Describe a difficult task that you completed at work/study that you felt proud of: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What the task was?
How you completed it?
Why the task was difficult?
Why you were proud of the completion of the task?

4 unique answers with expert feedback

What strategies did you use to prepare for the NEET exam?

I created a study schedule that allocated time for each subject, focusing on my weaker areas. I also practiced past papers and took mock tests to build my confidence and improve my time management skills during the exam.

How did you manage stress during your preparation for the exam?

I practiced mindfulness and took regular breaks to avoid burnout. I also engaged in physical activities like jogging, which helped me clear my mind and reduce anxiety, keeping me focused on my studies.

What advice would you give to someone preparing for a similar exam?

Stay organized and create a realistic study plan. Don't hesitate to seek help from teachers or peers when you're stuck. Lastly, maintain a positive mindset and believe in your abilities, as confidence plays a crucial role in exam success.

Band 5-6

00:00

The difficult task that I completed at my school days was an hackathon. The hackathon which takes place every year in our school. The hackathon mainly focus on science, mathematics and programming languages. So they give certain clues and objectify the errors in the program. So we have to find out the errors that we find in the program and we have to work on it. It was quite difficult for us to check the error in our program. So it was a very difficult task and the thing is we completed the task on time. So this was my very special and proud moment I would like to share which I completed in my school days.

Follow up questions

What skills did you develop while participating in the hackathon?

During the hackathon, I developed several skills including teamwork, problem-solving, and programming. Working with my peers helped me learn how to communicate effectively and collaborate under pressure. Additionally, I improved my coding skills by debugging and optimizing programs.

How did you feel when you completed the hackathon task?

I felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride when we completed the task. It was rewarding to see our hard work pay off, and it boosted my confidence in my abilities. The experience taught me that perseverance and teamwork can lead to success, even in challenging situations.

Would you participate in a hackathon again in the future?

Absolutely! I would love to participate in another hackathon. It was an enriching experience that not only challenged my skills but also allowed me to meet like-minded individuals. I believe that such events are great for personal and professional growth.

Band 5-6

00:00

So, being concentrated on something is the very difficult task for me ever, basically it is not the easiest one for me, however I just tried it most of the time to being concentrated on same thing for a very long time. However, I need to do this on a single thing for a very long time, but before do this thing on one, I have to be very careful regarding that it was the most difficult one for me.

Follow up questions

What strategies did you use to improve your concentration?

To improve my concentration, I started using techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, where I work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. I also minimized distractions by creating a quiet workspace and setting specific goals for each study session.

How did completing this task impact your confidence?

Completing this difficult task significantly boosted my confidence. It showed me that I could overcome challenges and focus on my work. This experience encouraged me to take on more complex projects in the future, knowing that I have the ability to succeed.

What did you learn from this experience?

I learned the importance of perseverance and time management. This experience taught me that even if a task seems daunting, breaking it down into smaller, manageable parts can make it easier to tackle. I also realized that maintaining focus is a skill that can be developed.

Practice other cue cards

Describe a risk you took that you thought would lead to a terrible result but ended up with a positive result

View answers

Describe a piece of good advice that you gave to someone

View answers

Describe a difficult skill you learned.

View answers

Describe A Skill That You Learned In Your Childhood

View answers

Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved.

View answers

Describe A Resolution You Made In The New Year

View answers

Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person?

View answers

Describe A Time When You Needed To Search For Information

View answers

Describe Something You Do That Can Help You Concentrate On Work/Study

View answers

Describe a thing you did to learn another language?

View answers

Describe the type of home you'd like to reside in.

View answers

Describe A Volunteering Experience You Have Had

View answers

Describe A Time When You Helped Someone

View answers

Describe An Success You Are Proud Of

View answers

Describe a natural talent you want to improve.

View answers

Describe an exercise you know.

View answers

Describe something you taught to your friend/relative.

View answers

Talk about a time you learned a new skill.

View answers

Describe a time when you changed your opinion

View answers

Describe An Activity You Do To Keep Fit

View answers

Describe an event that ended in failure.

View answers

Describe A Positive Change In Your Life

View answers

Describe an achievement/success you are proud of

View answers

Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve.

View answers

Describe an activity you enjoyed in your free time when you were young.

View answers

Describe a daily routine that you enjoy

View answers

Describe A Difficult Decision That You Made And Had A Good Result

View answers

Describe Something You Do Regularly That Helps You Work And Study Better

View answers

Describe a skill that was difficult to learn

View answers

Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college)

View answers

Describe a book you recently read.

View answers

Describe a piece of advice you recently received.

View answers

Describe a plan that you had to change recently

View answers

Describe Something Healthy You Enjoy Doing

View answers

Describe an important decision made with the help of other people

View answers

Describe Something You Do To Keep Fit And Healthy

View answers

Describe Something That Helps You Concentrate

View answers

Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop.

View answers

Describe an impressive talk/conversation you had that you remember well

View answers

Describe an article about health that you read.

View answers

Describe a goal you set that you tried your best to achieve

View answers

Band 5-6

00:00

Once my class teacher assigned me a college project which was quite difficult. It had to be done with my partner. So it was about a computer which we have to create and have to solve mathematical problem in it. It was quite difficult for us but we did it and after the completion of our class project, our class teacher gave us an A grade which made us proud of ourselves.

Follow up questions

What specific challenges did you face while working on the project?

We faced several challenges, including understanding the complex mathematical concepts and figuring out how to implement them in our computer project. Additionally, coordinating our efforts and managing our time effectively was difficult, especially since we both had other commitments.

How did you and your partner divide the tasks for the project?

We decided to divide the tasks based on our strengths. I focused on the programming aspect of the computer, while my partner handled the mathematical problem-solving part. This way, we could work more efficiently and support each other in our respective areas.

What did you learn from completing this difficult task?

Completing this project taught me the importance of teamwork and effective communication. I also learned how to tackle complex problems and the value of perseverance. It boosted my confidence in my abilities and showed me that hard work can lead to rewarding outcomes.

Show all 4 answers

Cue 1:What the task was?

Clearly state the task you undertook, including the context of your work or study.
Make sure to mention any specific goals or objectives associated with the task.

Example

The task I completed was developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new product launch at my company. This involved extensive market research and collaboration with different departments.

Cue 2:How you completed it?

Describe the steps you took to accomplish the task, emphasizing your planning and execution.
Mention any tools or resources you utilized to help you complete the task.

Example

I started by conducting surveys and analyzing market trends to understand customer needs. Then, I organized brainstorming sessions with my team to generate creative ideas and finally compiled everything into a detailed report using presentation software.

Cue 3:Why the task was difficult?

Explain the challenges you faced during the task, such as time constraints or lack of resources.
Discuss any skills or knowledge gaps that made the task more challenging.

Example

The task was difficult because I had a tight deadline of just two weeks, and I was also new to some of the marketing tools we were using. Additionally, coordinating with multiple teams added to the complexity.

Cue 4:Why you were proud of the completion of the task?

Reflect on the outcome of the task and how it positively impacted your work or study environment.
Share any recognition or feedback you received that contributed to your sense of pride.

Example

I felt proud because the strategy I developed was well-received by management and led to a successful product launch, exceeding our sales targets. My efforts were acknowledged in a team meeting, which made me feel valued.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points of your answer, reinforcing the significance of the task.
Express how this experience has contributed to your personal or professional growth.

Example

In conclusion, completing this challenging marketing strategy not only enhanced my skills but also boosted my confidence in handling complex projects. It taught me the importance of teamwork and effective planning.

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 unclear. If you don't provide specific details about the task, the examiner may not understand your experience fully.

Tip

Use clear examples and specific details to describe the task, such as the challenges faced and the steps taken to complete it.

2: Lack of Structure

A disorganized response can confuse the listener. Jumping between points without a clear structure makes it hard to follow your story.

Tip

Follow a logical order when answering. Start with what the task was, then explain how you completed it, followed by the difficulties and your feelings of pride.

Overly Simple Language

Using overly simple language can make your response sound unengaging. This may not showcase your language skills effectively.

Tip

Incorporate a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures to make your answer more interesting while remaining clear and understandable.

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.