Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Which friend is it?
What habit is it?
Why do you want to develop this?

167 unique answers with expert feedback

What habits do you think are important for personal development?

I believe habits like reading regularly, exercising, and maintaining a healthy diet are crucial for personal growth. They help in building discipline and improving overall well-being.

How do you think you can develop a new habit effectively?

To develop a new habit, I think it's important to start small, set clear goals, and be consistent. Tracking progress and finding motivation through rewards can also help in maintaining the habit.

Can you share an example of a habit that is difficult to maintain?

One habit that many find difficult to maintain is regular exercise. Life can get busy, and it's easy to skip workouts. However, finding a workout buddy or scheduling workouts can make it easier to stick to this habit.

Band >7

00:00

One habit that my friend Rahul and I want to develop is waking up early in the morning. Rahul is one of my closest friends from college and we often discuss ways to improve ourselves and be more productive. We both feel that waking up early has many benefits. For example, it gives us extra time to plan a day, exercise or study without distractions. Currently, we both struggle with staying up late, which leads to waking up late and feeling rushed in the mornings. Developing this habit helps us feel more energetic and organized throughout the day. The main reason we want to develop this habit is to improve our productivity and time management. We believe that starting the day early will give us a sense of accomplishment and allow us to focus on our priorities. It will also help us develop a healthier lifestyle since we can use the mornings for exercise or other qualitative activities. To achieve this, we plan to go to bed earlier and set small goals like waking up just 15 minutes earlier each day until we achieve our desired routine. We also motivate each other by sending a text or a call in the morning to check if we are both up. In short, Rahul and I are determined to develop this habit because it will benefit us both physically and mentally in the long run.

Follow up questions

What challenges do you face in waking up early?

One of the main challenges we face is our tendency to stay up late, often due to studying or socializing. This disrupts our sleep schedule and makes it difficult to wake up early. Additionally, sometimes we feel tempted to hit the snooze button, which can lead to oversleeping.

How do you plan to stay motivated in this habit?

We plan to stay motivated by setting small, achievable goals and celebrating our progress. Additionally, we will keep each other accountable by checking in every morning. Sharing our experiences and discussing the benefits we feel will also help maintain our motivation.

What benefits do you expect from waking up early?

We expect to feel more energetic and organized throughout the day. Waking up early will give us extra time for exercise, studying, and planning our day without distractions. Ultimately, we believe it will lead to improved productivity and a healthier lifestyle.

Band >7

00:00

Okay, the habit that I used to follow is... When I was young, I have a friend whose name is Nandini. We were school friends actually. But we studied in a different school. Actually, she is my neighbor. I have a childhood friend. Her name is Nandini. We used to be neighbors when we were young. We used to go to different schools, but we were in the same grade. So, our parents always tried to compare my score with hers. She always got higher scores than me. Because she studied hard in the morning time. I always prefer to study at night time. Because I feel we have a longer period of time to study at night than in the morning. I am a very lazy person at that time. So, I can't wake up in the early morning time. If I do, I used to be very sleepy at the class. So, I skipped to study in the morning time. One day, I approached my friend. I asked her, how did you manage to get up early and be active in your school? She said, I used to sleep early to keep me awake in the morning. One day, I tried to follow that. I used to go to bed by 9 am so that I can wake up at 5 am. Unfortunately, I couldn't wake up at that time. So, I rushed up and asked her again. She said, try to do that. And I did.

Follow up questions

What other habits do you think are important for academic success?

I believe time management and consistent study routines are crucial. Additionally, staying organized and setting specific goals can help students focus better and achieve higher scores.

How do you think your friend's habit influenced your study habits?

Nandini's early rising habit motivated me to try waking up early as well. It made me realize that adjusting my schedule could improve my productivity and help me perform better academically.

Have you successfully developed any other habits since then?

Yes, I've started to incorporate more structured study sessions into my routine. I also try to limit distractions and take regular breaks, which has helped me stay focused and retain information better.

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Band 7

00:00

One positive habit my friend has and that I genuinely want to develop is his incredible consistency in maintaining a daily routine. His name is Arjun and he is one of the best, most disciplined people I know. We have been close friends since school, so I have seen his habits evolve over the years. Arjun has a very structured lifestyle, no matter how busy or tired he is, he never skips the morning routine. He wakes up early, meditates for 10 minutes, exercises and then plans his entire day in a small notebook. What impresses me the most is that he never breaks this pattern. Even during exam or stressful days, he sticks to it and the same level of dedication. I want to develop his habit because consistency is something I struggle with. I start things with a lot of motivation, but eventually my energy fades and I lose track. Watching Arjun has made me realize that real progress doesn't come from occasionally big efforts, but from small actions done every single day, his routine has made him more focused, productive and calm and I really admire that. If I develop this habit, I believe it will help me manage my time better, stay mentally stable and achieve my long-term goals more efficiently. In the fast-paced world we live in, having the consistency routine is almost like a superpower and I hope I can build that discipline just like Arjun.

Follow up questions

What specific steps do you plan to take to develop this habit?

I plan to start by waking up earlier each day and setting aside time for meditation and exercise. I'll also keep a journal to plan my day, similar to Arjun. By gradually incorporating these elements into my routine, I hope to build consistency over time.

How do you think this habit will impact your daily life?

I believe developing this habit will lead to better time management, increased productivity, and improved mental clarity. It will help me stay focused on my goals and reduce stress, allowing me to approach challenges with a calmer mindset.

Have you tried to develop this habit before? What happened?

Yes, I have tried to establish a morning routine before, but I often lost motivation after a few days. I think the key difference now will be my commitment to consistency and learning from Arjun's example, which inspires me to stick with it.

Band 7

00:00

One of my close friend Rhea has a wonderful habit that I truly admire. She wakes up early in the morning and starts her day with a short workout and some reading. I have noticed that this habit makes her very energetic, positive and organized throughout the day. Rhea usually wakes up around 5.30am, goes for a jog and then spend about 20 minutes reading something new like a personal growth book or the news. Because of this routine, she is always calm, focused and rarely stressed even during exams or busy schedules. I really want to develop this habit because I often struggle with managing my time and staying productive. I tend to wake up late which makes me rush throughout the day. If I could start my morning like her, I believe I would be able to plan my day better and feel more motivated to complete all my tasks.

Follow up questions

What challenges do you think you might face in developing this habit?

I believe the biggest challenge would be waking up early consistently. I'm used to my current routine, so adjusting my sleep schedule might be tough. Additionally, finding the motivation to get out of bed and stick to a workout and reading routine every morning could be difficult.

How do you think waking up early can impact your overall productivity?

Waking up early can give me a head start on the day, allowing me to plan my tasks without feeling rushed. It can also provide quiet time for reflection and focus, which can enhance my productivity and help me tackle my responsibilities more effectively.

Have you tried any other habits to improve your time management?

Yes, I have tried making to-do lists and setting specific goals for the day. However, I often find myself getting distracted or overwhelmed. I think incorporating Rhea's morning routine could complement these strategies and help me stay on track better.

Show all 167 answers

Cue 1:Which friend is it?

Introduce your friend by name and mention how long you have known them.
Describe a little about their personality to give context to their habit.

Example

My friend, Riya, has been my close companion since college. She is a very organized and disciplined person, which is something I admire about her.

Cue 2:What habit is it?

Clearly state the specific habit you want to develop.
Explain how this habit manifests in your friend's daily life.

Example

The habit I want to develop is her ability to wake up early every morning. Riya has this routine of waking up at 5 AM, which allows her to start her day with exercise and planning.

Cue 3:Why do you want to develop this?

Discuss the benefits you see in adopting this habit.
Mention any personal challenges you face that this habit could help address.

Example

I want to develop this habit because I believe waking up early can make me more productive. Currently, I often feel rushed in the mornings, and I think having that extra time would help me plan my day better and reduce stress.

Conclusion

Summarize your thoughts on your friend's habit and your desire to adopt it.
Express any hopes or goals related to developing this habit.

Example

In conclusion, Riya's early rising habit is something I truly admire. I hope to incorporate this into my life to improve my productivity and overall well-being.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Being Vague About the Friend

Candidates often mention a friend without providing specific details. This can make the response less engaging and informative.

Tip

Clearly introduce your friend by sharing their name and a little background to make your answer more personal and relatable.

2: Lack of Specificity in the Habit

Describing a habit in general terms can lead to a weak response. Candidates should avoid being too broad or unclear.

Tip

Focus on one specific habit your friend has. Describe it in detail, explaining how they practice it and its impact on their life.

Weak Justification for Development

Failing to explain why you want to develop the habit can make your answer seem unconvincing or superficial.

Tip

Provide clear reasons for wanting to adopt the habit, such as personal growth, health benefits, or improved relationships, to strengthen your response.

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