Describe a difficult skill you learned.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When did you learn it?
Why and how did you learn it?
How did you feel after learning it?

25 unique answers with expert feedback

What challenges did you face while learning the tabla?

One of the main challenges was mastering the intricate finger movements required for playing the tabla. It took a lot of practice to develop the necessary dexterity. Additionally, balancing my schoolwork with music practice was difficult, but I managed to stay committed to my passion.

How did learning the tabla influence your personal development?

Learning the tabla significantly boosted my confidence and self-discipline. It taught me the importance of dedication and hard work. Moreover, it connected me to my cultural roots and helped me embrace my identity as a Sikh, which has been a source of pride for me.

Do you think learning a musical instrument is beneficial for students?

Absolutely! Learning a musical instrument enhances cognitive skills, improves concentration, and fosters creativity. It also provides a sense of accomplishment and can be a great way to relieve stress. Overall, it contributes positively to a student's overall development.

Band 6-7

00:00

the skill of video editing which mesmerizes most of the viewers and makes most of the content you look through the social media platforms good and engaging I started learning this skill in 9th grade in the age of 10-12 years I was very fond of AMVs which were basically videos of a particular movie or a program and audio is added or the song is added and the clips are made and edit is made of that video I was very inspired by them the people who put the work through it was a feeling which I could never ever forget when I first heard my own firstly edited video it was not that good but it was not that bad either after hearing that video I was too determined to learn that skill and after learning a perfect thing for 3 years I am pretty sure that I can say that I am very glad and somewhat of a cool guy when you look through the other's perspective and I like that but I just want to say that editing a skill is very essential in the today's world as many of the influences and creators are needing video editors who pay a lot of salary to them Thank you

Follow up questions

What challenges did you face while learning video editing?

Initially, I struggled with understanding the software and the technical aspects of editing. It took time to learn how to cut clips, add transitions, and sync audio properly. I also faced creative blocks, where I couldn't think of how to make my videos engaging. Overcoming these challenges made me more resilient.

How has video editing impacted your life or career?

Video editing has opened up many opportunities for me. It has allowed me to express my creativity and has led to freelance work with content creators. I’ve also developed a keen eye for detail and storytelling, which are valuable skills in various fields, not just in media.

Do you think video editing will become more important in the future?

Absolutely! As social media and online content continue to grow, the demand for skilled video editors will increase. Video content is becoming the primary way people consume information, so having editing skills will be essential for anyone looking to work in digital marketing, entertainment, or education.

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.

After completing the course, I received multiple job offers from various companies looking for digital marketing skills. The knowledge I gained opened doors for internships and full-time positions, which was incredibly rewarding.

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Cue 1:When did you learn it?

Mention the specific time frame when you started learning the skill.
Provide context about your life situation during that time.

Example

I learned this skill about two years ago when I was in my final year of college. It was a challenging period as I was also preparing for my exams.

Cue 2:Why and how did you learn it?

Explain the motivation behind learning this skill, such as personal interest or necessity.
Describe the methods or resources you used to learn the skill, like classes, online tutorials, or practice.

Example

I decided to learn graphic design because I wanted to create my own projects and improve my employability. I enrolled in an online course and spent hours practicing using software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Cue 3:How did you feel after learning it?

Share your emotions and thoughts after mastering the skill.
Reflect on how this skill has impacted your life or confidence.

Example

After I finally grasped the concepts of graphic design, I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment. It boosted my confidence, and I even started freelancing, which has been a rewarding experience.

Conclusion

Summarize the overall impact of learning this skill on your personal or professional life.
Mention any future plans related to this skill or similar skills you wish to learn.

Example

In conclusion, learning graphic design has not only enhanced my creativity but also opened up new career opportunities. I plan to continue improving my skills and possibly explore other areas like web design 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.