Cue Card

Describe a conversation topic that you were not interested in

You should say:

• Who you were talking to
• When you had this conversation
• What the topic was
• And explain why you were not interested.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What topics do young people in your country like to talk about?
2. What’s the difference between the topics people talk about nowadays and the ones they talked about in the past?
3. How do you know if others are interested in what you’re saying?
4. How has the internet influenced the way we communicate with other people?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I was at a dinner party a few nights ago, and someone brought up the topic of cryptocurrency. Now, I'm not gonna lie, my eyes glazed over the moment the words 'Bitcoin' and 'blockchain' left their lips. I mean, I've heard it all before - the excitement, the hype, the promises of getting rich quick. But honestly, I just don't get it. It's like trying to explain a fantasy novel to someone who's never read a book in their life. The terms, the concepts, the whole thing just goes right over my head.

But what really got me was when they started talking about the'revolutionary' potential of cryptocurrency. How it's gonna change the world, how it's gonna disrupt the status quo. And I'm just sitting there, nodding along, pretending to care. But inside, I'm thinking, 'Dude, I can barely keep track of my own bank account, let alone some virtual currency that exists only in the ether.'

And then it hit me - this is what it must feel like for people when I start geeking out about my favorite sci-fi shows. They're probably thinking the same thing - 'What's the point of all this? Why do I care about fictional characters and made-up worlds?' But the thing is, when you're passionate about something, you want to share that with others. You want to infect them with your enthusiasm, to make them see the world through your eyes.

But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can't connect with someone on a particular topic. And that's okay. It's okay to say, 'You know what, I'm just not interested in that.' It's okay to change the subject, to steer the conversation towards something more... well, more interesting. Because at the end of the day, that's what conversations are all about - finding common ground, sharing ideas, and maybe, just maybe, learning something new.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

glazed over

to become bored or uninterested, often due to a lack of understanding or attention

My eyes glazed over during the lecture on quantum physics.

The student's eyes glazed over as the teacher droned on.

goes right over my head

to be too difficult or complicated to understand

The math problem goes right over my head.

The technical jargon goes right over my head.

geeking out

to become extremely enthusiastic or excited about something, often to the point of being annoying or excessive

I geeked out when I saw the new Star Wars movie.

He's always geeking out about the latest video games.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What topics do young people in your country like to talk about? Honestly, I'm not really sure what young people in my country like to talk about, but I can tell you what I've observed. It seems like a lot of young people are really into talking about social justice issues, like equality and environmental sustainability. I think it's because they're growing up in a world where they can see the impact of human actions on the planet and on society, and they want to make a difference. They're also super interested in pop culture, like the latest TV shows and movies, and they love to discuss the latest plot twists and character developments. But, to be real, I'm not super into those topics myself, so I don't always find myself joining in on those conversations.

What’s the difference between the topics people talk about nowadays and the ones they talked about in the past? I think one of the main differences is that people used to talk more about their personal lives and relationships, whereas now it's all about the latest news and trends. I mean, don't get me wrong, people still talk about their personal stuff, but it's not as common as it used to be. Nowadays, everyone's so connected to their phones and social media that they're always up to date on what's happening in the world, and they want to discuss it with others. It's like, in the past, people would talk about their families and friends, but now they're more likely to talk about the latest scandal or viral video. It's just a different vibe, you know?

How do you know if others are interested in what you’re saying? For me, it's all about body language and tone of voice. If someone's leaning in and making eye contact, that's a good sign they're engaged. But if they're glancing at their phone or fidgeting, it's probably time to wrap it up. I also pay attention to their responses – if they're asking follow-up questions or sharing their own experiences, that means they're invested in the conversation. But if they're just nodding along or giving one-word answers, it's probably time to switch topics. It's all about reading the room, you know?

How has the internet influenced the way we communicate with other people? The internet has totally changed the game when it comes to communication. I mean, think about it – we can now connect with people all over the world in real-time, which is crazy. But at the same time, it's also made us more isolated, you know? We're so used to communicating through screens that we've forgotten how to have real, face-to-face conversations. And don't even get me started on social media – it's like, we're all curating these perfect online personas, but in real life, we're still struggling to connect with each other on a deeper level. It's a weird paradox, but I think that's just the world we live in now.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

read the room

to pay attention to the atmosphere and reactions of the people around you in order to understand what they are thinking or feeling

If someone's leaning in and making eye contact, that's a good sign they're engaged, so I'll keep talking. But if they're glancing at their phone, it's time to wrap it up – I need to read the room and adjust my conversation accordingly.