Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Which friend is it?
What habit is it?
Why do you want to develop this?

172 unique answers with expert feedback

What habits do you think are important for personal development?

I believe habits like regular exercise, reading daily, and maintaining a healthy diet are crucial for personal growth. They help improve physical health, mental clarity, and overall well-being.

How can someone effectively develop a new habit?

To develop a new habit, one can start by setting clear goals, creating a routine, and tracking progress. It's also helpful to stay motivated by reminding oneself of the benefits and perhaps finding a buddy to share the journey.

Have you ever tried to develop a habit? What was it?

Yes, I once tried to develop a habit of waking up early. I set my alarm an hour earlier and gradually adjusted my bedtime. It was challenging at first, but over time, I started to enjoy the quiet mornings.

Band >7

00:00

One habit that my friend Rahul and I want to develop is waking up early in the morning. Rahul is one of my closest friends from college and we often discuss ways to improve ourselves and be more productive. We both feel that waking up early has many benefits. For example, it gives us extra time to plan a day, exercise or study without distractions. Currently, we both struggle with staying up late, which leads to waking up late and feeling rushed in the mornings. Developing this habit helps us feel more energetic and organized throughout the day. The main reason we want to develop this habit is to improve our productivity and time management. We believe that starting the day early will give us a sense of accomplishment and allow us to focus on our priorities. It will also help us develop a healthier lifestyle since we can use the mornings for exercise or other qualitative activities. To achieve this, we plan to go to bed earlier and set small goals like waking up just 15 minutes earlier each day until we achieve our desired routine. We also motivate each other by sending a text or a call in the morning to check if we are both up. In short, Rahul and I are determined to develop this habit because it will benefit us both physically and mentally in the long run.

Follow up questions

What other habits do you think are important for personal development?

In addition to waking up early, I believe habits like regular exercise, reading daily, and maintaining a balanced diet are crucial. These habits contribute to overall well-being and help in personal growth by enhancing physical health, mental clarity, and emotional stability.

How do you plan to stay motivated in developing this habit?

To stay motivated, Rahul and I will set small, achievable goals and celebrate our progress. We also plan to hold each other accountable by checking in every morning. Additionally, we might reward ourselves for sticking to our routine, which will help reinforce the habit.

Have you tried waking up early before? What challenges did you face?

Yes, I have tried waking up early in the past, but I faced challenges like feeling tired and going back to sleep. I also struggled with distractions at night, which made it hard to go to bed early. However, I learned that consistency and a good bedtime routine are key to overcoming these challenges.

Band >7

00:00

Okay, the habit that I used to follow is... When I was young, I have a friend whose name is Nandini. We were school friends actually. But we studied in a different school. Actually, she is my neighbor. I have a childhood friend. Her name is Nandini. We used to be neighbors when we were young. We used to go to different schools, but we were in the same grade. So, our parents always tried to compare my score with hers. She always got higher scores than me. Because she studied hard in the morning time. I always prefer to study at night time. Because I feel we have a longer period of time to study at night than in the morning. I am a very lazy person at that time. So, I can't wake up in the early morning time. If I do, I used to be very sleepy at the class. So, I skipped to study in the morning time. One day, I approached my friend. I asked her, how did you manage to get up early and be active in your school? She said, I used to sleep early to keep me awake in the morning. One day, I tried to follow that. I used to go to bed by 9 am so that I can wake up at 5 am. Unfortunately, I couldn't wake up at that time. So, I rushed up and asked her again. She said, try to do that. And I did.

Follow up questions

What other habits do you think are important for academic success?

I believe habits like time management, regular revision, and staying organized are crucial for academic success. They help in maintaining a consistent study routine and ensure that you are prepared for exams. Additionally, having a balanced lifestyle with proper nutrition and exercise can also enhance focus and productivity.

How do you think your friend's habit influenced your study habits?

My friend's habit of waking up early and studying in the morning inspired me to reconsider my own study schedule. It made me realize that starting the day with studying could be more effective for retaining information. Although I struggled initially, it motivated me to try new approaches to my study routine.

Have you successfully developed any other habits since then?

Yes, since then, I've successfully developed a habit of planning my study sessions in advance. I also try to incorporate short breaks to keep my mind fresh. Additionally, I've started practicing mindfulness techniques to improve my concentration, which has positively impacted my overall academic performance.

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Band 7

00:00

One positive habit my friend has and that I genuinely want to develop is his incredible consistency in maintaining a daily routine. His name is Arjun and he is one of the best, most disciplined people I know. We have been close friends since school, so I have seen his habits evolve over the years. Arjun has a very structured lifestyle, no matter how busy or tired he is, he never skips the morning routine. He wakes up early, meditates for 10 minutes, exercises and then plans his entire day in a small notebook. What impresses me the most is that he never breaks this pattern. Even during exam or stressful days, he sticks to it and the same level of dedication. I want to develop his habit because consistency is something I struggle with. I start things with a lot of motivation, but eventually my energy fades and I lose track. Watching Arjun has made me realize that real progress doesn't come from occasionally big efforts, but from small actions done every single day, his routine has made him more focused, productive and calm and I really admire that. If I develop this habit, I believe it will help me manage my time better, stay mentally stable and achieve my long-term goals more efficiently. In the fast-paced world we live in, having the consistency routine is almost like a superpower and I hope I can build that discipline just like Arjun.

Follow up questions

How do you think consistency impacts personal development?

Consistency plays a crucial role in personal development as it helps build habits that lead to long-term success. When you consistently work towards your goals, you create a routine that fosters discipline and resilience, making it easier to overcome challenges and stay focused on your objectives.

What challenges do you face in developing new habits?

One of the main challenges I face is maintaining motivation over time. I often start with enthusiasm but struggle to keep it up. Additionally, distractions from daily life can derail my efforts, making it difficult to stick to new habits consistently, especially when faced with stress or busy schedules.

Can you share any strategies to build consistency in daily routines?

To build consistency, I plan to start small by setting achievable goals and gradually increasing them. Using reminders, tracking my progress, and finding an accountability partner can also help. Additionally, I will try to create a positive environment that encourages sticking to my routine, just like Arjun does.

Band 7

00:00

One of my close friend Rhea has a wonderful habit that I truly admire. She wakes up early in the morning and starts her day with a short workout and some reading. I have noticed that this habit makes her very energetic, positive and organized throughout the day. Rhea usually wakes up around 5.30am, goes for a jog and then spend about 20 minutes reading something new like a personal growth book or the news. Because of this routine, she is always calm, focused and rarely stressed even during exams or busy schedules. I really want to develop this habit because I often struggle with managing my time and staying productive. I tend to wake up late which makes me rush throughout the day. If I could start my morning like her, I believe I would be able to plan my day better and feel more motivated to complete all my tasks.

Follow up questions

What challenges do you think you might face in developing this habit?

I believe the biggest challenge would be adjusting my sleep schedule. Waking up early requires going to bed earlier, which can be difficult due to my current routine. Additionally, staying consistent with the workout and reading might be tough, especially on days when I feel tired or busy.

How do you think waking up early can impact your overall lifestyle?

Waking up early can significantly improve my productivity and mental health. It allows me to start the day with a sense of accomplishment and gives me quiet time to focus on my goals. This could lead to better time management and less stress throughout the day.

Have you tried any strategies to wake up earlier in the past?

Yes, I have tried setting multiple alarms and placing my alarm clock across the room to force myself to get up. I also experimented with going to bed earlier, but I often found myself distracted by screens or other activities, which made it hard to stick to the plan.

Show all 172 answers

Cue 1:Which friend is it?

Introduce your friend by name and mention how long you have known them.
Describe a little about their personality to give context to their habit.

Example

My friend, Riya, has been my close companion since college. She is a very organized and disciplined person, which is something I admire about her.

Cue 2:What habit is it?

Clearly state the specific habit you want to develop.
Explain how this habit manifests in your friend's daily life.

Example

The habit I want to develop is her ability to wake up early every morning. Riya has this routine of waking up at 5 AM, which allows her to start her day with exercise and planning.

Cue 3:Why do you want to develop this?

Discuss the benefits you see in adopting this habit.
Mention any personal challenges you face that this habit could help address.

Example

I want to develop this habit because I believe waking up early can make me more productive. Currently, I often feel rushed in the mornings, and I think having that extra time would help me plan my day better and reduce stress.

Conclusion

Summarize your thoughts on your friend's habit and your desire to adopt it.
Express any hopes or goals related to developing this habit.

Example

In conclusion, Riya's early rising habit is something I truly admire. I hope to incorporate this into my life to improve my productivity and overall well-being.

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: Being Vague About the Friend

Candidates often mention a friend without providing specific details. This can make the response less engaging and informative.

Tip

Clearly introduce your friend by sharing their name and a little background to make your answer more personal and relatable.

2: Lack of Specificity in the Habit

Describing a habit in general terms can lead to a weak response. Candidates should avoid being too broad or unclear.

Tip

Focus on one specific habit your friend has. Describe it in detail, explaining how they practice it and its impact on their life.

Weak Justification for Development

Failing to explain why you want to develop the habit can make your answer seem unconvincing or superficial.

Tip

Provide clear reasons for wanting to adopt the habit, such as personal growth, health benefits, or improved relationships, to strengthen your response.

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