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?

91 unique answers with expert feedback

How did your experiences shape your view on trust?

My experiences taught me that trust should be earned, not freely given. I learned to be cautious and to observe people's actions before opening up to them. 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 friend about a personal issue, and she shared it with others. It was a painful experience that made me realize not everyone has good intentions, leading me to be more selective about whom I trust.

How do you maintain independence in your relationships?

I maintain independence by setting boundaries and ensuring I have my own interests and hobbies. This way, I don't rely solely on others for my happiness and can enjoy my friendships without losing myself.

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 understanding of finance changed since reading the book?

Since reading The Intelligent Investor, my understanding of finance has deepened significantly. I now grasp complex concepts better and can analyze financial statements with more confidence. This has allowed me to make more informed investment decisions and engage in meaningful discussions about finance.

What other personal development activities do you plan to pursue?

I plan to pursue more personal development activities such as taking online courses in financial analysis and attending investment workshops. Additionally, I want to read more books on personal finance and investing to further enhance my knowledge and skills in this area.

Can you share a specific example of how you applied what you learned?

After reading the book, I applied what I learned by creating a diversified investment portfolio. I researched different companies and their financial health, which helped me make better investment choices. This practical application reinforced the concepts I learned and boosted my confidence in managing my finances.

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 you develop your sense of responsibility?

I developed my sense of responsibility gradually. Initially, it was challenging to manage everything on my own, but I learned through experience. Setting small goals and holding myself accountable for them helped me build this skill over time.

Can you share a specific experience that taught you accountability?

One specific experience was when I forgot to submit an important assignment on time. It affected my grades, and I realized that I needed to manage my time better. This incident taught me the importance of being accountable for my actions and their consequences.

How do you think responsibility impacts personal relationships?

Responsibility plays a crucial role in personal relationships. When individuals are accountable for their actions, it builds trust and respect. It also encourages open communication, as people feel more secure in expressing their feelings and concerns when they know others are responsible.

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Band 7

00:00

One important thing that I have learned throughout the course of my life would be the importance of doing things systematically. Many times we just push the things that we want to do to the side and it gets piled up. In my native language there's a saying which goes that if you are a person who is lacy or you procrastinate a lot, your work piles up to an extent that it becomes a hill and you will have to carry that hill on your back and that makes so much of sense. But I never realized it until I started living alone in Delhi. I learned the importance of doing things systematically. So initially I was not a very systematic person so my laundry used to pile up, my dirty dishes used to pile up, my work used to pile up. Then I started doing everything systematically. I made sure that all my laundry, the day it starts becoming, the day I have one or two laundry to do, I just do it. The day I have, I made sure that every single day before sleeping my sink should be completely clean and it should not have no dirty dishes. So I started taking these minute measures and yeah, as the saying goes, drop by drop makes a mighty ocean. So that happened and this became a habit for me. I started very consciously planning my days and even for the work that I used to put aside and keep for the next day, I started doing them as well instantly. And then instantaneously I became a very sorted person who was going very well with the flow. So I understood the importance of being a very systematic person and that helps me a lot in my life. It makes me more efficient, more productive and it just makes life so much easier. So an important thing I learned would be being systematic.

Follow up questions

How do you think being systematic affects your daily life?

Being systematic has greatly improved my daily life. It helps me manage my time better, reduces stress, and allows me to accomplish tasks efficiently. I find that I have more free time because I'm not constantly catching up on chores or work, which makes my overall life more enjoyable.

Can you share a specific example of a task you manage systematically?

One specific task I manage systematically is my grocery shopping. I create a list before going to the store, which helps me avoid impulse buys and ensures I get everything I need. This not only saves time but also helps me stick to my budget and eat healthier.

What challenges did you face while trying to be more systematic?

Initially, I struggled with consistency. It was easy to fall back into old habits of procrastination. However, I overcame this by setting small, achievable goals and rewarding myself for sticking to my new routine. Over time, it became a natural part of my life.

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. I now prioritize my time better and focus on continuous learning while ensuring my family’s needs are met. This dual focus has made me more efficient and aware of my personal development.

What specific skills have you developed since becoming a mother?

Since becoming a mother, I've developed strong time management skills, empathy, and interpersonal skills. Juggling household chores and parenting has taught me to prioritize tasks effectively and understand the feelings of others, which has contributed to my growth as a person.

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 activities, and personal time. By setting clear priorities and sticking to my plan, I ensure that I am productive while also being present for my family, which helps me maintain a healthy balance.

Show all 91 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

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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

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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

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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.