Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a prize you want to win - Cue Card # 672
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- Written by IELTS Mentor
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 prize or award you want to win.
You should say:
- what prize or award it is
- what you will need to do to win it
- how easy or difficult it would be
and explain why you want to win that prize or award.
[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:
If my memory serves me well, I won something for the last time during my high school years because of writing an awesome essay. It was just a book that I won, but it meant quite “something special” to me. Now, that I have entered work life, I guess I am not really as competitive as I used to be when I was in high school. But, winning an “employee of the month” award at least at my work wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all, in my opinion.
I haven’t started my current job for too long, but I already like some initiatives there to encourage its employees to perform well. One such initiative is giving awards to its best employees every month for hitting certain performance benchmarks.
Of course, achieving these benchmarks is not really easy as they involve following certain difficult work guidelines which include finishing a certain number of projects/tasks every day before the closing of the workday without working any overtime, maintaining “zero” late attendance the entire month, collaborating with other departments for a certain number of hours every week, and not taking any day off unless there are very valid reasons and emergency situations.
I want to win the prize mainly because I want to become a valuable and reliable staff of my company so that I am considered for a bigger role in my company. And, a bigger role, of course, would most likely mean having better opportunities to learn something new and greater financial advantages. Besides, I want to win this prize also because it would help me boost my confidence so that I am able to grow, not only in my professional life but also in my personal life. Finally, I want to win the prize also because I want to be considered a role model for my children sometime in the future in order to show them that success and fulfilling our dreams are always possible if we can work hard.
Model Answer 2:
I have many big dreams in life, and they say that you need to dream big to achieve big. So today, for this fantastic topic, I would like to share with you a dream of mine to win a highly prestigious prize. The prize that I aspire to win is the Nobel Prize in Literature, an esteemed award that recognizes outstanding contributions to the world of literature. If this dream comes true ever, I will die peacefully!
The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded annually to an author who has produced an outstanding work of literature, which may include novels, poetry, essays, or plays. I am not yet a remotely renowned writer, let alone competitive for this world-renowned prize. Yet, I dream of winning it someday and I know that it is one of the most difficult feats to achieve.
To be considered for the Nobel Prize in Literature, one must demonstrate exceptional literary talent and contribute significantly to the literary world through their written works. This could involve creating groundbreaking literature that resonates with readers worldwide, addressing important themes or issues, and making a lasting impact on the literary landscape.
Winning the Nobel Prize in Literature is undoubtedly a challenging feat, as it requires not only exceptional writing skills but also widespread recognition and acclaim from literary critics, scholars, and peers. The competition is fierce, with countless talented writers vying for this prestigious honour each year. However, for those who are truly dedicated to their craft and produce exceptional literary works that capture the hearts and minds of readers, the possibility of winning the Nobel Prize in Literature remains within reach, albeit with significant dedication and perseverance.
I aspire to win the Nobel Prize in Literature because it represents the pinnacle of literary achievement and serves as a validation of one's creative talents and contributions to the world of literature. Beyond the honour and prestige associated with the prize, winning the Nobel Prize in Literature would provide me with a platform to share my voice, ideas, and perspectives with a global audience, thereby amplifying the impact of my writing and fostering meaningful dialogue and understanding across cultures and societies. Moreover, it would serve as a lifelong source of inspiration and motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of literary expression and making meaningful contributions to the world of literature.
Sample Answer 3:
Thank you very much for giving me the chance to talk about a prize or award I’d love to win. Well, it would definitely be the Academic Excellence Award at my university.
The Academic Excellence Award is given to the student who achieves the highest grades across all subjects in a given academic year. It’s a prestigious award that recognizes not just good grades, but overall dedication, effort, and a consistent commitment to learning. The award is a big deal at my university, and it's something I’ve had my eye on since I started my degree. Winning it would be a huge honour and a great achievement for me.
To win this award, I would need to perform exceptionally well in all of my courses. That means maintaining a high GPA and being proactive in all aspects of my academic life - attending lectures regularly, participating in discussions, submitting assignments on time, and excelling in exams. It would also require me to go beyond just the bare minimum and actively engage with the material, perhaps by doing extra research, contributing to class projects, and demonstrating a deep understanding of the subjects. I know I would have to put in a lot of hard work and dedication to stand out among my peers.
I won’t lie and it’s definitely going to be difficult. My university is filled with bright, motivated students, and the competition is fierce. Maintaining a consistently high grade point average over several semesters requires a lot of discipline and time management. There are moments when balancing coursework, extracurricular activities, and personal life can get overwhelming. However, I believe that with proper planning, focus, and determination, I can give myself the best chance to win this award. It won’t be easy, but I am ready to put in the effort.
The reason I want to win the Academic Excellence Award is not just for the recognition or the prestige but because it would represent the culmination of my hard work and dedication to my studies. It would also be a reflection of my ability to manage my time and stay committed to my goals. Winning this award would give me a tremendous sense of accomplishment, especially because I would know that my efforts paid off.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a prize or award that you would like to win. You should mention what the prize or award is, what you need to do to achieve it, whether it’s easy or difficult to win, and most importantly, why it matters to you. A well-developed answer would explain your motivation, the value of the award, and your level of commitment toward achieving it. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. National photography award:
I’ve always admired the skill of professional photographers, and winning a national-level photography award would mean the world to me. To win it, I’d need to build a strong portfolio and participate in national contests. It’s competitive, but I’ve been improving my photography skills for years, and this would be a dream come true.
2. Best teacher of the year award:
As an aspiring educator, I would love to be recognised as the best teacher of the year in my school. It would require dedication, student success, innovative teaching methods, and good feedback from both students and parents. Winning it would validate my efforts and passion for teaching.
3. A gold medal in a marathon race:
I’ve recently taken up long-distance running, and winning a gold medal in a city marathon is one of my fitness goals. I would need intense training, dietary discipline, and mental strength. It’s extremely tough, but the sense of accomplishment and the health benefits are worth it.
4. Best startup of the year award:
As an entrepreneur, I dream of launching a successful tech company and winning the ‘Best Startup of the Year’ award. To achieve this, I’d have to build an innovative product, scale it, and earn customer trust. It’s challenging but would give credibility to my business.
5. IELTS band 9 certificate:
I’ve been preparing for the IELTS exam, and getting a full band 9 would be a massive achievement. I’d need to master all four sections and remain consistent in my preparation. It’s difficult but not impossible, and it would open doors to higher education abroad.
6. Best actor award in a local theatre festival:
I’ve acted in a few school plays, and winning a best actor award in a local theatre competition would be amazing. It would require strong emotional expression, voice modulation, and deep character understanding. It’s hard, but it would boost my confidence and acting skills.
7. Academic excellence award in university:
I’ve always aimed for high grades, and winning the academic excellence award at my university would be a great honour. It requires top performance across all subjects and active participation in academic events. Achieving it would be the perfect recognition of my hard work.
8. Innovation in science award:
I’ve been working on a science project involving sustainable energy, and winning a science innovation award would mean the project has real impact. I would need to refine the design, test it thoroughly, and present it to a panel. It’s complex but exciting.
9. National poetry competition prize:
I’ve been writing poems since high school, and I’d love to win a prize in a national poetry contest. It would require original writing, creativity, and emotional depth. It’s tough because there’s so much talent, but I believe my voice is unique.
10. Volunteer service award:
Helping others is something I truly care about, and being recognised with a volunteer service award would be fulfilling. I’d need to commit to regular community service and make a genuine difference. The award would be less about personal glory and more about shared impact.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a prize or award you aspire to win, using ambitious vocabulary can effectively convey its nature, the effort required, the level of challenge, and your underlying motivations. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate your dedication and the significance of the achievement, making your response both inspiring and genuine. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Prestigious: – Inspiring respect and admiration; having high status.
Example: It's a highly prestigious award, recognized throughout the industry.
Coveted: – Greatly desired or envied.
Example: This particular prize is very much coveted by professionals in my field.
Distinguished accolade: – An honour or award that signifies high achievement and respect.
Example: Winning it would be a distinguished accolade, a highlight of my career.
Rigorous competition: – A strict, demanding, and challenging contest or rivalry.
Example: The competition for this award is incredibly rigorous, involving many talented individuals.
Unyielding dedication: – Firm and resolute commitment, not giving way to pressure or difficulty.
Example: It will require unyielding dedication and countless hours of effort.
Push my limits: – To challenge myself to do something more difficult than I have done before.
Example: To win it, I'll need to truly push my limits and step out of my comfort zone.
Validate my efforts: – To confirm or recognize the worth or effectiveness of my hard work.
Example: Winning would validate my efforts and the countless hours I've invested.
Benchmark of excellence: – A standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed, signifying top quality.
Example: This award represents the benchmark of excellence in my chosen profession.
Propel my career: – Drive or push my professional advancement forward.
Example: I believe winning this prize would significantly propel my career forward.
Personal fulfilment: – The satisfaction of achieving one's desires or expectations.
Example: Beyond professional gains, it would bring a deep sense of personal fulfilment.
Inspire others: – Encourage or motivate other people to do something positive.
Example: I hope that achieving this goal could also inspire others in my field.
A testament to: – Something that serves as a sign or evidence of a specified fact, event, or quality.
Example: Winning it would be a testament to years of hard work and perseverance.
Overcome adversity: – Successfully deal with difficulties or misfortunes.
Example: It would signify my ability to overcome adversity and achieve challenging goals.
Legacy: – Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.
Example: To some extent, it's about building a legacy in my chosen area of expertise.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a prize or award you want to win", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a prize or award that you have ever won.
2) Describe a competition that you took part in.
3) Describe a person from your country who has won a prize, award or medal.
4) Describe a success or achievement in your life.
5) Describe a time when you were rewarded for something you did.
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