Describe an experience you had as a member of a team: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What it was?
Who were the members of the team?
Who were the members of the team?
Explain how you felt.

81 unique answers with expert feedback

What challenges did you face while working in a team during your internship?

One of the main challenges was dealing with difficult customers who were uncooperative. It required patience and effective communication skills to extract necessary information. Additionally, coordinating with team members and ensuring everyone was on the same page was sometimes challenging.

How did your team handle conflicts or disagreements?

We approached conflicts by discussing issues openly. If there were disagreements, we would sit down and talk about our perspectives. It was important to listen to each other and find common ground, which helped us maintain a positive working environment.

What skills did you develop while being part of this team?

I developed strong communication skills, especially in handling difficult conversations. I also learned teamwork and collaboration, as well as technical skills related to the software we used. Overall, it enhanced my problem-solving abilities in a team setting.

Band 7

00:00

One of the fondest group experience that I remember is when I was doing an interior design project with my friends and it was it was majorly dependent on Bali style interiors in a residential space and it was a group work that was allotted to a particular class. So the group members were my fellow students out of which four of them are my friends and the remaining two were people that I did not interact much with. The most important part of this aspect was to make sure that our audience that is the remaining part of the class understood the main aspects of design with respect to the Bali style. So what we had done is we had prepared an extensive an extensive number of slides explaining the key aspects as well as providing them with tips on how to incorporate such design styles into the projects that were going to be handed out or the upcoming projects and the main work that was allotted to me was to collate different kind of was to collate different kind of materials and to create a mood board and in that furthermore what I had added was not only textures but colors, styles, the history of Bali architecture, how exactly have we come to a certain template which defines Bali architecture in the current scenario. So I was given the task of preparing a mood board as well as a historic timeline and I found it very helpful with the help of my close friend. So both of us divided and split works accordingly and then carried out the task as assigned. The remaining people of the group were focusing more on the interior aspects of it and that helped us provide a really good presentation to the class.

Follow up questions

What challenges did you face while working in a team?

One of the main challenges was coordinating with team members who had different working styles. Additionally, ensuring that everyone was on the same page regarding the design concept was crucial. We had to communicate effectively to overcome these hurdles and ensure a cohesive presentation.

How did you ensure effective communication within your team?

We set up regular meetings to discuss our progress and share ideas. Using collaborative tools like shared documents helped us stay organized. I also made sure to listen to everyone's input, which fostered a supportive environment and encouraged open dialogue among team members.

What skills did you develop from this team experience?

This experience enhanced my teamwork and communication skills significantly. I also improved my ability to manage time effectively and delegate tasks based on each member's strengths. Additionally, I gained a deeper understanding of interior design and how to present ideas clearly.

Band 7

00:00

I was a member of the graduation committee of my school that in 2025. In our group, we have Miss Shadia, Miss Shumeya, Miss Zeba and Shaista. They are all members of the group as well. So we shared our responsibilities on how to prepare the students for the upcoming graduation ceremony. And I took up the responsibility of training them in dance sessions for grade 6, 8, grade 6, 9 and the KG. Songs were practiced properly and the students performed excellently on the graduation day. It was indeed an amazing time participating with the team, working together and ensuring that the ceremony was fruitful. Parents who were in attendance, who graced the occasion, were pleased and elated with our activities. It was such a wonderful opportunity to showcase what I have and what I can do, at the same time applying excellence in all that I did.

Follow up questions

What challenges did your team face while preparing for the graduation ceremony?

One of the main challenges we faced was coordinating everyone's schedules for practice sessions. Additionally, ensuring that all students felt confident and prepared for their performances was crucial. We had to motivate some students who were nervous about performing in front of an audience.

How did you feel about your role in the team?

I felt a great sense of responsibility and pride in my role as a dance trainer. It was fulfilling to see the students improve and gain confidence in their abilities. Being part of a team that worked towards a common goal made me feel connected and motivated.

What skills did you develop while working in this team?

I developed my leadership and communication skills significantly. Leading dance sessions required me to be clear and encouraging. I also learned how to collaborate effectively with others, manage time efficiently, and adapt to different personalities within the team.

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Band 7

00:00

Long back, I became a volunteer member during FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar and I was a part of a museum guide team where I met many new people, got an opportunity to socialise myself around new people and learn new skills, how to work in a team. Personally, my role was to guide the spectators of the World Cup who came here as visitors, to tell them about the museum, what is the context, what is the content in the museum, what are the artefacts, everything around the museum. I had a very nostalgic experience of me expressing myself to others about the work I did there. Overall, I worked as a volunteer for a period of 2 months and it was a wonderful experience. I gained a lot of skills. Firstly, I learnt how to speak to people, how to work together. Secondly, time management and how a museum guide works. Lastly, I got to meet amazing people like some footballers and visitors.

Follow up questions

What specific skills did you learn while volunteering at the FIFA World Cup?

During my time as a volunteer, I learned effective communication skills, teamwork, and time management. I also gained insights into how to engage with diverse audiences and present information clearly, which are essential skills for any guide.

How did your experience as a team member impact your view on teamwork?

My experience significantly changed my perspective on teamwork. I realized that collaboration is key to achieving common goals. Working with others taught me the importance of listening, sharing responsibilities, and supporting each other to create a positive environment.

Can you share a memorable moment from your time as a museum guide?

One memorable moment was when I met a famous footballer who visited the museum. I was able to guide him through the exhibits and share stories about the artefacts. It was exciting to connect with someone who had such a significant impact on the sport and to see their genuine interest.

Band 7

00:00

The experience I had, one of the unforgettable experiences I had in my life was when I worked as a research assistant with Dr. J.J Vittal's team. The team members were Dr. T.V.C Devraj and Niu Cheng. So we were working on a difficult project which handles lots of technical difficulties. One of the troubles we have faced was the compounds we were handling or the products we were handling were air sensitive and light sensitive. So preparing such products away from light and heat or air was almost impossible. But we had designed a new technique in which we could do all the experiments under the air bag which takes lots of effort and patience. So we had to design this called glow bag under which we conduct all the experiments and we eventually succeeded in synthesizing one of the very rare products which was first to be reported in sulfur containing phthalate family of compounds. We were so excited and we shared the same team spirit among the group members. So eventually the result was published in one of the top journals and we were rewarded in such a way.

Follow up questions

What challenges did your team face during the project?

We faced several challenges, particularly with the air and light sensitivity of the compounds. It required innovative thinking to design the glow bag, which was crucial for conducting our experiments safely and effectively.

How did you feel when your team's work was published?

I felt an immense sense of pride and accomplishment. It was rewarding to see our hard work recognized in a top journal, and it strengthened our bond as a team, knowing we achieved something significant together.

What skills did you develop while working in a team?

I developed several skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Collaborating closely with my team members taught me the importance of sharing ideas and supporting each other to overcome challenges.

Show all 81 answers

Cue 1:What it was?

Begin by clearly stating the team activity you were involved in, such as a project, sports event, or community service.
Provide some context about the purpose of the team and what you aimed to achieve together.

Example

I participated in a community service project where our team aimed to clean up a local park. This initiative was organized by my college to promote environmental awareness and community involvement.

Cue 2:Who were the members of the team?

Introduce the team members, mentioning their roles and how you knew them, whether they were classmates, friends, or colleagues.
Highlight any unique skills or contributions that each member brought to the team.

Example

The team consisted of five members, including my close friends from college and a couple of seniors. My friend Aditi was great at organizing events, while Rohan had experience in community service, which helped us plan effectively.

Cue 3:What did you do together?

Describe the specific tasks you worked on as a team and how you collaborated to achieve your goals.
Mention any challenges you faced and how you overcame them together.

Example

We divided the tasks among ourselves; some of us collected litter while others set up awareness banners. Initially, we struggled with coordination, but after a quick discussion, we established a clear plan that made our efforts more efficient.

Cue 4:Explain how you felt.

Share your emotions during the experience, focusing on feelings of teamwork, accomplishment, or any challenges faced.
Reflect on what you learned from this experience and how it impacted you personally.

Example

I felt a strong sense of camaraderie and fulfillment as we worked together. Seeing the park transform made me proud, and I learned the importance of teamwork and community spirit. It was rewarding to know that our efforts made a difference.

Conclusion

Example

Overall, this experience taught me valuable lessons about collaboration and the impact of collective efforts. It reinforced my belief in the power of teamwork and motivated me to engage more in community activities.

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: Lack of Specific Details

Avoid vague descriptions of the experience. Specific details help the examiner understand your role and contributions within the team, making your answer more engaging.

Tip

Include specific examples of tasks you performed and how they contributed to the team's success.

2: Ignoring Team Dynamics

Neglecting to mention the roles of other team members can make your response seem incomplete. It's important to acknowledge how teamwork functions.

Tip

Briefly describe each member's role and how they interacted with you to achieve the team's goals.

Overlooking Personal Feelings

Failing to express your feelings about the experience can make your answer less relatable. Personal emotions add depth to your story.

Tip

Share your feelings during the experience, such as excitement or challenges, to connect with the examiner on a personal level.

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