Describe a piece of advice you recently received.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When did this happen & from whom?
What was it?
How do you feel about it?

34 unique answers with expert feedback

How do you usually respond to advice from others?

I tend to reflect on advice before implementing it. I consider the source and whether it aligns with my values. If it resonates, I try to incorporate it into my life, but I also seek to understand it deeply before making any changes.

Can you share a time when you successfully implemented advice?

Yes, I once received advice about time management. I started using a planner to organize my tasks. This helped me prioritize better and reduce stress. I felt more accomplished and found that I had more time for leisure activities, which improved my overall well-being.

What challenges do you face when trying to follow advice?

One major challenge is consistency. It's easy to feel motivated initially, but maintaining discipline over time can be tough. Life's distractions and my own habits often make it difficult to stick to new routines, so I have to remind myself of the benefits regularly.

Band 6-7

00:00

Two weeks earlier before I applied, I started planning for my abroad. I actually was planning to go to Germany for my masters but due to my credit constraint, the consultancy advised me not to take off to Germany because it might lead to rejection in my application. So during that time I felt very depressed and very upset because it was a plan I have been making since 3-4 years which is because of the failing of the plan, my two years plan has been wasted. I was very down during the next two days. My father then advised me to bounce back and be resilient because life is all about ups and downs and uncertainties and he advised me not to feel down about it and try to think of another plan so that I wouldn't waste the next upcoming days. He also suggested me to feel motivated and encouraged because at least we have got to know about the process at the right time. After his advice, I felt grateful and encouraged to start my applications to the UK universities and I actually felt grateful of having him as my dad and it's important to be resilient when you're in the lowest point in your life because it is the time when God is testing how much you are able to face challenges and difficulties. This shows that you are strong and independent enough to work towards achieving your dream.

Follow up questions

How did you feel after receiving your father's advice?

After receiving my father's advice, I felt a sense of relief and motivation. His words helped me to shift my perspective from feeling defeated to being proactive about my future. I realized that setbacks are part of life, and his encouragement inspired me to explore new opportunities.

What other plans did you consider after the advice?

After my father's advice, I considered applying to universities in the UK. I researched various programs that aligned with my interests and career goals. This shift in focus allowed me to see new possibilities and helped me to stay positive and motivated during a challenging time.

Why do you think resilience is important in life?

Resilience is crucial because it helps us navigate through life's challenges and uncertainties. It allows us to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive outlook. Being resilient means we can adapt and find new paths to achieve our goals, even when faced with difficulties.

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.

Aside from my father's advice, I've found guidance from mentors and teachers invaluable. They have taught me the importance of networking and continuous learning, which has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Their insights have shaped my approach to challenges.

Show all 34 answers

Cue 1:When did this happen & from whom?

Begin by mentioning the specific time frame when you received the advice, such as recently or during a particular event.
Identify the person who gave you the advice, explaining your relationship with them to add context.

Example

Recently, I received some valuable advice from my elder sister during a family gathering. We were discussing our career paths, and she shared her insights with me.

Cue 2:What was it?

Clearly state the advice you received, making sure to paraphrase it in your own words.
Explain the context in which the advice was given, highlighting any relevant details that make it more impactful.

Example

She advised me to focus on building my professional network rather than just concentrating on my technical skills. She emphasized that connections often open up more opportunities in the job market.

Cue 3:How do you feel about it?

Share your initial reaction to the advice and whether you found it surprising or helpful.
Discuss how you plan to implement this advice in your life and any changes you anticipate as a result.

Example

At first, I was a bit skeptical because I always believed that skills were the most important. However, after reflecting on her words, I realized the importance of networking. I feel motivated to attend more industry events and connect with professionals in my field.

Conclusion

Summarize the key takeaway from the advice and its significance in your life.
Reflect on how this advice might influence your future decisions or actions.

Example

In conclusion, the advice from my sister has made me rethink my approach to career development. I now understand that building relationships is just as crucial as honing my skills, and I am excited to explore this new avenue.

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 Responses

Providing vague or unclear answers can make it difficult for the examiner to understand your point. Specific details help convey your message more effectively.