Describe A Positive Change That You Have Made Recently In Your Daily Routine: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was the change?
When did it happen?
How did it happen?
And explain why it was a positive change.

15 unique answers with expert feedback

How has being punctual affected your work performance?

Being punctual has significantly improved my work performance. I can complete tasks on time, which reduces stress and enhances my productivity. It also helps me to meet deadlines and manage my workload effectively, leading to better evaluations from my supervisors.

What strategies do you use to maintain your punctuality?

I use several strategies to maintain my punctuality, such as setting reminders on my phone, preparing my things the night before, and creating a daily schedule. I also prioritize my tasks to ensure I stay on track and avoid last-minute rushes.

Have you noticed any changes in your personal life due to this change?

Yes, I've noticed that my personal life has improved as well. I have more time for leisure activities and can spend quality time with family and friends. Additionally, my health has improved because I eat and sleep on a regular schedule, which boosts my overall well-being.

Band 6-7

00:00

I would say that everyone should make a daily routine which is important for everyone because making a daily routine and having a little change can save your life from being wasted. So 51 days ago I also planned to make one resolution for new year that was I will wake up early in the morning that is very great thing one can do to achieve great success in life as we have listened that many times great people wake up early. So I decided to wake up early every morning so I set up alarm in my phone and there is only one alarm so that I cannot snooze it up again and again and just slip it off. Because of this routine there are so many positive changes in my life that I can take my diet properly as I am underweight so I prepare meals for me and it helped me to eat more meals throughout the day to help in my weight gain journey and after that I go to temple. Going to temple creates a very positive impact on our mind and believing in God is a very great thing along with that I also had more time throughout the day like I can do study I can prepare my meals and do more things which are not possible for me which was not possible for me when I was when I had a habit of waking up late in the morning. So these little habits has changed my life and I feel more positive nowadays more calm nowadays because I have more time to do whatever I want I learn new skills like I learn cooking from my mother and that was.

Follow up questions

What other changes do you think could improve your daily routine?

I believe incorporating regular exercise could further enhance my daily routine. It would not only improve my physical health but also boost my mental well-being. Additionally, setting aside time for reading or meditation could help me stay focused and calm throughout the day.

How do you stay motivated to maintain your new routine?

I stay motivated by reminding myself of the benefits I've experienced since waking up early. I also set small goals and celebrate my achievements, like preparing healthy meals or learning new skills. Sharing my progress with friends and family also keeps me accountable and inspired.

Have you faced any challenges in sticking to your new routine?

Yes, initially I struggled with the temptation to hit the snooze button. However, I overcame this by placing my alarm across the room. Additionally, some days I feel tired, but I remind myself of the positive changes and try to push through. Consistency is key, and I focus on the long-term benefits.

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.

Yes, besides being more productive, I've noticed improved concentration and a better mood throughout the day. It has positively affected my interactions with others as well.

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Cue 1:What was the change?

Clearly state the specific change you made in your daily routine.
Make sure to explain what motivated you to make this change.

Example

Recently, I decided to incorporate a morning yoga routine into my daily life. I realized that I often felt stressed and lacked energy throughout the day, so I wanted to find a way to improve my physical and mental well-being.

Cue 2:When did it happen?

Mention the exact time frame when you started this change.
Provide context about your life during that period.

Example

I started this new routine about three months ago, right after the lockdown restrictions were eased. With more time at home, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to focus on my health.

Cue 3:How did it happen?

Describe the steps you took to implement this change.
Include any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example

I began by following online yoga classes every morning for about 30 minutes. Initially, it was challenging to wake up early and stay motivated, but I set a goal for myself and gradually built a habit. I also joined a local online community for support.

Cue 4:And explain why it was a positive change.

Discuss the benefits you have experienced since making this change.
Reflect on how this change has impacted your overall lifestyle.

Example

This change has been incredibly positive for me. I feel more energetic and focused throughout the day. My stress levels have decreased significantly, and I have even noticed improvements in my flexibility and strength. It has also encouraged me to adopt a healthier diet.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, making the change to include yoga in my daily routine has transformed my life for the better. It has not only improved my physical health but also my mental clarity, making me feel more balanced and happy.

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 of the Change

Being vague about the change can make your answer less engaging. Specific details help the examiner understand your experience better and show your ability to communicate effectively.

Tip

Provide clear and specific examples of the change, including what it was and how it impacted your daily life.

2: Neglecting the Timeline

Failing to mention when the change occurred can confuse the listener. A timeline adds context and helps the examiner follow your story more easily.

Tip

Clearly state when the change happened, using phrases like 'recently' or 'last month' to provide a timeframe.

Lack of Personal Reflection

Not explaining why the change was positive can make your answer feel incomplete. Personal reflection shows your ability to evaluate your experiences and their impact on your life.