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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe An Activity That Made You Feel Tired

Updated on Oct 08, 2024, 14:58

Overview

In this IELTS Speaking Cue Card topic, ‘Describe an activity that made you feel tired’, we will discuss about an experience that left me physically and mentally exhausted yet profoundly fulfilled. The activity I will describe pushed me to my limits and tested my endurance in ways I had not anticipated. It was an unforgettable journey that physically and mentally challenged me, leaving me with a profound sense of fatigue and accomplishment."
 

IELTS Speaking has three parts, which remain the same in both tests(academic & general). The cue card round is filled with simple topics such as personal interests, experiences, environmental and societal issues, and general knowledge. One commonly asked topic is 'Describe An Activity That Made You Feel Tired'.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe An Activity That Made You Feel Tired.

You should say

  • When and where it takes place?
  • Why did you take part in it?
  • What was the activity?
  • Explain why it made you feel tired?
  • How did you feel after doing the activity?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction:
 

  • Last summer, I participated in a challenging hiking expedition in the picturesque mountains of the Lake District in England. 
  • It was an adventure I had been looking forward to for months, but little did I know the physical toll it would take on me.
     

When and where it took place?

 

  • The hike took place on a sweltering day in July, with the sun beating down mercilessly on the rugged terrain of the Lake District.
     

Why did you take part in it?
 

  • I decided to take part in this hike to challenge myself physically and to immerse myself in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Lake District.
     

What was the activity?
 

  • The activity involved hiking up one of the region's tallest peaks, which boasted stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.

 

Explain why it made you feel tired?
 

  • The steep inclines, rocky paths, and scorching heat made the hike incredibly demanding. 
  • With every step, I could feel my muscles burning and energy gradually draining.
     

How did you feel after doing the activity?
 

  • After reaching the summit and soaking in the majestic views, I felt a profound sense of accomplishment despite my exhaustion. 
  • However, I was utterly spent when we descended the mountain and returned to base camp. I felt physically drained but mentally rejuvenated by the experience.
     

Conclusion:
 

  • The hiking expedition in the Lake District was a physically demanding yet immensely rewarding experience. It pushed me beyond my limits, leaving me exhausted but exhilarated by the beauty of nature and the sense of achievement that accompanied conquering the mountain.
Sample Answer 2

Introduction:
 

  • During college, I had the opportunity to participate in a gruelling 24-hour hackathon—an intense event that tested my coding skills, stamina, and endurance.
     

When and where it took place?
 

  • The hackathon occurred in a spacious venue with teams of aspiring programmers and developers in the bustling city centre.
     

Why did you take part in it?
 

  • As a computer science major passionate about technology and innovation, I was eager to challenge myself and collaborate with like-minded individuals to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems.
     

What was the activity?
 

  • The activity involved working tirelessly with my team to conceptualise, design, and code a functional software application from scratch within a 24-hour timeframe.
     

Explain why it made you feel tired?
 

  • The relentless pressure to brainstorm ideas, write code, debug, and refine our product took its toll on my mental and physical energy. 
  • The constant clicking of keyboards and the glow of computer screens filled the room as we pushed ourselves to the limit to meet the deadline.
     

How did you feel after doing the activity?
 

  • As the hackathon drew to a close, I felt a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction knowing that we had completed our project within the allotted time. 
  • Despite the fatigue, the sense of camaraderie and accomplishment among my teammates made it all worthwhile.
     

Conclusion:
 

  • The hackathon was an intense and demanding experience that pushed me to my limits. 
  • While it left me physically and mentally drained, it also provided a platform for collaboration, creativity, and innovation—a truly invaluable learning experience.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction:
 

  • Last winter, during a severe cold snap, I volunteered at a local homeless shelter, providing food, shelter, and support to those in need. 
  • Little did I anticipate the physical and emotional toll it would take on me.
     

When and where it took place?
 

  • The volunteering took place over a week at a community shelter in the city's heart, where temperatures had plummeted below freezing.
     

Why did you take part in it?
 

  • I volunteered at the shelter out of compassion and a desire to positively impact the lives of the less fortunate, particularly during harsh winter conditions.
     

What was the activity?
 

  • The activity involved long hours of serving hot meals, distributing warm clothing and blankets, and providing a listening ear to those seeking refuge from the bitter cold.
     

Explain why it made you feel tired?
 

  • The emotional weight of witnessing firsthand the struggles and hardships faced by the homeless, coupled with the physically demanding tasks of serving and assisting, left me feeling drained and emotionally exhausted.
     

How did you feel after doing the activity?
 

  • Despite the fatigue, I felt a profound sense of fulfilment and gratitude, knowing that I had played a small part in providing comfort and support to those in need during a challenging time.
     

Conclusion:
 

  • Volunteering at the homeless shelter was a humbling and emotionally taxing experience that left me physically and mentally exhausted. 
  • However, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others outweighed the fatigue, leaving me with a renewed sense of empathy and compassion.

The IELTS Speaking test is a one-on-one interview with a certified IELTS examiner. 
 

Once part 2 begins, you will be handed a cue card and 4 questions related to it. The cue card will look like this:

 

To answer cue card prompts effectively, break them into sections: introduction, key highlights, and conclusion. Provide context in the introduction, add specific examples in key highlights, and summarise your main points in the conclusion.
 

Considering that, here's how we'll break our topic down.

 

Introduction:

 

  • Let me take you back to a memorable experience that left me physically drained yet emotionally fulfilled. 
  • It happened last summer during a volunteering event at my local community centre.
     

When and where it takes place?
 

  • The event occurred on a scorching Saturday morning at a nearby park. 
  • The sun was already blazing when we arrived, promising a challenging day.
     

Why did you take part in it?
 

  • I decided to participate in this event out of a sense of civic duty and a desire to give back to my community. 
  • Additionally, I was intrigued by the opportunity to work alongside like-minded individuals and make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
     

What was the activity?
 

  • The activity involved cleaning up and beautifying the park. 
  • Armed with gloves, trash bags, and gardening tools, we removed litter and weed flower beds and spruced up the park's landscaping.
     

Explain why it made you feel tired?
 

  • The combination of physical exertion and the sweltering heat took its toll on me as the day progressed. 
  • Stooping to pick up trash, bending to pull weeds, and hauling heavy bags of debris quickly became exhausting tasks. 
  • The relentless sun beat down on us, draining our energy and causing us to sweat with every movement.
     

How did you feel after doing the activity?
 

  • Despite the fatigue and discomfort, a profound sense of satisfaction washed over me as I surveyed the transformed park at the end of the day. 
  • Seeing the tangible results of our hard work and knowing that we had contributed to the betterment of our community filled me with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
     

Conclusion:
 

  • While the volunteering activity left me physically tired, the sense of fulfilment and camaraderie I gained from working with others to improve our surroundings made it all worthwhile. 
  • It served as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together with a shared purpose, even in the face of adversity.

Follow-Up Questions

Part 3 of the IELTS speaking section is the discussion round. The follow-up questions for “Describe An Activity That Made You Feel Tired” are a part of the discussion round. 
 

Part 2 and Part 3 are interlinked. In this section, the examiner will ask you questions related to the topic given in part 2 of the IELTS speaking. The discussion round's duration, part 3, will be 4-5 mins. 

 

You should only rephrase the question if you add meaningful content in this section. Pay attention to the time allocated by the examiner for each section, especially during the discussion round. 

 

Q1. Can you describe any specific moments during the activity that were particularly challenging or demanding?

Answer 1: One particular moment is particularly challenging when describing a specific obstacle or difficulty encountered during the activity. For example, we encountered a rocky part of the trail that made us scramble up an almost vertically inclined slope on our way out. The terrain was dangerous, and each step had to be taken carefully and carefully.
 

Answer 2:  Another challenging moment occurred when [describe another specific obstacle or difficulty encountered during the activity]. For instance, while participating in the hackathon, we encountered a critical bug in our code that threatened to derail our progress and our chances of completing the project on time.

Q2. Did you receive support or encouragement from others while participating in the activity?

Answer 1: Yes, my teammates and fellow competitors greatly supported and encouraged me throughout the exercise. They were there to offer words of encouragement, motivation, and assistance every time I felt tired or overwhelmed. My hiking companions, for example, offered encouragement and support, reminding me to take breaks when necessary and offering to share the load by carrying some of my gear during the difficult sections of the hike.
 

Answer 2:  Yes, I've been fortunate to have a supportive network of friends and volunteers who have supported me during my volunteering. They've been a source of encouragement, moral support, and comradeship, enabling me to endure the long hours I have spent helping others in homeless shelters.

Q3. Were there any unexpected obstacles or difficulties you encountered while participating in the activity?

Answer 1:  Yes, unexpected obstacles, which added to the challenge and contributed to my tiredness, have arisen during the exercise. For example, there was a sudden change in weather conditions on the way up, and we were hit by heavy rain and strong winds. The sudden rain had caused the tracks to be slick and muddy, significantly slowing our progress due to increased physical difficulty in walking across the terrain.
 

Answer 2:  Yes, during the hackathon, unexpected obstacles presented themselves, challenging our resilience and problem-solving skills. One such obstacle was when our team encountered compatibility issues between the software components we were integrating into our project. These compatibility issues have suddenly arisen, requiring us to explore and find alternate solutions on the fly despite rigorous testing and preparatory work.

Q4. How did you feel immediately after completing the activity, and did your feelings change over time?

Answer 1:  I felt a mixture of exhaustion and excitement immediately after the activity was completed. Knowing that I had overcome the obstacles and completed the task at hand gave me a sense of relief and accomplishment. Despite the physical fatigue, there was a surge of adrenaline and satisfaction in pushing myself to my limits to achieve this goal. 
 

Answer 2:  I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me as I completed the task, accompanied by a profound sense of satisfaction and pride in my accomplishment. A sense of relief and accomplishment came over me immediately after knowing that I'd overcome the challenge and completed my assignment. As time went by, however, my feelings began to change as the physical and mental toll of the activity became more apparent.

FAQs

Q. How many hours is the IELTS speaking test?

Ans. The IELTS speaking test is only 11-14 minutes long. You have three parts in your IELTS Speaking test. The duration of each part is as follows:

 

  • Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4–5 minutes)
  • Part 2:  Long turn or Cue Card (3–4 minutes)
  • Part 3: Discussion (4–5 minutes)
Q. Are speaking tests for Academic and General the same?

Ans. The academic and general speaking tests are the same. Both academic and general tests have three parts: the introduction round, the long turn round, and the discussion round. However, reading and writing are different for the academic and general tests.

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

Ans. No, you can’t exceed the time limit during the speaking test. It is crucial to remember that the speaking test has a strict time limit. If your answer exceeds the time limit, the examiner may interrupt you and move on to the next question. However, this is a normal exam, and your scores won't be affected.

Q. What if I fail my IELTS speaking test?

Ans. The IELTS speaking test can be retaken if you have failed. You will need to repay the fees and then sit for the exam. But before you blindly plan to retake the exam multiple times until you don’t reach the score, you need to analyse your mistake and understand what went wrong in the exam.

Q. Is there any dress code for speaking in IELTS?

Ans. There is no specific dress code for the speaking test in IELTS. As such, you can wear comfortable and casual clothes to the test. There is no need to wear a suit or tie. However, it is important to dress appropriately and ensure you are well-groomed for the test.

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

Ans. While there are no strict rules against using informal language or slang during the cue card task, sticking to a more formal language and tone is advisable. The IELTS is designed to evaluate your proficiency in using English in formal and academic contexts. Therefore, excessive use of casual language may not be suitable for the test.

Q. What is the difference between IELTS speaking parts 2 and 3?

Ans. IELTS speaking parts 2 and 3 are distinctly different. IELTS part 2 is also known as the Cue card section, and part 3 is the discussion round. In part 2, the examiner gives you a topic, and you are given 1 minute to prepare the answer. After completing the time, you are asked to speak about the topic for 3-4 minutes. In part 3, the examiner asks questions related to the topic given to you in part 2.

Q. What is the duration of Part 2 speaking IELTS?

Ans. The total duration of Part 2 IELTS speaking is 3-4 mins

 

  1. Preparation time: 1 min
  2. Speaking time: 3-4 mins.
Q. How can I get an 8.5 on the IELTS speaking test?

Ans. You can get an 8.5 band score in IELTS speaking with the following tips:

 

  1. Build up your accent. 
  2. Maintain eye contact while answering the questions.
  3. Practice previous topics that are likely to come in the IELTS exam.
  4. Practice speaking by talking to the mirror; it will build confidence.
Q. What is the marking scheme for the IELTS speaking test?

Ans. The marking scheme for the IELTS speaking test includes:

 

  1. Fluency
  2. Coherence 
  3. Lexical resource 
  4. Grammatical range 
  5. Accuracy
  6. Pronunciation. 
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