- Describe an exciting book that you enjoy reading.
- When you read it
- What kind of book it is
- What is about
- And explain why you think it is exciting
IELTS Cue Card – 2-Minute Answer
I wouldn’t describe myself as an avid reader, but I happened to come across an interesting book purely by coincidence. About two years ago, I visited a bookstore with my father, who is a true bibliophile. Reading is part of his daily routine — he easily finishes a book every single day — whereas I normally read only when something genuinely captures my interest. I had no intention of buying anything, and I was simply walking around the store trying to pass the time while he browsed.
While wandering through the aisles, one particular book instantly drew my attention because of its striking exterior design. The cover featured bold, artistic illustrations with rich, vibrant colors and a sleek, slightly glossy surface that reflected light beautifully. The typography of the title was stylish and modern, and the layout felt meticulously curated rather than cluttered or childish. Even the paper quality felt premium — thick, smooth, and well-printed — which immediately gave the book a sophisticated and high-end feel. Altogether, the visual presentation alone made the book feel more like a collector’s item than just casual reading material.
Although I don’t remember the author’s name, I recall that it was a graphic-style comic book filled with cartoons and illustrated panels. However, the tone was clearly designed for a mature audience rather than children. The artwork conveyed subtle humor and emotional depth, and the themes seemed reflective and thought-provoking, rather than superficial. It wasn’t explicit at all — just intellectually and emotionally more grown-up than typical comics.
What made this book exciting for me was not the storyline itself, but the unexpected reading experience it created. As someone who doesn’t normally read, I was surprised to find myself genuinely immersed purely because of the book’s visual appeal and tactile quality. It helped me realize how powerful book design can be in attracting reluctant readers like me. In fact, this experience slightly changed my perspective on reading, showing me that excitement can begin even before reading a single page — simply through curiosity sparked by a beautifully crafted exterior.
IELTS Speaking – PART 3
Topic: Books, Reading & First Impressions
1. Do you think the cover of a book influences readers?
Absolutely, a book’s cover has a profound psychological impact on readers. A visually appealing design can create curiosity and generate immediate emotional engagement. For many casual readers, the exterior presentation often becomes the decisive factor when choosing a book.
2. Why do some people prefer graphic novels or comics?
Many people enjoy graphic novels because they offer a visually immersive reading experience. The combination of illustrations and minimal text reduces cognitive strain while maintaining strong storytelling appeal. This format is particularly attractive to reluctant readers who prefer visual stimulation.
3. Can a book be judged solely by its appearance?
Although appearance plays a crucial role, judging a book solely by its cover can be misleading. While design attracts attention, the literary value depends on content depth and thematic richness. Therefore, visual appeal should be seen as an initial invitation rather than a final judgment.
4. Why do some people read less as they grow older?
As people age, increasing work and family commitments often reduce their leisure time. Many also develop a preference for instant digital entertainment over sustained reading. Consequently, books struggle to compete with faster forms of distraction.
5. Do illustrations help adults enjoy reading more?
Yes, illustrations can enhance engagement even for adult readers. Visual storytelling adds emotional nuance and improves comprehension without oversimplifying themes. This is especially valuable for readers who enjoy subtle, artistic expression alongside text.
6. Should parents choose books based on visual appeal for their children?
Visual appeal is helpful because it initially captures a child’s interest and stimulates curiosity. However, parents should also assess the educational substance and age-appropriateness of the content itself. A balanced selection ensures both enjoyment and learning development.
7. Will digital books replace illustrated or physical books?
Unlikely, because physical books offer a tactile, multisensory experience that digital platforms cannot replicate. Many readers still value holding a book, turning pages, and viewing detailed artwork in print. Although e-books are convenient, printed books remain emotionally and culturally significant.
Vocabulary
⭐ Reading & Books Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Avid reader | Someone who loves reading frequently | My father is an avid reader who finishes a book every day. |
| Bibliophile | A person who deeply enjoys reading books | He is a true bibliophile with a huge personal library. |
| Graphic-style book / Graphic novel | A story told using illustrations and brief text | I bought a graphic novel instead of a traditional novel. |
| Visually immersive | Highly engaging to look at | The book offered a visually immersive experience. |
| Illustrated panels | Image-based story sections | The story was presented through illustrated panels. |
| Mature audience | Intended for adults rather than children | The comic targeted a mature audience. |
| Escapist entertainment | Content that provides escape from daily stress | Thrillers are popular because they offer escapist entertainment. |
| Thematic richness | Depth and complexity of meaning | The novel impressed me with its thematic richness. |
🎨 Appearance & Design Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Striking exterior design | Very attractive outside appearance | The book had a striking exterior design. |
| Eye-catching cover | A cover that draws attention | Its eye-catching cover made me pick it up. |
| Typography | Style of lettering and fonts | The modern typography made the title stand out. |
| Meticulously curated layout | Carefully designed and organized appearance | The pages had a meticulously curated layout. |
| Premium paper quality | Thick, high-quality pages | The premium paper quality added elegance. |
| Glossy texture | Shiny surface | The glossy texture reflected the light. |
| Collector’s item | Something valued for its design or rarity | It felt more like a collector’s item than a casual book. |
| Tactile experience | Related to physical touch and sensation | Physical books offer a rich tactile experience. |
| Multisensory experience | Engages multiple senses (touch, sight, smell) | Reading a printed book is a multisensory experience. |
🧠 Reading Psychology Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Reluctant reader | Someone who does not like reading much | I consider myself a reluctant reader. |
| Cognitive strain | Mental effort or fatigue | Long reading sessions can cause cognitive strain. |
| Mental engagement | Active thinking or focus | Books demand strong mental engagement. |
| Passive consumption | Receiving content without thinking actively | Social media promotes passive consumption. |
| Active cognitive development | Growth of thinking skills | Reading supports active cognitive development. |
| Sustained attention | Long, continuous focus | Deep reading requires sustained attention. |
📱 Technology & Reading Trends
| Vocabulary | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Short-form digital content | Brief online reading material | People prefer short-form digital content nowadays. |
| Instant gratification | Immediate pleasure | Movies provide instant gratification. |
| Visual stimulation | Excitement created through visuals | Films rely on strong visual stimulation. |
| Deep reading | Long, focused reading | Technology has reduced the habit of deep reading. |
🎭 Story & Film Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative complexity | Depth of story structure | Movies often reduce narrative complexity. |
| Psychological depth | Emotional and mental complexity | Books capture greater psychological depth than films. |
| Emotional nuance | Subtle emotional expression | The illustrations conveyed emotional nuance. |
| Subtle humor | Gentle or understated comedy | The comic included subtle humor. |
📝 Academic & Evaluative Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Profound psychological impact | Strong emotional or mental influence | Cover design has a profound psychological impact. |
| Age-appropriateness | Suitability for a certain age | Parents should consider age-appropriateness. |
| Educational substance | Learning value | Good books combine fun with educational substance. |
| Culturally significant | Socially important or valued | Physical books remain culturally significant. |
| Initial invitation | Something that attracts attention first | Covers serve as an initial invitation to read. |
| Unexpected discovery | Finding something by chance | The book was an unexpected discovery for me. |