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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe Something You Did in Your Study/Work That Has Made You Feel Confident

Updated on Sep 29, 2024, 15:34

Overview

The topic "Describe something you did in your study/work that has made you feel confident" invites you to share a personal experience that significantly boosted your self-esteem. Focus on the specific task, the challenges you faced, and the skills you developed through it.

 

Practising this topic enhances your ability to articulate experiences clearly and confidently, improving both your fluency and coherence. By reflecting on personal achievements, you also enrich your vocabulary and develop storytelling skills, which are crucial for success in the IELTS Speaking Test.


 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe Something You Did in Your Study/Work That Has Made You Feel Confident

You should say

  • When and where it happened?
  • What did you do?
  • Why does it make you feel confident?
  • How did you feel about it?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction (Covers: When and where it happened?)

 

  • I was asked to lead a project presentation for my university class a few months ago. This happened during my final year of studies, and the task involved presenting my research findings.
  • The presentation took place in front of my classmates and professors in the university’s main lecture hall. It was a major part of our final assessment.
  • I had never presented to such a large group before, so I felt both nervous and excited about the opportunity.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: What did you do?)

 

  • For the project, I spent weeks researching a topic related to sustainable energy, which I found very interesting. I had to organise my findings into a clear presentation.
  • My role was to summarise the key points, explain complex concepts, and answer any questions from the audience. I used visual aids to make my ideas more engaging.
  • I practised many times in front of friends and even timed myself to ensure I stayed within the limit. This preparation helped me feel more confident on the actual day.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why it made you feel confident?)

 

  • The main reason it boosted my confidence was because I received positive feedback from both my professors and peers. They praised my clarity and ability to explain difficult concepts.
  • I also managed to stay calm, despite being nervous at the start. I was able to answer all the questions clearly, which made me realise I had a good grasp of the material.
  • This experience showed me that I could perform well under pressure and handle public speaking, a skill I had always been anxious about.

 

Conclusion (Covers: How did you feel about it?)

 

  • After the presentation, I felt incredibly proud of myself. I had not only completed the task successfully but also overcame my fear of public speaking.
  • This experience gave me the confidence to take on similar challenges in the future, knowing that I could handle them well.
  • Overall, it was a turning point in my academic journey, inspiring me to push myself beyond my comfort zone.
Sample Answer 2

Introduction (Covers: When and where it happened?)

 

  • A few months ago, while I was studying for my final exams at university, I participated in a group project for my marketing course.
  • This project took place over a semester and involved collaborating with three other students to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy for a local business.
  • The experience was quite intense, as we had to balance our academic responsibilities with working together as a team.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: What did you do?)

 

  • I took on the role of project leader, which involved organising meetings, delegating tasks, and ensuring everyone was on track.
  • One significant task I handled was creating the final presentation that we would deliver to our classmates and the business owner.
  • This required not only research but also creativity and effective communication, which pushed me out of my comfort zone.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why it made you feel confident?)

 

  • Successfully leading the project and delivering the presentation made me feel confident in my leadership abilities and public speaking skills.
  • Receiving positive feedback from my classmates and the business owner was incredibly validating and reinforced my belief in my capabilities.
  • The entire experience taught me the importance of teamwork and the value of stepping up to challenges, both of which are vital skills in any workplace.

 

Conclusion (Covers: How did you feel about it?)

 

  • After completing the project, I felt a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment.
  • This experience not only boosted my confidence but also motivated me to take on more leadership roles in future projects.
  • Overall, it was a pivotal moment in my academic journey that reinforced my belief in myself and my abilities.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction (Covers: When and where it happened?)

 

  • A few months ago, during my final year at university, I had the opportunity to lead a group project for my marketing course.
  • This project was conducted over a semester, and we worked in a small team of five students.
  • We were tasked with creating a comprehensive marketing strategy for a local business, which provided us with practical experience and allowed us to apply what we had learned in class.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: What did you do?)

 

  • My role in the project was to coordinate our meetings and manage the research process, ensuring that everyone was on track.
  • I also took the lead in presenting our findings to our professor and the business owner, which involved a lot of preparation and teamwork.
  • Despite feeling nervous initially, I dedicated extra time to practise my presentation skills and gather feedback from my peers, which helped me become more comfortable with my role.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why it made you feel confident?)

 

  • Successfully delivering the presentation was a turning point for me, as I received positive feedback from both my professor and the business owner.
  • I felt a sense of achievement knowing that I had contributed significantly to our project’s success and that my hard work was recognised.
  • This experience taught me that I could handle pressure and perform well in front of an audience, which greatly boosted my confidence.

 

Conclusion (Covers: How did you feel about it?)

 

  • After the presentation, I felt incredibly proud and relieved, knowing that I had overcome my initial fears.
  • This accomplishment not only improved my self-esteem but also motivated me to take on more leadership roles in future projects.
  • I now approach challenges with a more confident mindset, knowing that I have the skills to succeed.

When the cue card section of the IELTS Speaking Test starts, the examiner will hand you a cue card with a topic and a few bullet points. You’ll have one minute to prepare your answer, and you can make brief notes. After that, you’ll need to speak for 1-2 minutes on the topic.

 

To effectively answer cue card topics like "Describe Something You Did in Your Study/Work That Has Made You Feel Confident,"  it’s helpful to break your response into four small sections: introduction, describing your experience/opinion/interest, key highlights, and Conclusion. This approach keeps your answer structured and ensures you cover all the points.


Introduction(Covers: When and where it happened?)

  • Briefly mention when the event occurred (a few months ago, last year, etc.).
  • Specify where it happened (at work, during university, etc.).
  • Mention the general context of the task (what the project or study was about).
  • Keep it concise to set the stage for your detailed response.

 

Describing your experience/opinion/interest(Covers: What did you do?)

 

  • Explain what you did (a presentation, a research project, or team leader).
  • Focus on your role and the specific actions you took.
  • Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
  • This section should give the examiner a clear idea of your involvement.

 

Key highlights(Covers: Why did it make you feel confident?)

 

  • Explain why this particular experience boosted your confidence.
  • Mention any skills you developed (like public speaking or problem-solving).
  • If applicable, include any positive feedback or achievements that made you proud.
  • This part should emphasise why this was a pivotal moment for you.

 

Conclusion(Covers: How did you feel about it?)

 

  • Share how you felt after the experience (relieved, proud, motivated).
  • Mention any lasting impact it had on your confidence in work or studies.
  • Wrap it up by linking back to the topic—how this experience continues to influence your self-confidence.

Follow-Up Questions

In the IELTS Speaking Test, the follow-up/two-way discussion questions come after the cue card round, and they are designed to help the examiner gauge your ability to engage in a more in-depth conversation. This part typically consists of 3-4 questions related to the topic you just discussed. Expect the questions to be broader, allowing you to elaborate on your experiences, opinions, and thoughts. 

The examiner may ask you to reflect on related themes or discuss how certain experiences have shaped your perspective. This round is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your fluency and range of vocabulary, so be sure to provide thoughtful, detailed answers.

Q1: How do you think working in a team affects one’s confidence?

Answer 1: I believe working in a team significantly enhances one's confidence. When I collaborate with others, I can share ideas and learn from my peers, which boosts my self-assurance. For instance, during the project I mentioned earlier, my teammates provided valuable feedback that encouraged me to express my thoughts more freely, making me feel more competent and confident overall.

 

Answer 2: Additionally, teamwork allows individuals to witness the strengths of others, which can inspire them to improve their skills. When I saw my peers excel in their areas, it motivated me to push my boundaries. Thus, I think teamwork creates a supportive environment that fosters growth and confidence.

Q2. What role does feedback play in building confidence?

Answer 1: Feedback is crucial in building confidence, as it provides individuals with insights into their strengths and areas for improvement. I found that constructive criticism during our project helped refine my presentation skills and boosted my self-esteem. Knowing that my efforts were appreciated by my peers and the professor made me feel more confident in my abilities.

 

Answer 2: Moreover, positive feedback reinforces one's skills, making them more willing to take on new challenges. After receiving praise for my presentation, I was more eager to participate in future projects. Overall, feedback helps create a positive cycle of learning and confidence-building.

Q3. Can you share an example of a failure making you more confident?

Answer 1: Yes, there was a time during my first year at university when I failed to achieve a good grade on a project. Initially, I felt disheartened, but it pushed me to reassess my approach. I sought help from my peers and worked harder on my subsequent projects, ultimately earning better grades. This experience taught me resilience, which has increased my confidence in facing challenges.

 

Answer 2: I learned that failure can be a stepping stone rather than an obstacle. I became more self-assured by analysing what went wrong and taking steps to improve. Now, I view failures as opportunities for growth, which has positively impacted my confidence in both study and work situations.

Q4. How important is self-reflection for personal development?

Answer 1: Self-reflection is incredibly important for personal development, as it allows individuals to assess and learn from their experiences. After the project that boosted my confidence, I reflected on what I did well and where I could improve. This helped me recognise my growth and motivated me to continue pushing myself in future endeavours.

 

Answer 2: Self-reflection helps me set realistic goals and understand my motivations. By regularly evaluating my progress, I can identify areas for further development, which ultimately enhances my confidence and ability to succeed in various situations.

FAQs

Q. How should I structure my answer in the IELTS cue card round?

Ans. To structure your answer effectively, break it down into four parts: an introduction, a description of your experience or opinion, key highlights, and a conclusion. Start with a brief context, explain the details of your experience, highlight why it was significant, and then wrap it up by sharing your feelings or reflections. This ensures clarity and coherence in your response.

Q. What should I do if I run out of things to say during the cue card round?

Ans. If you run out of ideas, try to elaborate on what you’ve already mentioned. You can add details about the people involved, how the experience impacted you long-term, or any challenges you faced. You can also use linking words to expand on a specific point, helping to maintain fluency and keep the conversation flowing naturally.


 


 

Q. How important is vocabulary in the IELTS cue card section?

Ans. Vocabulary is crucial in the IELTS cue card section, demonstrating your ability to express ideas clearly and accurately. Use a mix of common and less familiar words to show range, but make sure your word choice is appropriate to the context. Avoid repeating the same words; use synonyms or paraphrases to add variety and show your lexical resource.


 


 

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