sense to write out your own cue
cards. This makes you think about the detail questions and the opinion questions.cards. This makes you think about the detail questions and the opinion questions.
Talk about _________________ you _____. You should sayTalk about _________________ you _____. You should say
whenwhen
wherewhere
whowho
whatwhat
And you should also explain whyAnd you should also explain why

12. Speaking Part 3Speaking Part 3
• Verbs of speculationVerbs of speculation
• Avoid parroting- paraphrase QAvoid parroting- paraphrase Q
• Using you/we/they- general observationUsing you/we/they- general observation
• Fillers to buy time- That’s an interesting questionFillers to buy time- That’s an interesting question

13. • Describe an artist or entertainer youDescribe an artist or entertainer you
admireadmire
You should sayYou should say
• who they are and what they do+ howwho they are and what they do+ how
long?long?
• how they became successful +why+when?how they became successful +why+when?
• how you found out about themhow you found out about them
+who+where?+who+where?
• and why you admire themand why you admire them