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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]

Describe a mistake you once made in your life that you regretted.

You should say:

• what mistake it was
• when it was
• why you regretted making this mistake.

and explain how it affected you.

[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer 1:

Well, I don't hesitate to admit that I made many mistakes in my life. While some of these mistakes didn’t really affect me that negatively, I can not say the same for other mistakes that I made. For this topic, I'd, however, like to talk about a mistake I made in high school, about 9 years ago, when I studied and prepared for the wrong subject. Sounds pretty stupid, doesn’t it?

But, then again, when you are in high school and young, I guess that being stupid is allowed! However, the problem was that I was probably a bit more stupid than the other boys and girls of my age. And, that’s probably why I seldom cared to write down the schedules for the test as a high school student.

Of course, such carelessness and stupidity didn’t exactly cause much of a problem with my studies or test preparation since I could memorise them all by heart. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen when I was a 9th-grade student and was preparing for my half-yearly test for geography class. By the way, I was never really a good geography student, so I had to spend a great deal of extra time studying it to get a respectable score in it.

But, when I took my seat in the class and got the test paper in my hands, I couldn’t believe my own eyes as the test paper, which I was looking at, was actually for social science. For a minute, I thought that the test supervisor had made a mistake picking up the wrong test papers from his office. But when I asked him about it, he told me in a very authoritative voice that it was I who had made the mistake. The supervisor was right. I felt so stupid and regretted it because I knew I would do badly in the test, and that would affect my year-end score very negatively.

Anyway, the mistake affected me badly, primarily because I couldn’t answer the test questions properly, which also meant that I ended up getting a very poor score in my social science exam. But, the good thing was I finally learned my lesson because of this terrible mistake and started to write down all test schedules thereafter.

Sample Answer 2:

No one wants to talk about their mistakes, and it seems like human psychology is prone to forgetting blunders and remembering good things in life. But some mistakes are hard to forget and have severe consequences in life. I, too, as an ordinary human, try to learn from my mistakes, forget them most of the time and go ahead with my dreams to do something remarkable in my life. I'd like to thank you for this topic that expects me to talk about a mistake I have made in my life and regretted. Well, please bear with me with the story!

Well, the biggest mistake in my life was falling in love with the wrong girl, who had a completely different view of life, love and relationships. I was hardly 17 years old when I fell hard for this girl.

Initially, we were classmates and then became friends. In a year, I started to feel something about her that was quite extraordinary and hard to explain. I guess people call this 'love'. My whole world started to shift, and I was surrounded by a mirage for this whole time. Not a single moment had passed when I didn't think about her. She was the centre and power source of my universe. When I proposed to her, she expressed her boundless joy and acted as if I should have proposed to her earlier. So far, this is a sweet and innocent love story of a teenager, and I was happy to have her in my life.

However, it took me only a few months to realise that she was not serious about our relationship. When she was my whole world, I was just another temporary boyfriend to her! The relationship ended in ten months, and I was so broken-hearted that I could not concentrate on anything for a while. My parents also knew about it, and they were very supportive of me. In the first few days, it was quite difficult for me to lead a normal life, study properly and go outside or talk to others. I simply could not appease my mind that I made a great mistake, and it was like an illusion that I needed to come out of soon. However, when I started realising that I made a big mistake by approaching a serious relationship without even knowing the girl genuinely, I started making peace with my mind. I was completely honest with myself, and that eventually helped me to get out of the depressive time I went through at that time. However, I regretted this whole episode of teenage love affair.

The lesson learned from this mistake made me more cautious about any kind of relationships that I make, and I am happy that I took this mistake as a lesson. However, I often feel bad for being so naive. 

Sample Answer 3:

Well, making mistakes is part of life, and one of the biggest mistakes that I’ve ever made actually happened in the kitchen. I was preparing for a cooking exam at school, and I accidentally caused a small fire at home. This was a mistake I regretted back then, but it has become a funny incident over time. Thank you very much for allowing me to talk about it here.

To give you some context, I was in 12th grade at the time, and we had to cook rice, vegetables and chicken curry as part of our Home Economics practical exam. I had never really cooked before, but I thought, “How hard could it be?” My mother even showed me how to light the stove properly, but the problem was that I didn’t really pay close attention.

On the day, I was practising at my school, I panicked a little while trying to light the gas stove, and instead of doing it carefully, I turned the stove on and then afterwards, dropped the matchstick directly onto the burner. Within seconds, the flame spread because the gas had already spread in the kitchen. Suddenly, it seemed like the kitchen was on fire. My other classmates screamed, and I panicked. Luckily, our teachers rushed in and managed to put it out before it got worse, and it was so scary for me.

The whole experience was a huge wake-up call for me. First, I realised that cooking requires patience and focus - it’s not something you can just improvise. Second, I learned to never be overconfident when trying something new. Thankfully, my teachers were understanding about the incident and still let me pass the course.

Looking back, it was a frightening mistake, but also a very valuable lesson. Now, whenever I cook, I take safety much more seriously, and I’ve become far more confident in the kitchen - though I still keep a safe distance from open flames!

Model Answer 4: 

Introduction:
Mistakes are an inevitable part of life, and while some are minor, others leave a lasting impression and teach us valuable lessons. Today, I would like to talk about a mistake I once made, which I deeply regretted, and how it influenced my outlook on life. Thank you for this interesting topic. 

What mistake it was:
The mistake I made was failing to prepare adequately for a very important university examination. At that time, I underestimated the level of difficulty and thought I could manage by studying only during the last few days. Instead of focusing on revision, I spent too much time socialising and procrastinating, believing that I had plenty of time to catch up.

When it was:
This incident took place about five years ago, during my second year at university. It was the final exam for one of the core courses that contributed significantly to my overall grade point average. I remember feeling anxious as the exam approached, but by then it was already too late to cover the entire syllabus thoroughly.

Why you regretted making this mistake:
I regretted this mistake deeply because I performed poorly in the exam and received one of the lowest marks I had ever obtained. This affected my academic record and shook my self-confidence at that time. I realised that my casual attitude had cost me dearly, and I could have achieved a much better result if I had been more disciplined. Moreover, I felt guilty because my parents had high expectations, and I felt I had let them down.

And explain how it affected you:
This experience left a profound impact on me. It taught me the importance of time management, consistency, and self-discipline. Since then, I have completely changed my approach to studies and responsibilities. I began planning my tasks well in advance and prioritising what truly matters. In hindsight, although the experience was painful at the time, it helped me grow as a more responsible and determined individual.

Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

This topic asks you to describe a mistake you made and deeply regretted. To create a strong answer, you should clearly explain what the mistake was, when it happened, why it caused regret, and how it influenced your life. Here are some ideas to help you develop your own response:

1. Academic procrastination: 
Failing to study for an important exam because of overconfidence or distractions. The regret comes from poor performance and lost opportunities. This experience teaches time management and the importance of preparation.

2. Forgetting an important family event: 
Missing a close relative’s birthday or anniversary due to scheduling mistakes. Regret comes from disappointing loved ones. It highlights the need for planning and prioritising personal relationships.

3. Hurting a friend unintentionally: 
Saying something thoughtless that offended a close friend. Regret comes from realizing the impact of words. This teaches empathy, thoughtfulness, and better communication skills.

4. Ignoring health advice: 
Skipping medical checkups or not following a doctor’s instructions. The mistake could result in illness or complications, prompting regret. This emphasises responsibility for one’s well-being.

5. Making a financial blunder: 
Overspending, investing poorly, or missing a payment deadline. The regret stems from lost money or opportunity. It teaches financial planning and caution in monetary matters.

6. Overreacting in a conflict: 
Losing temper during an argument with a friend or colleague. Regret follows once emotions settle. This encourages learning emotional control and diplomatic conflict resolution.

7. Neglecting a responsibility at work: 
Missing a deadline or forgetting a task. The regret arises from negative feedback or missed opportunities. It reinforces the importance of organisation and diligence.

8. Misjudging someone’s intentions: 
Distrusting or wrongly accusing a friend or coworker. Regret comes from damaging a relationship. This teaches patience and careful observation before forming opinions.

9. Social media blunder: 
Posting an insensitive comment or photo that caused backlash. Regret comes from public embarrassment or offending someone. This encourages mindfulness and digital etiquette.

10. Driving mistake: 
Making a reckless decision while driving, like speeding or ignoring signals. Regret stems from near accidents or legal consequences. It highlights the importance of responsibility and safety.

11. Missing a learning opportunity: 
Declining a workshop, course, or event due to laziness or procrastination. Regret comes from losing valuable knowledge or experience. It emphasises seizing opportunities when they arise.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a mistake you regretted, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey what the error was, when it occurred, the reasons for your regret, and its lasting impact on you. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the feelings of remorse, the lessons learned, and the personal growth that came from the experience, making your response both honest and reflective. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Mistake: – An action or an opinion that is incorrect or wrong.
Example: My biggest mistake was not taking the opportunity to travel when I had the chance.

Regret: – A feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done.
Example: I have a deep sense of regret over that poor decision.

Poor judgment: – A lack of good sense or sound decision-making.
Example: Looking back, it was a clear case of poor judgment on my part.

Missed opportunity: – A chance to do something that you did not take advantage of.
Example: Not applying for that scholarship was a huge missed opportunity.

Oversight: – An unintentional failure to notice or do something.
Example: It wasn't a malicious act, but rather a simple oversight.

Disastrous: – Causing great damage.
Example: The project turned into a disastrous failure due to my mismanagement.

Repercussions: – An unintended consequence occurring sometime after an event or action, especially a negative one.
Example: The mistake had far-reaching repercussions for my career.

Remorse: – Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.
Example: I felt genuine remorse for the hurt my actions had caused.

Self-reproach: – Censure or blame directed at oneself.
Example: The mistake led to a period of intense self-reproach and reflection.

Setback: – A reversal or check in progress.
Example: The mistake caused a significant setback in my personal development.

Learned a lesson: – Gained knowledge or experience from a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Example: It was a painful mistake, but I definitely learned a valuable lesson from it.

Reflective: – Relating to or involving deep thought.
Example: The experience made me more reflective about my choices and their outcomes.

Consequence: – A result or effect of an action or condition.
Example: I had to live with the consequences of my mistake for a long time.

Accountability: – The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.
Example: I learned the importance of taking full accountability for my actions.

Burden: – A cause of hardship, difficulty, or worry.
Example: The feeling of regret was a heavy burden that I carried for years.

Redeem: – To compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something).
Example: I tried my best to redeem myself by making things right with the people I had affected.

More Ideas to talk about this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card topic:

Topic: Describe a mistake you once made in your life that you regretted.

1. The office report mistake: Once, I was working late at night on an office report, and I accidentally inserted the wrong image without realising it. The next morning, when my boss reviewed it, he pointed it out politely, but I was honestly embarrassed because I had never made such a careless mistake before. It taught me that working under pressure and lack of sleep usually leads to errors.

2. Forgetting my phone: I once attended a college function in Delhi and forgot to carry my primary phone. I was in such a rush to leave the house that I left it charging at home. It turned into a big problem because I couldn’t call anyone, and several of my friends kept trying to reach me. That day, I realised how dependent we’ve become on our phones.

3. Bank deposit mistake: Last month, I made a terrible mistake at the bank. I wrote down the wrong digit in an account number while depositing money, and the funds went to someone else’s account. Since it was almost closing time, I had to spend days talking to bank officials to get it resolved. It was stressful, but I definitely learned to double-check every detail before submitting forms.

4. The biology exam drawing: During a practical biology exam in Lahore, we were asked to draw the internal organs of a frog. The problem was  - I did not know how to draw it! What I ended up sketching was so bad that even my classmates laughed at it. Honestly, it was embarrassing, but at least it broke the tension in the room and gave everyone a laugh.

5. Driving without my license: One mistake I regret happened last year in Munich. I was rushing to a private gathering, drove too fast, and completely forgot my driver’s license at home. Unfortunately, I got stopped by the police, and they fined me heavily. It was a painful reminder that even small oversights can have serious consequences.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe a mistake you once made in your life that you regretted", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe someone you know who made a wrong decision.
2) Describe a sad experience you have had in your life.
3) Describe a time when someone got angry with you.
4) Describe a person who once apologised to you.
5) Describe a situation that made you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. 
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• Candidate Task Card

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