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?

35 unique answers with expert feedback

What are some habits you think are important to develop?

I believe habits like regular exercise, reading daily, and maintaining a healthy diet are important. They contribute to physical and mental well-being, and help in personal growth.

How do you think habits are formed?

Habits are formed through repetition and consistency. When we perform an action regularly, it becomes a part of our routine. It often takes about 21 days to form a new habit, but it can vary for each person.

Can you share a time when you successfully developed a new habit?

Yes, I once decided to wake up early every day. I started by setting my alarm 15 minutes earlier each week. After a month, I was waking up an hour earlier, which gave me time to exercise and plan my day.

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 other habits do you think are important for productivity?

In addition to waking up early, I believe habits like setting daily goals, prioritizing tasks, and taking regular breaks are crucial for productivity. These habits help maintain focus and energy levels throughout the day, allowing for better time management and efficiency.

How do you plan to stay motivated to wake up early?

To stay motivated, Rahul and I plan to hold each other accountable by checking in every morning. We also intend to reward ourselves for sticking to our new routine, perhaps by enjoying a nice breakfast together or planning fun activities during the weekends.

Have you tried waking up early before? What was your experience?

Yes, I have tried waking up early in the past, and it was quite challenging initially. However, I noticed that I felt more productive and had more time for myself. The key was to gradually adjust my bedtime and establish a consistent routine, which made it easier over time.

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Band 6-7

00:00

The habit of my friend which I want to develop is reading books even though I have the habit of reading but I was like if even if I start a book then it I can't complete it till end so I have one friend who completes a book in a one shot that is why I want to develop reading continuously and not to give up in between. So this is the one which I felt like I need to develop and all and I want to develop reading continuously as a habit because it keeps me grounded and I will be relaxed if I read some good books I feel good and I will get good shot of dopamine which makes me feel so soothing and happy.

Follow up questions

What types of books do you enjoy reading the most?

I enjoy reading a variety of genres, but I particularly love fiction and self-help books. Fiction allows me to escape into different worlds, while self-help books provide valuable insights and motivation for personal growth.

How do you think reading continuously can impact your life?

Reading continuously can greatly enhance my knowledge and vocabulary, improve my focus, and provide a sense of relaxation. It can also inspire creativity and critical thinking, which are beneficial in both personal and professional aspects of life.

What strategies do you think can help you read more consistently?

To read more consistently, I plan to set aside dedicated time each day for reading, create a reading list to keep me motivated, and join a book club to discuss books with others. This way, I can stay accountable and engaged with my reading habit.

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Band 6-7

00:00

The habit that I want to indulge in my life by seeing a friend is crocheting and embroidering. I find it really difficult to do those and the results that she produced has always mesmerized me for to a greater extent. Even she has this embroider with my name on it and she gifted it for me on the birth on my birthday. She is a friend of mine from fourth standard and we still maintain our friendship. I find it hard to kill my boredom so I wanted to start something more like crocheting and embroidering. She is more into embroidering and she even owns her own brand in Instagram. To a greater extent she has influenced me. I admire her for the fact that she goes an extra mile to start a business at this age and even I wanted to do that as a side hustle. Do the present work that I do at any time.

Follow up questions

What do you find most challenging about crocheting and embroidering?

I find the intricate patterns and techniques quite challenging. It requires a lot of patience and practice to get the stitches right. Sometimes, I struggle with keeping the tension even, which affects the overall look of the finished piece.

How has your friend's influence affected your view on starting a business?

Her dedication and success at such a young age have inspired me to consider entrepreneurship seriously. I see that it's possible to turn a passion into a business, and it motivates me to explore my own interests and potentially create something unique.

What other hobbies do you think could help you kill boredom?

Aside from crocheting and embroidering, I think activities like painting, gardening, or learning a musical instrument could be great. Each of these hobbies allows for creativity and can be very fulfilling, helping to keep boredom at bay.

Band 6-7

00:00

My friend named Nitya has a habit of accepting all the things with ease and smile even during in her hard situation. So I feel that is a good habit and I wanted to learn that from her because everybody will get into a time where they'll be in hard situations and feel so low. So I wanted to develop that quality in me to accept the situations and move on and that was that was a one one of the best and good quality that everybody has to get it. So and whenever we feel low we have to motivate our our self. There is nobody to encourage you. We have to do that from ourselves. Yeah, that's the good good habit to develop and apart from that we should stay positive all the time and do not think of the situations the hard situations we actually felt and we have to move on. Whenever we feel low we can call to our close friends or with whom we can share our feelings. We need to call to them and talk to them freely so that we will feel better. So this all things are done by my friend named Nitya and I wanted to learn that from her and even I many times call to her and she has given me this idea to move on do meditation if you feel low that's the best remedy.

Follow up questions

How do you think accepting situations can help in personal growth?

Accepting situations can lead to personal growth by fostering resilience. When we accept challenges, we learn to adapt and find solutions, which builds our confidence. It also helps us to focus on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives, allowing us to grow emotionally and mentally.

What other habits do you think are important for maintaining a positive mindset?

Other important habits for maintaining a positive mindset include practicing gratitude, engaging in regular physical activity, and surrounding oneself with supportive people. Mindfulness and meditation can also help in managing stress and keeping a positive outlook on life.

Can you share a specific instance when you applied this habit of acceptance?

Yes, there was a time when I faced a setback in my studies. Instead of getting upset, I remembered Nitya's approach. I accepted the situation, analyzed what went wrong, and focused on how to improve. This helped me to move forward without dwelling on the past.

Show all 35 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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