Describe a piece of good advice that you gave to someone: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who did you advice?
What was the advice?
Why did you give the advice?
How was it helpful, and how did he/she feel about it?

199 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities do you think make someone a good advisor?

A good advisor should be empathetic, knowledgeable, and a good listener. They need to understand the other person's feelings and provide advice that is relevant to their situation. It's important to build trust so that the person feels comfortable sharing their issues.

How do you feel when someone seeks your advice?

When someone seeks my advice, I feel honored and responsible. It shows that they trust my judgment, and I want to provide them with the best guidance possible. However, it can also be a bit daunting, especially if I don't have personal experience in the area they need help with.

Have you ever received advice that you found particularly helpful?

Yes, I have received advice that has helped me in various situations. One piece of advice that stood out was to always communicate openly in relationships. It taught me the importance of expressing feelings and resolving conflicts through dialogue, which has been beneficial in my interactions.

Band >7

00:00

But when he was in class 12, he had some accident and due to which he got distracted from his study. Almost 4 to 5 months of him was totally wasted. Then it was very difficult for him to recover from that period. And what he planned that he will pass the final board examination of class 12 anyhow, then he will try for government jobs. But I advised him that you can still do it. You have that potential. If you work hard, you can achieve a great score. And he had only 6 months time before his exam. And he listened to me and he worked day and night and he really did great. He almost got 95% in his final board exam. But still, even after that high score, still that thought that I will do government jobs wasn't left from his mind. So then again, I advised him, no, you should go for research. And today he is doing his research in one of the best institute in India which is Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, ICTS in Bangalore. And he is in the top 1% in his class. And today now he thanks me that he says that,

Follow up questions

What motivated you to give that advice?

I saw his potential and realized that he was feeling demotivated after his accident. I wanted to encourage him to believe in himself and not give up on his dreams, especially since he had the capability to achieve great results.

How did he react to your advice initially?

At first, he was skeptical and unsure if he could catch up in such a short time. However, after our conversation, he became more determined and focused on his studies, which was encouraging to see.

What do you think is the key to giving good advice?

I believe the key is to understand the person's situation and feelings. Good advice should be supportive and realistic, helping them see their potential while also providing practical steps to achieve their goals.

Band >7

00:00

You're always one decision away from a completely different life. I always surround myself with people from whom I can learn either from their mistakes or either from their success. That what actually caused that event. Cause and effect is so important. So for me whenever I see somebody going through the same things that I went through and how I came along the way, I always like to pour myself into it. I do not want to give free advice until and unless the other person meets it. That's very very important. Also I make sure that to understand somebody's understanding power. So everybody understands everything in a very completely different way. I got to know about it through my personal experience. How certain ways I am able to understand few things the other person may not. Using of the correct words, using the correct time along with understanding somebody's feeling is so important and then putting in your advice. The last time I remember I advised one of my closest friend that I know since we were six years old. So she was going through a grief period and she was missing somebody who is no more with her anymore and I just gave her an advice. Just let her go. Just be at peace with everything. Accept it and make sure that you do not repeat the mistakes done by her in her life. That to just release and forgive. Forgiveness is so really important. I got to know it through a book that I read and definitely the book changed my life and it made it so easy for me to function personally. So definitely an advice that I'll give you all listeners that please forgive yourself first.

Follow up questions

How do you think advice impacts relationships?

Advice can significantly strengthen relationships when given thoughtfully. It shows care and understanding. However, if not received well, it can create distance. It's crucial to gauge the other person's readiness to accept advice to maintain a healthy bond.

What are some common mistakes people make when giving advice?

Common mistakes include offering unsolicited advice, not considering the other person's feelings, and using vague language. It's important to tailor advice to the individual's situation and ensure it's constructive, rather than just sharing personal opinions.

Can you share an experience where you received advice that changed your perspective?

Yes, I once received advice about embracing failure as a learning opportunity. Initially, I struggled with setbacks, but this perspective helped me see challenges as growth moments. It transformed my approach to both personal and professional situations.

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Band >7

00:00

I gave this advice to my mother as she was in a difficult time in her life and she was very much tackled by the anxiety of the situation she was in. So my advice was to stay calm and believe everything, keep all her trust and belief on karma as it returns back and it will help her get through the stage and she should have patience as she will survive in her life. This was my piece of advice to my mother and it did help her convince that this was just a fleeting moment in her life and it will pass just as fast as it came and that did calm her down a bit in that moment, it did calm her down.

Follow up questions

How did your mother react to your advice?

My mother was initially skeptical, but after reflecting on it, she found comfort in the idea of karma and patience. She expressed gratitude for my support and started to implement the advice, which helped her manage her anxiety better.

Have you ever received similar advice from someone?

Yes, I have received advice from friends and mentors during tough times. Their words often reminded me to stay positive and focus on the bigger picture, which has helped me navigate through challenges in my life.

What other advice would you give to someone in a similar situation?

I would advise them to seek support from loved ones and to practice mindfulness techniques. It's important to acknowledge their feelings but also to find healthy coping mechanisms, like meditation or journaling, to help manage anxiety.

Band 7

00:00

I recently advised my best friend to prioritize smart work over hard work and she was, I. I recently advised my best friend to prioritize smart work over hard work as she was facing with a moral dilemma at work. She wasn't being appreciated for her efforts and was facing lack of motivation. After giving her this advice, it really helped her put things into perspective that in the long run, smart work matters more than hard work. Adding on to that, it is immaterial of how much time one spends doing a task, but rather the efficiency and outcome that is achieved from doing the task. Hence, smart work is more appreciated in today's day and age rather than hard work. She was very happy with the advice that was given to her by me and began implementing it at work and soon she noticed changes and found that she was being recognized and appreciated for her work when she started decompartmentalizing and prioritizing herself and this is one of the advices that worked in her favor. In my personal experience, whenever I have worked hard and dedicated my blood, sweat and tears to something, it has not reaped the result that I expected it would, but rather it has often turned out to be the way I did not expect it to. Smart work allows people to prioritize time according to their convenience, but achieve the optimal results. For instance, a person takes 10 hours to do one task, but for another person, they may be able to achieve the same task's results in just 2 hours, so in such a case it is smart work over hard work.

Follow up questions

How do you define smart work in your own words?

Smart work, in my view, is about being efficient and strategic in how you approach tasks. It involves understanding the best methods to achieve results without unnecessary effort. It's about using your time wisely and focusing on outcomes rather than just the amount of time spent.

Can you share an example of a situation where you applied smart work?

Certainly! I once had a project that required extensive research. Instead of spending hours reading every source, I identified key articles and summaries that provided the most relevant information. This approach saved me time and allowed me to complete the project efficiently while still achieving great results.

What challenges do people face when trying to implement smart work?

One major challenge is the mindset that hard work equates to success. Many people feel guilty for not putting in long hours. Additionally, some may struggle to prioritize tasks effectively or may not know how to work smarter, leading to resistance against changing their work habits.

Show all 199 answers

Cue 1:Who did you advise?

Begin by introducing the person you gave advice to, including your relationship with them.
Mention any relevant background information that helps to understand the context.

Example

I advised my younger sister, who is currently in her final year of college. She was feeling overwhelmed with her studies and unsure about her future career path.

Cue 2:What was the advice?

Clearly state the advice you gave, ensuring it is specific and actionable.
Explain any reasoning behind your advice to provide context.

Example

I told her to take a step back and focus on her strengths and interests. I suggested that she explore internships related to her field of study to gain practical experience and clarity on what she truly enjoys.

Cue 3:Why did you give the advice?

Share your motivation for giving this advice, including any personal experiences that influenced your decision.
Discuss the importance of the situation to emphasize why your advice was necessary.

Example

I gave this advice because I had faced similar challenges during my college years. I remember feeling lost and stressed about my future, and I wanted to help her avoid that anxiety by guiding her towards practical experiences.

Cue 4:How was it helpful, and how did he/she feel about it?

Describe the outcome of your advice and how it positively impacted the person.
Share their feelings or reactions to your advice to illustrate its effectiveness.

Example

After following my advice, my sister secured an internship at a local marketing firm. She felt much more confident and excited about her future. She expressed gratitude for my support and mentioned that it helped her gain clarity about her career goals.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, giving advice to my sister not only strengthened our bond but also helped her navigate a crucial phase in her life. It was rewarding to see her grow and find direction, and it reminded me of the importance of sharing experiences and supporting loved ones.

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

Avoid giving vague or general answers that lack detail. This can make your response less engaging and informative, leading to a lower score.

Tip

Provide specific examples and details about the advice you gave, including the context and the person's situation.

2: Neglecting Emotional Impact

Failing to discuss how the advice affected the person emotionally can weaken your response. It's important to show the significance of your advice.

Tip

Include how the person felt after receiving your advice and the positive changes it brought to their life.

Ignoring the 'Why'

Not explaining why you gave the advice can leave your answer incomplete. This is crucial for understanding your thought process.

Tip

Clearly articulate your reasons for giving the advice, linking it to the person's needs or situation.

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