Describe a plan that you had to change recently: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What the original plan was?
Why you had to change it?
What you did differently?
And explain how you felt about the change.

135 unique answers with expert feedback

What motivated you to switch from hospital work to gym training?

I realized that my passion for sports and fitness was stronger than my initial plan. Working in a gym allows me to connect with sports and help others achieve their fitness goals, which aligns more with my interests.

How do you feel about your decision to pursue sports physiotherapy?

I feel very positive about my decision. It allows me to combine my love for sports with my professional skills. I believe that this path will lead to a fulfilling career where I can make a difference in athletes' lives.

What are your future plans after completing your internship?

After my internship, I plan to pursue a master's degree in sports physiotherapy. I want to deepen my knowledge and skills in this field to better support athletes and contribute to their performance and recovery.

Band 7

00:00

Recently, I had to change one of my plans and it was quite unexpected. I had planned to spend an entire weekend preparing for an important task, my upcoming exam. I even made a small timetable, gathered all the materials and mentally prepared myself for two days of serious study. But at last minute, one of my close relatives announced a small family get-together. It was not something I could skip because the relative had come from another city after a long time and everyone in the family was expected to be there. Honestly, I felt a little frustrated in the beginning because my study plan was well organized and I didn't want to break the flow. However, I didn't want to disappoint my family so I changed my plan. Instead of studying the whole weekend, I decided to attend the gathering and then shift my study sessions to late evenings. It was not easy because I was tired by the time I got home, but I still managed to finish a portion of my syllabus. In the end, it actually turned out okay. The family time was refreshing and the change of environment helped me feel less stressed. Even though the plan changed suddenly, I realized that sometimes being flexible is important. Life does not always go exactly as we expect and adjusting gracefully is a part of growing up, according to me.

Follow up questions

How do you usually prepare for important exams?

I typically create a detailed study schedule, gather all necessary materials, and set specific goals for each study session. I also try to minimize distractions and ensure I have a quiet space to focus. This helps me stay organized and makes the studying process more efficient.

What do you think is more important, family time or study time?

I believe both are important in their own ways. Family time provides emotional support and strengthens relationships, while study time is crucial for academic success. It's essential to find a balance between the two, as both contribute to personal growth and well-being.

Have you ever faced a similar situation before?

Yes, I have faced similar situations where I had to adjust my plans due to unexpected events. Each time, it taught me the importance of being adaptable and prioritizing what truly matters, whether it's family commitments or academic responsibilities.

Band 7

00:00

Initially, in grade 11, I decided that I wanted to pursue my education in India for my Bachelors. So I have joined a coaching institute called Akash for my Joint Entrance Exam, which is the exam to prepare engineering students for their Bachelors degree. And days after days, my academics were dropping down, my test scores weren't satisfactory at the satisfactory level and furthermore, my mental health was deteriorating. In addition, I was in the brink of depression, but winning the National Innovation Hackathon in Hyderabad quite literally changed my life. I found it very welcoming and I decided from that moment on, I would stop my GE preparation and pursue my higher education, not in India, but in the countries, in the diverse countries of the world. And ever since that, I've started preparing my college applications to various countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore. And ever since I've made that decision, it hasn't been a day that I have regretted it. But looking back, there might be a few challenges because a lot, many people in my neighborhood or in my school apply abroad. And in that scenario, I was very lonely, I had no one to support me or motivate me. So I was just motivating myself and I found inspiration from those, from my seniors who did this.

Follow up questions

What motivated you to change your education plan?

Winning the National Innovation Hackathon was a pivotal moment for me. It made me realize that I wanted to explore opportunities beyond India and pursue my education in a more diverse environment, which I found to be more appealing and aligned with my aspirations.

How did you cope with the challenges of changing your plan?

It was tough initially, as I felt quite lonely without support from peers. I focused on self-motivation and drew inspiration from seniors who had successfully studied abroad. I also sought online communities and resources to connect with others in similar situations.

What are your future plans after studying abroad?

After completing my studies abroad, I aim to gain international work experience and eventually return to India to contribute to the tech industry. I believe that the exposure and knowledge I gain will help me make a significant impact back home.

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Band 7

00:00

Making plan is a part of everyday life, whether it's about work, travel, or personal goal. However, things don't always go as expected, and sometimes we are forced to change our plan due to unexpected circumstances. Today I would like to talk about a recent plan I had to change at the last moment. A few weeks ago, I planned a weekend trip to Mount Abu with my cousin. Everyone was super excited. We booked a resort, made an itinerary, and applied for leave from work. This was a purpose to spend quality time with family and take a short break from our busy schedule. Unfortunately, just two days before the trip, my cousin's younger brother had a minor accident and had hospitalized for a few days. Although it was not very serious, he needed someone to be around to take care of him. So naturally, we had to cancel the trip and focus on supporting the family during that time. Honestly, I felt quite disappointed at first as I was really looking forward to the break. But at the same time, I understand that family always comes first, and his health is more important than any vacation. So in the end, we decided to postpone the trip rather than cancel it completely. Hopefully, we will be able to go once every day settled down.

Follow up questions

How do you usually feel when plans change unexpectedly?

I often feel a mix of disappointment and frustration when plans change unexpectedly. It can be hard to adjust, especially if I was looking forward to something. However, I try to remind myself that flexibility is important and that sometimes changes can lead to new opportunities.

What do you think is the best way to handle a changed plan?

I believe the best way to handle a changed plan is to stay positive and adaptable. It's important to assess the situation, communicate with those involved, and find alternative solutions. Focusing on the reasons for the change can help in accepting it more easily.

Have you ever had to change a plan for a positive reason?

Yes, I have had to change plans for positive reasons, such as when a friend invited me to a surprise party or when an unexpected opportunity arose, like a job interview. In those cases, I felt excited about the change and was glad I could adapt my plans.

Band 7

00:00

Recently, my friend and I were supposed to travel to London, but the recent Air India air crash to London derailed our plans and we couldn't travel. The week that originally we were supposed to travel to London, I had sublet my apartment to a fellow neighbor and due to the last moment derailment of our plan, that week, I had to My friend Shikha and I had a plan to travel to London to see Adele's concert, but recently the flight that we were supposed to be taking Air India had a crash due to which all the subsequent flights were derailed and this caused a damper in our travel plans. The week that we were supposed to travel at, I had sublet my apartment already, due to which I had no place to stay, so I ended up staying over at another friend's place and even though this caused a change in our original plans, it turned out to be quite fun as I got to reconnect with my friend and we spent the entire night revisiting our childhood memories and it was a good bonding experience. Subsequently, we went out the next day to the airline to figure out the alternative travel plans as we had already made down payments for our flight tickets and accommodation. The airline reverted to us saying that our refund would be processed in a month. Further, they also offered alternative flight tickets next month, which Shikha and I were very eager to take as Adele also said she will be hosting another concert in London in the following month that we were considering to travel. And like they say, all's well that ends well. Our travel plans although may have been derailed, but we were able to come up with a backup option to finally visit London.

Follow up questions

How did you feel when your travel plans changed?

Initially, I was quite disappointed because I was looking forward to the concert. However, as the situation unfolded, I realized it was a chance to reconnect with my friend, which turned out to be a positive experience.

What did you learn from this experience?

I learned that flexibility is important when making plans. Sometimes unexpected events can lead to new opportunities, like spending quality time with friends and creating lasting memories.

Do you think you will plan another trip soon?

Yes, definitely! After this experience, I am more eager to plan another trip. We are considering the alternative flight next month to see Adele, and I am excited about the possibility of visiting London again.

Show all 135 answers

Cue 1:What the original plan was?

Begin by clearly stating what your original plan was, including details like the time and place.
Mention any specific goals or expectations you had for this plan.

Example

My original plan was to travel to Manali with my friends for a week-long vacation during the summer holidays. We had booked our tickets in advance and were really looking forward to enjoying the beautiful mountains and the cool weather.

Cue 2:Why you had to change it?

Explain the reason for the change, focusing on any unexpected circumstances that arose.
Be honest about how this change affected your initial excitement or plans.

Example

However, just a week before our trip, I received a call from my family informing me that my grandmother had fallen ill. I felt it was important to stay back and support my family during this difficult time, so I had to cancel my trip.

Cue 3:What you did differently?

Describe what alternative plans you made instead of the original trip.
Share how you adjusted your time and activities to accommodate the change.

Example

Instead of going to Manali, I decided to spend my time at home with my family. I helped take care of my grandmother and also spent quality time with my relatives who came to visit. We shared stories and memories, which brought us closer together.

Cue 4:And explain how you felt about the change.

Reflect on your feelings regarding the change, both positive and negative.
Discuss any lessons learned or insights gained from the experience.

Example

Initially, I felt disappointed about missing the trip, as I had been looking forward to it for months. However, as I spent time with my family, I realized how important it was to be there for them. It taught me that sometimes, family comes first, and I felt a sense of fulfillment in being supportive.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, while I had to change my travel plans due to unforeseen circumstances, I found value in the time spent with my family. This experience reminded me that life can be unpredictable, and adapting to changes can lead to meaningful moments.

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. Candidates often fail to provide specific details about their original plan or the changes made, which can lead to a lack of engagement.

Tip

Be specific about your original plan and the changes. Use clear examples and details to illustrate your points.

2: Neglecting Emotions

Ignoring how you felt about the change can make your response less personal and relatable. Candidates often focus only on facts and miss the emotional aspect of their experience.

Tip

Include your feelings about the change. Describe how it affected you emotionally to create a more engaging narrative.

Lack of Structure

A disorganized response can confuse the listener. Candidates sometimes jump between points without a clear structure, making it hard to follow their story.

Tip

Follow a clear structure: start with the original plan, explain the reason for the change, describe what you did differently, and conclude with your feelings.

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