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Updated on Sep 27, 2024, 12:07
In this IELTS Speaking Test, the topic, 'Describe a Challenge You Faced That You Thought Was Rather Difficult,' requires you to discuss a personal experience where you overcame a significant obstacle. Key factors to include are the nature of the challenge, your feelings at the time, and the steps you took to overcome it. This task is part of round 2, also known as the individual long turn, which lasts for 3-4 minutes.
Practising this topic will help you develop fluency, coherence, and the ability to structure your thoughts. It encourages you to use descriptive vocabulary and past tenses while enhancing your storytelling skills, which are crucial for achieving a higher band score in the IELTS Speaking section.
Introduction (Covers: What it was?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When and where do you face it?)
Key Highlights (Covers: Why you thought it was a difficult challenge?)
Conclusion (Covers: Explain how you felt at the time.)
Introduction (Covers: What it was?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When and where you faced it?)
Key Highlights (Covers: Why you thought it was a difficult challenge?)
Conclusion (Covers: Explain how you felt at the time.)
Introduction (Covers: What it was?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When and where you faced it?)
Key Highlights (Covers: Why you thought it was a difficult challenge?)
Conclusion (Covers: Explain how you felt at the time.)
When the cue card section begins, the examiner will hand you a cue card titled "Describe a Challenge You Faced That You Thought Was Rather Difficult."
You’ll have one minute to prepare your answer, and during this time, you can make notes. After that, you’ll need to speak on the topic for up to two minutes without interruption.
The best way to answer these cue cards is to break your response into small, manageable pieces: an introduction, a detailed description, key highlights, and a conclusion. This approach helps you stay organised and ensures you cover all aspects of the topic within the time limit.
Suggested Read: Latest Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking: Definition & Best Sample Questions
Considering that, here's how we'll break our topic down.
Introduction (Covers: What it was?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When and where do you face it?)
Key Highlights (Covers: Why you thought it was a difficult challenge?)
Conclusion (Covers: Explain how you felt at the time.)
By following this structure, you can ensure your response is clear, organised, and within the two-minute limit.
The follow-up questions, often referred to as round 3 or the two-way discussion round, follow the cue card section in the IELTS speaking test. In this round, the examiner will ask you questions related to the topic of your cue card, allowing you to expand on your thoughts and demonstrate your ability to discuss ideas more deeply.
These questions often require you to share your opinions, make comparisons, and explain your reasoning. Expect to engage in a more conversational style, where you can provide personal insights or examples from your experiences.
Below are some sample questions and possible answers for the topic “Describe a Challenge You Faced That You Thought Was Rather Difficult”.
Refer to this List of Idioms for the IELTS Speaking Test 2024 to boost your band score.
Answer 1: I believe it can be challenging for children to overcome difficulties, as they may lack the experience and skills needed to navigate complex situations. However, with the right support from adults and peers, children can learn to tackle challenges more effectively. Encouragement and guidance can help them build resilience and develop problem-solving skills.
Answer 2: Overcoming challenges can be difficult for children because they are still learning how to cope with setbacks. They might feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to approach a problem. Nonetheless, if they receive encouragement and assistance from parents or teachers, they can gain confidence and learn to face challenges head-on.
Answer 1: I think many people prefer to face challenges with others rather than alone. Having support from friends or family can make a significant difference, as it provides encouragement and different perspectives on the issue. Collaborating can also help individuals feel less isolated during tough times.
Answer 2: Many individuals choose to confront challenges alone, as they may believe it helps them grow independently. However, I think having a support system can provide motivation and different perspectives. It ultimately depends on the person's personality and the nature of the challenge they are facing.
Answer 1: When faced with a challenge, children often seek help from adults or friends. They may talk about their struggles and look for advice on how to approach the situation. Sometimes, they may also try different strategies, such as practising or experimenting, to find a solution.
Answer 2: Children typically respond to challenges by either asking for support or attempting to figure things out on their own. They might express their feelings, whether frustration or determination and try various methods to overcome the obstacle. Engaging in play or creative activities can also help them process their emotions and develop solutions.
Answer 1: Activities like learning a musical instrument or participating in team sports can challenge children significantly. These activities require dedication, practice, and collaboration with others, helping them build skills while learning to cope with both success and failure. The experience teaches them resilience and teamwork, which are essential for personal growth.
Answer 2: I believe activities such as solving puzzles or engaging in science experiments can challenge children intellectually. These tasks encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, pushing them to explore new ideas and approaches. Such challenges can foster creativity and a sense of achievement once they overcome them, boosting their confidence.
Ans. The IELTS speaking test is assessed based on four key criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Each criterion is equally weighted, and the examiner evaluates how well you can express your ideas, use vocabulary appropriately, construct sentences correctly, and speak clearly and understandably.
Ans. The IELTS speaking test typically lasts between 11 to 14 minutes. It consists of three parts: an introduction and interview (4-5 minutes), the cue card task (3-4 minutes), and a discussion (4-5 minutes). Despite its brief duration, the speaking test aims to assess your proficiency in English communication effectively.
Ans. To find resources for practising cue-card topics, you can explore various online platforms, including IELTS preparation websites, YouTube channels dedicated to IELTS, and mobile apps specifically designed for speaking practice. Additionally, joining study groups or forums can provide access to sample cue cards and peer feedback, enhancing your preparation.
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