Describe a person who persuaded you to do something: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • When it happened
  • What he/she persuaded you to do
  • Why he/she persuaded you to do it
  • Whether you did it at last
0

Band 7

00:00

/

00:00

I would like to talk about my mother who once persuaded me to pursue dentistry as a career. This happened a few years ago when I was deciding what to study after finishing school. She persuaded me to take admission in a bachelor's degree in dentistry. She believed that dentistry is a stable and respectful profession. So she also felt that it suited my personality because I am patient, disciplined, and interested in health. She explained that long-term benefits such as job security and the opportunity to help people. In the end, I agreed with her advice and decided to pursue dentistry. Looking back, I think it was a good decision because it gave me a strong foundation in the medical field and helped me understand patient care better. Although my long-term goal is to become a doctor, I am grateful that she pursued me because dentistry shaped my professional journey. I am satisfied with my decision because it helped me grow academically and professionally.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you think make someone a good persuader?
A good persuader should possess qualities like empathy, strong communication skills, and confidence. They need to understand the other person's perspective and present their arguments clearly and convincingly. Additionally, being knowledgeable about the topic can enhance their ability to persuade effectively.

Have you ever persuaded someone to do something? What was it?
Yes, I once persuaded a friend to join a study group with me. I believed that collaborating would help us both understand the material better and improve our grades. I shared my own experiences of how study groups had benefited me, and eventually, they agreed to join, which turned out to be very helpful for both of us.

How important is it to have support from family when making career choices?
Having support from family is crucial when making career choices. It provides emotional backing and can help boost confidence. Family members often have valuable insights and experiences that can guide decisions. Their encouragement can also motivate individuals to pursue paths they might hesitate to take on their own.

Band 7

00:00

/

00:00

There are some people that play a significant role in the way we think. Also, some people just happen to influence the choices that we make. One such personality that played a huge role in shaping my work was Dr. Saurabh who is an occupational therapy professor in my hospital. He persuaded me to take up orthopedics as my subject. This is because there are not many occupational therapists practicing in this field and the field of musculoskeletal sciences needs people who have a good understanding of the same. He saw a spark in me and he thought that I could be fit for this field because of the discussions that we were having during our OPG hours. I think that his efforts were fruitful because I happened to take up that field and I do practice in orthopedics. It is because of his efforts and it is because of his push that made me take that up. He constantly solves my doubts and queries that I have during my practice. I also enroll in courses that will enhance my knowledge. Most of the courses that I enroll in are referred to me by Dr. Saurabh. So, I think that he has played quite an influence in shaping my life.

Follow up questions


How did Dr. Saurabh's influence change your perspective on your career?
Dr. Saurabh's influence opened my eyes to the importance of orthopedics in occupational therapy. His belief in my potential made me realize that I could contribute significantly to this field, which I hadn't considered before. It motivated me to pursue further education and specialization.

Can you share a specific instance when Dr. Saurabh helped you with a challenge?
Once, I faced a complex case involving a patient with multiple musculoskeletal issues. I was unsure how to approach it. Dr. Saurabh guided me through the assessment process and suggested treatment strategies. His support not only helped me resolve the case but also boosted my confidence.

What qualities do you think make Dr. Saurabh an effective mentor?
Dr. Saurabh is patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in his students' success. He listens to our concerns and provides constructive feedback. His ability to inspire and motivate us to explore our potential is what makes him an exceptional mentor in my professional journey.

Band 6-7

00:00

/

00:00

so the person who persuaded me to do something is my husband so actually my husband works in USA so he just told me in one day that why don't you prepare for as a vet for USA and I got so surprised because I knew it the exam which I need to give to work as a vet in USA it's extremely difficult but he just motivated me and said no it's not that much difficult you can do this even it even it's a eight hours exam so that's really a very huge exam for me at least but when he just suggested this idea to me I got so demotivated or I felt not because he said this thing to me but because of my own background because I didn't study during my graduation period so I used to feel that I'm not that much confident I don't have that much intelligence to clear this huge exam but still he just you know day by day he just encouraged me to do this he just said that just give your best don't think about the outcome then I started preparing for it and I really like that I just take his advice and I successfully you know cleared the exam and it's all because of his kind motivation constant constant motivation towards me he always motivates me throughout the journey and yeah

Follow up questions


How did your husband motivate you during your preparation?
He motivated me by constantly encouraging me to believe in myself. He reminded me that I could do it and advised me to focus on my efforts rather than the outcome. His belief in my abilities helped me overcome my self-doubt.

What challenges did you face while preparing for the exam?
I faced challenges like self-doubt and the fear of failure due to my academic background. The exam was also quite demanding, requiring a lot of time and effort to study. However, I learned to manage my time and stay focused on my goals.

How has this experience changed your perspective on challenges?
This experience taught me that with the right support and mindset, I can overcome significant challenges. It showed me the importance of perseverance and believing in myself, which has positively impacted my approach to future obstacles.

Practice other cue cards

Describe a singer that you like.
View answers
Describe A Foreigner Who Speaks Your Native Language Very Well
View answers
Describe a popular/well known person in your country
View answers
Describe Someone You Know Who Often Helps Others
View answers
Describe someone you really like to spend time with
View answers
Describe A Friend Who Is A Good Leader
View answers
Describe An Introvert Person Whom You Know
View answers
Describe the home of someone you know well and that you often visit
View answers
Describe a person who shows his/her feelings very openly
View answers
Describe A Person Who You Think Is Very Open
View answers
Describe A Famous Athlete You Know
View answers
Describe a person who likes to read a lot
View answers
Describe A Person Who Contributes To Society
View answers
Describe A Person Who Motivates You
View answers
Describe someone popular whom you want to meet.
View answers
Describe a place where you would like to go to relax.
View answers
Describe A Businessman You Admire
View answers
Describe A Person Who Solved A Problem In Smart Way
View answers
Describe A Creative Person You Admire
View answers
Describe a family member who you admire.
View answers
Describe A Person Who You Believe Dresses Well
View answers
Describe a polite person you met.
View answers
Describe a foreigner who is interesting.
View answers
Describe Your Family
View answers
Describe a person who has made you feel uncomfortable.
View answers
Describe a foreigner who speaks your native language (hindi) very well
View answers
Describe an interesting person that you have not met in person and would like to know more about
View answers
Describe A Person Who Is Good At Making People Feel Welcome In His Her Home
View answers
Describe a person who likes to make things by hand (e.g. toys, furniture)
View answers
Describe a polite person you have met.
View answers
Describe a person you met at a party and enjoyed a conversation with.
View answers
Describe a person who you are happy to know.
View answers
Describe a person who often helps others
View answers
Describe a friend from your childhood
View answers
Describe an old person you know who has had an interesting life
View answers
Describe a person who shows his/her feelings very openly
View answers
Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting.
View answers
Describe a famous person you're interested in.
View answers
Describe a singer whose music or songs you like
View answers
Describe a friend of yours who is good at music or singing
View answers
Describe A Successful Person Who You Once Studied Or Worked With
View answers
Describe A Friend You Like To Talk With
View answers
Describe a person who shows his or her feelings very openly
View answers
Describe An Interesting Neighbour
View answers
Describe a TV or radio presenter you like.
View answers
Describe a person you know who likes to talk a lot.
View answers
Describe An Old Person You Know And Respect
View answers
Describe a person who has strong opinions
View answers
Describe a person you only met once and want to know more about.
View answers
Describe an energetic person that you know
View answers
Describe someone older than you whom you admire.
View answers
Describe a family member you spend a lot of time with.
View answers
Describe A Person Who Has Done A Lot Of Work To Help People
View answers
Describe A Person Who Impressed You In Primary School
View answers
Describe a person who makes plans a lot and is good at planning
View answers
Describe Your Childhood Friend
View answers
Describe A Person Who Likes To Make Things By Hand (E.G., Toys, Furniture)
View answers
Describe a person from a different cultural background with whom you enjoy spending time
View answers
Describe a famous person you would like to meet
View answers
Describe a family member who you want to work with in the future
View answers
Describe a person you disliked at first but ended up being friends with
View answers
Describe A Person You Admire
View answers
Describe a person from whom others like to ask for advice
View answers
Describe A Person Who Enjoys Cooking For Others
View answers
Describe an old friend you had lost touch with and got in contact with again
View answers
Describe a person you follow on social media.
View answers
Describe a good friend who is important to you
View answers
Describe a successful sportsperson you admire
View answers
Describe Your Best Friend
View answers
Describe someone else’s room you enjoy spending time in
View answers
Describe a famous person you're interested in.
View answers

Band 6-7

00:00

/

00:00

This is one of my friends. She worked with me during an internship I applied to and we both went to Kashmir. We have worked there for 3-4 months. We stayed there. But a lot of times it happened that she asked me to lend money to the natives. I felt it was unnecessary that they have their own means of earning it. They are currently running small businesses. That's how they can earn it. They are doing a lot of other activities where money can come from. But looking at the children and the families they had, it somehow pushed me that if Sana can do it, I could also contribute in helping the people who were living around me during that time. I think it was necessary. I reflected back on this and it was the right decision. I needed this to happen in my life and it was through that journey I learned a lot. There was a feeling of being independent. There was feeling of joy. There were a lot of learnings in life which came from this experience of living away and helping people. I was not that kind of person earlier.

Follow up questions


How did your friend's influence change your perspective on helping others?
My friend's influence made me realize the importance of empathy and support. Initially, I was hesitant to lend money, thinking they could manage on their own. However, seeing her compassion inspired me to contribute, which ultimately changed my outlook on community support and personal responsibility.

What other experiences have shaped your views on charity or helping others?
Besides this internship, I have volunteered at local shelters and participated in community service projects. Each experience has reinforced my belief in the importance of giving back and understanding the struggles of others, which has further motivated me to be more involved in charitable activities.

Do you think it's important for young people to engage in community service? Why?
Absolutely! Engaging in community service helps young people develop empathy, social awareness, and a sense of responsibility. It allows them to connect with diverse communities, understand different perspectives, and contribute positively, which is essential for personal growth and societal improvement.

Band 6-7

00:00

/

00:00

We meet like a variety of people in our life and some of them come with good intentions whereas some come with bad. There are few people who come to persuade you for some good things, to motivate you, to inspire you so you can do better. But there are some who persuade you into some really horrible things. There was an incident during my college time. It was my first year, I was a fresher and there was a community in my college. It was training and placement cells who gather people, gather students who can participate into various activities and confront and talk fluently to get more and more companies for our college or even into various drives, placement drives or the college programs. So there was one of my senior who was very friendly and who was very nice and his intentions were really good when he came and he was trying to persuade me to take a part in it. The only intention behind it was for him to make me stand out, to have a good thing on my resume and to just brighten my skills up. So he persuaded me to just join this community by just coming to this one meeting. It will have a great impact on your future. It will improve your communication skills, the way I handle things, leadership qualities, communications and everything. And I did got persuaded. So once I was, I really thanked myself that I did got persuaded. It improved me a lot and it developed a skill set in me that I use even today in my day to day life, in my job, in my personal life.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you think are important in a persuasive person?
I believe qualities like empathy, good communication skills, and a genuine intention to help others are crucial. A persuasive person should be able to understand the needs of others and present their ideas in a way that resonates with them, making it easier for them to be influenced positively.

Can you describe a time when someone persuaded you to do something negative?
Yes, there was a time in high school when some friends persuaded me to skip classes for a day of fun. Initially, it seemed harmless, but it affected my grades and caused stress later. It taught me the importance of making my own decisions and being aware of peer pressure.

How do you think persuasion can be used in a positive way in the workplace?
In the workplace, persuasion can be used to motivate team members, encourage collaboration, and drive innovation. A good leader can persuade their team to embrace new ideas or changes, fostering a positive environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to contribute.
Show all 0 answers

Cue 1:When it happened

  • Mention a specific time frame, such as a recent event or a significant moment in your life.
  • Provide context about your relationship with the person who persuaded you.

Example

This happened about six months ago when I was preparing for my final exams in college. My friend, Priya, who is very supportive, noticed that I was feeling overwhelmed with my studies.


Cue 2:What he/she persuaded you to do

  • Clearly state what the person persuaded you to do, making it relatable.
  • Explain how this action was relevant to your situation at that time.

Example

Priya persuaded me to join a study group with some of our classmates. She believed that studying together would help me understand the subjects better and reduce my stress.


Cue 3:Why he/she persuaded you to do it

  • Discuss the reasons behind their persuasion, focusing on their intentions.
  • Mention any personal qualities of the person that made their suggestion convincing.

Example

She persuaded me because she had experienced the benefits of group study herself. Priya is very organized and always achieves good grades, so I trusted her judgment.


Cue 4:Whether you did it at last

  • Share your final decision and the outcome of following their advice.
  • Reflect on how this decision impacted your studies and your relationship with the person.

Example

In the end, I decided to join the study group, and it turned out to be a great decision. I felt more confident in my studies, and it also strengthened my friendship with Priya.


Conclusion

    Example

    Overall, this experience taught me the importance of seeking help and collaborating with others. It not only improved my academic performance but also reinforced the value of friendship and support during challenging times.


    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: Lack of Specific Details

    Avoid vague answers that do not provide specific details about the person or the situation. This can make your response less engaging and informative.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Include specific names, dates, and actions to create a vivid picture of the experience.


    2: Ignoring the Cues

    Neglecting to address all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. This may result in lower marks for coherence and relevance.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Make sure to systematically address each cue in your response to ensure a well-rounded answer.


    Overly Simple Language

    Using overly simple language can make your response sound unprepared or basic. This may not showcase your language proficiency effectively.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Try to use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures to demonstrate your English skills.


    calendar icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7.5

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 8

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 6.5

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7.5

    location icon

    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.

    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    background image

    Explore

    0 Cue Cards

    Master IELTS Speaking with Leap's Self-Prep Course

    student enroll count

    Students Enrolled

    review count

    2,411 Reviews

    app download banner image
    See Course Details

    Master IELTS Speaking with Leap's Self-Prep Course

    student enroll count

    Students Enrolled

    review count

    2,411 Reviews

    app download banner image
    See Course Details