Describe Something That Helps You Concentrate: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
When do you do it?
How did you learn about it?
How does it help you concentrate?

17 unique answers with expert feedback

How does meditation specifically help you concentrate?

Meditation helps me clear my mind and reduce stress, allowing me to focus better on my tasks. It creates a sense of calm that enhances my ability to concentrate, making it easier to tackle challenges without feeling overwhelmed.

Are there other techniques you use to improve concentration?

Yes, besides meditation, I also practice deep breathing exercises and take short breaks during work. These techniques help refresh my mind and prevent burnout, which ultimately improves my overall concentration and productivity.

What advice would you give to someone struggling with concentration?

I would suggest trying meditation or mindfulness practices, as they can significantly improve focus. Additionally, maintaining a balanced lifestyle with proper sleep, nutrition, and regular exercise can also enhance concentration levels.

Band 6-7

00:00

One thing which helped me to concentrate is, I often sit and do meditation before concentrating into anything and I also, I was suggested to count 1 to 100 in reverse by my senior when I was in school because I am someone who get easily distracted and I often used to overthink, so she tried to help me with, with tips like this to increase my concentration and during my childhood days, even our teachers will help us with few tips to increase our concentration such as, by observing or, and I feel like doing meditation helps a lot in increasing the concentration because it is very effective for me and I also suggest this to my colleagues, my friends and my younger sisters as they are growing, they also need much time, they also have to concentrate on their career, their studies and things, so I also suggest that, these things because these helped me to concentrate on my subject, on my reading process.

Follow up questions

How often do you practice meditation?

I try to meditate daily, usually in the morning for about 15 to 20 minutes. It helps clear my mind and prepares me for the day ahead. On days when I feel particularly distracted, I might even meditate multiple times.

What other techniques do you use to improve concentration?

Besides meditation, I also use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, where I work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. I find that setting specific goals for each study session also helps me stay focused and productive.

How do you suggest others start meditating?

I recommend starting with guided meditation apps or videos, as they can provide structure for beginners. It's also helpful to find a quiet space and set a regular time each day to practice, even if it's just for a few minutes.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, there are a few activities that I do that helps me to concentrate, firstly working out makes me feel refreshed, it keeps me physically and mentally active, I work out weekly thrice and it really feels good to me to concentrate on other works, secondly dancing, I go for classes weekly twice, the technique of using my eyes, hands and body at the same time helps me to concentrate in my real life too, performing multiple activities and tasks and finding the right balance between all, lastly sometimes doing a static kind of activities and job and having a fixed routine causes burnout to me at times, so that is when I also make sure that I take breaks by watching movies or going out on a solo date, spending some time with myself, reflecting on my thoughts, this really helps me to come back to work and concentrate on the productivity as well, so I would say performing multiple activities like workout, dancing, taking breaks supports me in concentrating to do other activities as well.

Follow up questions

How do you think physical activities improve concentration?

Physical activities like working out increase blood flow and release endorphins, which enhance mood and focus. They also help clear the mind, making it easier to concentrate on tasks afterward. Regular exercise can lead to better mental clarity and improved cognitive function.

Can you explain how dancing helps with multitasking in daily life?

Dancing requires coordination and the ability to manage multiple movements simultaneously, which translates to better multitasking skills in daily life. It trains the brain to process information quickly and efficiently, making it easier to juggle various tasks and responsibilities.

What types of breaks do you find most effective for maintaining concentration?

I find that taking short breaks to watch a movie or go for a walk helps refresh my mind. Engaging in solo activities allows me to reflect and recharge, which is crucial for maintaining focus when I return to work. It's all about finding balance and allowing myself to unwind.

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Band 6-7

00:00

Well, something with that helped me focus is Yoga. Yoga is an ancient Indian tradition which was practiced in the Indian subcontinent since many years. It has been a traditional practice which would help people rejuvenate themselves and feel refreshed about it. I mostly try to practice this exercise in morning but during some days when I have to leave for office early, I try to take out some time in evening and try to do so. Furthermore, I got inspired to do Yoga is because of my father. Since he was an early practitioner of it, he had much experience and knowledge about how to perform certain actions or certain exercises in it that would be the proper way of performing the activity. I also learned it in a school as a part of our academic curriculum and adding to that I used to participate in competitions that were conducted in my housing complex along with my friends. Meditation which is a part of Yoga is help person to concentrate because the certain breathing exercises which comes under these are help to gain a certain level of refreshment and awaken the senses, the chakras of our body.

Follow up questions

How does Yoga specifically help you concentrate?

Yoga helps me concentrate by incorporating breathing exercises and meditation, which calm my mind and enhance my focus. The physical postures also promote relaxation, allowing me to clear distractions and improve my mental clarity.

What other activities do you think can help improve concentration?

Apart from Yoga, I believe activities like mindfulness meditation, reading, and even regular physical exercise can significantly enhance concentration. Each of these activities helps in training the mind to focus better and reduces stress.

How has your father's influence shaped your practice of Yoga?

My father's influence has been crucial as he introduced me to Yoga and shared his knowledge and experiences. His dedication inspired me to practice regularly and understand the deeper aspects of Yoga, making it a significant part of my life.

Band 6-7

00:00

I think to concentrate my go-to technique is the Pomodoro Technique in which we concentrate on things for about 20 minutes and then take a short break of five minutes let's say so when we continuously do that for about three times that's when one Pomodoro session gets over so this is my favorite technique when it comes to concentrating but before that what I do is I usually declutter my surroundings I take everything which is necessary for me beside me so I don't have to get up I try to keep the distractions like electronic devices away from me during this time it came across this technique when I was watching how to concentrate video on YouTube and this is when this I came to know about this technique apart from that I also in the lockdown and also saw there are some zoom meeting rooms wherein people can just turn on their camera and do their work so it is said that when there is someone to look over you you work perfectly that was the whole concept of this zoom meeting room things so what we used to do a bunch of us we used to go on to zoom and sit together for studying because we could not physically sit around each other that is why we try to do that virtually and in the meantime we could also answer each other's doubts and you know ask the questions or help each another each other so that is how I think I concentrate

Follow up questions

What other techniques do you use to improve concentration?

Besides the Pomodoro Technique, I sometimes use mindfulness meditation or listen to instrumental music. These methods help clear my mind and enhance focus. I also try to set specific goals for each study session, which keeps me motivated and on track.

How do you handle distractions when studying?

I handle distractions by creating a dedicated study space and using apps that block distracting websites. I also inform my family or roommates about my study times so they can minimize interruptions. If I feel distracted, I take a short break to reset my focus.

Do you think studying with others is more effective than studying alone?

Yes, studying with others can be more effective because it allows for collaboration and sharing of ideas. When I study with friends, we can motivate each other and clarify doubts, which enhances our understanding of the material.

Show all 17 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Begin by clearly stating what helps you concentrate, such as a specific activity or tool.
Provide a brief description of how this method works for you.

Example

One thing that helps me concentrate is listening to instrumental music. I find that the absence of lyrics allows me to focus better on my tasks without distractions.

Cue 2:When do you do it?

Mention specific times or situations when you use this method to concentrate.
Explain how often you incorporate this into your routine.

Example

I usually listen to instrumental music while studying or working on assignments, especially during late evenings when I need to focus for long hours. I make it a habit to play this music whenever I sit down to work.

Cue 3:How did you learn about it?

Share how you discovered this method, whether through personal experience or recommendations.
Include any specific instances that led you to adopt this technique.

Example

I learned about the benefits of instrumental music from a friend who is also a student. She mentioned how it helped her during her exam preparations, and I decided to give it a try.

Cue 4:How does it help you concentrate?

Explain the specific ways this method enhances your concentration.
Discuss any noticeable improvements in your productivity or focus.

Example

Listening to instrumental music helps me block out background noise and creates a calming atmosphere. I have noticed that I can study for longer periods without losing focus, and my productivity has significantly improved since I started using this method.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, listening to instrumental music has become an essential part of my study routine. It not only helps me concentrate better but also makes the studying process more enjoyable.

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

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. It's important to provide specific details about what helps you concentrate to engage the listener.

Tip

Use clear examples and specific details to describe the item or activity, such as its features or your personal experiences with it.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Failing to address the provided cues can lead to an incomplete answer. Each cue is designed to help structure your response effectively.

Tip

Make sure to answer each cue in order, ensuring you cover 'What it is', 'When you do it', 'How you learned about it', and 'How it helps you concentrate'.

Overly Long Answers

Giving excessively long responses can lose the listener's interest. It's important to be concise while still providing enough detail.

Tip

Practice summarizing your thoughts in a few sentences for each cue, focusing on the most relevant information to keep your answer engaging.

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