Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college): IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When did you learn it?
How did you learn it?
Why did you think it was important to learn it?
How you felt when you learnt it?

89 unique answers with expert feedback

How did your experiences shape your view on trust?

My experiences taught me that trust should be earned, not given freely. I learned to be cautious and to observe people's actions before sharing personal information. This has helped me build stronger, more reliable relationships.

Can you share a specific incident that influenced your lesson on trust?

Yes, there was a time when I confided in a close friend about my personal struggles, and she betrayed my trust by sharing it with others. That incident made me realize the importance of being selective about whom I trust.

How do you balance trust and independence in relationships?

I believe in being open and honest with people I care about, but I also maintain my independence. I share my thoughts and feelings selectively, ensuring that I remain self-reliant while still nurturing meaningful connections.

Band 7

00:00

One personal development activity I undertook is reading the book The Intelligent Investor. I started reading this book a year ago when I wanted to improve my financial literacy. The reason I chose this book is that I heard about how it simplifies complex financial concepts with easy to understand theories. As an investor, I wanted to strengthen my foundation and mindset around money. I read this book over a course of a week and it had a lasting impact on me. The first thing I learnt is that I became more disciplined and focused on long term goals. Second, it improved my confidence when discussing finance with others. Overall, this small but meaningful step really contributed to my personal growth and financial growth. This book is amazing and it is the best book I ever read in my entire life. It mainly focuses on the fundamentals of finance and all the strategic things that we need to know about the companies and their financial structure. Overall, I really wanted to strengthen my foundation in finance.

Follow up questions

How has your financial literacy impacted your daily life?

Improving my financial literacy has made me more mindful of my spending habits. I now budget more effectively and make informed decisions about investments. This has reduced my financial stress and allowed me to save for future goals, such as travel and retirement.

What other personal development activities have you pursued?

In addition to reading, I've taken online courses on personal finance and attended workshops. I've also started networking with other investors, which has broadened my understanding of different investment strategies and provided valuable insights from experienced individuals.

Why do you think financial literacy is important for everyone?

Financial literacy is crucial because it empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their money. It helps people avoid debt, plan for the future, and achieve financial independence. In today's complex financial landscape, understanding money management is essential for everyone.

Band 7

00:00

The most important thing that I've learned over the years is responsibility and accountability. I had to move to a different city for my higher studies and in that period I learned how important it is to take care of your own things, to prioritize on your own well-being. Being home we were always dependent on our parents. However, taking this step to move away and being in a different city teaches you a lot. May it be simple menial things as taking care of your identity proofs or your home key so that you don't lose it or actually being accountable for how you behave. This does not stop here. It also means how how do other people behave to you. Being responsible is a great activity that could be practiced. It also allows you to submit all your assignments on time, to be punctual, to prioritize yourself over others, to be best. You have to put on your best effort forward and I've seen that being accountable takes you a long way.

Follow up questions

How did moving to a different city impact your sense of responsibility?

Moving to a different city made me realize that I had to manage everything on my own. I learned to take care of my belongings, manage my time, and ensure that I met my responsibilities without relying on my parents. This independence was crucial in shaping my understanding of accountability.

Can you give an example of a situation where you had to be accountable?

One situation that stands out is when I had to submit a group project. I took the initiative to organize meetings, delegate tasks, and ensure everyone was on track. It was my responsibility to keep the group motivated and accountable, which ultimately led to a successful submission.

What advice would you give to someone struggling with responsibility?

I would advise them to start small by setting daily goals and gradually taking on more responsibilities. It's important to prioritize tasks and hold oneself accountable. Learning to manage time effectively and being proactive can significantly improve one's sense of responsibility.

Practice other cue cards

Describe a risk you took that you thought would lead to a terrible result but ended up with a positive result

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Describe a piece of good advice that you gave to someone

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Describe a difficult skill you learned.

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Describe A Skill That You Learned In Your Childhood

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Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved.

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Describe A Resolution You Made In The New Year

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Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person?

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Describe A Time When You Needed To Search For Information

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Describe Something You Do That Can Help You Concentrate On Work/Study

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Describe a thing you did to learn another language?

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Describe the type of home you'd like to reside in.

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Describe A Volunteering Experience You Have Had

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Describe A Time When You Helped Someone

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Describe An Success You Are Proud Of

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Describe a natural talent you want to improve.

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Describe an exercise you know.

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Describe something you taught to your friend/relative.

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Talk about a time you learned a new skill.

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Describe a time when you changed your opinion

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Describe An Activity You Do To Keep Fit

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Describe a difficult task that you completed at work/study that you felt proud of

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Describe an event that ended in failure.

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Describe A Positive Change In Your Life

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Describe an achievement/success you are proud of

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Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve.

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Describe an activity you enjoyed in your free time when you were young.

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Describe a daily routine that you enjoy

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Describe A Difficult Decision That You Made And Had A Good Result

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Describe Something You Do Regularly That Helps You Work And Study Better

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Describe a skill that was difficult to learn

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Describe a book you recently read.

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Describe a piece of advice you recently received.

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Describe a plan that you had to change recently

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Describe Something Healthy You Enjoy Doing

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Describe an important decision made with the help of other people

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Describe Something You Do To Keep Fit And Healthy

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Describe Something That Helps You Concentrate

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Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop.

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Describe an impressive talk/conversation you had that you remember well

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Describe an article about health that you read.

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Describe a goal you set that you tried your best to achieve

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Band 7

00:00

Something that I've learnt in my present life and not in school and college is the endurance and the stability that I've learnt after marriage. Earlier also I was hardworking but not to that extent which I have developed now. Being a mother of two kids and managing all my household chores efficiently, I look forward to my continuous professional development and I make efforts to learn everyday, keep growing everyday and acquire the most of the knowledge that I can in my free time rather than wasting the time on petty and unimportant things. With developing more of understanding, interpersonal skills, empathy and different time management, I have relatively grown as a better human being. I respect the feelings of others. I also respect the time that I am giving to my studies, to my development as well as the time that I should devote to my family. I just take care that none of the important things that actually matter in my life should be neglected, focusing on my professional development only. I take care of all the aspects equally and try to be more efficient, more stable and more eligible to all the works assigned.

Follow up questions

How has marriage changed your perspective on personal growth?

Marriage has taught me the importance of balancing personal growth with family responsibilities. It has made me more aware of how my actions affect others and has motivated me to strive for continuous improvement in both my personal and professional life.

What specific skills have you developed since becoming a mother?

Since becoming a mother, I have developed strong time management skills, empathy, and interpersonal skills. Juggling household chores and caring for my children has taught me to prioritize effectively and understand the needs of others better.

Can you share an example of how you manage your time effectively?

I create a daily schedule that allocates specific time slots for my studies, family time, and personal development. By setting clear priorities and sticking to my plan, I ensure that I am productive while also being present for my family.

Band 7

00:00

One of the most important things that I have learned is how to deal with things that do not go your way. Everybody wants things to go their way. Having said that, more often than not, we find ourselves in situations where we did not intend to be in. This lesson was taught to me by the great sport of basketball. I am a passionate basketball player and more often than not, I find myself in teams that are not good or my teammates are not up to what level of basketball I like to play at. That is why I tend to get very furious on them and I become pompous. Basketball has taught me that I cannot make everyone follow according to me or control everything. Everybody has their own way of doing things and everybody is on a learning path. I have been there where they are at right now and it is only a good teammate that can lead them to get better at the sport. Also, basketball has taught me one thing that is one of the most important things in life and that is unity. Unity and teamwork supersedes everything. Individual skill can only get you somewhere, but it is teamwork and unity that can get you all the way through. So these are the most important things that I have learned in basketball which are going to help me throughout my life.

Follow up questions

How has basketball influenced your relationships with others?

Basketball has taught me the importance of understanding and patience. I’ve learned to appreciate different perspectives and to work collaboratively with others, which has positively impacted my friendships and teamwork in various aspects of life.

Can you share a specific moment when you applied this lesson in basketball?

There was a game where my teammates were struggling, and instead of getting frustrated, I decided to encourage them. I focused on building their confidence, which ultimately led to a better team performance. This experience reinforced the value of unity and support.

What other life lessons do you think sports can teach us?

Sports can teach resilience, discipline, and the importance of setting goals. They also help in developing leadership skills and the ability to handle failure, which are crucial for personal growth and success in life.

Show all 89 answers

Cue 1:When did you learn it?

Mention a specific time frame when you learned this important thing, such as a few months ago or during a particular event.
Provide context about what was happening in your life at that time to make it more relatable.

Example

I learned this important lesson about financial management about six months ago when I started my first job. It was a significant transition for me as I was moving from being a student to a working professional.

Cue 2:How did you learn it?

Explain the method or source through which you learned this lesson, such as through a book, a workshop, or advice from someone.
Share any specific experiences or activities that helped you grasp this knowledge.

Example

I learned about financial management by attending a workshop organized by my company. The workshop was conducted by a financial expert who shared practical tips on budgeting and saving.

Cue 3:Why did you think it was important to learn it?

Discuss the reasons that made this lesson significant for you, such as future goals or personal circumstances.
Connect the importance of this lesson to your life or career aspirations.

Example

I thought it was crucial to learn about financial management because I wanted to ensure that I could save for my future and manage my expenses wisely. As I was starting my career, I realized that understanding finances would help me achieve my long-term goals.

Cue 4:How you felt when you learnt it?

Describe your emotions when you grasped this lesson, whether it was excitement, relief, or empowerment.
Reflect on how this knowledge has impacted your confidence or mindset.

Example

When I learned about financial management, I felt empowered and relieved. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders because I now had the tools to take control of my finances, which made me feel more confident about my future.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, learning about financial management was a pivotal moment in my life. It not only equipped me with essential skills but also changed my perspective on money and savings, setting a solid foundation for my future.

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 Responses

Avoid giving vague or general answers. Specific details make your response more engaging and memorable. Candidates often lose points for not elaborating on their experiences.

Tip

Use specific examples and details to illustrate your learning experience. Mention exact moments or feelings to make your answer more vivid.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Not addressing all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. Candidates may miss important aspects of their learning experience, which can affect their score.

Tip

Make sure to answer all the cues provided. Structure your response to cover when, how, why, and how you felt about your learning.

Overly Complex Language

Using overly complex vocabulary or grammar can confuse the listener. It's important to communicate clearly and effectively, especially in a speaking test.

Tip

Use simple and clear language. Focus on expressing your ideas clearly rather than trying to impress with difficult words.

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Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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

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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

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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

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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.