Describe An Success You Are Proud Of: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What you did?
When did you do it?
How did you feel about it?
Why did that success make you proud?

38 unique answers with expert feedback

What motivated you to pursue a master's degree in dance while being a dentist?

My passion for dance has always been a significant part of my life. Despite my career in dentistry, I wanted to fulfill my dream of mastering Kathak. The joy and expression I find in dance motivate me to balance both professions.

Can you share some specific challenges you faced while balancing your studies and personal life?

Certainly! Juggling household responsibilities, my dental practice, and caring for my young child was overwhelming. Time management was crucial, and I often had to sacrifice personal time to ensure I could attend classes and complete assignments.

How has achieving this success impacted your life and career?

Achieving my master's in dance has enriched my life significantly. It has brought me immense joy and fulfillment, allowing me to express myself creatively. Professionally, it has taught me discipline and time management, which I apply in my dental practice.

Band 7

00:00

And success on which I am really proud is my completion of three months internship with the Crime Investigation Department. I would like to recall the moment when I went for the interview of this particular internship. The setup of the interview was an exact replica of the UPSC interview. So when I was in the midst of that interview, I felt like, yes, this is the right or this is the right way of conducting an interview and professional interview, especially. Furthermore, the work I did with that department under the guidance of a senior that really helped my career and I brushed my skills in a very, very better way. I don't think that I would have been able to brush my skills in any other better way. So yes, I enjoyed working with it. I learned a lot from that internship and it just elevated my skills, my curriculum. It was a very blissful period of my life. And moreover, the excitement of working with the State Department, especially when you are a student only, and it was just the biggest achievement for my life.

Follow up questions

What skills did you develop during your internship?

During my internship, I developed critical thinking, analytical skills, and improved my communication abilities. Working closely with experienced professionals helped me understand the practical aspects of crime investigation, which enhanced my problem-solving skills significantly.

How did this internship impact your career goals?

This internship solidified my desire to pursue a career in law enforcement. It provided me with valuable insights into the field and motivated me to further my education and training in criminal justice, aiming for a long-term career in this area.

What challenges did you face during the internship?

One of the main challenges was adapting to the fast-paced environment and the high expectations set by my supervisors. However, I learned to manage my time effectively and prioritize tasks, which ultimately helped me overcome these challenges and perform well.

Band 6-7

00:00

Recently, I had graduated from Sardar University. That was one of the special moments of my life and that was the moment when I am proud of myself the most. I had spent a lot of time in my college by studying and doing the practical all the time. Additionally, I have prepared different reports and projects in those three years. Furthermore, I have made thousands of notes and tried to learn a lot of new things and started to give better presentations just for the college life. In terms of doing a practical, I also improved on a lot of equipment handling tasks. That was also one of the challenging phase of mine but anyway I got improved a lot over the time. Due to the hard work and my difficulties during the years, I have the self-respect and proudness towards myself because of graduation. I had graduated with pretty good marks so that also makes me happy that at least I tried and had a good result that can satisfy me in the future overall. Spending the time in my college was great and I have scored a great marks. It makes me happy.

Follow up questions

What challenges did you face during your studies?

During my studies, I faced challenges like managing time effectively between studying and practical work. There were moments when I struggled with complex subjects and had to seek help from professors and peers. However, overcoming these challenges made my graduation even more rewarding.

How do you think your graduation will impact your future?

Graduating from university has opened many doors for me. It has given me the confidence to pursue my career goals and seek better job opportunities. I believe that the skills and knowledge I gained will help me excel in my future endeavors and contribute positively to my field.

What advice would you give to students currently in college?

I would advise current students to stay organized and manage their time wisely. It's important to seek help when needed and not hesitate to ask questions. Additionally, getting involved in practical projects and presentations can greatly enhance learning and prepare them for real-world challenges.

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Band 6-7

00:00

So, one of the successes which I am very proud of is getting admission in my dream university which is Ahmedabad University. It felt like a dream when I got admission into that university because it was always my dad's dream to study from there. However, he could not get into that university because of lesser marks and in 2019, I was able to achieve his dream as well when I got the admission. And throughout my journey of the university, I felt that I am living my dad's dream. The success made me very proud because I not only graduated as a student from there but I also became a TA in seven marketing courses and I was able to help a lot of students to get their goal, achieve their goals. And I was also working with a lot of marketing faculties and they gave endless guidance regarding the various subjects where I lacked knowledge and they were very helpful when I was going through a depressing phase in my life.

Follow up questions

How did you feel when you received the admission letter?

When I received the admission letter, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and relief. It was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and gratitude, especially knowing that I was fulfilling my dad's dream as well.

What challenges did you face during your university journey?

During my university journey, I faced several challenges, including managing my time effectively between studies and my TA responsibilities. There were moments of self-doubt, especially in subjects I found difficult. However, the support from faculty and peers helped me overcome these hurdles.

How has your experience as a TA influenced your career aspirations?

Being a TA has significantly influenced my career aspirations. It not only enhanced my understanding of marketing but also ignited a passion for teaching and mentoring. I realized how rewarding it is to help others achieve their goals, which has led me to consider a career in education alongside marketing.

Band 6-7

00:00

Recently, in my 4th semester, I scored a full 75-75 score and 98 out of 100 in my Marketing Management exam and being a marketing savvy and someone who wants to pursue a career forward in marketing, I loved it when I scored it and indeed I was being awarded. I was called in my principal's office and I was provided with a gift as I topped the all university in that subject. No one scored better than me. Getting a 98 was something that I was very proud of. I felt quite grateful at that moment. My parents were very happy, I felt like I am able to do something and after scoring 75 on 75, it gave me a boost. So I started working more harder for the next semester exams and I scored a good grade over there. I again scored 75 but nothing can compare to the score that I had first time. The first time I scored 75, that happiness was unmatched and it made me feel really self-full. I felt I could do something in my life, I was not like a waste and I could make my parents proud and it also made me believe the career choice that I am choosing for myself is the right one for me because I am theoretically also balanced into my marketing paper, I did an internship. So that success literally made me feel like I can do something, I am on the right path, I am not somewhere going out of the circle and doing something. The cat is not getting out of the box, I have to not push back my cat into the box, I am doing something that is right.

Follow up questions

How did you prepare for your Marketing Management exam?

I dedicated a lot of time to studying, creating a study schedule, and focusing on understanding key concepts. I also formed study groups with classmates to discuss topics and clarify doubts, which helped reinforce my knowledge.

What impact did your success have on your motivation for future studies?

Scoring so well motivated me to work even harder in my subsequent semesters. It boosted my confidence and made me realize that I am capable of achieving my goals, which encouraged me to maintain a strong work ethic in my studies.

How do you think this success will influence your future career in marketing?

This success has reinforced my passion for marketing and has given me the confidence to pursue a career in this field. It has shown me that I can excel in my chosen path, and I believe it will open doors for me in the marketing industry.

Show all 38 answers

Cue 1:What you did?

Begin by clearly stating the achievement you are proud of, providing specific details about what you accomplished.
Mention any challenges you faced during this process and how you overcame them.

Example

I successfully organized a community health camp in my neighborhood last year. It was a challenging task because I had to coordinate with local doctors, manage volunteers, and ensure we had all the necessary medical supplies.

Cue 2:When did you do it?

Provide a specific timeframe for when this achievement took place, such as the month and year.
Explain any relevant context about why this timing was significant for you or your community.

Example

I organized the health camp in March 2022, just before the summer heat set in. This timing was crucial as many people in our area needed medical check-ups before the hot weather made it harder for them to travel.

Cue 3:How did you feel about it?

Share your emotions during the process of achieving this success, highlighting any feelings of anxiety, excitement, or determination.
Reflect on how you felt once the event was completed and the impact it had on you personally.

Example

During the planning stages, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. I was worried about whether everything would go smoothly. However, once the camp was over and I saw the smiles on the faces of the people we helped, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and relief.

Cue 4:Why did that success make you proud?

Discuss the significance of this achievement in your life and how it reflects your values or goals.
Mention the positive impact it had on your community and how it contributed to your personal growth.

Example

This success made me proud because it allowed me to give back to my community and promote health awareness. It reinforced my belief in the importance of community service and showed me that I can make a difference, no matter how small.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, organizing the health camp was not just an achievement; it was a transformative experience that taught me the value of teamwork and community spirit. I am proud of this success because it reflects my commitment to helping others and making a positive impact in my society.

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 or vague in your response. Specific details make your answer more engaging and memorable. Without specifics, your success story may lack impact.

Tip

Include specific examples, such as the exact project you worked on or the challenges you faced, to make your story more vivid.

2: Neglecting Emotions

Failing to express your feelings about the success can make your answer less relatable. Emotions help convey the significance of your achievement.

Tip

Share your emotions during the experience, such as excitement or relief, to connect with the listener and enhance your narrative.

Ignoring the 'Why'

Not explaining why the success is meaningful to you can leave your answer feeling incomplete. The 'why' adds depth to your story.

Tip

Reflect on the personal values or goals that this success aligns with, and articulate why it matters to you in your life.

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Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

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

Reported by

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

Reported by

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

Reported by

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.