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Describe an important decision made with the help of other people: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What the decision was
  • Who helped you / how they helped
  • Why you needed help
  • And explain the result of the decision
Show all 55 answers

Cue 1:What the decision was

  • Clearly state the important decision you made, ensuring it is specific and relevant.
  • Provide context about why this decision was significant to you.

Example

The important decision I made was to pursue a master's degree in business administration. This was a significant step for me as I wanted to enhance my career prospects and gain deeper knowledge in my field.

Cue 2:Who helped you / how they helped

  • Mention the people who assisted you in making this decision, such as family, friends, or mentors.
  • Explain the specific ways they contributed, whether through advice, encouragement, or sharing their experiences.

Example

My parents played a crucial role in this decision. They encouraged me to pursue higher education and shared their own experiences of how it helped them in their careers. Additionally, my friend, who had already completed his MBA, provided insights into the program and its benefits.

Cue 3:Why you needed help

  • Discuss the reasons you felt you needed assistance in making this decision.
  • Highlight any uncertainties or challenges you faced that prompted you to seek guidance.

Example

I needed help because I was unsure about the right course and institution to choose. With so many options available, I felt overwhelmed and wanted to ensure that I made the best choice for my future.

Cue 4:And explain the result of the decision

  • Describe the outcome of your decision and how it impacted your life.
  • Reflect on any lessons learned or changes that occurred as a result.

Example

As a result of this decision, I successfully enrolled in a reputable MBA program. It has opened up numerous opportunities for me, including internships and job offers. I learned the importance of seeking advice and support from others when making significant life choices.

Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, making the decision to pursue my MBA with the help of my family and friends was a transformative experience. It taught me the value of collaboration and the importance of seeking guidance when faced with important choices.

    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 too general when describing the decision. Vague answers can make it hard for the examiner to understand the significance of the decision and the role of others.

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    Tip

    Provide specific details about the decision, including what it was and the exact contributions of those who helped you.

    2: Neglecting Personal Impact

    Don't forget to explain how the decision affected you personally. Failing to do so can make your response less engaging and meaningful.

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    Tip

    Include your feelings and thoughts about the decision and how it changed your perspective or situation.

    Ignoring the Result

    Avoid omitting the outcome of the decision. Not discussing the result can leave your answer incomplete and less impactful.

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    Tip

    Clearly explain the result of the decision and how it influenced your life or the lives of others involved.

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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 6-7

    One of the important decisions that I had made in my life with the help of my uncle is joining the degree, the tech degree, and I passed the exam with high scores. When I completed my first degree, I had lots of pressure and I don't know what is the next field I want to select for my higher studies. At that time, I asked so many of my family, friends, and cousins about the higher studies and the opportunities that I have in future. At that time, my uncle gave me the option to take the BTEC degree because he is working in the GCC countries, so he knows the vacancies available for this job, so he clearly told me to take that. At last, I passed with high score and at the time of graduation, I got a five of major companies interviews and I went there and participated in the companies and after two days, I got selected for two interviews from the country and I worked in a global electrical company in Qatar for two years. After that, I left the country.

    Band 6-7

    Well, there are some points of life in which we have to take help of other persons to make a decision. As long as I could remember, there was an, it is on the tip of my tongue, project I was working on and my initial blueprint was stolen by another person, so I was completely lost and I was in a hot water, but then my friends come over and he bring a teacher with him which used to teach us biology in earlier days at school and I explained everything to them and then my teacher helped me and also my friend to make a new project on digestive health and they don't just help me, but they also help me with the project making itself, they don't just provide me with the decisions, so we worked for 9 days and at the end we walk an extra mile to make that project look working and more lively and approachable and appealing. Moreover, when I take that project of mine to school, my teacher appreciated me and I felt over cloud nine and I could never forgot my teacher and my friend for helping me and taking me out of trouble in those days.

    Band 6-7

    I took a very important decision in my life in the recent times, which is doing my Masters High Studies in Abroad. So I chose Australia as my destination, but then my mom was the one who helped me, like a friend I would say. She just pampered me with her support. I had a lot of interest in doing Masters in Abroad, so I just had a thought why shouldn't I go for it. My mother was the only pillar of support for me to take this decision. She was very keen on me doing the Masters. So she gave me confidence that I would do this by telling out my strength in staying alone in a different country. She gave me examples which I have done before in the past, so that I would be capable of doing this. So she helped me a lot in doing this. Finally I took this decision of me doing a Masters in Abroad in Australia.

    Band 6-7

    So I would like to talk about the important decision that I have made with the help of my parents and friends. So it was one of my, one of my, one of the serious decisions that has made my life a better one. So I was hoping to get into higher studies in Canada for next year. For that I have taken the higher state for the first time. So I got over a band of 6.5, which is not a required band for my college. So my parents and friends need to go for an IELTS coaching and the decision is made by them. So I decided to go to the coaching centre for taking IELTS second time. So this decision that my parents and friends have made was very effective for me because the coaching centre was very effective for me. Coaching centre and the coach who taught me was very effective for me because when I attend the second time IELTS exam, I got over a band of 8. So which I felt very great for the decision made by my family and friends because it made me to get into a reputed institution in Canada. Because the school that I have got earlier was not recognized and it was not enough to get into the college. So after the decision was taken, it was good for me and I was able to get into the reputed college.

    Band 6-7

    As I have grown up, the difficulty of decisions have increased. So, it has become very difficult for me to take decisions alone. Often, there are times that I do take advice of my elders or do take advice of my sisters as well for making decisions. But there was one time that I do remember the most. It was in the past 2-3 months when me and my sister were sitting on a couch at my home itself and we were discussing about my master's plan. So, I told her that I am really confused between pursuing it in India compared to pursuing it abroad. So, after quite a lot of discussion, we basically agreed on doing it abroad. There was so much dilemma because it takes about 7 years for me to complete my master's in abroad whereas if I do the same in India, it will take only 7 years. Because of which, there was a lot of confusion and it was very difficult for me to take that decision. She helped me, she told me about various aspects of it and basically, I agreed to the decision of doing it abroad itself. She will be helping me with all the process. I am working towards it. There will be several steps. First of which will be passing the IELTS exam. Then only I will be able to sit for the PLAB exam. Then after PLAB 1, I have to give PLAB 2 which is held at...

    Band 6-7

    So once I made an important decision with the help of my brother, where I had a perplexion where I had to study abroad and I was really perplexed where to study and what are the pros and cons of studying abroad. So my brother had helped me with his tips and guidance for me to make it easy of choosing a career in studying abroad. And it was really helpful for me, he guided me, he supported me and it was easier for me to decide studying abroad.

    Band 6-7

    One important decision I made with the help of other people happened quite unexpectedly. One day I was visiting my school and before that I was waiting for my bus. While standing at the stop I noticed a cow in trouble. It seemed stuck and unable to move properly. At first I wasn't sure what to do because handling such a large animal alone was risky. Luckily a few other people were also nearby and we quickly decided to help the cow together. Some of us guided it gently while others cleared the area so it could move safely. In the end the cow was freed without harm. That moment taught me the value of teamwork and quick decision making because without the support of others I probably wouldn't have been able to handle the situation by myself.

    Band 6

    The important decision recently I have made in business, the decision is about to supply the goods to the customer who is unknown to me, since it is the first time I am engaging with the customer for credit, in addition to that I trusted the customer and supplied the goods and was waiting for the bill repayment, unfortunately the customer did not answer the call or repay the amount which they have bought, at that time I needed help, I rely on one of my friend who is located near to the customer to collect the money and after the continuous visit by my friend to the customer's home, I used to get back the amount which I have given.

    Band 6

    When I am studying my 10th class, my school period, and I am travelling in a bus, in front of my bus there was accident occurred, on the time I move forward and take an action to rescue the people in the bus, it's one of the best experience to me, while that situation is too safe to protect so many people, to break the glass and rescue the people, the fire catches on the bus, the fire catches in the bus, it's really challenging to me, after I safely moved the children and people in that bus, the parents really appreciated me and taking the type of action and move a step forward to protect them, it's one of my best experience, how to protect and take a step forward to help the people and society without any doubts in your heart.

    Band 6

    So an important decision which is made by me with the help of other people is probably that avoiding the distractions of teenage, like teenage love, teenage relationships and all. And my mother helped me a lot in these all things. Moreover, that decision was crucial for me to take because in this age, like teenage, this decision was essential to take, like avoiding distractions and avoiding teenage love, teenage relationships and all, which creates obstacles in your path of development. Eventually, I can say that this decision helped me a lot to focus on my studies, to focus on my education and in addition to that focus on my personal development. And the result of this decision is that now I am that much able that I can avoid any distraction and I can overcome any teenage feelings and love and all. So, yeah, that's it.
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