Describe A Difficult Decision That You Made And Had A Good Result: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was the decision?
When did you make the decision?
How long did it take you to make the decision?
Explain why it was a difficult decision to make.

43 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific challenges did you face during your transition to AI and machine learning?

During my transition, I faced challenges like understanding complex algorithms, finding the right resources, and managing my time effectively while balancing my current job. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, but I learned to break down the learning process into manageable tasks.

How did you stay motivated while learning new skills in AI and ML?

I stayed motivated by setting small, achievable goals and celebrating each milestone. I also joined online communities and forums where I could connect with others who were learning the same topics. Their support and shared experiences kept me inspired and focused on my journey.

What advice would you give to someone considering a similar career change?

I would advise them to thoroughly research the field they want to enter and to be prepared for a steep learning curve. It's important to stay persistent, seek mentorship, and engage in hands-on projects. Passion for the subject can drive you through the tough times.

Band 7

00:00

In 2023, when I was working in a horticultural company, it was probably a dream job. But before joining that position, I wanted to study master's on food science. So the master's that I wanted to study was completely different from what I was working on. So it was a pretty difficult decision because I wanted a personal growth, and I also wanted to get more exposure. However, my sister helped me to make that decision, to stand with that decision. Because one day she told me that even though this is a dream job, you don't want to be in the same place stuck for your whole life or maybe the 10-20 years. So I think it is the best age that you should go out and explore more things. Maybe you will find more things. Maybe you will find another dream job. So I think from that day onwards, I thought that, okay, whatever decision I make, I don't know if it's going to be wrong or right. But if I stick to it and make it work, it will probably turn out to be a good decision. And I went ahead and got my degree on food science. And I think it was one of the best things I did for my personal development, for my career, because now I have expertise in both food and agriculture. So if I see the market right now, it's really vulnerable. So if I have experience in both these degrees, I probably will find a job.

Follow up questions

What challenges did you face while making that decision?

I faced a lot of uncertainty and fear of leaving a stable job for something unknown. There was also pressure from peers who thought I should stick with my current role. Balancing my passion for food science with the security of my job was a significant challenge.

How did your sister's advice influence your decision?

My sister's advice was crucial. She helped me see the bigger picture and reminded me that personal growth is essential. Her encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams, knowing that it was okay to take risks for my future.

What skills did you gain from your master's program?

In my master's program, I gained critical skills in food safety, nutrition, and agricultural practices. I also developed research and analytical skills, which are essential in both fields. This knowledge has made me more versatile in the job market.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

Yes, I believe I would. The experience was invaluable, and the outcome was positive. However, I would also consider my long-term health more seriously. Balancing personal well-being with team responsibilities is crucial in sports.

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Cue 1:What was the decision?

Clearly state the decision you made, providing context about the situation.
Mention the potential outcomes of the decision to highlight its significance.

Example

The difficult decision I made was to leave my stable job in a multinational company to pursue my passion for photography. I had been working there for over three years, and while it provided financial security, I felt unfulfilled.

Cue 2:When did you make the decision?

Specify the time frame when you made this decision, such as a particular month or year.
Share any relevant events that led up to this decision to give it more context.

Example

I made this decision in early 2022, after attending a photography workshop that reignited my passion. The workshop made me realize that I wanted to turn my hobby into a career.

Cue 3:How long did it take you to make the decision?

Discuss the duration it took you to arrive at this decision, emphasizing any internal conflict.
Mention any discussions you had with friends or family that influenced your decision-making process.

Example

It took me about two months to make this decision. I spent countless nights weighing the pros and cons, and I also spoke to my family and friends, who encouraged me to follow my dreams.

Cue 4:Explain why it was a difficult decision to make.

Describe the fears or concerns you had about making this decision.
Explain how the fear of failure or uncertainty contributed to the difficulty of the decision.

Example

This was a difficult decision because I was afraid of financial instability and the fear of failing in a competitive field. Leaving a secure job felt risky, and I worried about what others would think of my choice.

Conclusion

Example

In the end, I took the leap and started my own photography business. It was challenging at first, but I am now thriving and feel more fulfilled than ever. This decision taught me the importance of following my passion and believing in myself.

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 Responses

Providing vague or unclear answers can make it difficult for the examiner to understand your experience. Specific details help create a clearer picture of your decision-making process.