Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Success your friend has had that you are proud of - Cue Card # 637
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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 success your friend has had that you are proud of.
You should say:
- what type of success it was
- how he/she achieved it
- how easy or difficult it was for your friend
and explain why you are proud of it.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
People say that nothing succeeds like success. So, we like to talk about it, whether it is ours or achieved by others, whenever an opportunity is presented. Today, I would like to talk about such success which surely would make anybody proud. This success belonged to one of my friends.
My friend, Travers, was an aspiring entrepreneur, and he wanted to establish himself as a successful entrepreneur since his early days as an adult. So, he decided to enter into the business of making garment products such as shirts and pants for adults. But, the problem was that he neither had any prior working experience in that particular business sector nor received any formal training in the trade. So, it wasn’t exactly easy for my friend to get the entrepreneurial start that he expected.
But, he was a very determined lad, and he was not exactly ready to give up so easily. So, he decided to take a job at one of the garment factories with a very minimal wage in order to get familiar with some of the tricks of running a garment business. It wasn’t an easy job to do since it involved long hours of manual work from unloading shipments to cutting and sizing of hundreds of fabric pieces. He continued his back-breaking work there for almost a year, learning the nitty-gritty details of the business. Finally, he was ready to set up his own business.
A few sewing machines and a few skilled technicians were all he needed to start his business. In the beginning, it was only a few orders from here and there with nothing consistent - just to keep him going in his work with a very minimal profit. But, as time progressed, my friend would get out to collect work orders from different businesses, all over the country, in order to make customised dresses for them. I guess it was during this crucial period that my friend sensed that something good was going on. My friend finally got what he wanted after working tirelessly for almost two years.
I am really proud of my friend for what he achieved and how he achieved it. It was because of his hard work and sheer determination that he managed to become a successful entrepreneur at such an early age. In fact, there was tremendous pressure from his family to get a good job (since he graduated from university with good grades) instead of starting a business, but he didn’t succumb to the pressure and chose to carry on with his entrepreneurial pursuit even if it meant working for 16 hours a day and 30 days a month. I am also very proud of my friend because he was working for a greater purpose, which was to create better working opportunities for the unemployed young adults, and I must say that he succeeded in achieving his goal to a large extent.
Model Answer 2:
People say that "the secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well". But seldom do people understand that it takes a lot of time and effort to succeed in life, and it is even truer when a woman raises her “flag of success” in this world because, after all, it is not that easy for a woman to be successful - whether it is academically or professionally in our country.
But, my friend, Rebecca, made “success” look ridiculously easy as she was one of only two female students ever to receive a “Presidential Award” from our university. But, did that success come that easily? The answer is “no” because she had to struggle during her university years. For example, she fell sick with Paratyphoid for more than three weeks when she seldom attended any classes. To make it worse, soon after, her father, the only earning member in her family, lost his job. As a result, Rebecca had to work two shifts (12 hours) to support her family. Besides, she had to travel at least 3 hours a day in order to commute back and forth from her residence to university every day. Now, achieving such a great academic result after weathering so many difficulties was truly remarkable.
I am truly proud of my friend “Rebecca” as a friend and as a woman myself. I am not too sure that I could ever achieve such a feat even under the best of the circumstances. Besides, she managed to perform so extraordinarily well in a subject (“Chemical Engineering” that is) which was not an easy subject and required extensive lab work and study time.
Model Answer 3:
As soon as I looked at this topic, I knew whose success I would talk about for this topic. So please bear with me when I share the success story of one of my friends. I would also like to thank you profoundly for the opportunity to let me talk about it here.
The success that this friend of mine achieved, which I am immensely proud of, is when he won a prestigious academic scholarship to study abroad. This success was a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance in pursuing his academic goals.
To achieve this scholarship, my friend had to excel academically, and demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities and community involvement. He spent countless hours studying, attending extracurricular activities, and volunteering in various community projects to build a strong profile that would impress the scholarship selection committee.
The process of applying for and securing the scholarship was not easy for my friend. He faced stiff competition from numerous other highly qualified candidates, each vying for the same opportunity. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, my friend remained determined and focused on his goal, leveraging his academic achievements, leadership experiences, and personal attributes to set himself apart from the competition.
Ultimately, my friend's hard work and perseverance paid off when he received the news that he had been awarded the scholarship. This success not only provided him with the opportunity to pursue higher education at a prestigious institution but also opened doors to new experiences, cultures, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
I am incredibly proud of my friend's achievement because it represents the culmination of years of dedication and effort in pursuit of his academic and personal aspirations. His success serves as an inspiration to me and others, highlighting the importance of resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges and achieving one's goals. Additionally, knowing the sacrifices and hard work my friend put into achieving this success fills me with a sense of pride and admiration for his accomplishments.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a specific success or achievement of your friend that made you feel genuinely proud. To respond effectively, you need to talk about what this success was, how your friend worked toward achieving it, whether it was an easy or difficult journey for them, and finally, why this particular achievement made you feel proud. A strong answer should highlight your friend’s determination, any obstacles they overcame, and the emotional or personal impact of their success. It’s also helpful to reflect on your relationship with your friend and how their success influenced you. Here are a few ideas to help you structure your response:
1. Getting a full scholarship to study abroad:
My friend managed to earn a full scholarship to study computer science in Canada. He had worked hard for years, preparing for exams and maintaining top grades despite financial struggles. The competition was intense, but he stayed focused and confident. I felt extremely proud because he came from a disadvantaged background and proved that dedication can lead to amazing opportunities.
2. Starting a successful online business:
One of my close friends launched a handmade jewellery business online and now ships products worldwide. She learned marketing and web design all by herself. It wasn’t easy as there were many moments when sales were low, and she felt discouraged. But her perseverance paid off. I'm proud of her because she turned a simple idea into a thriving business.
3. Winning a national-level sports competition:
A childhood friend of mine won gold in a national-level taekwondo championship. He had trained for years, sacrificing weekends and facing physical injuries. The competition was fierce, but he stayed focused and gave his best. I was proud because I had seen his dedication and knew how hard he had worked to get there.
4. Publishing a novel at a young age:
My friend published her first novel while still in university. She had always been passionate about storytelling, and despite academic pressure and self-doubt, she finished and submitted her manuscript. The book received great reviews. I was proud because it showed that passion and belief in oneself can lead to incredible achievements.
5. Overcoming a serious illness and completing a marathon:
One of my friends battled a severe illness for months, and doctors were unsure about his recovery. But after regaining his strength, he trained for a marathon and completed it. The entire experience was inspiring, and I felt deeply proud of his resilience and determination to bounce back stronger than ever.
6. Becoming a successful YouTuber:
My friend started a tech-focused YouTube channel with just a smartphone and some basic editing skills. Now he has thousands of followers and earns from his content. He remained consistent and creative despite early setbacks. I’m proud because he created something meaningful from scratch and made it work through pure dedication.
7. Getting hired by a top multinational company:
My best friend landed a job at a top multinational tech firm. He worked tirelessly, improving his coding skills and attending mock interviews. The selection process was very competitive, but he stayed focused. I felt proud because he reached a goal he had been dreaming about since our school days.
8. Winning a debate competition after several failures:
One of my friends had failed to win any debate competitions for years, even though she was talented. But she kept refining her skills, worked on her confidence, and eventually won a prestigious university debate event. I was proud because she never gave up and finally succeeded through persistence.
9. Opening a community library in a rural area:
My friend initiated a project to open a small library in a rural community where children had no access to books. He collected donations, bought books, and set up everything with volunteer help. It took months, but he succeeded. I was proud because he made a real difference and showed what social responsibility looks like.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a friend's success that makes you proud, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the nature of their achievement, the journey they undertook, and your personal admiration. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate their dedication, the challenges they overcame, and the reasons for your pride, making your response both heartfelt and inspiring. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Milestone: – A significant stage or event in the development of something.
Example: Graduating with honours was a major milestone in her academic career.
Breakthrough: – A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development.
Example: His research led to a significant breakthrough in renewable energy technology.
Achievement: – A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill.
Example: Launching her own business was a remarkable achievement.
Accomplishment: – Something that has been achieved successfully.
Example: Winning the national championship was an incredible accomplishment for the team.
Triumph: – A great victory or achievement.
Example: Her successful recovery after the accident was a true triumph of spirit.
Perseverance: – Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Example: Her success was a testament to her unwavering perseverance through countless setbacks.
Dedication: – The quality of being committed to a task or purpose.
Example: It was her immense dedication to practice that led to her musical success.
Resilience: – The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Example: He showed incredible resilience in overcoming all the obstacles in his path.
Sheer hard work: – The effort and labour put into a task, emphasising its significant quantity.
Example: It wasn't luck; it was sheer hard work that got her where she is today.
Overcame adversity: – Successfully dealt with difficulties or misfortune.
Example: He truly overcame adversity to achieve his dreams.
Set a goal: – Established a specific aim or desired result.
Example: She set a clear goal for herself and worked relentlessly towards it.
Determined: – Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it.
Example: He was absolutely determined to succeed despite the challenges.
Inspiring: – Having the effect of inspiring someone.
Example: Her journey to success is truly inspiring to everyone around her.
Proud: – Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated.
Example: I couldn't be more proud of what she has accomplished.
Admiration: – Respect and warm approval.
Example: My admiration for his discipline and drive grew immensely.
Validation: – Recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile.
Example: This success felt like a great validation of all his efforts.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a success your friend has had that you are proud of", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when you felt proud of your friend.
2) Describe something you achieved that you are proud of.
3) Describe success you want to achieve in the future.
4) Describe a success that you have achieved.
5) Describe something you want to do in the future.
6) Describe a quality that you admire in your friends.
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