Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a time when you were appreciated - Cue Card # 693
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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 time when you were appreciated for something you did.
You should say:
- when it was
- what you did
- who appreciated you
and explain how you felt when you were appreciated for the thing you did.
[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:
I try to help people without seeking any appreciation or anything in return. And, it is, of course, our human nature to appreciate the help, even though not all of us show or display our appreciation explicitly. But, today, I would like to talk about a time when someone explicitly appreciated me for my assistance.
It happened a few years ago, and my neighbour, Kim Lee, needed to leave the city for a few days in order to see his ailing grandmother. To introduce Kim, he could easily be considered one of the nicest neighbours one could ever hope for, and he lived with his family a couple of blocks away from my house in the same neighbourhood. Kim used to own and run a small super shop which I used to visit almost every other day in order to buy different kinds of stuff. So, we had a very warm relationship with each other. Thus, when he asked me to watch after his house for a few days, I just couldn’t refuse.
Kim told me what exactly needed to be done, including picking up the newspapers from his front lawn every morning, helping his employees to open and close his super shop and turning the lights on in his house during the evening. He also asked me to spend a couple of hours at his house every day, if possible, and keep the “heater” in his house turned on to keep his house warm, as it was really cold at that time. Anyway, Kim left the city after giving me the instructions. But, when he returned after visiting his old and seriously ill grandmother, he didn’t forget to thank me with a very big smile on his happy face.
Even though I wasn’t looking for any kind of appreciation from my neighbour, I felt really great and useful after his words of appreciation. I also felt that a little token of appreciation for our good deeds, from the people around us, would take our relationship even farther, a really long way.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about a memorable experience when I was appreciated for something I did. It evokes a memory that I have not cherished for quite a long, and for this opportunity, I would like to thank you profoundly.
When it was:
It was during my final year of college when I volunteered to organize a fundraising event for our class charity project. The event aimed to raise funds for underprivileged children in our community to provide them with educational resources and support.
What you did:
I took the initiative to plan and execute the entire fundraising event. This involved coordinating with local businesses for sponsorships, designing promotional materials, and managing logistics for the event day. Additionally, I worked with a team of volunteers to ensure everything ran smoothly.
Who appreciated you:
After the event concluded successfully, our college principal, along with the faculty members involved in the charity project, called me to express their heartfelt appreciation for my efforts and dedication. They commended my leadership skills and the impact the event had on the community.
And explain how you felt when you were appreciated for the thing you did:
Being appreciated for my contributions was an incredibly rewarding experience. It filled me with a sense of pride and accomplishment to see how our collective efforts positively impacted the lives of those in need. The recognition served as validation for the hard work and dedication I had put into organizing the event, and it motivated me to continue making a difference in the lives of others.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when someone appreciated you for something you did. You need to mention when this happened, what you did to deserve appreciation, who appreciated you, and most importantly, how it made you feel. The event could be from your school, workplace, family, or even among friends. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your response and express your experience clearly.
1. Appreciation for organising a college event:
Last year, I helped organise the annual cultural program in my college. I managed the logistics, handled the stage setup, and coordinated with performers. After the event, our principal personally appreciated me in front of the students and teachers. It was a proud moment that boosted my confidence and encouraged me to take part in more leadership roles.
2. Praise for helping a colleague meet a deadline:
At my workplace, a colleague was struggling to complete a report on time due to personal issues. I offered to help by sharing some of the work. Our team leader noticed this and appreciated me during our weekly meeting. It felt great to be acknowledged and it strengthened my bond with the team.
3. Recognition for donating blood:
A few months ago, I participated in a blood donation camp. It was my first time, and I did it to help someone in need. Later, the organiser thanked me personally and even mentioned my name in their newsletter. I felt proud and happy that my simple act could save a life.
4. Compliment for preparing a meal for guests:
Once, my parents had invited some guests and my mother wasn’t feeling well. I cooked a few dishes for the guests and helped serve them. Everyone loved the food and appreciated my effort. That day I felt more responsible and realised how small contributions at home matter a lot.
5. Acknowledgement for academic success:
During my school days, I topped the final exam in my class. My teacher appreciated my hard work in front of everyone during the prize distribution ceremony. That encouragement motivated me to continue performing well and set higher academic goals.
6. Gratitude from a friend I supported emotionally:
A friend of mine was going through a rough patch and needed someone to talk to. I listened and offered emotional support without judging. Later, he sent me a heartfelt message appreciating my presence. That appreciation reminded me how valuable empathy and friendship can be.
7. Being appreciated for rescuing a stray puppy:
One evening, I saw an injured puppy near my house and took it to a local shelter. The shelter staff appreciated my action and told me not many people would stop to help. Their words made me feel that kindness, even in small forms, is powerful.
8. Thanks for tutoring a junior student:
When I was in college, I used to tutor a junior who was struggling with mathematics. After the semester ended, he passed with good marks and his parents personally called to thank me. That appreciation made me realise the joy of helping others learn.
9. Recognition for planting trees in the neighbourhood:
As part of a community initiative, I helped plant trees in my neighbourhood park. A few weeks later, our local councillor appreciated me during a small ceremony. It felt rewarding to know that I contributed to making the environment better.
10. Appreciation for designing a project poster:
In one of our college group projects, I designed the presentation and the poster. The teacher praised my design and creativity, saying it added value to the project. I felt motivated and even started exploring graphic design as a hobby after that.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time you were appreciated, using uplifting vocabulary can effectively convey the effort you put in, the recognition you received, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the significance of the appreciation and its impact on your feelings, making your response both inspiring and genuine. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Validation: – Recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile.
Example: Receiving that feedback was a huge validation of all my hard work.
Commendation: – Formal praise.
Example: I received a special commendation for my contributions to the project.
Acknowledged: – Recognized or showed appreciation for something.
Example: It felt great that my efforts were acknowledged by the team leader.
Boosted my confidence: – Made me feel more self-assured and secure.
Example: Their words truly boosted my confidence to take on more responsibilities.
Sense of accomplishment: – A feeling of pride and satisfaction from having achieved something.
Example: I was filled with a deep sense of accomplishment when my work was praised.
Reaffirmed my belief: – Strengthened my conviction or certainty about something.
Example: The appreciation reaffirmed my belief in the importance of teamwork.
Motivated me further: – Inspired me to continue or improve my efforts.
Example: The positive feedback motivated me further to excel in my role.
Felt truly valued: – Experienced a strong feeling of being considered important or worthwhile.
Example: I felt truly valued as a member of the team after that.
Rewarding experience: – An experience that provides satisfaction or benefit.
Example: It was a highly rewarding experience, making all the challenges worthwhile.
Inspired renewed dedication: – Stirred up a fresh and stronger commitment to a task or goal.
Example: Their appreciation inspired a renewed dedication to my professional development.
A pat on the back: – An expression of praise or approval.
Example: It was a well-deserved pat on the back that made me feel recognized.
Gratified: – Pleased or satisfied.
Example: I felt incredibly gratified that my initiative had a positive impact.
Uplifting: – Inspiring happiness, hope, or optimism.
Example: The entire experience was incredibly uplifting and encouraging.
Propelled me forward: – Drove or pushed me onward, often to new levels of achievement.
Example: That moment of appreciation truly propelled me forward in my career.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when you were appreciated for something you did", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe something you did that you feel proud of yourself.
2) Describe a time when you helped someone.
3) Describe a time when you received some positive feedback.
4) Describe a time when you received some unexpected compliment.
5) Describe a time when you were offered something for free.
6) Describe a time when you received an unexpected gift.
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