Describe a time when you used a map IELTS Cue Card
IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC
Describe a time when you used a map
You should say:
- When it was
- Where you were
- What you did
- And explain how you felt about it.
Sample 1
I used a map last weekend when I had to drop my brother off at college. His college is in the other part of the city, and I went there to drop him. While returning, I took a path, but that road was under construction, so I needed clarification. Then, I used a digital Google map to return to my home, and people have been using maps for a long time. Earlier, people used to have paper maps, and people also used to ask for directions from other people on the roads and, these days, Google.
Different companies have developed this software, which has made life much easier. It also tells us that the preferred path to reach the destination should be according to the traffic on the roads, which is very helpful. It also gives you an estimate of the time you need to reach out. Technology has taken its pace, and in no time, we will get a virtual view of the actual road situation in that area as the technology advances.
Sample 2
It was my friend’s birthday. I was on my night shift, and she called me early for a one-day excursion. I wanted to go straight to the Universal studio from your workplace because it was easy for us. After all, it was easy for us to go. I took a metro from my workplace to go to the Universal Studio, but to my bad luck, my phone battery was not working.
I put a map on my own Google website, but when I reached the metro, I saw that my phone battery was. I got no information from that map, so I was very upset. But then, fortunately, I remembered there was an information desk, and I went there to ask them for help.
Then, they gave me an offline map, which helped me reach my destination. When I got it, I saw I knew the exact exit I had to take, and then I went in front. While using it, I reached the entrance of the Universal Studio, where three of my friends were waiting for me.
Then I told the scenario to them. So, they also took a sigh of relief because I had reached that place, and at that time, I was very new in Singapore. I was trying to use my Google map at that time, but it came to the offline map.
It is a good first-time experience because it’s the best option for reaching our destination if we know how to use Google Maps and the offline map.
Follow-ups
Can you describe a situation where you had to rely on a map to navigate?
Yes, there have been many incidences where I had to rely on maps because whenever my family and I go on a road trip or visit any new state or city, I always follow directions to my dad so he can drive. The last time we did it was last month when we visited another state. According to maps, it showed us three ways, and I told my dad to take the way, which was longer but easier because it connected us to the highway.
What tools or features do you typically use when reading a map?
The map should have been the map. When we put the destination and current location details, the map gives us pathways to more than one way to reach the destination, and I often check the map for the amount of traffic and what road is being followed. I prefer travelling on highways and broad roads. I wouldn’t say I like getting into the city’s narrower streets. Apart from that, I always check the approximate time of reaching the destination, and in the combination of following a good road and the shortest time, I select my way.
How do you think digital mapping technology advancements have changed how people navigate compared to traditional paper maps?
Traditionally, people used to ask for directions directly from the people, or they used to have a map drawn on paper. People also used to install maps or boards on the road so that people could come and take a look at them and then follow their path. These days, people have road maps on their cell phones, and it is very convenient because it gives you the live location of where you are and where you have to reach, and it is a convenient way of following the path.
Have you ever been in a situation where you got lost despite using a map?
Yes, so I studied in another city at my college, and there it was in a new town; my friends and I used to follow a map. So we were supposed to reach a particular destination for a conference. There we followed the map, and because there were many construction sites nearby and many roads were under construction, the map got us to a place where there was nothing nearby, and we were supposed to reach that place within half an hour, which took us one hour and we got late. But that was when we realized we should have relied on something other than Google Maps. We should always ask our seniors before even proceeding with the journey.
Do you prefer using physical maps or digital maps on devices like smartphones?
I always prefer using digital maps on devices like cell phones rather than using a conventional map because firstly, it is convenient to use, it is portable, it can be carried, it doesn’t need a space like a table to be opened up, and we can always zoom in and zoom out wherever required. Unlike a paper map, it isn’t easy to understand your current location, and you cannot zoom in to know the spots nearby or if there is a new road in the city. Digital maps can be changed and developed, whereas paper maps must be made on a new piece of paper.
In what scenarios do you think using a map is essential?
I believe whenever you are not familiar with the place, or you’re driving in a new city or state, you can rely on digital Google Maps because it gives you an idea about the surroundings and various, sometimes if you are on a long road journey, so these days digital maps also tell you about the petrol pumps and various eating places nearby so that the driver can rest for half an hour or so and then commence the journey again.
Is relying on GPS sufficient to go to different locations?
Relying only on GPS is not a reliable method for reaching your destination because I have often experienced that the desired location was incorrect. Sometimes, Google Maps is under construction or development, so it needs a clearer picture of that new area. In most places, there are certain network issues. Google Maps or any digital map doesn’t work without an internet connection, so people should always know about the area by talking to familiar people. They should also go through the roads and the areas before commencing the journey.
Have you ever used a map to plan a trip or adventure?
Yes, we do it now and then. And my friends, whenever we decide to go on a trip, we always go through the map, join the places we have to visit and find out the shortest way so that we save our energy and time and make our trip successful.
What strategies do you apply when interpreting a map, especially if it’s complex or unfamiliar?
If a place is new and I have the map, I always compare my current location with the location on the map. I zoom in and see the nearby places to see if I’m standing in the right position. Other than that, I always check my network when using a digital map because sometimes there can be a lag, and that map can be misleading. Other than that, we can also create a mind map and compare it to the present map to give a great idea about the current location and where we have to go.
How does learning to read and interpret maps contribute to a person’s awareness and overall sense of direction?
The ability to read a map is very important. It is one of the skills where people experience directions, and there are four major directions: north, south, east, and west. People should be aware of these directions. Also, they should be able to go through the maps not just by searching their destination and current location but also by knowing how much they are going to travel and in what direction they are going.
How often do you use maps in your daily life?
I know how to use my map daily, but I was still new to it on the weekend. I am still new in Canada. Whenever I go outdoors, far away from my home, on the weekends, then I usually use the map because it’s easy to get directions and it’s the safe way to get your way. Find your way.
Do you prefer using digital maps or paper maps?
Nowadays, I have a smartphone, and I always use digital maps because it’s easy whenever we go outside; we follow the directions. But in the safe zone, if we have an offline map, we have to keep it with us because if the phone battery is not dead or we don’t have enough battery power, then.
How have maps changed the way people navigate and explore the world?
It’s easy to get the new person’s direction or way. Whenever we go somewhere, we just easily put our navigation on Google Maps and follow the directions, and we will easily reach our destination.
In what situation do you think it’s important to understand how to read a map?
Whenever we want to find a way to put some direction on Google, we should know how to read the instructions on Google Maps because sometimes people need to follow them properly.
It’s like they need clarification about the left and the right. Then, we should see the direction when we start our journey, and then we can easily read our direction through it.
With the rise of GPS technology, are traditional map reading skills still relevant?
In some scenarios, traditional map reading is still important. Nowadays, we have technology, making it easy to get directions on the digital map on our smartphones.
But in some scenarios, as it happened with me, if my phone battery cannot go somewhere, I must know how to read the Google map in the same room.
What are some potential drawbacks of relying too heavily on digital maps and navigation systems?
There are disadvantages. Relying too heavily on digital maps means every person has a sense of direction. Sometimes, by using our minds, we can manage the directions in our minds and gain knowledge of that area.
But if we rely less on maps, then we retain that skill. And we are actually on the digital. We have a skill, right? After that, we rely on Google Maps. We lose that skill.
Have you ever used a map to plan a trip or explore a new area?
Yes, I used a map when I went to Singapore. And after that, I went to Dubai. Then, I used the offline and the digital map on my phone.
It was really helpful for me because these countries have good transportation systems. We can easily go anywhere in the country if we have good reading skills.