Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
When you received some positive feedback - Cue Card # 717
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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 received some positive feedback.
You should say:
- when it was
- what the feedback was about
- who gave you the feedback
and explain how you felt about 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:
I have been lucky to receive many positive feedbacks on many occasions, although I must admit, I don’t think all of them were well-deserved. In fact, I feel like many of those positive feedbacks were thrown at me just to be nice to me. But, I can remember at least one feedback, which I received about 4 years ago as a university student, as a genuine one.
To tell the story, when I was a university student, I used to do some home tutoring for high school students, teaching mostly the subjects of general science which included physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. By the way, I liked to do this home tutoring thing because it allowed me to remain in the mood for studying since I was also studying science as a university student. Besides, it also helped me a little with my pocket money.
Anyway, while all of my students, taking home lessons from me, were reasonably smart and talented, at least one of them was a bit weak in understanding the science subjects, especially, mathematics. So I decided to inform his parents about his weakness while also asking the student to spend extra time with me every week to get proper math lessons. Needless to say, his parents agreed, and I started my mission to help him understand math as best I could.
If I remember correctly, I gave him home tutoring for only about 5/6 months, but his improvement, as well as performance, was stunning which was reflected in his next final examination. In fact, on his next math test, he got an 80% mark while his average score was only around 45 in the previous years. After seeing such a huge improvement in the result of their son, the parents of that student gave me very nice feedback.
After receiving that huge note of appreciation, I felt really good and proud of my achievement. In fact, I took it as a challenge. Besides, in this way, I also achieved a higher level of confidence in my own studies and professional goals. All in all, it was a great experience.
Model Answer 2:
Receiving positive feedback is always uplifting, and one such memorable instance was during my participation in a collaborative project at work. For this topic, I will share this experience with you.
The notable occasion occurred about six months ago, during the quarterly project review meeting at my workplace.
The feedback was related to a collaborative project I had been actively involved in. The project aimed to streamline internal communication processes, and my role was significant in developing and implementing the digital platform.
The positive feedback came from our team lead, Mr. Anderson, who was overseeing the project. During the project review, he commended my dedication, innovative ideas, and collaborative spirit, highlighting the positive impact on the project's success.
Hearing Mr. Anderson's commendation in a room full of colleagues was genuinely gratifying. His words weren't just about the project; they acknowledged the effort, creativity, and teamwork that I had invested in. It was particularly rewarding as it came from a respected leader in the organization.
The feedback had a profound effect on my morale and work satisfaction. It served as validation for the extra hours and creative solutions I had contributed. Knowing that my efforts were not only recognized but also praised by a leader of Mr. Anderson's stature motivated me to continue giving my best in the work.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when you received some positive feedback. You need to explain when the feedback was given, what it was about, who gave it to you, and how it made you feel. To develop a good answer, try to include a specific context like school, work, or personal projects, and describe how the feedback influenced your motivation, confidence, or performance. Here are a few ideas to help you structure your response:
1. Appreciation from a teacher for a class presentation:
During my college years, I gave a presentation on environmental sustainability. My professor praised my research and presentation style. He even asked the class to use it as a model. I felt incredibly proud and motivated to improve further.
2. Positive feedback from a client at work:
A few months ago, a client sent an email thanking me for delivering their website project ahead of time and with excellent quality. Their appreciation made me feel valued and reinforced my dedication to maintaining high standards.
3. Compliments from my manager during a performance review:
At the end of the fiscal year, my manager highlighted my problem-solving abilities and teamwork during a project. He said I exceeded expectations. I felt recognised and encouraged to keep growing in my role.
4. Encouragement from a friend after a musical performance:
I performed at a local open mic event, and my close friend said I had improved a lot and that my song touched her emotionally. That feedback meant a lot to me, especially coming from someone who knows my journey.
5. Praise from a mentor after completing a training course:
After completing a digital marketing course, my mentor reviewed my final project and said it was creative and well-executed. He even recommended me for a freelance opportunity. I felt empowered and validated in my skills.
6. Compliment from a stranger on a blog article I wrote:
I once wrote a personal blog post about mental health, and a reader commented that it resonated deeply and helped them feel understood. That heartfelt feedback inspired me to keep writing with purpose and empathy.
7. Applause from the audience after a speech:
During a school assembly, I gave a speech on leadership. Afterward, I received applause and later several students told me it was inspiring. That feedback boosted my public speaking confidence significantly.
8. Recognition from my art teacher for a painting:
In my high school art class, I painted a landscape that my teacher called “expressive and mature.” She displayed it on the school board. Her feedback helped me believe in my creative potential.
9. Thank-you note from a volunteer group:
After organising a charity event, the organisers sent me a handwritten note expressing gratitude for my efforts. The note made me feel like my contribution really mattered to others.
10. Feedback from a language exchange partner:
When practising English with a native speaker, they said I spoke clearly and used vocabulary impressively. It encouraged me to continue improving and made me less self-conscious while speaking.
11. Compliments from my cooking instructor:
In a cooking workshop, I received positive comments from the instructor for my presentation and the taste of a dish I prepared. He even said it tasted restaurant-quality. That feedback encouraged me to experiment more in the kitchen.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time you received positive feedback, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the nature of the commendation, its impact, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the significance of the recognition and how it influenced your feelings, making your response both insightful and uplifting. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Commendation: – Formal praise.
Example: I received a special commendation for my role in the project.
Validation: – Recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile.
Example: The feedback was a huge validation of all the hard work I had put in.
Affirmation: – The action or process of affirming something or being affirmed.
Example: It was a welcome affirmation that I was on the right track with my career.
Exceeded expectations: – Performed better than anticipated or required.
Example: The feedback highlighted how my performance had significantly exceeded expectations.
Acknowledged my efforts: – Recognized and appreciated the hard work I had done.
Example: It felt great that my manager genuinely acknowledged my efforts and dedication.
Boosted my confidence: – Made me feel more self-assured and secure.
Example: The positive comments truly boosted my confidence to take on new challenges.
Reinforced my belief: – Strengthened my conviction or certainty about something.
Example: It reinforced my belief that I was pursuing the right path.
A sense of accomplishment: – A feeling of satisfaction from having achieved something.
Example: I was filled with a deep sense of accomplishment after hearing the praise.
Motivated me further: – Inspired me to continue or improve my efforts.
Example: The encouragement motivated me further to excel in my role.
Inspired renewed dedication: – Stirred up a fresh and stronger commitment to a task or goal.
Example: It inspired a renewed dedication to continuous improvement and learning.
Felt truly appreciated: – Experienced a strong feeling of gratitude and recognition for my contributions.
Example: I felt truly appreciated for the value I brought to the team.
Provided valuable encouragement: – Offered helpful support, confidence, or hope.
Example: The feedback provided valuable encouragement during a challenging period.
A pat on the back: – An expression of praise or approval.
Example: It was a well-deserved pat on the back that made all the hard work feel worthwhile.
Propelled me forward: – Drove or pushed me onward, often to new levels of achievement.
Example: That positive feedback really propelled me forward in my professional development.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when you received some positive feedback", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when you were congratulated.
2) Describe something that you succeeded in doing.
3) Describe a time when you helped others.
4) Describe a time when you felt proud about something.
5) Describe one of your successes or accomplishments in life.
6) Describe something difficult that you succeeded in doing.
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