Describe a time when you encouraged someone to do something that he/she didn’t want to do: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • Who he or she is
  • What you encouraged him/her to do
  • How he/she reacted
  • And explain why you encouraged him/her

Band >7

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00:00

Yes, good evening everyone. Here I would like to share you one of my best friend. She was my college friend and when we were in college at that time she was very shy girl and she is completely unable to speak in front of people. So at that time she felt very low but I encouraged her a lot and gave some suggestion that first she should practice her speech in front of mirror. So she worked on my suggestion and she started to do practice in front of mirror. After some month she become able to express or convey his ideas or expression in front of people without any shy. So this is the experience and this is my best friend whom I encouraged so and after that she thanked me and I answered in a welcome manner.

Follow up questions


What other methods could help someone overcome shyness?
In addition to practicing in front of a mirror, joining public speaking clubs like Toastmasters or participating in group discussions can be beneficial. Engaging in role-playing exercises or seeking professional coaching can also help individuals build confidence in their speaking abilities.

How did your friend feel after overcoming her shyness?
After overcoming her shyness, my friend felt a significant boost in her self-esteem. She expressed gratitude for the support she received and mentioned that she enjoyed participating in discussions and sharing her ideas, which made her feel more connected with others.

Why do you think encouragement is important in personal development?
Encouragement plays a crucial role in personal development as it helps individuals step out of their comfort zones. It provides the motivation and support needed to face challenges, build confidence, and achieve goals, ultimately leading to personal growth and improved self-worth.

Band 6-7

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00:00

A time when I encouraged someone to do something that he or she didn't want to do was, felt like I was slightly manipulative or persuasive in a more positive backdrop. This instance was with Meenakshi, a friend that I know through the Young Entrepreneurs Search community, where young entrepreneurs between the age of 18 and 28 meet, connect and launch careers in entrepreneurship together. So I spoke to her in order to persuade her to enrol as a student at Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, my university. I did this by having several long conversations over the telephone and in reality, giving her an in-depth idea into what a day-to-day life in VIT looks like, what she can expect and what are the advantages of this university, such as their excellent placement opportunities, vibrant college life, events, festivals and the diversity in the college are all major advantages that I talked to her about. However, I was also honest and sincere, told her about some of the difficulties that I have faced, since every coin has two sides.

Follow up questions


What challenges did Meenakshi face in making her decision?
Meenakshi was initially hesitant due to concerns about leaving her hometown and adapting to a new environment. She also worried about the academic pressure and whether she would fit in with the diverse student body at VIT.

How did you feel after encouraging her to enroll?
I felt a mix of relief and pride. It was rewarding to see her take a step towards her future, and I was glad that I could provide her with the information and support she needed to make an informed decision.

What skills did you develop while encouraging her?
I developed my communication and persuasion skills significantly. I learned how to listen actively to her concerns and address them effectively, which helped me become more empathetic and understanding in my approach.

Band 6-7

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00:00

I am a great and impeccable dancer but my boyfriend is a hated dancer so I asked my boyfriend to dance one time in college with me as a token of memory he denied it of course he doesn't know how to do dance but I encouraged him to do it for me I make him practiced for severe hours and he dedicated himself to do that for me that was very special moment for me as he was doing something for me as it's not good in that and he also didn't wanted to do that but when we dance together it was very precious moment for both of us and very good memory for both of us it's something that we will remember for our whole life and now he doesn't regret it he thanks me that I encouraged him to do that

Follow up questions


How did you feel when your boyfriend initially refused to dance?
I felt a bit disappointed at first because I really wanted to share that experience with him. However, I understood his hesitation since he wasn't confident in his dancing skills. It made me more determined to encourage him and show him how much it would mean to me.

What techniques did you use to encourage him to dance?
I used positive reinforcement and reminded him that it was just for fun and to create a memory together. I also broke down the dance steps into simple parts, making it less intimidating for him. I kept the atmosphere light and enjoyable, which helped him relax.

Do you think encouraging someone is always beneficial?
Yes, I believe encouraging someone can be very beneficial, as it helps them step out of their comfort zone and discover new abilities. However, it's important to be sensitive to their feelings and ensure that they genuinely want to try, rather than forcing them into something they dislike.

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Band 6

00:00

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00:00

So, I have encouraged my sister to do job in sales. She is coming from a very fresher background she doesn't have any experience as a professional experience like a full-time employee but she did have an internship experience in sales and her education background also aligns with the role which I have suggested with her. She was very hesitant in the beginning and she was also afraid that she wouldn't be able to achieve more and achieve more additionally she was also hesitant about thinking how whether if she will be able to do a good job or not. I have cleared her few questions about why she has to take the job and how she can do well in the job. I have explained being an HR as a profession I see lot of job roles which has a growth trend in a higher pace and sales is one part where organizations pay a lot of really high compensation because entirely the companies run on the sales what the employees do. So, in initial point of career I have told her that she might face some issues on finding the clients to do to check on the sales techniques how she can appeal more customers how she can convince the customers to buy more products but later on I have explained that she can learn a lot from her seniors and being a fresher she can choose to always divert her career when she doesn't like this job.

Follow up questions


What specific qualities do you think make someone successful in sales?
I believe successful salespeople possess strong communication skills, resilience, and the ability to understand customer needs. They should also be adaptable and willing to learn from their experiences and feedback, which helps them improve their sales techniques over time.

How did your sister feel after starting her job in sales?
After starting her job, my sister felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Initially, she struggled with some aspects, but as she gained experience and received support from her colleagues, her confidence grew. She began to enjoy the challenges and found it rewarding to meet her sales targets.

What advice would you give to someone hesitant about starting a new job?
I would advise them to focus on the potential for growth and learning in the new role. It's important to embrace challenges as opportunities to develop skills. Seeking support from colleagues and being open to feedback can also help ease the transition and build confidence in their abilities.

Band <5

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00:00

No audio text available

Follow up questions


What strategies did you use to encourage the person?
I listened to their concerns and shared my own experiences. I highlighted the benefits of taking the step they were hesitant about, and I offered my support throughout the process.

How did the person feel after they took your advice?
Initially, they were nervous, but after completing the task, they felt accomplished and grateful. They realized that stepping out of their comfort zone led to personal growth.

What did you learn from this experience?
I learned the importance of empathy and understanding when encouraging others. It taught me that sometimes people need a little push, but it’s crucial to respect their feelings and choices.
Show all 5 answers

Cue 1:Who he or she is

  • Introduce the person you encouraged, mentioning your relationship with them.
  • Provide a brief background about their personality or situation that made them hesitant.

Example

The person I encouraged was my younger brother, Rohan. He is usually quite shy and tends to avoid situations that require public speaking, which made him reluctant to participate in the school debate competition.


Cue 2:What you encouraged him/her to do

  • Clearly state the specific action you encouraged them to take.
  • Mention any relevant details about the event or opportunity.

Example

I encouraged Rohan to join the debate competition at his school. I explained how it would be a great opportunity for him to build confidence and improve his speaking skills.


Cue 3:How he/she reacted

  • Describe Rohan's initial reaction to your encouragement.
  • Share any emotions or thoughts he expressed about participating.

Example

At first, Rohan was very hesitant and expressed his fear of speaking in front of an audience. He told me he felt nervous and thought he would embarrass himself if he participated.


Cue 4:And explain why you encouraged him/her

  • Discuss your motivations for encouraging him, focusing on the benefits you saw.
  • Mention any personal experiences that influenced your decision.

Example

I encouraged him because I remembered how I had a similar fear when I was his age, but participating in a debate helped me overcome it. I wanted him to have the same chance to grow and learn, as I believed it would boost his self-esteem.


Conclusion

    Example

    In the end, Rohan decided to participate in the debate competition. He not only performed well but also gained a lot of confidence. Seeing him succeed made me realize how important it is to encourage others to step out of their comfort zones.


    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: Avoid Vague Descriptions

    Using vague language can make your answer unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the person and the situation to engage the listener.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Use clear examples and specific details about who you encouraged and what the situation was to make your answer more vivid.


    2: Don't Overlook Emotions

    Failing to describe the emotional reactions can make your story less relatable. Emotions help to connect with the listener and add depth to your response.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Include how the person felt during the encouragement process and after to create a more engaging narrative.


    Neglecting the Reason for Encouragement

    Not explaining why you encouraged someone can leave your answer feeling incomplete. It's essential to provide context for your actions.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Clearly articulate your motivations for encouraging the person, linking it to their potential benefits or your relationship with them.


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    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band >7

    Yes, good evening everyone. Here I would like to share you one of my best friend. She was my college friend and when we were in college at that time she was very shy girl and she is completely unable to speak in front of people. So at that time she felt very low but I encouraged her a lot and gave some suggestion that first she should practice her speech in front of mirror. So she worked on my suggestion and she started to do practice in front of mirror. After some month she become able to express or convey his ideas or expression in front of people without any shy. So this is the experience and this is my best friend whom I encouraged so and after that she thanked me and I answered in a welcome manner.

    Band 6-7

    A time when I encouraged someone to do something that he or she didn't want to do was, felt like I was slightly manipulative or persuasive in a more positive backdrop. This instance was with Meenakshi, a friend that I know through the Young Entrepreneurs Search community, where young entrepreneurs between the age of 18 and 28 meet, connect and launch careers in entrepreneurship together. So I spoke to her in order to persuade her to enrol as a student at Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, my university. I did this by having several long conversations over the telephone and in reality, giving her an in-depth idea into what a day-to-day life in VIT looks like, what she can expect and what are the advantages of this university, such as their excellent placement opportunities, vibrant college life, events, festivals and the diversity in the college are all major advantages that I talked to her about. However, I was also honest and sincere, told her about some of the difficulties that I have faced, since every coin has two sides.

    Band 6-7

    I am a great and impeccable dancer but my boyfriend is a hated dancer so I asked my boyfriend to dance one time in college with me as a token of memory he denied it of course he doesn't know how to do dance but I encouraged him to do it for me I make him practiced for severe hours and he dedicated himself to do that for me that was very special moment for me as he was doing something for me as it's not good in that and he also didn't wanted to do that but when we dance together it was very precious moment for both of us and very good memory for both of us it's something that we will remember for our whole life and now he doesn't regret it he thanks me that I encouraged him to do that

    Band 6

    So, I have encouraged my sister to do job in sales. She is coming from a very fresher background she doesn't have any experience as a professional experience like a full-time employee but she did have an internship experience in sales and her education background also aligns with the role which I have suggested with her. She was very hesitant in the beginning and she was also afraid that she wouldn't be able to achieve more and achieve more additionally she was also hesitant about thinking how whether if she will be able to do a good job or not. I have cleared her few questions about why she has to take the job and how she can do well in the job. I have explained being an HR as a profession I see lot of job roles which has a growth trend in a higher pace and sales is one part where organizations pay a lot of really high compensation because entirely the companies run on the sales what the employees do. So, in initial point of career I have told her that she might face some issues on finding the clients to do to check on the sales techniques how she can appeal more customers how she can convince the customers to buy more products but later on I have explained that she can learn a lot from her seniors and being a fresher she can choose to always divert her career when she doesn't like this job.

    Band <5

    No audio text available
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