Describe A Time You Successfully Did Something Difficult: IELTS Cue Card

IELTS^TM CUE CARD

Describe A Time You Successfully Did Something Difficult: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 13, 2024, 06:15

Overview

The IELTS Speaking test is one of the four modules of the IELTS. In this module, the examiner will evaluate your ability to speak and communicate properly in English.

To do so, they will ask you specific questions and give you marks based on that. This set of questions is divided into 3 parts.

In the first part, the examiner will ask about your general life, goals, hobbies, ambitions, etc. The second part will ask you to speak on a cue card topic for 2-3 minutes. The third part will ask questions related to the cue card.

In this practice test, we will see how to prepare for the topic ' Describe A Time You Successfully Did Something Difficult.’

Cue Card/Topic: Describe A Time You Successfully Did Something Difficult

You should say

What was the task or challenge you faced?
How did you approach the situation?
What were the difficulties you encountered during the process?
How did you feel after completing the task?

Sample Answers

How to answer

Sample Answer 1

Introduction

During the final year, I got a very challenging topic for my project report.
The report was based on studying the impact of climate change on marine life.

What was the task or challenge you faced?

Conducting pervasive research on the climate change topic.
Gathering and analysing data from various sources and doing fieldwork to understand various project prospects.

How did you approach the situation?

Created a detailed research study and outlined the objectives.
Allocated a time for each activity and ensured it was completed on time.

What were the difficulties you encountered during the process?

It was a bit challenging to access and gather reliable data and information.
Facing the permit challenges and difficulties in coordinating the research initiatives.

How did you feel after completing the task?

I experienced immense happiness and satisfaction while completing the project report.
I regained strength and confidence to take up complex tasks and handle them all by myself.

Conclusion

Handling and accomplishing challenging tasks has encouraged me to pursue more in the academic field.
The experience also taught me the importance of planning and time management in accomplishing the goals.

Sample Answer 2

Introduction

One of the most challenging tasks was in the final year of my graduation.
I was feeling demotivated and stressed out from the tough times I had.

What was the task or challenge you faced?

The major challenge was pacing up with my studies and also managing my assignments.
It was really difficult to concentrate and handle both these things together.

How did you approach the situation?

I started dividing the complex activities into smaller parts to make them more manageable.
I began caring for my health, getting enough exercise, and exercising regularly.

What were the difficulties you encountered during the process?

I was feeling too sad about not attending my regular classes the way I was supposed to.
It was also difficult to ask for help from others as I was afraid and hesitant.

How did you feel after completing the task?

Things started to improve when I started taking care of myself and seeking help whenever required.
I felt relaxed and lighter after completing my degree and managing my assignments.

Conclusion

It was hard to handle my demotivation as I needed to meet my goals.
However, I overcame the situation by taking the proper steps towards my health and being open to asking for help when needed.

Sample Answer 3

Introduction

After graduation, I had to make a tough decision regarding my career path.
Making decisions for corporate life was very challenging for me.

What was the task or challenge you faced?

The major challenge was finding the right career path from the many job opportunities.
It required me to analyse myself and find an aligning opportunity that meets my needs, interests and passion.

How did you approach the situation?

I analysed SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats) to identify the best career option.
I also took suggestions and advice from my university professors, mentors, and family members.

What were the difficulties you encountered during the process?

It was an intense pressure to make the right decisions as the wrong choices would significantly impact my career.
It was also challenging to analyse the frequently changing job market and find a job that will create more opportunities in the future.

How did you feel after completing the task?

After doing extensive research, I found confidence in the decisions I made for my career.
Though it was very challenging to analyse various options, ultimately, I found the best one that aligns with my passions and interests.

Conclusion

Finding a career path after graduation was an experience full of challenges and confusion.
With self-assessment, job research, and seeking help from my mentors, I picked up the right career path.

This is how the cue card for our given topic will look like:

Each cue card topic must be discussed in a particular order, and all the critical areas should be described. For example, in our topic, we have highlighted 4 areas that we should cover while giving the test.

Here’s how we can do that

Introduction

Briefly introduce the problematic situation which you experienced in your life.
Give some light on the challenges associated with it.

“I once faced a very challenging task of organising a fundraising event for my community centre. It was very difficult as we had limited time and resources.”

What was the task or challenge you faced?

Now, describe the specific task in which you faced the challenges.
Talk about what factors made the task difficult for you.

“The task involved handling various aspects of the event, such as managing volunteers, raising funds, and promoting the fundraiser. The shorter time frame to plan the event.”

How did you approach the situation?

Explain about the ways through which you have tackled the challenge.
Describe how you have prepared for it or utilised some resources for it.

“To handle the situation, I have created a strategy for how and when to complete the specific tasks, considering the deadline. I have outlined each volunteer's roles and responsibilities and clarified the expectations.”

What were the difficulties you encountered during the process?

Discuss the obstacles you faced while working in such ways.
Elaborate on how you have tackled these obstacles and whether it required changes in your approach.

“The major challenge we faced was meeting the fundraising goals. Many business owners were not ready to sponsor due to the financial shortcomings or competing fundraising initiatives.”

How did you feel after completing the task?

Share your feelings after you have successfully managed the task.
Focus on the key lessons learnt while facing challenges and overcoming them.

“Despite the shortcomings, we could host the event and successfully achieve the fundraising goals. These achievements have made us feel happy and satisfied, as we were able to support those in our society who need it.”

Conclusion

Summarise your experiences and the critical pointers discussed in your answer.
Describe the positive aspects and the values these incidents have added to your life.

“It was an outstanding experience organising the event and meeting the challenges. This has taught me invaluable lessons in making sound strategies and developing a team spirit to achieve the goals.”

Follow-Up Questions

In this section, you will discuss the topic in general, showcasing to the examiner that you can justify your opinions and your ability to discuss the topic in depth. The discussion round's duration, part 3, will be 4-5 mins.

Q1. Can you elaborate on the strategies or methods you used to assess your skills, interests, and values when deciding on your career path?

Answer 1: When figuring out my career path, I self-analyzed myself based on my interests, skills, and knowledge. I also took some personality assessments to determine my key strengths and weaknesses. These activities helped me clarify which job I should choose to build my career.

Answer 2: I did my SWOT analysis to determine where I can perform the best and what opportunities my strengths can help me seize. It also helped me to determine my weaknesses and work on it. I also looked back at my academic achievements and the extracurricular activities in which I actively participated and enjoyed the trip.

Q2. How did you manage the pressure to make the "right" decision when faced with many career options after graduation?

Answer 1: Deciding between the many available opportunities was overwhelming. Sometimes, I thought this particular job was okay, but at the same time, I found the other one fascinating, too. This made it truly difficult to choose one from both. Later, I analysed myself and listed my priority jobs.

Answer 2: To handle the stress of making the right decisions between the large options, I have decided to invest time in research and develop the best options. I gave particular weightage to each job based on my interests, passions, and growth aspects. This has enabled me to make sound career decisions.

Q3. Can you share a specific example of a challenge you encountered during the decision-making process and how you overcame it?

Answer 1: The only big challenge I faced was the availability of the numerous options and the fluctuations in the job market. It took time to analyse the potential of every job available in the market. So, I have decided to analyse myself and find which one can be better for me based on my choices, passions, and the future that the opportunity presents.

Answer 2: I was really confused because I had many contradictory opinions. I put all the contradictory ideas aside and focused on myself to make the decisions. I decided that, ultimately, the decisions would impact me on a larger scale therefore, I should follow my inner judgements.

Q4. How do you continue refining and adapting your career path as you progress in your professional journey?

Answer 1: Though I’m progressing in my career, I always open myself to new opportunities and experiences. I understand that it is essential to keep learning new things to be competitive in the job market. Also, every career path is not often straight, and many things keep coming and shaping it at a scale. Example: How technology has shaped various jobs globally.

Answer 2: I’m committed to continuous improvement and learning in my career. I’m always open to learning new skills and continuing to grow professionally. I also monitor how the job market changes and creates new opportunities and challenges. In this way, I have made myself flexible regarding the job aspects.

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FAQs

Q. Is the IELTS speaking test easy?

Ans. It is a subjective concern, as some people find it relatively easy, while others face challenges in speaking tests. Some people face challenges due to hesitation, nervousness, and lack of practice, but it is very easy to overcome them. All you need to do is practice and make improvements.

Q. How can I prepare for the IELTS cue card?

Ans. Regular practice and discipline are the key ingredients to preparing for the IELTS cue card. You need to practice on different common topics to get practical experience with them. This way, you can practice the topics fluently and be better prepared to tackle any cue card topic you encounter in the exam.

Q. Can we choose cue cards in IELTS?

Ans. In the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner provides the cue card topics to the students. Students are not allowed to choose the cue cards themselves. But yes, they can prepare for the example topics. That will help them perform better on the speaking test without worrying about which topic they will get in the exam.

Q. How can I prepare a cue card in 1 minute?

Ans. First, read the cue card topic thoroughly and try to interpret it in your mind. Then, dig out the relevant context from your life and start framing it correctly. Divide your speech into a proper introduction, critical points of the topic, and a conclusion. Keep speaking fluently on the topic and maintain eye contact with the examiner.

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

Ans. Use various words to express yourself while discussing the cue card topic. This will help the examiner understand your word power and vocabulary. Maintain a natural and smoother flow of language while speaking on the given topic. Also, enhance your response by making use of examples whenever possible.

Q. How can I improve my performance in the IELTS Speaking test?

Ans. The right mentorship and continuous practice can help you perform best in the IELTS Speaking test. You can attend the free masterclass sessions of the best study abroad organisations like LeapScholar. They will guide you through the right ways and strategies for securing a good band score.

Q. How can I answer the IELTS part 3 question?

Ans. IELTS Part 3 is a discussion round. In this round, the examiner will ask questions about your cue card topic. So, to prepare for it, you need to take follow-up questions on the sample topics. Start practising these questions to get a practical idea of how to respond to the questions the examiner can ask you.

Q. Can I exceed the time limit during the speaking test?

Ans. Exceeding the time limit is not recommended in the IELTS Speaking test. You need to practice continuously to speak within the given time limit. If you exceed the time frame, you should shorten your answer and cover the maximum within the minimum time limit.

Q. Which tense is used in cue cards?

Ans. No boundaries are set for using a particular tense while speaking on the IELTS topic. You can use a mixed set of tenses depending on the context you are talking about. Most topics discuss past experiences, so you should use the simple past tense while answering the questions. But if the topic is about the experience in context to the present, then you can use the present perfect tense here.

Q. What are some of the common cue card topics?

Ans. The common cue card topics asked in the IELTS exam primarily relate to your general lifestyle. They may include your best cities, memories, achievements, hobbies, technology, career goals, etc. These topics mainly cover your general interests and choices. They are low to moderately complex and can be answered naturally.

Q. What are common mistakes in IELTS speaking?

Ans. Many candidates break their fluency and relevancy while speaking on the cue card topics. Many over-repeat the words, which makes the examiner lose their interest. This negatively affects your performance. But all these drawbacks can be overcome by practising regularly and seeking feedback from mentors, friends and family members to grow.

IELTS Accepting Countries

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Study In Australia

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