Describe A Time You Successfully Did Something Difficult: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was the task or challenge you faced?
How did you approach the situation?
What were the difficulties you encountered during the process?
How did you feel after completing the task?

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Cue 1:What was the task or challenge you faced?

Clearly describe the difficult task you undertook, making it relatable and specific.
Mention why this task was significant to you and what motivated you to take it on.

Example

One of the most challenging tasks I faced was preparing for my final exams in college while also managing a part-time job. Balancing both responsibilities was tough, but I was determined to succeed in my studies to secure a good job after graduation.

Cue 2:How did you approach the situation?

Explain the strategies you used to manage your time and resources effectively.
Discuss any planning or preparation you undertook to tackle the challenge.

Example

To approach this situation, I created a detailed study schedule that allocated specific hours for studying each subject. I also communicated with my employer about my exam schedule, which allowed me to adjust my work hours accordingly. This planning helped me stay organized and focused.

Cue 3:What were the difficulties you encountered during the process?

Identify specific obstacles you faced while trying to complete the task.
Share how these difficulties affected your progress and mindset.

Example

During this process, I encountered several difficulties, such as fatigue from juggling work and study. There were days when I felt overwhelmed and struggled to concentrate. Additionally, I faced the pressure of high expectations from my family, which added to my stress.

Cue 4:How did you feel after completing the task?

Describe your emotions and thoughts once you completed the task.
Reflect on the lessons learned and how this experience impacted you.

Example

After completing my exams, I felt an immense sense of relief and accomplishment. I was proud of myself for managing my time effectively and overcoming the challenges. This experience taught me the importance of perseverance and time management, which I carry with me in my professional life.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, successfully managing my studies alongside a job was a significant achievement for me. It not only helped me excel academically but also built my confidence in handling difficult situations. I believe that facing challenges head-on is essential for personal growth.

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. It's important to provide specific details about the task or challenge you faced to engage the listener.

Tip

Use clear examples and specific details to describe the challenge. This will help paint a vivid picture for the examiner.

2: Neglecting Emotions

Failing to express your feelings can make your response less impactful. Emotions add depth to your story and help the examiner connect with your experience.

Tip

Share your feelings during and after the task. Use phrases like 'I felt proud' or 'I was anxious' to convey your emotional journey.

Ignoring Difficulties

Not mentioning the difficulties you faced can make your success seem less credible. Acknowledging challenges shows resilience and problem-solving skills.

Tip

Discuss specific difficulties you encountered and how you overcame them. This demonstrates your ability to handle tough situations effectively.

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.

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