Speaking Cue Card topic “Describe a rule that is important in your school or at work“, along with Part 3 questions and answers. We have written all the cue cards and their Part 3 with sample answers, utilising a properly developed and proven structure that we adhere to at Voxcel. To read the IELTS Speaking structure, click here.
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IELTS Speaking Topic: Cue Card “Describe an Important Rule” (Including Part 3)
Describe a rule that is important in your school or at work
You should say:
- What the rule is about
- What happens when people break the rule
- Why do you think it is an important rule
- And explain how you feel about the rule
Sample Answer –
Today, I’d like to talk about an important rule at my school/workplace—the ‘No Phones in Class’ rule. Although there are many rules in place, I chose this one because I think it’s something that affects almost everyone these days. We are all so hooked on our phones that it’s hard to focus, especially in a learning environment.
Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this rule. On the one hand, I understand why it’s there—phones are super distracting, and if students start glued to their screens, they won’t pay attention to the lesson. On the other hand, sometimes phones can be useful, like when we need to look something up or take quick notes. But overall, I think it’s a good rule because it helps maintain discipline.
To get into the details, the rule is pretty simple—students and teachers are not allowed to use their phones during class unless it’s for academic purposes. If someone gets caught using their phone for personal reasons, the teacher either takes it away or gives them a warning. If it happens repeatedly, they might even have to call their parents or pay a fine.
Anyway, I still remember when I was in high school, and a friend of mine got his phone confiscated for scrolling through social media during a math lesson. Before that, he had never faced any trouble in school, but this incident made him more careful. After that, he always kept his phone tucked away during class.
Right now, I think the rule is even more important than before because students are more dependent on technology. Some people still try to bend the rules by hiding their phones under their desks, but teachers are usually pretty good at catching them in the act.
If I had known back then how much my phone was affecting my concentration, I would have followed this rule more strictly. Now, when I study or work, I try to put my phone on silent mode or keep it in another room so I don’t get distracted.
In the coming years, I think this rule will still be necessary, but maybe schools and workplaces will start finding a middle ground. Instead of a complete ban, they might allow phones for certain activities, like interactive learning or research.
That said, I believe individuals should also be responsible for their own focus. Instead of waiting for strict rules, people should learn how to control their screen time and use their phones wisely.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion/Follow-up Questions and Answers of “Describe a rule that is important in your school or at work”
- Opinion Question – Do you think strict rules are necessary in schools and workplaces?
Yes, I think rules are essential, but they should be fair and reasonable. Without clear guidelines, there would be too much chaos, and learning or productivity would suffer. Rules help maintain order and discipline. For instance, a strict dress code in a corporate office ensures professionalism, while a no-late-submission policy in schools keeps students accountable. That said, schools and workplaces should also listen to feedback and adapt rules to changing times instead of enforcing outdated ones.
- Evaluate Question – Some people believe too many rules can restrict creativity. What do you think?
I can see their point because overly strict rules can feel suffocating and discourage people from thinking outside the box. If employees or students are constantly worried about breaking rules, they might hesitate to experiment with new ideas. Take Google’s flexible work environment—they allow employees to work in a less structured way, which has led to some groundbreaking innovations. However, some basic rules are still necessary to ensure things run smoothly. Without them, there would be complete anarchy.
- Future Question – How do you think workplace rules will change in the future?
I believe workplace rules will become more flexible and employee-friendly in the future. Many companies are already moving towards remote work and relaxed policies, focusing more on results rather than rigid structures. For example, some firms in Scandinavia have introduced four-day workweeks, proving that productivity doesn’t always depend on long hours. If this trend continues, we might see companies allowing employees to set their own schedules, leading to better work-life balance.
- Cause and Effect Question – Why do some people find it hard to follow rules?
There could be several reasons, but often, it’s because they see the rule as unnecessary or unfair. When people don’t understand the purpose of a rule, they’re more likely to break it. For example, in some schools, students aren’t allowed to wear hoodies, and since it doesn’t directly affect learning, they might feel it’s just a pointless restriction. As a result, breaking rules becomes a way to rebel or express frustration, especially among young people.
- Hypothetical Question – If you could change one rule in your school or workplace, what would it be?
If I had the power, I’d change the rigid attendance policy at schools and workplaces. Sometimes, people need a break for their mental health, but they’re forced to attend just to meet attendance requirements. In some European universities, students have the freedom to miss classes as long as they complete assignments and perform well in exams. That said, completely removing attendance rules might lead to laziness, so finding a balance is key.
- Compare and Contrast Question – How do school rules differ from workplace rules?
The main difference is that school rules focus on discipline, while workplace rules focus on professionalism. In schools, rules are designed to teach students responsibility and good behavior. At work, the focus is on productivity and company reputation. For example, a school may ban chatting during class, whereas an office might have rules against personal calls during work hours. If students learn to follow rules early, they adapt more easily to workplace expectations later on.
- Past Question – How have school rules changed over the years?
School rules have become more relaxed and student-friendly compared to the past. In the past, students had very strict dress codes and little freedom in class. Now, many schools focus on engagement rather than discipline. For example, some schools now allow students to use tablets and laptops in class, whereas years ago, even a calculator was considered inappropriate. However, with more freedom comes more responsibility—students today have to be self-disciplined to stay focused.
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Disclaimer: We don’t promote cramming. The samples are written to help you form Ideas and understand how speaking is done. At Voxcel, we teach students critical thinking skills and help them naturally prepare for the IELTS speaking test. Thus, every cue card or every question has infinite variations. However, we teach them about the IELTS Speaking Structure, which helps remove the phobia of speaking English and gives them the confidence they need for the exam.
Moreover, Part 3 has seven different question variations that an examiner can ask. We have developed questions on all seven types for each Part 3 of a cue card.
Each sample answer you read on Voxcel is prepared using the structure we teach in our offline and online IELTS classes. Rest assured, you are reading answers developed to the scale of band 9.