Describe someone you know who made a good decision recently: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who he/she is
When he/she made the decision
What decision he/she made
Why it was a good decision
And explain how you felt about the decision

3 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities make your aunt a good role model for you?

My aunt Jennifer embodies qualities like ambition, hard work, and a passion for learning. She constantly seeks new experiences and perspectives, which inspires me to pursue my own goals with the same determination. Her ability to adapt and grow in her career motivates me to strive for excellence.

How do you think moving to Australia will impact her career?

Moving to Australia will provide my aunt with diverse experiences and opportunities in psychology. She'll be exposed to different cultural perspectives, which is crucial in her field. This exposure will enhance her skills and knowledge, ultimately benefiting her career and personal growth.

Have you considered making similar decisions in your life?

Yes, seeing my aunt's decision has encouraged me to think about my own future. I want to explore opportunities that will help me grow personally and professionally. Her journey inspires me to take bold steps towards achieving my dreams, just as she has done.

Band 6

00:00

Well, I am going to talk about a good decision made by someone who I know. So it was my friend Tenzing who was also my classmate and now my colleague. My classmate during the college days and we work together in the same company now. Very recently she had made a decision to make a solo trip to Gokarna as the work was getting so pressurizing and it was quite hectic. So she decided to free herself from all the burden that was up there in her head and she decided to take a break for herself and to polish all the things that was going on in her mind from quite long.

Follow up questions

What do you think influenced Tenzing's decision to take a solo trip?

I believe Tenzing's decision was influenced by the stress from work and the need for self-care. She recognized that taking a break would help her recharge and gain clarity. It's important to listen to our mental health needs, and I think she made a wise choice in prioritizing her well-being.

How do you think taking a break can impact someone's productivity?

Taking a break can significantly enhance productivity. It allows individuals to step back, relax, and return to their tasks with a fresh perspective. When people are overwhelmed, a short getaway can help them regain focus and creativity, ultimately leading to better performance at work.

Have you ever made a similar decision to take a break? What was it like?

Yes, I once took a short trip to the mountains when I felt overwhelmed with studies. It was refreshing to disconnect from my routine. I returned feeling rejuvenated and more motivated to tackle my responsibilities. Such experiences can be transformative and are essential for maintaining balance in life.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

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.

Band 5-6

00:00

So, this person is my best friend only and her name is Siddhi. She's the person who confusing things a lot, many of the time basically, but this is, I would like to share one event where she took a decision of herself only, where she stands for herself and clarifying all the things in her mind only. So, this was the time when we are deciding for our colleges, in which college we have to take admission in. So, I have already cleared my college and all these shortlisting thing, but she has still left with the pending with that decision only. So, after all the struggles, after all the evaluating things, she finally decided to take into one college in our hometown only. And after listening her decision and when she clarified and announced her decision, I felt very happy for her only, because as I already mentioned, she's so a confusing person in her entire life, but at that time, she took a stand for herself.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think helped Siddhi make her decision?

I believe Siddhi's determination and self-reflection played a crucial role in her decision-making process. Despite her usual confusion, she took the time to evaluate her options and ultimately chose a college that felt right for her, showing her ability to focus and prioritize her needs.

How do you usually support your friends in making decisions?

I try to be a good listener and provide a safe space for my friends to express their thoughts. I often ask guiding questions to help them clarify their feelings and options, and I share my own experiences when relevant, but I always respect their final choice.

Have you ever faced a similar decision-making challenge?

Yes, I have faced challenges when choosing a college and later when deciding on my career path. It was difficult to weigh the pros and cons, but I learned to trust my instincts and seek advice from trusted friends and family, which ultimately helped me make informed decisions.

Show all 3 answers

Cue 1:Who he/she is

Introduce the person clearly, mentioning your relationship with them.
Provide a brief background about their character or profession.

Example

The person I want to talk about is my younger brother, Rahul. He is a college student pursuing a degree in engineering and has always been very focused on his studies.

Cue 2:When he/she made the decision

Specify the time frame when the decision was made, whether it was recent or a specific date.
Mention any relevant circumstances surrounding that time.

Example

Rahul made this decision just a couple of weeks ago, right before the start of the new semester, when he was considering his course load.

Cue 3:What decision he/she made

Clearly state the decision he made and its significance.
Explain any options he considered before making this decision.

Example

He decided to drop a difficult elective subject that he was struggling with and instead focus on his core engineering subjects. This was a tough choice for him, as he initially wanted to challenge himself.

Cue 4:Why it was a good decision

Discuss the positive outcomes of the decision.
Mention how this decision aligns with his long-term goals.

Example

This was a good decision because it allowed him to concentrate better on his main subjects, which are crucial for his future career. Since then, he has been performing much better in his classes.

Cue 5:And explain how you felt about the decision

Share your personal feelings about his decision.
Express any pride or support you have for him.

Example

I felt really proud of him for making such a mature decision. It showed that he understands his limits and is willing to prioritize his education over unnecessary stress.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points discussed.
Reiterate the importance of making thoughtful decisions.

Example

In conclusion, Rahul's decision to drop the elective was wise and has positively impacted his academic performance. It highlights the importance of making thoughtful choices that align with one's goals.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.