Describe A Positive Change In Your Life: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was the change?
When did it happen?
How did it happen?
And explain why it was a positive change.

15 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific challenges did you face in your studies before the change?

I struggled with understanding complex subjects and maintaining focus. My grades were not satisfactory, which affected my confidence. This led me to realize that I needed to pursue something I was passionate about, which turned out to be sports.

How did you feel when you made the decision to pursue sports?

Initially, I felt nervous because it was a big shift from academics to sports. However, I also felt excited and hopeful, as I believed that pursuing my passion would lead to a more fulfilling life. This decision boosted my confidence significantly.

What role did your training at the Sports Authority of India play in your success?

Training at the Sports Authority of India was crucial for my development. It provided me with access to experienced coaches and competitive environments. This exposure helped me refine my skills, gain valuable experience, and ultimately achieve my goals in sports.

Band 6-7

00:00

One of the most positive change which I noticed in my life was gaining more and more practical knowledge rather than theoretical knowledge. When I was in my second year of engineering, I joined a club in which I have to make different types of CAD files in order to make a proper robot. So what we need to do is like there theoretical knowledge didn't work as we have to analyze proper the structure of a robot, its forces etc. So there the practical knowledge was most important which I came to know that just by reading books I will not be able to gain it. So what I did is, I watched different types of videos on YouTube that how the things are done, how the forces are acted, how the movement is acted and then I came to know that practical knowledge is the most important thing. Then simultaneously I started practicing it and during my third year I was able to gain the complete knowledge of how to make a robot which helped me only through the practical knowledge and the skills. In the book only we are taught how to calculate certain topics but practical knowledge helped me and now I am able to solve any problem given to me with so much ease and I am very happy that with the hard work I am able to do smart work also. So this club in which I was had made my skills uplifted and this skill I can say is the most positive, has brought the most positive change in my life. So that's it I can say and each one should try to gain more and more positive change or practical skills in themselves rather than only theoretical knowledge.

Follow up questions

How do you think practical knowledge can be applied in other fields?

Practical knowledge is essential in many fields, such as medicine, engineering, and arts. For instance, in medicine, hands-on experience in surgeries or patient care is crucial. Similarly, in arts, practicing techniques helps refine skills. This application enhances understanding and effectiveness in various professions.

What challenges did you face while gaining practical knowledge?

One of the main challenges was the initial lack of confidence in applying theoretical concepts practically. Additionally, finding reliable resources and mentors to guide me was difficult. However, persistence and seeking help from experienced peers helped me overcome these obstacles and improve my skills.

Do you believe that schools should focus more on practical skills?

Absolutely! Schools should integrate practical skills into their curriculum to prepare students for real-world challenges. This approach not only enhances learning but also boosts students' confidence and problem-solving abilities, making them more adaptable in their future careers.

Band 6-7

00:00

A positive change in my life that has been occurred is habit of daily routine like I used to wake up at 9 or 10 am but when I moved to hostel things changed I started waking up by myself at 7 am then my routine completely got changed it changed when I left hostel I was in hostel for like 2 years when I left it at that moment positive changes started noticing by my mother and she felt very heart warming like I was such a spoiled kid you can say I was doing things on my own I started doing things on my own I started cooking foods by myself even I started physical exercises I joined a gym recently and I have seen changes in my body itself as well there are lots of things that I have changed so far and I think it is a positive impact on my life when I choose to live in hostel when I left it there are lots of things that I have changed from then to now I can say

Follow up questions

How did living in a hostel influence your daily habits?

Living in a hostel taught me discipline and responsibility. I had to manage my time better, which helped me wake up early and establish a productive routine.

What specific changes did you notice in your lifestyle after leaving the hostel?

After leaving the hostel, I became more independent. I started cooking for myself, exercising regularly, and taking charge of my daily activities, which contributed to my overall well-being.

How do you think these positive changes will affect your future?

These changes have instilled a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in me. I believe they will help me in my future endeavors, both personally and professionally, as I continue to prioritize my health and well-being.

Practice other cue cards

Describe a risk you took that you thought would lead to a terrible result but ended up with a positive result

View answers

Describe a piece of good advice that you gave to someone

View answers

Describe a difficult skill you learned.

View answers

Describe A Skill That You Learned In Your Childhood

View answers

Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved.

View answers

Describe A Resolution You Made In The New Year

View answers

Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person?

View answers

Describe A Time When You Needed To Search For Information

View answers

Describe Something You Do That Can Help You Concentrate On Work/Study

View answers

Describe a thing you did to learn another language?

View answers

Describe the type of home you'd like to reside in.

View answers

Describe A Volunteering Experience You Have Had

View answers

Describe A Time When You Helped Someone

View answers

Describe An Success You Are Proud Of

View answers

Describe a natural talent you want to improve.

View answers

Describe an exercise you know.

View answers

Describe something you taught to your friend/relative.

View answers

Describe a daily routine that you enjoy

View answers

Describe A Difficult Decision That You Made And Had A Good Result

View answers

Describe Something You Do Regularly That Helps You Work And Study Better

View answers

Describe a skill that was difficult to learn

View answers

Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college)

View answers

Describe a book you recently read.

View answers

Describe a piece of advice you recently received.

View answers

Describe a plan that you had to change recently

View answers

Describe Something Healthy You Enjoy Doing

View answers

Describe an important decision made with the help of other people

View answers

Describe Something You Do To Keep Fit And Healthy

View answers

Describe Something That Helps You Concentrate

View answers

Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop.

View answers

Describe an impressive talk/conversation you had that you remember well

View answers

Describe an article about health that you read.

View answers

Describe a goal you set that you tried your best to achieve

View answers

Talk about a time you learned a new skill.

View answers

Describe a time when you changed your opinion

View answers

Describe An Activity You Do To Keep Fit

View answers

Describe a difficult task that you completed at work/study that you felt proud of

View answers

Describe one of your friends who learned something without a teacher

View answers

Describe an event that ended in failure.

View answers

Describe an achievement/success you are proud of

View answers

Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve.

View answers

Describe an activity you enjoyed in your free time when you were young.

View answers

Band 6-7

00:00

I would like to describe the positive change is, you know, training my subconscious mind. I started reading this book called The Power of Subconscious Mind and it trained me, trained my mind in a right way, staying intact with my peace and to always think positive, positive about things. It happened when I started reading that book and the reason how it happened was I kept reading the book and it trained me. And the reason why it's a peaceful change is because it gave me a lot of peace. I trained my mind and I'm staying intact with my peace and it's not going away anywhere, even if something happens, I'm staying with my peace, I'm staying positive, I'm thinking positive and no negative thoughts are coming into my mind. I'm trained that way actually.

Follow up questions

How has training your subconscious mind affected your daily life?

Training my subconscious mind has made me more resilient to stress and negativity. I find myself reacting more calmly to challenges and maintaining a positive outlook, which has improved my overall happiness and productivity in daily tasks.

What other methods do you use to maintain a positive mindset?

In addition to reading, I practice meditation and mindfulness techniques. These help me stay grounded and focused on the present moment, allowing me to cultivate a positive mindset throughout my day.

Can you share a specific situation where your positive mindset helped you?

Once, I faced a difficult work project that seemed overwhelming. Instead of panicking, I focused on my training and approached the task with a positive mindset. This helped me break it down into manageable parts and ultimately succeed.

Band 6

00:00

I would like to talk about a positive change that has drastically changed my life, it was the time when I started to look on my fitness and health more than anything, a long time before I was not a fitness freak and even my routine was really bad, I used to sleep late night and wake up very late which is not at all a good habit, I knew but I couldn't change my habits and I didn't give much concern to my food habits, I was used to have junk food more than a healthy meal, I know it was not good, then one day I changed it and make it more healthy lifestyle including a very healthy food diet and started to exercise every day which helped me mentally and physically, I could be more active throughout the day and this was the best decision I ever made in my life.

Follow up questions

What motivated you to make this positive change in your life?

I realized that my unhealthy lifestyle was affecting my energy levels and overall well-being. I wanted to feel more vibrant and active, and I was inspired by friends who had transformed their health. This motivation pushed me to take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle.

How did you maintain your motivation during this change?

I set small, achievable goals for myself, like exercising for 20 minutes a day and gradually increasing my workout intensity. I also tracked my progress and celebrated my milestones, which kept me motivated. Surrounding myself with supportive friends who shared similar goals helped a lot too.

What challenges did you face while making this change?

Initially, I struggled with cravings for junk food and found it hard to stick to a workout routine. There were days when I felt demotivated and wanted to give up. However, I learned to overcome these challenges by focusing on my long-term goals and reminding myself of the benefits of my new lifestyle.

Show all 15 answers

Cue 1:What was the change?

Clearly state the positive change that occurred in your life.
Make sure to provide some context about what your life was like before this change.

Example

The positive change in my life was when I decided to pursue a healthier lifestyle. Before this change, I often felt tired and lacked energy due to my poor eating habits and lack of exercise.

Cue 2:When did it happen?

Mention the specific time frame when this change took place.
You can also include any significant events that led to this change.

Example

This change happened about a year ago, during the COVID-19 lockdown. With more time at home, I realized I needed to take better care of my health.

Cue 3:How did it happen?

Describe the steps you took to implement this change in your life.
Include any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example

I started by researching healthy diets and creating a meal plan. I also began exercising regularly at home. Initially, it was challenging to stick to the routine, but I motivated myself by tracking my progress and celebrating small victories.

Cue 4:And explain why it was a positive change.

Discuss the benefits you experienced as a result of this change.
Explain how this change has impacted your overall well-being and happiness.

Example

This change has been incredibly positive for me. I now have more energy, feel more confident, and my mood has improved significantly. I also enjoy cooking healthy meals and exploring new recipes, which has become a fun hobby.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, the decision to adopt a healthier lifestyle has transformed my life for the better. It has not only improved my physical health but also enhanced my mental well-being, making me feel more fulfilled and happy.

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 response unclear and unengaging. Avoid general statements that do not provide specific details about the change.

Tip

Use specific examples and details to illustrate the change, such as mentioning the time frame and the impact it had on your life.

2: Lack of Structure

A disorganized response can confuse the listener. Failing to follow the cue prompts can lead to missing important points.

Tip

Organize your answer by addressing each cue in order: what the change was, when it happened, how it happened, and why it was positive.

Neglecting Personal Impact

Not explaining how the change affected you personally can make your answer less compelling. It’s important to connect the change to your feelings and experiences.

Tip

Reflect on your emotions and personal growth related to the change, and share specific feelings to make your response more relatable.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.