Describe A Person Who Solved A Problem In Smart Way: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who is this person?
What was the problem?
How did he/she solve it?
What about the solution makes it smart?

19 unique answers with expert feedback

How did you feel when you realized you forgot your hall ticket?

I felt a wave of panic wash over me when I realized I forgot my hall ticket. It was a crucial moment, and I was worried I might miss the exam. Thankfully, my friend and brother were there to help me, which eased my anxiety.

What qualities do you think your brother demonstrated in that situation?

My brother showed quick thinking and resourcefulness. Instead of panicking or getting frustrated, he immediately looked for a solution. His ability to stay calm under pressure and find a nearby Xerox shop was impressive and really helped me.

Have you ever had to solve a problem in a similar smart way?

Yes, there was a time when I misplaced my wallet while traveling. Instead of panicking, I retraced my steps and asked local shops if they had seen it. I managed to find it at a café where I had stopped earlier. Staying calm and thinking logically helped me solve the problem.

Band 6-7

00:00

I'd like to talk about one of the most inspiring person of my life is my manager at my workplace. She is a brilliant lady and exactly knows how to tackle people. There was a time when I faced a lot of challenge from one of the employees of my organization. I was about to get into an argument where that person was completely wrong. But I never wanted to show him that he is wrong. I just wanted to show him that how to rectify the mistake which he had done earlier. But despite of telling him several times, he insisted to take a side and insisted me to get into an argument. So I called up my manager. She came and she just talked to that person. And the way she broke into the problem and step by step she made him realize that what he had done and how it impacted the entire organization in a very negative way. So that's how it makes her pretty smart in that way. And not only that whenever I felt that I am stuck in a position where I can't get out of it. She was always the one who helped me to understand the problem better. To break into the problem into small pieces.

Follow up questions

What qualities make someone a good problem solver?

A good problem solver should possess qualities such as patience, empathy, and strong communication skills. They should be able to analyze situations critically and think creatively to find solutions. Additionally, being able to remain calm under pressure is crucial.

How can teamwork contribute to solving problems effectively?

Teamwork can significantly enhance problem-solving by bringing diverse perspectives and skills together. When team members collaborate, they can brainstorm ideas, share insights, and support each other in finding solutions. This collective effort often leads to more innovative and effective outcomes.

Can you think of a time when you solved a problem without help?

Yes, there was a time when I had to resolve a scheduling conflict at work. I analyzed the situation, prioritized tasks, and communicated with my colleagues to find a compromise. By being proactive and organized, I managed to create a new schedule that worked for everyone.

Band 6-7

00:00

Since ages, masters are doing hard work, but nowadays for having success, smart work is the key. And here I am going to talk about a person's smart work for the problem solution. It was a time of last year when I faced problem regarding to my tuition classes. Because at that time I was studying in graduation, so at that time I needed tuitions and other things from the outer market. But at that time due to the absence of my teacher, it was a lot of problems regarding to the subject. But my older brother came to me and he asked me what happened. Then I shared that thing that my teacher is not available for the classes. And he asked why are you getting that much depressed, you can check the classes online. That time he provided me several links of online platforms and one from them was the buy juice classes, where I started to do the preparation and I got really brilliant results. As compared to other students, I had around 20% more in the graduation. It was about 83% and others had around 63 or 65% in their graduation. So due to his advice, I did that. And I really appreciate his advice because in that smart way, I achieved my score. In other words, I can say that if he didn't came to me at that time, so that time I was taking that problem too much hardly. And also we can solve some problems in our life in smarter way with the help of technology.

Follow up questions

How do you think technology has changed the way we solve problems?

Technology has significantly changed problem-solving by providing access to vast resources and information. It allows us to find solutions quickly, connect with experts, and utilize online tools that enhance our learning and efficiency. This shift has made it easier to tackle challenges in innovative ways.

Can you give another example of a problem solved using smart work?

Certainly! For instance, during my internship, we faced a tight deadline for a project. Instead of working overtime, we used project management software to streamline tasks and delegate responsibilities effectively. This smart approach helped us complete the project ahead of schedule.

What qualities do you think are important for someone to solve problems smartly?

Key qualities include adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking. Being open to new ideas and approaches allows individuals to find innovative solutions. Additionally, effective communication and collaboration skills are essential for leveraging resources and support from others.

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Band 6-7

00:00

A person who solves a problem in a smart way, not to be narcissistic, but I can only think about me because I am more of a solver than creating a problem. So, there was this one time at work where we bought a lot of snacks for our US counterparts, so we had to send them snacks from here, and we ordered a lot of snacks, and we ordered a gift bag with it as well, but unfortunately the gift bag was way too small to fit all the snacks, and we were just all worked up about it because the person who was going to US was living in another 10 minutes, he was leaving the office, so we had to do something in the next 10 minutes, so I just remembered that I had a shopping bag in my locker, so I quickly took the shopping bag which said Forever 21, and the team we work for is called Paint, we work in the paint division, so quickly I just took a marker and I just struck the 21, and I just used my artistic skills and quickly whipped up a creative bag which said Forever Paint instead of Forever 21, which I think was making pretty good use of the resources we had at that given time, and later our counterparts received that bag, and they really loved it, and they couldn't stop praising me about how creative it was and how much they loved the bag, in fact they loved it more than the snacks we sent them.

Follow up questions

What other creative solutions have you implemented at work?

I've often had to think on my feet at work. For instance, when we faced a last-minute presentation issue, I quickly designed a digital slideshow using available templates, which impressed my team and helped us deliver a successful presentation.

How do you usually approach problem-solving in a team?

I believe in collaborative problem-solving. I often encourage team brainstorming sessions where everyone can contribute ideas. This not only fosters creativity but also helps us find the best solutions together, leveraging each person's strengths.

Can you share a time when a problem was not solved creatively?

There was a situation where we faced a technical issue with our software. Instead of thinking outside the box, we followed the standard troubleshooting steps, which took longer than necessary. It taught me the importance of being innovative in problem-solving.

Band 6-7

00:00

This person is my uncle. The problem was that my father took a loan on my uncle's home which was of around 35 lakhs and my father was unable to pay the loan. So my uncle came up with the idea that when the bank was on verge of doing auction on my uncle's house, my uncle took a good solution that you transfer the home on my name and I'll be able to repay the loan. The smart solution is that by the means of paying loan, my uncle took the house worth 60 lakhs on his own name. This was the smart thing he came up with. And my uncle also told that all the interest and all the other EMI's that were pending, till this duration he would pay the same and he would make the home on his own name. By this I could learn that this was a good and smart way to solve a problem.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are important for someone to solve problems effectively?

I believe qualities like creativity, critical thinking, and resilience are crucial. A person needs to think outside the box and remain calm under pressure. Additionally, good communication skills help in discussing solutions with others involved.

Can you think of a time when you had to solve a problem in a smart way?

Yes, there was a time when I had a group project with a tight deadline. Instead of dividing tasks randomly, I organized a meeting to discuss each member's strengths. This way, we could allocate tasks more efficiently, which helped us complete the project successfully and on time.

How do you think technology can help in solving problems?

Technology plays a significant role in problem-solving. It provides tools for analysis, communication, and collaboration. For instance, software can help visualize data, while online platforms can facilitate teamwork, making it easier to brainstorm and implement solutions.

Show all 19 answers

Cue 1:Who is this person?

Introduce the person by mentioning their relationship to you, such as a friend, family member, or colleague.
Provide a brief background about their qualities or skills that make them capable of solving problems.

Example

The person I want to talk about is my elder brother, Raj. He is a software engineer and has always been known for his analytical skills and creative thinking. Growing up, he often helped me with my studies and taught me how to approach problems logically.

Cue 2:What was the problem?

Clearly state the problem that needed to be solved, providing context to help the listener understand its significance.
Mention any challenges or difficulties that arose due to this problem.

Example

Last year, our family faced a significant issue when our small business was struggling due to a lack of customers. The pandemic had hit us hard, and we were unsure how to attract more people to our store.

Cue 3:How did he/she solve it?

Describe the steps the person took to address the problem, highlighting their thought process.
Include any innovative methods or strategies they employed to find a solution.

Example

Raj suggested that we shift our focus to online sales. He quickly set up a website and helped us create social media accounts to promote our products. He even organized a small online campaign to reach out to potential customers.

Cue 4:What about the solution makes it smart?

Explain why the solution was effective and how it addressed the problem efficiently.
Discuss any long-term benefits that resulted from this smart solution.

Example

What made Raj's solution smart was his ability to adapt to the changing market. By moving online, we not only reached our existing customers but also attracted new ones from different areas. Our sales increased significantly, and we are now considering expanding our online presence further.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, Raj's innovative thinking and quick actions helped our family business survive during a tough time. His ability to solve problems in a smart way not only resolved our immediate issue but also set us up for future success.

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: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the person and the problem they solved to engage the listener.

Tip

Use clear examples and specific details to describe the person and the problem. This will make your answer more interesting and easier to understand.

2: Lack of Structure

Failing to organize your response can confuse the listener. A well-structured answer helps convey your ideas more effectively.

Tip

Follow the cue prompts in order: introduce the person, explain the problem, describe the solution, and highlight why it was smart. This will create a logical flow.

Overly Complex Solutions

Describing overly complicated solutions can lose the listener's interest. It's better to focus on clear and relatable solutions that demonstrate smart thinking.

Tip

Choose a solution that is straightforward yet clever. Explain it simply, focusing on how it effectively addressed the problem.

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