Common Idioms for IELTS Speaking A Piece of Cake

Candidates must learn idioms to accurately answer IELTS writing and reading sections, and speaking sections. The IELTS Speaking section can be well prepared with the help of different kinds of idioms. This particular IELTS speaking idiom A Piece of Cake consists of different exercises so that the candidates understand the correct usage of this idiom in a conversation.

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Topic: Common Idioms for IELTS Speaking - A Piece of Cake

• A Piece of Cake

Origin: This idiom was first used and discovered in the 1870s throughout slavery in the southern states of America. The slave owners would organize dances or celebrations and black slaves would compete in a cakewalk. They performed a dance that imitated and subtly mocked the intricate and pompous tokens of the white slave proprietors. The most elegant couple/group would be given a cake as an honor. The piece of cake that was granted as the prize to the best couple/group, came to be referred to among the blacks as something extremely simple to acquire. (A kind of underhand and secret affront to an accidental white decision class.)

Meaning: a simple task, something that can be easily done, do something effortlessly

Example:

1. I know your capabilities and I am telling you this interview will be a piece of cake for you.
2. Sam was well prepared for the exam so the paper was a piece of cake for him.
3. You should work hard to get through the entrance exam as it will not be a piece of cake.
4. Some parts of cooking are very difficult, but for me making Indian cuisine is a piece of cake.
5. I have always been very poor at the theory part however, the practical part is a piece of cake for me.

Exercise:

1. While doing two questions related to this idiom, you could memorize and use it effectively.

There is a conversation between two friends. Read carefully and answer the question.

Jane: “Hi Mark, where are you going ?”

Mark: “Hi Jane, I’ve just finished my business management exam, and I’m going to the dormitory.”

Jane: “Oh, How about your exam? Was it difficult? I remember I have to take one next week.”

Mark: “Don’t worry, Jane. This exam is a piece of cake.”

What does Mark mean when he says: “This exam is a piece of cake”?

1. It is too difficult to gain a high score.
2. The exam is all about how to make a cake.
3. It is so easy to do.
4. It is useless.

Answer: C

Explanation: In the above conversation, Marl used the idiom - a piece of cake which means a very easy task. He used the idiom to convey that the exam is a piece of cake and Jane should not worry about it. Hence the correct answer is option C.

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2. Fill the gap

Having a good command of a language is a piece of ……… if you practice it daily.

1. paper.
2. candy.
3. music.
4. cake.

Answer: D

Explanation: In the above question, it is implied that if you practice daily you can have a good command of a language easily. The correct answer is D cake, as the idiom used is - a piece of cake.