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Describe an occasion when someone gave you positive advice or suggestions about your work/study: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • Who is the person?
  • What he/she said?
  • How the advice/suggestion affected you?
  • And explain how you felt about the advice/suggestions.
Show all 161 answers

Cue 1:Who is the person?

  • Introduce the person who gave you the advice, mentioning their relationship to you, such as a teacher, mentor, or friend.
  • Provide some context about their background or expertise that makes their advice valuable.

Example

The person who gave me positive advice was my college professor, Dr. Sharma. He was not only my mentor but also an expert in the field of environmental science, which is my area of study.

Cue 2:What he/she said?

  • Summarize the key points of the advice or suggestions they provided.
  • Make sure to include specific phrases or ideas that stood out to you.

Example

Dr. Sharma suggested that I focus on practical projects to enhance my understanding of theoretical concepts. He said, 'Real-world experience will make your resume stand out and deepen your knowledge.'

Cue 3:How the advice/suggestion affected you?

  • Explain how you implemented the advice in your work or studies.
  • Discuss any changes in your approach or mindset as a result of the advice.

Example

After his suggestion, I started participating in various environmental projects and internships. This hands-on experience helped me grasp complex theories better and boosted my confidence in my abilities.

Cue 4:And explain how you felt about the advice/suggestions.

  • Share your feelings about receiving the advice and how it impacted your relationship with the person.
  • Reflect on the long-term benefits of the advice on your personal and professional growth.

Example

I felt grateful and inspired by Dr. Sharma's advice. It strengthened my respect for him and motivated me to pursue my studies with more passion. I realized that good guidance can truly shape one's career.

Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, receiving positive advice from Dr. Sharma not only improved my academic performance but also instilled a sense of direction in my career. It reminded me of the importance of seeking guidance and learning from experienced individuals.

    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 Specificity

    Being vague about the advice received can weaken your response. Specific details help illustrate the impact of the advice and make your answer more engaging.

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    Tip

    Include specific examples of what the person said and how it directly influenced your work or study.

    2: Ignoring Personal Feelings

    Failing to express your feelings about the advice can make your response less personal. Sharing your emotions adds depth to your answer.

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    Tip

    Describe how the advice made you feel, whether it was motivated, inspired, or relieved.

    Overly Complex Language

    Using complicated vocabulary or structures can confuse the listener. Clarity is key in speaking tasks, especially for non-native speakers.

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    Tip

    Use simple and clear language to convey your thoughts effectively, ensuring your message is understood.

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    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.

    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 6-7

    So, this is very interesting. When I was in 5th grade, I had my science teacher, whose name was Tahseen Hashmi. So, moving forward, we were given an assignment which had to be done by ourselves, not taking any help from our parents as such. Because in our country, it is really, really common to take help from our parents. So, I did the whole thing on my own, and you can make out the difference, right, who did what. So, I did the whole thing on my own, and my lecturer was very happy with it. And she said that it is very good.

    Band 6-7

    I was never a study student but I realized that now it's time to buckle up and start paying attention to my academics. I didn't really know how to go about this because all I did in my schooling years was relax and enjoy with my friends but there was one particular colleague of mine who was through with me throughout my schooling life so I decided to approach him. He gave me one of the best advice that I still follow till date. He told me let's just buy a whiteboard, divide your year in days, divide your year in months, months in days and days in hours. So that's what we did. Then we marked down that during this hour you're supposed to study this and during that hour you're supposed to study that and we laid down a whole curriculum of what needs to be done over a period of three months. Then life became easier. I just focused on what I needed to do at that hour not worrying about what I had to do over the next period of next few days. When I accomplished these small small tasks over a period of time I was able to complete my whole portion and also revise it over a period of three months. This changed my life. This was one of the most enlightening advices that I have received from anybody.

    Band 6-7

    The person was my teacher. She advised me to listen to my heart when I was very confused about what stream to take when I was in class 11th. I was so much confused about subjects and their career opportunities. But my teacher advised me and said, whatever you like, do that. Don't burden yourself unnecessarily that you get depressed or have anxiety in future. This advice affected me in a positive way that now I am a career counselor job in America and this is all because of her. She always told me that I am a good speaker and listener too. Listening to one's problems and giving solution is my hobby. So I am doing my hobby as my job.

    Band 6-7

    In school, there was a annual function where I got prize about highest score in 10th class. And in annual function there was also some activities which are done by the children or youngsters. Such as dance, Bhangra and some drama which was very exciting for people. And the participated children parents are very proud of them because they confidently perform on the stage. Then chief guest came and started distributing the prize to students who got good marks in their exams. Then the chief guest announced my name and then I went to the stage. In addition, chief guest gave me a prize about getting a good score, outstanding score or outstanding score. Then also chief guest suggested me advice that you are so good in your stream and you can do much better and you should focus on their career and you can become an astronaut.

    Band 6-7

    My father who is very close to me had once told me that son we don't want you to get 99% or 98% we just want you to get decent marks. This line had changed me. So back in 9th grade where my normal school had started after online school due to COVID. I had my math exam. I was usually strong in math but I don't know how I did not get good marks in math exam and I had actually failed in my math exam. So when I came home I told my parents and I expected them to shout at me. But in fact, they told me it's okay. We get it as after two years you are going to school. It is normal. So this had changed me and I realized that how grateful I am to have such parents who support me in every step of my life.

    Band 6-7

    It is my dad who gave me an advice regarding my work, he's my inspiration actually, he's been working in a private company sector for almost more than 30 years. So he gave me an advice when I started my career, he told, there's a lot of competition, you have to be on your toe to get yourself on a highlight in the career. So I started my career way back in 2021 in PwC, I work as a tax consultant there. So initially he told me that you have to gain a lot of knowledge in that domain, you have to see what are the competitive exams, what are the way of resources you can collect, and you are more knowledgeable in this domain. It's not only about work, it's also about seeking knowledge and gaining knowledge on everyday business. This was the advice he gave me that you should be a competitor in the domain you're working and also be disciplined in your work, stay focused when you're working. This was the initial advice he gave me when I started my career, he's an inspiration to me and I have inculcated all this in my work. I try to go through things, I'm also looking forward to take the Enrollment Agement Competent exam which is suggested for my career. And I'm looking forward to take even the CPA after my EA exam is done. And I'm always into seeking knowledge, taking guidance from my manager, senior managers, taking trainings, giving trainings to the associates. It's all about learning every each and every day. So this is what I have inculcated with the advice given to me from my dad. And it is a sure showing improvement in my career and I'm sure I will reach to a point where it is.

    Band 6-7

    The one occasion which I can remind of is the time when I had passed my Diploma last semester and it was the time when my results were out and I had to take admission in the degree second year for completing my graduation program in Electrical Engineering. At that time it was one of my family member who has given me the advice. It was a positive advice which I have been following until today. That advice was not to look about others, what others are doing in college, what others were doing in their career, what others were performing in their own life. It has to be about us, it has to be about us how we are performing, how we are making ourselves grow everyday and this is the way we should be working. We should not rely on anyone else to take the decision, we should not rely on anyone else decision. So, this was the advice which was given by my father on the occasion of my results when we were entering into a primary school for the further studies. So, to be concluding, I would always remember this advice throughout my career to know whether I am going in the right path or not. This is one advice which has to be put.

    Band 6-7

    Ister day I went to visit my uncle and his name was Rahul. I asked him can you give me any advice for choosing a job. He told me that if you are planning to get a job, consider you are doing that job after 10 years, the income you earn from the job and especially the conditions of the family after 10 years so you can make a clear cut decision about the job which you are taking right now. And also along with that he advised me to take a job by looking each and every matters related to that job carefully. Along with that he clearly mentioned to take a chance to talk with the people who are currently doing that job.

    Band 6-7

    Yes, my manager had given me the suggestion about my work time and I felt it very positive I have taken it as positive because I can improve whenever I get the suggestion from my manager, I can improve my work hours, work procedures and so many things on my work time I can really do well and I can improve, I can give my best to the management I can try to do better than before I felt it positive, I felt it, I have taken it as a positive way because if I do good to my management, I will be getting good atmosphere of working and good feedback of my work as well as I can enjoy my work time and peaceful of mind and if I do any mistakes, I can try to improve, I can try to recorrect it, so I really appreciate when my manager is giving me the advice in a positive way

    Band 6-7

    When I joined for my new job in Assam Hospital, our HOD sir was there, his name was Raja Ram sir. Initially when I started my career here, it was difficult for me to communicate with the patient. So he advised me to focus more on effective communication with the patient and I started to learn new languages like Hindi, Kannada, Telugu etc. And after that I started to use native languages of each patient with them. That has been immense change in my career. The patients love to do session along with me and I also feel very good about that. I felt lot of satisfaction doing that. And after few months, sir told me you are promoted as team leader of the physiotherapist. So I got a good promotion because of my effective communication with the patient and he told me to keep it up for future also.
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