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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe A Difficult Task That You Completed At Study That You Felt Proud Of: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 12, 2024, 10:35

Overview

An IELTS Speaking cue card is a prompt given to you during the IELTS Speaking Test. You must speak on a specific topic for one to two minutes. These cue cards are designed to assess your ability to articulate your thoughts and coherently present them.
 

When you ‘Describe A Difficult Task That You Completed At A Study That You Felt Proud Of,’ it showcases your perseverance, problem-solving skills, and determination. Such accomplishments are not only a source of personal pride but also serve as inspiration for others, demonstrating that hard work and dedication can lead to success.
 

In this section, we will explore a sample answer for the topic, highlighting how you can effectively structure your response to convey your experience and the sense of achievement you felt upon completing the task.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe A Difficult Task That You Completed At Study That You Felt Proud Of

You should say

  • What was the task?
  • How did you complete it?
  • Why were you late?
  • Why the task was difficult?
  • Why you were proud of the completion of the task?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction:

 

  • One of the most challenging tasks I completed during my studies was my final year research project in biology. 
  • The project required me to investigate the effects of pollution on local water bodies. 
  • I found it particularly difficult because it involved extensive fieldwork, data analysis, and report writing.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest:

 

  • Initially, I felt overwhelmed by the scale of the project. I had to collect water samples from various locations, which was both time-consuming and physically demanding.
  • Moreover, I had to use complex software for data analysis, which I was not very familiar with. 
  • Despite these challenges, I was deeply interested in environmental science, which kept me motivated.
     

Key Highlights:

 

  • To tackle the project, I first organised a detailed plan and timeline. I sought guidance from my supervisor and attended additional workshops to improve my data analysis skills. 
  • One significant moment was when I successfully identified a pattern in the pollution levels, which was a breakthrough in my research. 
  • Presenting my findings to the faculty was another highlight, as it validated all the hard work I had put in.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • In the end, I completed the project with a high grade, which made me feel extremely proud. 
  • The experience taught me valuable lessons in time management, problem-solving, and perseverance. 
  • It also strengthened my passion for environmental science and confirmed my decision to pursue a career in this field. 
  • Completing this difficult task was a significant achievement in my academic journey.
Sample Answer 2

Introduction:

 

  • A difficult task that I completed during my studies was writing a dissertation for my history degree. 
  • The dissertation focused on the impact of colonial policies on rural economies in India. 
  • This task was challenging due to the extensive research and analysis required, as well as the need to synthesise complex information into a coherent argument.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest:

 

  • At the beginning, I felt quite daunted by the sheer volume of historical data I had to sift through. 
  • I needed to access various archives, old newspapers, and government records, which was both time-consuming and mentally exhausting. 
  • Despite this, my passion for history and my interest in understanding the colonial era kept me motivated throughout the process.
     

Key Highlights:

 

  • I started by creating a detailed research plan, breaking the dissertation into manageable sections. 
  • I frequently consulted with my advisor, who provided invaluable feedback and support. 
  • A significant highlight was discovering a rare document that offered new insights into the economic conditions of the time. 
  • This discovery became a pivotal part of my dissertation and helped me craft a compelling argument.
     

Conclusion:

 

  • Completing the dissertation was a tremendous achievement, and I felt a great sense of pride when I submitted it. 
  • The experience enhanced my research skills, improved my critical thinking, and deepened my understanding of historical research methods. 
  • Receiving positive feedback from my professors further validated my hard work. 
  • This task was academically rewarding and personally fulfilling, reinforcing my commitment to pursuing further studies in history.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction:

 

  • One of the most difficult tasks I completed during my studies was a group project in my engineering course. 
  • We had to design and build a functional prototype of a renewable energy device. 
  • This task was challenging because it required collaboration, technical expertise, and a significant time commitment.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest:

 

  • Initially, I was anxious about the project's complexity and the need to work effectively with my teammates. 
  • Each member had different strengths and weaknesses, which sometimes led to disagreements. 
  • However, I was deeply interested in renewable energy solutions, which kept me motivated to push through the challenges.

 

Key Highlights:

 

  • To manage the project, we divided the tasks based on each member's strengths. 
  • I took charge of the technical design and simulations, which involved learning new software tools. 
  • A key moment was when we successfully tested our prototype, which validated our design and hard work. 
  • Another highlight was presenting our project at the university's innovation fair, where we received positive feedback from both peers and professors.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Completing this project was a significant accomplishment, and I felt incredibly proud of our team’s efforts. 
  • The experience taught me the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and problem-solving under pressure. 
  • It also reinforced my passion for engineering and my belief in the potential of renewable energy. 
  • This difficult task was not only a key part of my academic journey but also a rewarding personal achievement.

When the cue card section starts, the examiner will hand you a card with a topic written on it. You will have one minute to prepare your response, and then you will need to speak about the topic for one to two minutes. This is your opportunity to showcase your ability to speak fluently and coherently on a given subject.

 

The best way to answer these cue cards is by breaking down your response into four parts: Introduction, describing your experience/opinion/interest, key highlights, and conclusion.

 

Introduction:

 

  • Start by briefly introducing the task you are going to talk about.
  • Mention the context, such as the subject or course related to the task.
  • State why it was a difficult task for you.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest:

 

  • Provide more details about the task.
  • Explain the specific challenges you faced.
  • Share your initial feelings and thoughts about undertaking the task.

 

Key Highlights:

 

  • Describe the steps you took to complete the task.
  • Mention any strategies or resources you used.
  • Highlight any significant moments or breakthroughs during the process.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Summarise the outcome of your efforts.
  • Reflect on why you felt proud upon completing the task.
  • Mention any skills or lessons you learned from the experience.

 

By following this structure, you can ensure that your response is well-organised, clear, and detailed, fitting within the two-minute time limit. Now, let’s look at a sample answer to illustrate how you can apply this structure effectively.

Follow-Up Questions

After you finish speaking about your cue card topic, the examiner will ask you some follow-up questions. This part of the test aims to evaluate your ability to discuss the topic in more depth, express your opinions, and demonstrate your language skills in a more extended conversation. Expect questions that encourage you to elaborate on your initial response, share your views, and discuss broader issues related to the topic.

Q1. Why do you think it's important to tackle difficult tasks in your studies?

Answer 1: Tackling difficult tasks in studies is important as it helps develop problem-solving skills and resilience. When faced with challenging assignments, it pushes us to think critically and find creative solutions, ultimately enhancing our learning experience.
 

Answer 2: It's crucial to tackle difficult tasks in studies because it prepares us for real-life challenges. By overcoming academic hurdles, we build confidence in our abilities and develop a growth mindset, which is essential for personal and professional growth.

Q2. How did you feel when you completed the difficult task?

Answer 1: I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride when I completed the difficult task. Knowing that I had overcome obstacles and persevered through challenges gave me a great sense of satisfaction and boosted my confidence in my academic abilities.


Answer 2: Completing the difficult task was a gratifying experience for me. It was a testament to my hard work and dedication, and I felt a profound sense of achievement knowing that I had successfully tackled something that initially seemed daunting.

Q3. What strategies did you use to tackle the difficult task?

Answer 1: To tackle the difficult task, I broke it down into smaller, manageable steps and created a detailed plan of action. I also sought guidance from my teachers and peers, who provided valuable insights and support.


Answer 2: I approached the difficult task methodically, conducting thorough research and gathering relevant resources to inform my work. I also allocated dedicated time slots for studying and made sure to stay organised and disciplined to stay on track.

Q4. Do you think facing difficult tasks helps in personal growth?

Answer 1: Absolutely, facing difficult tasks is instrumental in personal growth. It challenges us to step out of our comfort zones, learn from our mistakes, and develop resilience and perseverance, which are essential qualities for success in both academic and professional settings.
 

Answer 2: Yes, facing difficult tasks is crucial for personal growth as it fosters self-improvement and character development. It teaches us valuable life lessons, such as the importance of perseverance, determination, and adaptability, which are indispensable skills in navigating life's challenges.

FAQs

Q. How can I improve my grammatical range and accuracy?

Ans. Review grammar rules, practice using different tenses and sentence structures, and get feedback on your spoken language. Regular practice and self-correction are key.

Q. Will the examiner's demeanour affect my score?

Ans. No, the examiner's demeanour will not affect your score. They are trained to be neutral and objective, focusing solely on your performance based on the scoring criteria.

Q. Can I ask the examiner questions during the test?

Ans. You can ask for clarification if you don't understand a question, but avoid asking unrelated questions. The focus should be on answering the examiner's questions thoroughly.

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