Describe A Difficult Decision That You Once Made: 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.

7 unique answers with expert feedback
Band 6-7
00:00
/
00:00
Follow up questions
Follow up questions
What inspired you to start painting during the pandemic?
How did you feel when you completed your first oil painting?
What message do you think art can convey to society?
Band 6-7
00:00
/
00:00
Follow up questions
Follow up questions
What motivated you to pursue AI despite your initial struggles in mathematics?
How did you manage to convince your parents to support your decision?
What challenges did you face during your engineering studies?
Band 6-7
00:00
/
00:00
Follow up questions
Follow up questions
How did your family support you during this decision?
What challenges did you face after making this decision?
Looking back, would you make the same decision again?
Practice other cue cards
Band 5-6
00:00
/
00:00
Follow up questions
Follow up questions
How did you feel after making your decision about your subjects?
What factors do you think are important when making a difficult decision?
Have you faced any other difficult decisions since then?
Band <5
00:00
/
00:00
Follow up questions
Follow up questions
What factors did you consider when making that difficult decision?
How did you feel after making the decision?
What did you learn from that experience?
Cue 1:What was the decision?
- Clearly state the decision you made, providing context about the situation.
- Include any relevant details that help the listener understand the significance of the decision.
Example
The difficult decision I made was whether to accept a job offer in a different city or stay in my hometown. I had been working at my current job for several years, and the thought of leaving my comfort zone was daunting.
Cue 2:When did you make the decision?
- Mention the timeframe when you faced this decision, providing a specific month or year if possible.
- Explain any events leading up to the decision that may have influenced your timing.
Example
I made this decision in June 2022, just after I received the job offer. It was a pivotal moment in my career, and I had to weigh my options carefully.
Cue 3:How long did it take you to make the decision?
- Discuss the duration it took you to arrive at your decision, whether it was a few days, weeks, or longer.
- Share any methods you used to help you think through the decision.
Example
It took me about two weeks to make my decision. During this time, I made a pros and cons list, talked to my family and friends, and even consulted a mentor for advice.
Cue 4:Explain why it was a difficult decision to make.
- Describe the factors that made the decision challenging, such as emotional ties, financial implications, or career aspirations.
- Share your feelings during the decision-making process to convey the weight of the choice.
Example
This decision was difficult because I had strong ties to my family and friends in my hometown. Leaving them behind felt like a huge sacrifice, but I also knew that this job could provide better career opportunities and personal growth.
Conclusion
Example
In the end, I decided to accept the job offer. It was a tough choice, but I realized that taking risks is essential for growth. Looking back, I am glad I made that decision, as it opened new doors for my career and helped me develop as a person.
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 are essential for a strong response.
Tip
Use clear examples and specific details about the decision to enhance your answer and engage the listener.
2: Ignoring Timeframe
Failing to mention when you made the decision can leave your answer feeling incomplete. Context is important for understanding the situation.
Tip
Clearly state the timeframe of your decision to provide context and show the significance of the timing in your explanation.
Lack of Reflection
Not explaining why the decision was difficult can make your answer seem superficial. Reflecting on your feelings adds depth to your response.
Tip
Take a moment to discuss your emotions and the factors that made the decision challenging to create a more engaging narrative.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week
Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS
All Answers
Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.
Band 6-7
Band 6-7
Band 6-7
Band 6
Band 5-6
Band 5
Band <5

Explore
426 Cue Cards

Personal Experience
114 Cue Cards

Describing People
60 Cue Cards

Personal Development
41 Cue Cards

Hobbies/Interests
40 Cue Cards
Travel
40 Cue Cards

Environment/Culture
35 Cue Cards

Tech/Media
23 Cue Cards

Social Issues
17 Cue Cards

Education/Work
16 Cue Cards

Describe An Object
15 Cue Cards

Business/Shopping
14 Cue Cards
Food/Cooking
6 Cue Cards

Fashion
5 Cue Cards
Get the IELTS Prep App
4.2
1M+ Installs


Get the IELTS Prep App
4.2
1M+ Installs
Get the app link on your phone
Or download app from
