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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe A Time When Someone Who Did Quite Well In A Team: IELTS Cue Card

Updated on Aug 28, 2024, 20:04

Overview

An IELTS Speaking cue card is a prompt used in the IELTS Speaking test to evaluate your ability to speak fluently and coherently on a given topic. It is a crucial part of the speaking section, requiring you to speak for about 2 minutes on the specified topic. 

 

One such topic is "Describe A Time When Someone Did Quite Well In A Team." In this topic, you need to describe who this person is, when you worked together, what he or she did in the team, and why you think he or she was a great team player.

 

On this page, we will explore a sample answer for this topic, covering each aspect in detail to help you understand how to structure your response effectively.

Sample Answer 1

Introduction ( Covers: Who this person is?)

 

  • One time when I saw someone excel in a team was when I worked on a college project with my classmate, Rohan. 
  • Rohan is a final-year engineering student known for his problem-solving skills.
  • We worked together on a project to develop a mobile app for our final-year submission. 
  • His performance in the team was truly outstanding.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest  ( Covers: When you worked together?)

 

  • We worked on this project during our last semester, which was a stressful period for everyone. 
  • The project required us to collaborate for three months. 
  • My role was to handle the user interface design, while Rohan focused on the backend development. 
  • We often met in the college library to discuss our progress and troubleshoot any issues we encountered.

 

Key Highlights ( Covers: What he/she did in the team?)

 

  • Rohan took the initiative to organise our tasks using project management software, which kept us on track. 
  • He was excellent at explaining complex coding issues in a way that everyone could understand. 
  • One of his key contributions was solving a major bug that had halted our progress for days.
  • His dedication was evident as he often stayed back late to ensure everything was on schedule.

 

Conclusion (Covers: Why you think he/she was a great team player?)

 

  • I believe Rohan excelled in the team because of his strong leadership and technical skills. 
  • Working with him taught me the importance of patience and clear communication. 
  • This experience highlighted how essential it is to have a reliable team player. 
  • Rohan’s contributions were crucial to the success of our project, and I truly enjoyed working with him.
Sample Answer 2

Introduction  (Covers: Who this person is ?)

 

  • A time when I saw someone excel in a team was during a college fest when I worked with my friend, Anjali. 
  • Anjali is a third-year commerce student who is known for her organisational skills.
  • We were part of the organising committee for our annual cultural fest, and her performance in the team was exceptional.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When you worked together ?)

 

  • We worked together on this event for about two months, coordinating various activities and events. 
  • The fest was a significant event that involved multiple departments and required meticulous planning. 
  • I was responsible for handling logistics, while Anjali managed the event schedule and volunteer coordination. 
  • We often held late-night meetings to ensure everything was on track.

 

Key Highlights ( Covers: What he/she did in the team?)

 

  • Anjali played a crucial role in streamlining our efforts. 
  • She created a detailed timeline and assigned specific tasks to each team member, ensuring nothing was overlooked. 
  • Her ability to stay calm under pressure was remarkable, especially when we faced last-minute changes. 
  • Anjali also handled communication with external vendors efficiently, which helped us avoid any major hiccups.

 

Conclusion (Covers: Why you think he/she was a great team player?)

 

  • I think Anjali excelled in the team due to her excellent organisational and leadership skills. 
  • Her proactive approach and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously were truly inspiring. 
  • Working with her taught me the importance of planning and delegation in teamwork. 
  • Anjali’s contributions were vital to the smooth execution of our fest, and I appreciated her support and dedication.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction (Covers: Who this person is?)

 

  • One memorable time when someone excelled in a team was during our office project, where I collaborated with my colleague, Priya.
  • Priya is a marketing executive with a knack for strategic planning. 
  • We were working on a campaign for a new product launch, and her performance was outstanding.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When you worked together?)

 

  • This project took place last year and lasted for about six weeks. 
  • We had to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy and execute it within a tight deadline. 
  • My role was to handle content creation, while Priya was responsible for overall campaign management. 
  • We frequently met to discuss progress and adjust our plans as needed.

 

Key Highlights  (Covers: What he/she did in the team?)

 

  • Priya's contributions were invaluable. 
  • She took the lead in coordinating with different departments to ensure everyone was aligned. 
  • Her ability to foresee potential issues and address them proactively kept us on track. 
  • One of her significant achievements was negotiating a crucial deal with a major media partner, which gave our campaign a huge boost. 
  • Her dedication and willingness to go the extra mile were evident throughout the project.

 

Conclusion (Covers: Why you think he/she was a great team player?)

 

  • I believe Priya excelled in the team because of her exceptional leadership and foresight. 
  • She taught me the importance of effective communication and strategic thinking. 
  • Working with her highlighted the value of having a dedicated and skilled team member. 
  • Priya’s efforts were instrumental in the success of our campaign, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of collaborating with her.

When the cue card section starts, the examiner will hand you a card with a topic and some guiding points. You’ll have one minute to prepare your response and then speak for up to two minutes.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe A Time When Someone Who Did Quite Well In A Team You should say
  • Who this person is?
  • When you worked together?
  • What he/she did in the team?
  • Why you think he/she was a great team player?

 

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The best way to answer a cue card is to break it down into smaller pieces: introduction, describing your experience, key highlights, and conclusion. Here’s how you can approach the topic "Describe A Time When Someone Who Did Quite Well In A Team:

 

Introduction:

 

  • Briefly introduce the person you are talking about.
  • Mention the context in which you worked together.
  • State the main point about their performance in the team.

 

Describing Your Experience:

 

  • Explain the nature of the project or task you worked on together.
  • Describe your role in the team.
  • Mention specific actions the person took that contributed to the team's success.

 

Key Highlights:

 

  • Highlight the key qualities that made this person a great team player (e.g., communication, leadership, dedication).
  • Provide examples or anecdotes that illustrate these qualities.
  • Discuss the impact of their contributions on the team's overall performance.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Summarise why you believe this person excelled in the team.
  • Reflect on what you learned from working with them.
  • Conclude with a final thought on the importance of good teamwork.

 

By following this structure, you can ensure your response is clear, organised, and within the two-minute limit.

 

Also read: IELTS Speaking Questions with Answers 2024 

 

Pace Up Your IELTS Preparation With Our Expert Masterclass!

Describe A Time When Someone Who Did Quite Well In A Team: Follow-Up Questions

After you finish speaking on your cue card topic, the examiner will ask you follow-up questions related to the topic. This round is designed to assess your ability to discuss broader issues and express your opinions in more depth. 

 

Expect to engage in a more interactive conversation, where you will need to provide detailed responses and justify your viewpoints. 

 

Below are some potential follow-up questions and sample answers related to the cue card topic "Describe A Time When Someone Did Quite Well In A Team".

 

Follow-Up Question 1

Question 1: Does a team’s best player make a good leader?

 

Ans 1: I believe a team’s best player doesn’t always make a good leader. A leader needs to have strong communication skills and the ability to motivate and manage the team effectively. The best player might excel individually but may lack the necessary leadership qualities to guide the team towards a common goal.

 

Ans 2: In some cases, a team’s best player can make a good leader, especially if they possess qualities like empathy and strategic thinking. If the best player can inspire others and understand their needs, they can successfully lead the team. However, it depends on the individual's personal skills beyond their technical abilities.

Follow-Up Question 2

Question 2: What qualities should a leader have?

 

Ans 1: A leader should have excellent communication skills to convey ideas clearly. They must also be empathetic to understand and address the concerns of team members. Additionally, good leaders should be decisive and able to make tough decisions quickly and effectively.

 

Ans 2: Leadership requires a combination of qualities like integrity, vision, and adaptability. A good leader should be trustworthy and set a positive example. They should have a clear vision for the team’s goals and be flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges.

Follow-Up Question 3

Question 3: What should people do without a good team leader?

 

Ans 1: Without a good team leader, team members should focus on strong communication and collaboration. They can distribute leadership roles among themselves, ensuring everyone contributes to decision-making. By working together and supporting each other, they can compensate for the lack of a strong leader.

 

Ans 2: In the absence of a good team leader, it’s crucial for the team to establish clear goals and roles. Team members should take the initiative to manage tasks and support each other. Regular meetings and open communication can help keep everyone aligned and motivated.

Follow-Up Question 4

Question 4: Do you think young people are good team players?

 

Ans 1: Yes, I think young people can be excellent team players. They often bring fresh perspectives and are usually open to collaboration. Their adaptability and willingness to learn can contribute positively to team dynamics, fostering a cooperative and innovative environment.

 

Ans 2: Young people can be good team players because they are often enthusiastic and energetic. They tend to be tech-savvy and can introduce new tools and methods to the team. However, they might need guidance to develop strong teamwork skills fully, especially in more complex or demanding situations.

FAQs

Q. What if I fail my IELTS speaking test?

Ans: If you fail your IELTS speaking test, you can retake it as many times as you wish. There is no limit to the number of attempts. However, it’s important to identify your weaknesses and work on them before retaking the test to improve your score.

Q. What vital language elements should I remember while attempting the cue card section?

Ans: While attempting the cue card section, remember to focus on fluency, coherence, and clarity. Use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures accurately. Pronunciation is also crucial; speak clearly and naturally.

Q. Can I use informal language during my cue card task?

Ans: It’s best to use semi-formal language during the cue card task. While a conversational tone is appropriate, avoid overly informal language and slang. Aim for clear and respectful communication.

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