Describe a time when you changed your opinion: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was it?
When & why did you change it?
How did you feel about it?

30 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific experiences led you to change your opinion about language learning?

My experiences in the master's program, especially the cultural insights and interactions with native speakers, opened my eyes. I realized that language is not just about words but also about understanding people and their histories, which enriched my perspective.

How do you think learning a language can impact your career opportunities?

Learning a language can significantly enhance career opportunities by allowing for better communication in diverse environments. It opens doors to international roles, cultural exchanges, and even positions in translation or teaching, making one more versatile in the job market.

What challenges did you face while learning French, and how did you overcome them?

Initially, I struggled with pronunciation and grammar, which felt overwhelming. However, I overcame these challenges by practicing regularly, using language apps, and engaging in conversations with fluent speakers, which helped build my confidence and skills.

Band 6-7

00:00

Here I would like to talk about my trading experience, both I and my wife started trading 4 years before, we were searching for the sources in the internet at the beginning, I found a source of fundamental analysis in a website called ticker tape, in that time I was explaining about fundamental analysis to my wife, I thought that was the correct opinion, after 2 days she found that was wrong and bring that concern to me, initially I was not accepting with her opinion, so after some time I did a research on it and I found that was wrong, I was feeling proud of my wife that she pointed out my wrong opinion in that case.

Follow up questions

What motivated you to start trading with your wife?

We were both interested in investing and wanted to secure our financial future. Trading seemed like a good way to learn about the stock market and potentially grow our savings together.

How did you feel when you realized your wife was right?

I felt a mix of emotions. Initially, I was defensive, but once I accepted the truth, I felt proud of her for being insightful and knowledgeable. It reinforced the importance of being open to different perspectives.

What have you learned from this experience about changing opinions?

This experience taught me that it's essential to stay open-minded and willing to reassess my beliefs. It showed me the value of collaboration and communication in a relationship, especially when it comes to decision-making.

Band 6-7

00:00

So, the time when I changed my opinion was, it was during the pandemic, during the coronavirus, where the whole world was in isolation and all of us were stuck at home. Well, at that time, I was, I didn't know what to do with my life, as I was really confused and I didn't know what to do with my future. So, I planned to do my Bachelors in Business Administration in India. And the other, my second option was to do a Makeup Artist course. I just thought, so I just realized later that instead of doing makeup course first, I would like to know how the business works. So, I changed my opinion from makeup to study business or get a degree of BBA. So, I finally decided to major in entrepreneurship. And yeah, that's how I completed my Bachelors degree. And how I felt about it after making the decision was, I felt really proud of myself because not many people would choose to do higher studies and then, you know, struggle through exams and everything. But then, I was really interested in the particular subject. So, that made me really motivated and look forward to what the course had to offer. So, I really don't regret that I made that decision.

Follow up questions

What influenced your decision to choose business over makeup?

I realized that understanding business would provide me with more opportunities in the future. I wanted to learn how to manage and grow a business, which I felt was more sustainable than pursuing a career solely in makeup artistry.

How did the pandemic impact your decision-making process?

The pandemic forced me to reflect on my life and future. Being isolated made me think deeply about my passions and career goals, leading me to prioritize education and a stable career path over a more artistic but uncertain one.

What challenges did you face while pursuing your BBA?

I faced challenges like adapting to online learning and managing my time effectively. The coursework was demanding, and I had to stay motivated despite the distractions at home, but I learned to overcome these obstacles and stay focused on my goals.

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Band 6-7

00:00

There was a time that I had to change my opinion from changing my career from a physiotherapy background to a clinical technology background. I had to go through a lot of preparation whether I need to choose an opinion, whether I need to change the career from a clinical based background to a technology based background. It all started from where I started realizing where I was not good in my profession and I need to switch where I can be more proficient in what that I do. I started looking up for options where I can get more interest and really put my whole effort in the work that I do. I started looking out for courses where I can invest my time and courses where the technology is wide. This made me help to know there are some technologies where I can put my time and learn where I can get into a better skill and into a position. This time was very challenging for me because I had to choose a thing which would definitely change my whole future. After this, furthermore, I realized taking advices from my family and mostly praying to God, I opted to choose for a technology based opinion. This completely changed me and the work that I do now. If I remember back, the time that I had to choose between those options, but the clarity that I got to invest was really worth it. So to sum up this experience, the time was very challenging yet a very interesting one.

Follow up questions

What factors influenced your decision to change your career?

Several factors influenced my decision, including my realization that I wasn't excelling in physiotherapy. I wanted to pursue something that aligned better with my interests and strengths. Additionally, the potential for growth and advancement in clinical technology played a significant role.

How did your family react to your decision to change careers?

My family was supportive of my decision. They understood my struggles in physiotherapy and encouraged me to pursue a path where I could thrive. Their support was crucial during this transition, as it gave me the confidence to follow my passion for technology.

What challenges did you face during this transition?

The transition was challenging as I had to adapt to a completely new field. I faced difficulties in learning new concepts and technologies, and there was uncertainty about my future. However, overcoming these challenges ultimately made me more resilient and skilled in my new career.

Band 6-7

00:00

Basically, the opinion that I changed within time was marrying at a young age. I thought that I would be the person who would marry at a very young age, that is, like 25 something. I just thought that I would just get married at the right age, have children at the right age, because I don't want to get old, like come in mid-30s and then do marriages and then have kids, because I felt that biologically I would not be able to bear children. But now that I realize, when I think out aloud, I feel that marriage is basically, it's a choice, like you can do it or you can, you just simply cannot marry. So I feel, I thought that maybe I could just not marry, first have a good life, first be financially stable and then I will see if that fits my environment and then I would think of marrying and it is not very necessary to marry, I feel.

Follow up questions

What influenced your initial opinion about marrying young?

Initially, I was influenced by societal norms and expectations. Growing up, I saw many people around me getting married in their early twenties, and I thought that was the right path. Family and cultural pressures also played a significant role in shaping my belief that marrying young was ideal.

How did your perspective on marriage change over time?

Over time, I realized that marriage is not a necessity but a personal choice. I began to understand the importance of being financially stable and emotionally ready before making such a significant commitment. This shift in perspective allowed me to prioritize my personal growth and happiness.

What factors do you think are important to consider before getting married?

I believe it's crucial to consider emotional readiness, financial stability, and compatibility with your partner. Additionally, understanding one's own goals and aspirations is vital. Marriage should enhance your life, not limit it, so it's important to ensure that both partners are on the same page.

Show all 30 answers

Cue 1:What was it?

Clearly state the opinion you had before and what it was about.
Provide context to help the listener understand why this opinion was significant.

Example

Initially, I had a very negative opinion about online learning. I believed that it lacked the personal touch and effectiveness of traditional classroom education.

Cue 2:When & why did you change it?

Describe the specific event or experience that led to your change of opinion.
Explain the reasons behind your change, focusing on what new information or experiences influenced you.

Example

During the pandemic, I was forced to attend online classes for my college courses. I realized that the interactive tools and resources available made learning engaging and accessible. This experience changed my perspective completely.

Cue 3:How did you feel about it?

Share your feelings before and after the change of opinion.
Reflect on how this change has impacted your views or actions moving forward.

Example

At first, I felt skeptical and resistant to the idea of online learning. However, after experiencing it, I felt relieved and excited about the flexibility it offered. I now advocate for a blended learning approach, combining both online and offline methods.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points of your experience and the change of opinion.
Mention any lasting effects this change has had on your life or studies.

Example

In conclusion, changing my opinion about online learning has opened up new avenues for my education. I now appreciate the benefits of technology in learning and continue to embrace it in my studies.

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 experience. Specific details help illustrate your point and make your response more engaging.

Tip

Use clear examples and specific details when describing the situation, the change, and your feelings to create a vivid picture.

2: Lack of Structure

Failing to organize your thoughts can lead to a confusing response. A well-structured answer helps convey your message more effectively and keeps the examiner engaged.

Tip

Follow a clear structure: introduce the situation, explain the change, and describe your feelings. This will help you stay focused.

Overly Emotional Language

Using overly emotional or dramatic language can detract from the clarity of your response. It's important to express your feelings but in a balanced way.

Tip

Aim for a calm and reflective tone when discussing your feelings about the change. This will make your response more relatable and credible.

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