Describe a prize you have won.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was it?
What did you have to do to win it?
How many other competitors were there?

46 unique answers with expert feedback

How did winning this prize impact your confidence?

Winning the first prize significantly boosted my confidence. It made me realize my potential in finance and encouraged me to pursue further challenges in my academic and professional life.

What skills did you develop while preparing for the competition?

While preparing for the competition, I developed critical thinking, teamwork, and time management skills. I also enhanced my knowledge in finance, which has been invaluable in my studies and future career.

Do you think competitions like this are important for students?

Absolutely! Competitions provide practical experience, foster teamwork, and enhance learning. They also help students build networks and gain confidence, which are essential for their future careers.

Band 7

00:00

A famous prize that I had won was a quiz competition that I was asked to represent my school for. This was the 23rd state ICSE quiz competition. It was conducted in Sensavia's school at Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. So, this was a quiz where different schools from different states participated. It was mainly addressed to check how aware the students were about general issues and how the students adapted and reacted to famous events occurring around the world. The contest had three stages. The first two were written stages. The first one was a multiple choice question round. The second round was a written round. And the third was a stage round. The prize that I had won during that event is still displayed in my headmaster's cupboard. So, it instills a feeling of personal achievement for me that I was able to achieve this in a very short span of time. I had done this in my 8th standard and it still remains to be one of my most prized achievements yet.

Follow up questions

How did you prepare for the quiz competition?

I prepared by studying various subjects, including current affairs, history, and geography. I also practiced with my classmates and participated in mock quizzes to improve my speed and accuracy in answering questions.

What skills do you think you gained from participating in this competition?

Participating in the quiz competition helped me develop critical thinking and quick decision-making skills. It also improved my confidence in public speaking and my ability to work under pressure.

How has winning this prize influenced your academic journey?

Winning the prize motivated me to take my studies more seriously. It instilled a sense of pride and encouraged me to participate in more competitions, which has helped me excel academically and develop a love for learning.

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.

Yes, I believe prizes can be important as they motivate students to perform better and recognize their efforts. Awards can boost confidence and encourage healthy competition among peers, fostering a positive learning environment.

Show all 46 answers

Cue 1:What was it?

Begin by clearly stating the prize you won, including its name and significance.
Share your feelings about winning the prize and why it was important to you.

Example

I won a scholarship for my postgraduate studies in environmental science. This prize was significant for me as it not only covered my tuition fees but also recognized my hard work and dedication to the field.

Cue 2:What did you have to do to win it?

Describe the process you went through to win the prize, including any challenges you faced.
Mention any specific skills or efforts that helped you secure the win.

Example

To win the scholarship, I had to submit a detailed research proposal along with my academic transcripts. I spent weeks preparing my proposal, conducting research, and seeking feedback from my professors. It was a challenging process, but my passion for environmental issues drove me to put in my best effort.

Cue 3:How many other competitors were there?

Provide an estimate of the number of competitors and the level of competition.
Explain how you felt about competing against others for this prize.

Example

There were around 50 other applicants for the scholarship, all of whom had impressive academic backgrounds. Knowing that I was competing against such talented individuals made me anxious, but it also motivated me to give my best.

Conclusion

Summarize the impact of winning the prize on your life or career.
Reflect on what you learned from the experience and how it has influenced your future goals.

Example

Winning this scholarship has opened many doors for me in my academic career. It not only boosted my confidence but also reinforced my commitment to making a difference in environmental conservation. This experience taught me the value of perseverance and hard work, and I am now more determined than ever to pursue my goals in this field.

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 Prize

Candidates often give unclear descriptions of the prize, which can confuse the listener. Specific details help create a vivid picture and engage the examiner.

Tip

Clearly describe the prize, including its name, significance, and any unique features to make your answer more engaging.

2: Neglecting to Explain Efforts

Failing to explain what you did to win the prize can make your answer sound incomplete. It's important to highlight your efforts and achievements.

Tip

Detail the steps you took to win the prize, including any challenges you faced, to showcase your dedication and skills.

Underestimating Competitors

Not mentioning the number of competitors can make your achievement seem less impressive. Context is important to understand the significance of your win.