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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 an ambitious person you know.

You should say:

• who this person is
• how you know this person
• what his/her ambitions are

and explain how important his/her ambitions are in your opinion.

[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 have ambitions, big or small, in their lives, and they all try to materialize them as best as possible in order to gain personally, mostly. But, having ambitions for a noble purpose in order to make a difference in society is not something we always get to see unless we meet a young entrepreneur like “Rabbi Chaudhury”.

I have known Rabbi, a great friend of mine, from my early high school days as a hard-working and brilliant person who has always preferred to think “out of the box” when trying to provide solutions to any problem, be it personal or professional.

Being the child of a rich man in his small town, Rabbi always has had pretty much all the means at his disposal to enjoy a great life in a big city among many riches and luxuries after finishing his tertiary education and getting a steady job, and that’s exactly what his parents expected also. But, Rabbi didn’t exactly want to go that route, as he always hid an ambition in his mind to set up a small “garments” factory there, which he eventually did. Now he dreams to expand it even further.

So, anyway, once my school friend finished his university education, he started to convince his parents to go along with his “ambitious plan”, but unfortunately, his parents kept protesting that idea vehemently as they didn’t want the talents of their child to a “complete waste”. However, Rabbi’s parents eventually gave in to the constant request of their beloved child.

Rabbi’s plan to set a garments factory in his little town was an important step to deal with the demographic changes effectively. It helped by encouraging young people to remain there, as the town was losing on its young population so that they don’t have to move out of the area to find steady jobs. Besides, it has also created a great opportunity for the community members to interact with each other on a more personal level in a town which has remained rather divided for long by an “invisible” cultural and religious line. Finally, the plan has and will continue to provide a general boost to the economy of the town.

Model Answer 2:

Introduction:
An ambitious individual I admire is my colleague, Alex, and for this topic, I have decided to talk about him and his ambitions. But, before anything, I would like to thank you for this interesting topic. I'd like to mention that I've had the pleasure of working with Alex for the past two years, and his drive and determination never cease to impress me.

Who this person is:
Alex is a dynamic and motivated colleague whom I met when we both started working at the same company. From the beginning, it was evident that he possessed a strong sense of ambition and a clear vision for his professional growth and development.

How you know this person:
I got to know Alex through our work interactions and team projects. Over time, we developed a good rapport and became friends both inside and outside the office.

What his/her ambitions are:
Alex's ambitions are multifaceted and extend across various aspects of his life. Professionally, he aspires to climb the corporate ladder and eventually hold a leadership position within our company. He is committed to continuous learning and skill development, often pursuing additional training and certifications to enhance his expertise in his field. Personally, Alex is also passionate about philanthropy and community service, actively volunteering his time and resources to support various charitable causes and initiatives.

And explain how important his/her ambitions are:
Alex's ambitions are incredibly important to him as they serve as guiding principles that drive his actions and decisions. His unwavering commitment to his goals motivates him to work diligently, overcome obstacles, and persist in the face of challenges. Moreover, his ambitious pursuits not only benefit him personally but also contribute positively to our workplace culture and the broader community. So, I think that his ambitions are immensely important.

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

This topic asks you to describe a person you know who is ambitious. You need to talk about who this person is, how you know them, what their goals or ambitions are, and explain why you believe these ambitions are important. A well-developed answer should focus on their determination, achievements so far, and how their ambition shapes their daily life. Here are a few ideas to help you make your own response. We hope that you will find this section quite helpful.

1. My school friend – Sadiq:
Sadiq has always been one of the most focused people I know. I’ve known him since high school, and his ambition to become a neurosurgeon has never changed. He studies tirelessly and is already in medical school. I believe his ambition will not only help him succeed but also allow him to contribute meaningfully to society.

2. The daughter of my neighbour – Priya:
Priya dreams of becoming a diplomat and representing her country abroad. I came to know her through our neighbourhood community events. She is fluent in several languages and keeps herself informed about international affairs. Her ambition is significant because she wants to bring positive change in foreign relations.

3. My university roommate – Karim:
Karim wants to build a tech startup that solves rural healthcare issues using mobile apps. He constantly attends entrepreneurship workshops and works on prototypes. His ambition could revolutionize access to healthcare in underdeveloped areas.

4. The younger brother of my cousin – Arman:
Arman, though still in college, dreams of becoming a professional footballer. He trains daily and plays for a local club. His dedication and discipline reflect a strong ambition, and it’s inspiring to see someone so young working so hard for his goals.

5. My former English teacher – Mrs. Linda:
Mrs. Linda had the ambition of opening a community library in a remote village. She saved money and worked extra hours to make it a reality. Her ambition was rooted in helping others, which makes it even more admirable.

6. The son of my boss – Nathan:
Nathan aspires to become a film director. I’ve seen his passion through short films he produces on weekends. His creative drive and ambition to tell meaningful stories through cinema are truly impressive and can make a strong impact in the world of entertainment.

7. The daughter of my aunt – Rima:
Rima wants to become a climate scientist. Since childhood, she has shown deep interest in environmental issues. Her ambition is critical because we need more experts working to combat climate change and protect the planet.

8. A classmate from my business course – Leila:
Leila dreams of becoming the CEO of her own fashion brand. She designs clothes in her free time and studies international business. Her ambition is to create ethical fashion that also empowers women from underprivileged backgrounds.

9. My colleague – Jawad:
Jawad has set a clear goal of becoming the head of the marketing department within five years. He’s constantly learning, networking, and improving his skills. His ambition drives the team forward and sets a great example in the workplace.

10. The brother of my best friend – Rashed:
Rashed is determined to become a pilot. He has always been fascinated by aviation and is working hard to clear the entrance exams. His ambition is not only about flying planes but also about seeing the world and connecting cultures.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing an ambitious person you know, using precise vocabulary can effectively convey their drive, their aspirations, and your perception of their goals. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate their determination and the impact of their ambition, making your response both insightful and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Driven: – Strongly motivated to achieve a goal.
Example: He's incredibly driven, always pushing himself to excel.

Resolute: – Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.
Example: She is resolute in her pursuit of her career objectives.

Tenacious: – Holding fast to something; persistent.
Example: His tenacious spirit ensures he never gives up on his dreams.

Aspiring: – Directing one's hopes or ambitions towards becoming a specified type of person.
Example: She is an aspiring entrepreneur with a clear vision for her startup.

Goal-oriented: – Focused on achieving a particular aim or result.
Example: He is very goal-oriented, always setting clear targets for himself.

Undaunted by setbacks: – Not intimidated or discouraged by failures or difficulties.
Example: She remains undaunted by setbacks, viewing them as learning opportunities.

Fosters innovation: – Encourages the development of new ideas, methods, or products.
Example: His ambition often fosters innovation within his team.

Pushes boundaries: – Extends the limits of what is considered possible or acceptable.
Example: They constantly push boundaries in their field, always seeking new frontiers.

Leaves no stone unturned: – Tries every possible course of action in order to achieve something.
Example: When it comes to achieving his goals, he leaves no stone unturned.

Strives for excellence: – Makes great efforts to achieve outstanding quality or perfection.
Example: She continually strives for excellence in every task she undertakes.

Inspirational: – Providing or showing creative or spiritual inspiration.
Example: Their ambition is truly inspirational, motivating those around them.

Catalyst for change: – Something or someone that causes a significant change or event to happen.
Example: His ambition acts as a catalyst for positive change in the entire organization.

Visionary: – Thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom.
Example: He's a visionary leader with grand ambitions for his company.

Embodies determination: – Is a visible and tangible representation of the quality of being determined.
Example: To me, he truly embodies determination and commitment.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe an ambitious person you know", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe an adventurous person you know.
2) Describe a person whom you like or admire.
3) Describe a person who has started a business.
4) Describe a close friend of yours whom you like.
5) Describe someone who has an interesting job or work.
6) Describe an ambition or goal you have in your life.
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking
• Candidate Task Card
• Speaking Part 2

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