Describe A Resolution You Made In The New Year: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is the resolution?
How will you complete it?
How do you feel about it?
Why did you make this resolution?

24 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific techniques did you find most effective for time management?

I found techniques like prioritizing tasks, setting specific deadlines, and breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable parts to be very effective. Using timers to focus on tasks for a set period also helped me stay on track and avoid distractions.

How do you maintain your time management skills over time?

I maintain my time management skills by regularly reviewing my goals and adjusting my schedule as needed. I also set aside time each week to plan ahead and reflect on what worked well and what didn’t, which helps me stay disciplined and focused.

Have you shared your time management skills with others?

Yes, I have shared my time management skills with classmates and friends. I often recommend the apps I use and discuss the techniques that worked for me. It’s rewarding to see others benefit from these strategies and improve their productivity as well.

Band 6-7

00:00

So, a resolution I make in this new year is to read and know more about famous personalities life, like reading their autobiography or some books written by them. I thought it is very important in our life, in my life basically because sometimes I feel very doubtful, not motivated to complete my work and in this situation, maybe getting advice from a friend or a close one is necessary but sometimes you are alone and you need to figure it out on yourself. So, reading such kind of books will enhance my confidence and I can start anew. In this regard, I have already read one book by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, The Wings of Fire, where I have found that from a very small town, how Dr. Kalam has came out with his confidence and reached to the heights that no one could have ever imagined. Also, how he stayed so much grounded while dealing with such huge responsibilities and inspires the young minds. That makes me so much overjoyed and I started to look life from a different perspective. I am very also eager to know more and read more books from these eminent personalities in future also.

Follow up questions

Why do you think reading autobiographies is important for personal growth?

Reading autobiographies allows us to learn from the experiences of others. It provides insights into their struggles and successes, which can inspire and motivate us to overcome our own challenges. It also helps us understand different perspectives and develop empathy.

Can you share another book that has influenced your life?

Another book that has influenced me is 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. It teaches the importance of following one's dreams and listening to one's heart. The journey of the protagonist resonates with my own aspirations and encourages me to pursue my goals despite obstacles.

How do you plan to stay motivated while pursuing your reading resolution?

To stay motivated, I plan to set a reading schedule and join a book club where I can discuss my readings with others. Additionally, I will keep a journal to reflect on what I learn from each book, which will help reinforce my commitment to this resolution.

Band 6-7

00:00

I have made many resolutions every year. So this recent New Year, I have made a resolution which was a bit conflicting topic. It was to socialize every day. So basically from my age, I was confined inside a room which I won't meet anybody. So I just wanted to come out of the box and meet new people and make friends. So as a New Year resolution, I promised myself to meet people, talk to them, interact with them, come out of the box and confront them with confidence. Which absolutely didn't work at all. I was very insecure. I wasn't confident at all. Basically, it was such a traumatic event for me. Even though the resolution had a good aim, it came out to be miserable for me. I wasn't able to focus on myself. Rather, I stick and think more about their emotions. Which was my problem. So what did they think of me? How do they judge me? Will they judge me? These all questions just rambled inside my head. And the revolution became an utter flop. In fact, a disaster. So I won't be taking these kinds of resolutions in the future. I hope so.

Follow up questions

What strategies could you use to improve your social skills?

To improve my social skills, I could start by practicing small talk with friends or family, joining clubs or groups with shared interests, and gradually exposing myself to social situations. Additionally, I could seek feedback from trusted friends to build my confidence.

How do you think socializing can benefit your mental health?

Socializing can significantly improve mental health by reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. It can provide emotional support, boost self-esteem, and create a sense of belonging. Engaging with others can also distract from negative thoughts and promote a more positive outlook.

What other resolutions have you made in the past?

In the past, I've made resolutions like exercising regularly, reading more books, and learning new skills. Some were successful, while others, like the socializing resolution, didn't go as planned. Each experience taught me valuable lessons about setting realistic and achievable goals.

Practice other cue cards

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

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Describe an event that ended in failure.

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Describe A Positive Change In Your Life

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Describe an achievement/success you are proud of

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

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

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Describe a skill that was difficult to learn

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

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Describe a book you recently read.

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Describe a piece of advice you recently received.

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Describe a plan that you had to change recently

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Describe Something Healthy You Enjoy Doing

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Describe an important decision made with the help of other people

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Describe Something You Do To Keep Fit And Healthy

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Describe Something That Helps You Concentrate

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

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

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Describe an article about health that you read.

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

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Describe a talk you gave to a group of people

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Describe a way/change that helps you save a lot of time

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Describe An Important Decision You Made

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

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Describe a piece of good advice that you gave to someone

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Describe a daily routine that you enjoy

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

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

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Band 6-7

00:00

I think resolution is something that everyone should make because it's a promise to yourself. Talking about myself, this year I made a resolution of reading at least 10 books which won't be about my academics. It would be apart from my academic books that I usually read. For the same I have created a roadmap and also have written down and prepared a schedule which would help me to bifurcate my time for each respective book. For the same I have allocated 20 days or 20 to 25 days for each book so that I can really use all the time and can complete this resolution. This gives me a sense of pride and satisfaction as I myself consider as a veracious reader and due to my academics and due to lack of spare time, I tend to have an issue of getting much time to read. So due to this reason, I... So this year I made a resolution of reading at least 12 books to complete all 12 books within the time frame of one year. As I think I am lacking at reading because of course I read a lot of books which are related to my academics but apart from that I don't really give time for extra academic reading and I have noticed it for a very quite... for a quite long. So for the same I have created a roadmap and also prepared a schedule which will help me and which will guide me to complete my task in the given time frame. I have allocated myself one month for each book and I have also purchased all 12 books. I have wrapped each one of them and I have made a decision of unwrapping each book every month so that it would keep the sense of curiosity and excitement. It gives me a sense of pride and satisfaction that I am able to be on track at least so far. I have completed three books and I am on the verge of completing the fourth book. Due to... I think this is an important decision made by me and I think this will help me in the near future as reading is not only something which I consider as a part of academics but it is also one of my hobbies but due to lack of spare time provided I am engaged in various types of research projects it gives me... I think that I have been slacking off and getting a bit lazy so for the same I have determined... I have made this decision and I hope that I would be able to accomplish my goal.

Follow up questions

What types of books are you planning to read this year?

I plan to read a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, self-help, and biographies. I believe that exploring different types of literature will not only enhance my knowledge but also keep my reading experience diverse and enjoyable.

How do you stay motivated to stick to your reading schedule?

I stay motivated by setting small milestones for each book and rewarding myself upon completion. Additionally, I keep track of my progress in a journal, which helps me visualize my achievements and maintain my enthusiasm for reading.

Have you ever struggled to keep a New Year's resolution before?

Yes, in the past, I struggled with resolutions related to fitness and time management. However, I learned from those experiences and now focus on setting realistic goals and creating structured plans, which has significantly improved my ability to stick to my resolutions.

Band 6-7

00:00

The resolution I made in the new year was to become physically and mentally fit and I achieved it through my persistence and hard work that when I graduated from college, since that I feel I am not fit both physically and mentally and I became fat and obese and I reached a century in my weight so I feel it is the right time to choose the resolution in new year and I started doing workout in gym and along with that I focus on my mental health like engaging in activities like yoga, meditation and breathing practices and I could achieve within a month while seeing my friends they all became more fit and by both mentally and physically that made me to make that resolution in this new year and I could believe that furthermore it is very challenging task but I feel that I can cope up with that and furthermore I meticulously follow the advice that is given by my trainer and yoga teacher so I believe that I can do it and I will.

Follow up questions

What specific changes did you make to your diet to support your resolution?

To support my resolution, I started eating healthier meals, focusing on more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. I reduced my intake of sugary snacks and fast food. This change in diet, combined with my workouts, helped me lose weight and feel more energetic.

How did you stay motivated throughout your fitness journey?

I stayed motivated by setting small, achievable goals and tracking my progress. I also surrounded myself with supportive friends who encouraged me. Additionally, I celebrated my milestones, which kept my spirits high and reinforced my commitment to my resolution.

What challenges did you face while trying to achieve your resolution?

One of the biggest challenges was overcoming my initial lack of motivation and the temptation to skip workouts. I also faced moments of self-doubt, especially when progress seemed slow. However, I reminded myself of my goals and pushed through those tough times.

Show all 24 answers

Cue 1:What is the resolution?

Clearly state your New Year resolution and its significance to you.
Make sure to explain why this resolution is important in your life.

Example

My resolution for this New Year was to improve my physical fitness by exercising regularly. I realized that I had been neglecting my health, and I wanted to make a positive change.

Cue 2:How will you complete it?

Outline the specific steps you plan to take to achieve your resolution.
Mention any resources or support systems you will use to help you stay on track.

Example

To complete my resolution, I joined a local gym and set a schedule to work out at least four times a week. I also downloaded a fitness app to track my progress and stay motivated. Additionally, I asked a friend to join me, which makes exercising more enjoyable.

Cue 3:How do you feel about it?

Share your feelings about making this resolution and the journey so far.
Discuss any challenges you have faced and how they have affected your motivation.

Example

I feel quite positive about my resolution. Initially, it was challenging to stick to my workout schedule, especially with my busy job. However, as I started seeing improvements in my energy levels and mood, I became more motivated to continue.

Cue 4:Why did you make this resolution?

Explain the personal reasons that led you to make this resolution.
Connect your resolution to broader life goals or values.

Example

I made this resolution because I want to lead a healthier lifestyle and set a good example for my younger siblings. I believe that being fit not only improves my physical health but also enhances my mental well-being, which is essential for my overall happiness.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my New Year resolution to improve my fitness is a significant step towards a healthier lifestyle. I am committed to achieving it and look forward to the positive changes it will bring in my life.

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

Avoid being too general when describing your resolution. Vague answers can make it difficult for the examiner to understand your commitment and motivation.

Tip

Provide specific details about your resolution, including what it is and why it matters to you.

2: Lack of Structure

Failing to organize your thoughts can lead to a confusing response. A clear structure helps convey your message effectively.

Tip

Use the cue prompts to structure your answer: start with the resolution, explain how you'll achieve it, and share your feelings.

Neglecting Personal Feelings

Not expressing your feelings about the resolution can make your answer less engaging. Personal insights can connect you with the examiner.

Tip

Share your emotions regarding the resolution, such as excitement or anxiety, to make your response more relatable.

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