Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
Why haven't you achieved it?
How did you feel about it?

28 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific area of healthcare do you want to research?

I am particularly interested in molecular biology and how it relates to healthcare. I want to explore how cellular processes can lead to advancements in treatments and therapies, especially for chronic diseases.

How do you plan to overcome the challenges of pursuing a PhD?

I plan to overcome challenges by seeking mentorship from experienced researchers, managing my time effectively, and staying focused on my goals. I also intend to build a support network of peers who share similar ambitions.

What steps are you taking to prepare for your PhD journey?

Currently, I am engaging in research projects, attending workshops, and networking with professionals in my field. This will help me gain practical experience and clarify my research interests before I officially start my PhD.

Band 6-7

00:00

My ambition of doing my master's from abroad An ambition that I haven't achieved yet would be getting a master's An ambition that I haven't achieved yet would be pursuing my master's from abroad I am currently working towards that ambition and preparing for my IELTS exam so that I can start applying to the colleges abroad I have also started preparing for the materials that would be required for the college applications and I am really excited and nervous while taking myself along in this journey I feel I will learn a lot from this and I will be satisfied once I achieve this ambition

Follow up questions

What specific challenges do you face in achieving your master's ambition?

One of the main challenges I face is balancing my current job with my studies for the IELTS exam. Additionally, the application process can be quite overwhelming, especially with the requirements for different colleges. I also worry about the financial aspects of studying abroad.

How do you plan to manage your time while preparing for your IELTS and applications?

I have created a study schedule that allocates specific times for IELTS preparation and working on my application materials. I try to stay organized by setting weekly goals and using tools like calendars and reminders to keep myself on track.

What do you hope to gain from studying abroad?

I hope to gain a broader perspective on my field of study, enhance my academic knowledge, and develop my professional skills. Additionally, I look forward to experiencing a new culture and meeting people from diverse backgrounds, which I believe will enrich my personal growth.

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.

I envision starting a tech-based company that focuses on innovative solutions for everyday problems. I am particularly interested in areas like app development or e-commerce, where I can leverage technology to create value for customers.

Show all 28 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Clearly state the ambition you have in mind, making it specific and relatable.
Provide some context about why this ambition is important to you.

Example

One of my biggest ambitions is to become a successful author. Ever since I was a child, I have loved storytelling and dreamed of publishing my own novel.

Cue 2:Why haven't you achieved it?

Discuss the obstacles or challenges that have prevented you from achieving this ambition.
Mention any personal circumstances or external factors that have played a role.

Example

Unfortunately, I haven't achieved this ambition yet due to a lack of time and resources. Balancing my job and family responsibilities has made it difficult to dedicate time to writing. Additionally, I often feel overwhelmed by self-doubt, which holds me back from pursuing this dream.

Cue 3:How did you feel about it?

Share your emotions regarding the unachieved ambition, highlighting both disappointment and hope.
Reflect on how this ambition has influenced your life and aspirations.

Example

I often feel a mix of disappointment and frustration about not having achieved my ambition. It can be disheartening to see others succeed in their writing careers. However, I also feel hopeful because I believe that with persistence and effort, I can still make my dream a reality someday.

Conclusion

Summarize your ambition and the key reasons for not achieving it.
End on a positive note, expressing your determination to pursue it in the future.

Example

In conclusion, while I have not yet achieved my ambition of becoming an author due to time constraints and self-doubt, I remain determined to work towards it. I believe that with dedication, I can eventually fulfill this dream.

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

Avoid being unclear about your ambition. Vague answers can confuse the examiner and fail to engage them. Specificity helps convey your passion and commitment.