Describe A Volunteering Experience You Have Had: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What it was?
Where was it?
Why did you volunteer?
How did you feel about it?

20 unique answers with expert feedback

What motivated you to volunteer for the placement seminar?

I was motivated to volunteer because I wanted to give back to my university and help my juniors succeed. I felt that my experience could guide them in their career paths, and I wanted to create a supportive environment for them during the placement process.

What challenges did you face while conducting the seminar?

One of the main challenges was managing the time effectively for each test. Additionally, ensuring that all juniors felt comfortable and engaged was important. I had to adapt my approach based on their feedback and make sure that the tests were fair and beneficial for everyone.

How did this experience impact your personal development?

This experience significantly boosted my leadership and communication skills. I learned how to work collaboratively with a team and manage responsibilities. It also enhanced my ability to empathize with others and understand their needs, which is crucial in any professional setting.

Band 6-7

00:00

So, I have worked in one of the non-profit organization named Mad Make a Difference. It was in the Gwalior city of India and that organization used to work for the underprivileged children to provide them best education and I was a part of it for one year during my graduation days. So, the whole experience of working there as a volunteer was really good. I have experienced a lot of good things. I learned a lot of valuable things about the life and it actually made me more grounded, more grateful for my own life or the kind of, you know, all the privilege I have got due to my parents' hard work and it was an overall very good experience and I would love to volunteer many more non-profit organizations in future. Thank you.

Follow up questions

What specific skills did you gain from your volunteering experience?

During my volunteering experience, I developed skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. I learned how to effectively interact with children and understand their needs, which helped me become more empathetic and patient.

How did your volunteering experience impact your perspective on education?

My volunteering experience opened my eyes to the challenges faced by underprivileged children in accessing quality education. It made me realize the importance of education in transforming lives and motivated me to advocate for educational equality.

Would you encourage others to volunteer? Why or why not?

Absolutely! I believe volunteering is a rewarding experience that not only helps others but also enriches your own life. It fosters a sense of community, teaches valuable life lessons, and allows you to make a positive impact in the world.

Band 6-7

00:00

Nowadays, there are many organizations that will use the resources for helping the populace or society. So, I have joined a, I have volunteered for joining one such event that is conducted in my college. My college is VVIT, so the event conducted in my college is blood donation event. So, I have participated in that and help people there, so they can conduct the event without any problems. Blood donating event is a very important event for us because so many, in our country, so many people will die because of lack of blood from, for serious or urgent purposes. So we have to do utmost to donate our blood. So in that event, I have also donated 250 milliliters of blood, but there are some conditions to donate blood. First, you should not donate blood, if you donated blood, after only six months, you should donate the blood because you will not be able to produce the perfect blood to donate it to the other people. So these are the reasons they explained to us and I explained to the people coming for donating the blood. Some people are eligible, some people are not eligible, so we have took the blood from only eligible people and I have felt very good about it because I have done a very good thing to society and I also explored myself and I have discovered a thing in my personality that when I will help people, I will feel very good and I will feel very, very happy feeling in my heart.

Follow up questions

What motivated you to participate in the blood donation event?

I was motivated by the need for blood in our country and the impact it can have on saving lives. Knowing that my contribution could help someone in a critical situation inspired me to take part in the event.

How did you feel after donating blood?

After donating blood, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness. It was rewarding to know that I had contributed to a cause that could potentially save lives, and it made me appreciate the importance of helping others.

What skills did you gain from your volunteering experience?

I gained several skills, including communication and organizational skills. Explaining the donation process to others helped me improve my ability to convey information clearly, and working with the team enhanced my teamwork skills.

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Band 6-7

00:00

A volunteering experience worth every penny was a visit to an old age home, where we met 10 number of old age people who were abundant of their family. That is the most eye opener experience for me and a really very different experience. Every face has a different story to tell and listening to their stories made me feel so grateful of what I have today in my life. I went to an old age home near my house as a school project but in addition to that it not only portrays as a school project in my heart but it has a very major part in my heart because each and every experience that I felt there was different and heart wrenching. Seeing people living with so much, there was a person there who was 55 years old, she told us that she was just abundant for the sake of some property papers and their children thrown them out of their home just for a piece of paper. That shows how people are abundant.

Follow up questions

What motivated you to volunteer at the old age home?

I was motivated by a school project that aimed to raise awareness about the elderly and their experiences. However, the visit turned into something much more meaningful for me, as I realized the importance of connecting with and understanding the stories of those who are often overlooked in society.

How did the experience change your perspective on aging?

The experience opened my eyes to the realities of aging and the loneliness many elderly people face. It made me appreciate my own family and relationships more, and I now understand the importance of staying connected with older generations and valuing their wisdom and experiences.

What do you think can be done to improve the lives of elderly people?

I believe that more community programs should be established to engage with the elderly, providing them with companionship and support. Additionally, raising awareness about their needs and advocating for better living conditions can help improve their quality of life significantly.

Band 5-6

00:00

Yes, as I am an extrovert person, I love to do work which are more related to people and I love to organize events and so many things. So when it comes to volunteering, I was in my college, I participated in one event as a volunteer because at that time I was a leader of my class. So I'm the representative secretary, like GS of my classroom. So at that time I got a chance to work as a volunteer in that particular event and over there I guide parents to where they can get seat and what's about all event and when it starts and how to arrange the lightings and chairs and where our teachers will go and was a seat and where student perform on the stage and who will come next after that performance. So that all our work I have done and that particular day. Yes, and I love to do that work which are more related to the social work because I'm an extrovert person so I love to communicate with the people and love to convince them and I have very good communication skill to convince anyone to do anything. It was my best experience which I have never forgotten in my life. So I love to be.

Follow up questions

What motivated you to volunteer for that event?

I was motivated by my desire to help others and my passion for organizing events. Being an extrovert, I enjoy interacting with people and making their experience better. It felt rewarding to contribute to something meaningful and to support my classmates and teachers.

How did you feel after completing your volunteering duties?

After completing my duties, I felt a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It was fulfilling to see everything come together and to know that I played a part in making the event successful. I also felt proud of my leadership skills and how I managed to guide everyone effectively.

Have you participated in any other volunteering activities since then?

Yes, I have participated in several other volunteering activities, including community clean-ups and charity events. Each experience has taught me valuable lessons about teamwork and the importance of giving back to the community, further reinforcing my love for volunteering.

Show all 20 answers

Cue 1:What it was?

Begin by clearly stating the volunteering activity you participated in.
Provide some context about what the activity involved and its purpose.

Example

I volunteered at a local orphanage where I helped organize educational activities for children. The main goal was to provide them with a supportive environment where they could learn and grow.

Cue 2:Where was it?

Mention the location of the volunteering experience, including the name of the organization if applicable.
Describe the setting briefly to give a sense of place.

Example

The orphanage was located in a small town near my city, surrounded by lush greenery. It was a warm and welcoming place, filled with laughter and the energy of children.

Cue 3:Why did you volunteer?

Explain your motivation for choosing this particular volunteering opportunity.
Share any personal connections or experiences that influenced your decision.

Example

I decided to volunteer because I have always been passionate about education and wanted to give back to the community. Growing up, I was fortunate to have access to good education, and I wanted to help those who were less fortunate.

Cue 4:How did you feel about it?

Reflect on your emotions during and after the volunteering experience.
Discuss any lessons learned or personal growth that occurred as a result.

Example

Volunteering at the orphanage was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I felt a deep sense of joy and satisfaction seeing the children learn and smile. It taught me the importance of empathy and community service.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my volunteering experience at the orphanage not only allowed me to contribute positively to the lives of children but also enriched my own life in many ways. It reinforced my belief in the power of giving back and inspired me to continue volunteering in the future.

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 answer less engaging and informative. Specific details help the examiner understand your experience better.

Tip

Include specific examples and details about your volunteering role, tasks, and the impact you made to create a vivid picture.

2: Neglecting Emotions

Failing to express your feelings about the experience can make your answer sound flat. Emotions add depth and personal connection to your story.

Tip

Share your feelings during and after the volunteering experience, explaining how it affected you personally and emotionally.

Lack of Structure

A disorganized response can confuse the listener. A clear structure helps convey your message effectively and keeps the examiner engaged.

Tip

Follow a logical order: start with what you did, where it was, why you volunteered, and conclude with your feelings about the experience.

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