Describe A Person Who Solved A Problem In Smart Way: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who is this person?
What was the problem?
How did he/she solve it?
What about the solution makes it smart?

19 unique answers with expert feedback

How did you feel when you realized you forgot your hall ticket?

I felt a wave of panic wash over me when I realized I forgot my hall ticket. It was a crucial moment, and I was worried I might not be able to take the exam. Thankfully, my friend and brother were there to help me, which eased my anxiety.

What qualities do you think your brother demonstrated in this situation?

My brother showed quick thinking and resourcefulness. Instead of panicking or getting frustrated, he immediately looked for a solution. His ability to stay calm under pressure and find an alternative way to help me was impressive.

Have you ever faced a similar situation where you had to think on your feet?

Yes, I have faced similar situations, like forgetting important documents or being late for appointments. In those moments, I learned the importance of staying calm and thinking creatively to find solutions, just like my brother did during my exam.

Band 6-7

00:00

I'd like to talk about one of the most inspiring person of my life is my manager at my workplace. She is a brilliant lady and exactly knows how to tackle people. There was a time when I faced a lot of challenge from one of the employees of my organization. I was about to get into an argument where that person was completely wrong. But I never wanted to show him that he is wrong. I just wanted to show him that how to rectify the mistake which he had done earlier. But despite of telling him several times, he insisted to take a side and insisted me to get into an argument. So I called up my manager. She came and she just talked to that person. And the way she broke into the problem and step by step she made him realize that what he had done and how it impacted the entire organization in a very negative way. So that's how it makes her pretty smart in that way. And not only that whenever I felt that I am stuck in a position where I can't get out of it. She was always the one who helped me to understand the problem better. To break into the problem into small pieces.

Follow up questions

What qualities make someone a good problem solver?

A good problem solver should possess qualities like patience, empathy, and strong communication skills. They need to be able to understand different perspectives and approach issues logically. Additionally, creativity and the ability to think outside the box can also be crucial in finding effective solutions.

How important is teamwork in solving problems?

Teamwork is essential in problem-solving as it brings together diverse perspectives and skills. Collaborating with others can lead to more innovative solutions and helps in distributing the workload. When team members support each other, they can tackle challenges more effectively and efficiently.

Can you think of a time when you solved a problem on your own?

Yes, there was a time when I had to resolve a scheduling conflict for a project. I analyzed the situation, communicated with all parties involved, and proposed a new timeline that accommodated everyone's availability. This experience taught me the importance of clear communication and flexibility in problem-solving.

Band 6-7

00:00

Since ages, masters are doing hard work, but nowadays for having success, smart work is the key. And here I am going to talk about a person's smart work for the problem solution. It was a time of last year when I faced problem regarding to my tuition classes. Because at that time I was studying in graduation, so at that time I needed tuitions and other things from the outer market. But at that time due to the absence of my teacher, it was a lot of problems regarding to the subject. But my older brother came to me and he asked me what happened. Then I shared that thing that my teacher is not available for the classes. And he asked why are you getting that much depressed, you can check the classes online. That time he provided me several links of online platforms and one from them was the buy juice classes, where I started to do the preparation and I got really brilliant results. As compared to other students, I had around 20% more in the graduation. It was about 83% and others had around 63 or 65% in their graduation. So due to his advice, I did that. And I really appreciate his advice because in that smart way, I achieved my score. In other words, I can say that if he didn't came to me at that time, so that time I was taking that problem too much hardly. And also we can solve some problems in our life in smarter way with the help of technology.

Follow up questions

How do you think technology has changed the way we solve problems?

Technology has significantly transformed problem-solving by providing instant access to information and resources. Online platforms and apps allow us to learn new skills, connect with experts, and find solutions quickly, making it easier to tackle challenges efficiently.

Can you give another example of a smart solution to a common problem?

Certainly! For instance, many students face time management issues. Using apps like Trello or Google Calendar can help them organize their tasks and deadlines effectively. This smart approach allows them to prioritize their work and reduce stress.

What qualities do you think are important for someone to solve problems smartly?

Key qualities include creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking. A person should be open to new ideas, willing to explore different methods, and able to analyze situations logically to come up with effective solutions.

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Band 6-7

00:00

A person who solves a problem in a smart way, not to be narcissistic, but I can only think about me because I am more of a solver than creating a problem. So, there was this one time at work where we bought a lot of snacks for our US counterparts, so we had to send them snacks from here, and we ordered a lot of snacks, and we ordered a gift bag with it as well, but unfortunately the gift bag was way too small to fit all the snacks, and we were just all worked up about it because the person who was going to US was living in another 10 minutes, he was leaving the office, so we had to do something in the next 10 minutes, so I just remembered that I had a shopping bag in my locker, so I quickly took the shopping bag which said Forever 21, and the team we work for is called Paint, we work in the paint division, so quickly I just took a marker and I just struck the 21, and I just used my artistic skills and quickly whipped up a creative bag which said Forever Paint instead of Forever 21, which I think was making pretty good use of the resources we had at that given time, and later our counterparts received that bag, and they really loved it, and they couldn't stop praising me about how creative it was and how much they loved the bag, in fact they loved it more than the snacks we sent them.

Follow up questions

What other creative solutions have you come up with in challenging situations?

In another instance, we faced a tight deadline for a project. I suggested we use collaborative tools to streamline communication and divide tasks effectively. This not only saved us time but also improved team morale as everyone felt involved and valued.

How important do you think creativity is in problem-solving?

Creativity is crucial in problem-solving as it allows us to think outside the box and find unique solutions. It can lead to innovative approaches that may not be immediately obvious, helping us overcome obstacles more effectively.

Can you describe a time when a smart solution didn't work out as planned?

Yes, there was a time when I proposed using a new software tool to improve efficiency. However, the team struggled to adapt to it, leading to confusion and delays. We learned that while innovation is important, proper training and gradual implementation are equally vital.

Band 6-7

00:00

This person is my uncle. The problem was that my father took a loan on my uncle's home which was of around 35 lakhs and my father was unable to pay the loan. So my uncle came up with the idea that when the bank was on verge of doing auction on my uncle's house, my uncle took a good solution that you transfer the home on my name and I'll be able to repay the loan. The smart solution is that by the means of paying loan, my uncle took the house worth 60 lakhs on his own name. This was the smart thing he came up with. And my uncle also told that all the interest and all the other EMI's that were pending, till this duration he would pay the same and he would make the home on his own name. By this I could learn that this was a good and smart way to solve a problem.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think make someone a good problem solver?

A good problem solver often possesses qualities such as creativity, critical thinking, and resilience. They can analyze situations from different angles and come up with innovative solutions. Additionally, effective communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure are also important.

Can you think of a time when you solved a problem in a smart way?

Yes, I once faced a situation where I had to organize a group project with conflicting schedules. I proposed using a shared online calendar to coordinate our meetings and tasks. This allowed everyone to see availability and contributed to better collaboration, ultimately leading to a successful project.

How important is it to involve others when solving a problem?

Involving others can be crucial when solving a problem, as it brings diverse perspectives and ideas. Collaboration often leads to more effective solutions, as different individuals can contribute their strengths and expertise. It also fosters teamwork and can make the problem-solving process more efficient.

Show all 19 answers

Cue 1:Who is this person?

Introduce the person by mentioning their relationship to you, such as a friend, family member, or colleague.
Provide a brief background about their qualities or skills that make them capable of solving problems.

Example

The person I want to talk about is my elder brother, Raj. He is a software engineer and has always been known for his analytical skills and creative thinking. Growing up, he often helped me with my studies and taught me how to approach problems logically.

Cue 2:What was the problem?

Clearly state the problem that needed to be solved, providing context to help the listener understand its significance.
Mention any challenges or difficulties that arose due to this problem.

Example

Last year, our family faced a significant issue when our small business was struggling due to a lack of customers. The pandemic had hit us hard, and we were unsure how to attract more people to our store.

Cue 3:How did he/she solve it?

Describe the steps the person took to address the problem, highlighting their thought process.
Include any innovative methods or strategies they employed to find a solution.

Example

Raj suggested that we shift our focus to online sales. He quickly set up a website and helped us create social media accounts to promote our products. He even organized a small online campaign to reach out to potential customers.

Cue 4:What about the solution makes it smart?

Explain why the solution was effective and how it addressed the problem efficiently.
Discuss any long-term benefits that resulted from this smart solution.

Example

What made Raj's solution smart was his ability to adapt to the changing market. By moving online, we not only reached our existing customers but also attracted new ones from different areas. Our sales increased significantly, and we are now considering expanding our online presence further.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, Raj's innovative thinking and quick actions helped our family business survive during a tough time. His ability to solve problems in a smart way not only resolved our immediate issue but also set us up for future success.

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. It's important to provide specific details about the person and the problem they solved to engage the listener.

Tip

Use clear examples and specific details to describe the person and the problem. This will make your answer more interesting and easier to understand.

2: Lack of Structure

Failing to organize your response can confuse the listener. A well-structured answer helps convey your ideas more effectively.

Tip

Follow the cue prompts in order: introduce the person, explain the problem, describe the solution, and highlight why it was smart. This will create a logical flow.

Overly Complex Solutions

Describing overly complicated solutions can lose the listener's interest. It's better to focus on clear and relatable solutions that demonstrate smart thinking.

Tip

Choose a solution that is straightforward yet clever. Explain it simply, focusing on how it effectively addressed the problem.

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