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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 decision made by someone you know that changed his/her life.

You should say:

• who this person is/was
• what decision he/she made
• whether it was a good decision

and explain how this has changed this person's life.

[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:

We have to make many decisions almost regularly to adjust to the changing circumstances of our lives. Needless to say, not all of these decisions change our lives in the way we expect them to. But, today, I would like to talk about a decision, taken by someone I know, which changed his life as expected. Before I go into the details of this event, I would like to thank you for the time and opportunity you have given me to talk about this topic.

Well, the person, I am talking about, was none other than one of my cousins. To describe my cousin, the first thing, which I should tell about him, is that I have known him to be a very restless person. In other words, he used to keep changing his mind most of the time. For example, if he liked a certain shirt one day, he wouldn’t like it the very next day. So, his parents were a bit worried about this habit because they thought it would affect his future life and career.

But, somewhere deep inside my mind, I knew that my cousin was smart enough to make the right decisions at the right time when it would really matter, and I was proved right by my cousin when he made a decision about moving to a bigger city and stuck to it. Yes, moving to a bigger city was a game-changer and a good decision for my cousin because it was there that he managed to meet a group of brave entrepreneurs. The particular group of entrepreneurs, he met, was involved with different kinds of export and import business. As, my cousin started to do business with them with his rather limited capital, soon thereafter, he began to make huge profits. In fact, he became a millionaire within a few years.

Well, moving to a bigger city has changed the life of my cousin because he finally found what he liked, and he liked making money from honest businesses. Besides, the decision also made him a more thoughtful and responsible person, which was missing from his life, when he was living with his parents in a small city. All in all, I am happy that my cousin took that life-changing decision.

Model Answer 2:
The decision-making process often serves as a turning point in one's life, and an exemplary case within my family is the bold move made by my younger uncle, Mark, who decided to embark on a life-altering journey by migrating to the United Kingdom. For this nice topic, I would like to tell you the story.

Mark, the youngest of my uncles, had been at a crossroads in his life. Faced with limited opportunities in his home country, he took the courageous step of applying for a work visa in the United Kingdom. This decision was prompted by a desire for personal growth, better career prospects, and a chance to experience a different culture.

In hindsight, Mark's decision to migrate has proven to be highly beneficial. The move opened up a myriad of opportunities that were previously inaccessible. He secured a challenging job in his field, met people from diverse backgrounds, and developed a global perspective. Moreover, the exposure to a different work culture and lifestyle has broadened his horizons, fostering personal development.

The decision to migrate has fundamentally transformed Mark's life. Professionally, he has ascended the career ladder, showcasing the success that can follow when one takes a calculated risk. Personally, the exposure to a different way of life has instilled in him a sense of independence and adaptability. Mark's decision not only changed the course of his life but also served as an inspiration for others in our family to pursue opportunities beyond familiar borders.

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

This topic asks you to describe a decision made by someone you know that had a significant impact on their life. It suggests you to mention who this person is, what decision they made, whether the decision was good or not, and how their life changed as a result. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response. Hope you will find this helpful.

1. My cousin deciding to study abroad:
My cousin decided to pursue her master's degree in a foreign country. It was a major shift from her usual environment. The decision turned out to be excellent, as it opened doors to better job opportunities, international exposure, and personal growth. She now lives a more independent and successful life.

2. My friend leaving a high-paying job to follow his passion:
A close friend of mine left his corporate job to become a full-time musician. Although it was risky at first, he now performs at major events and produces his own music. The decision helped him find happiness and creative fulfilment, even though it meant less financial stability at the beginning.

3. My uncle quitting smoking:
My uncle, after years of health issues, finally decided to quit smoking. It was not easy, but with support, he succeeded. His health improved drastically, and he now promotes a healthy lifestyle to others. This decision gave him a new perspective on life and made him a role model in our family.

4. My school teacher shifting to a rural school:
One of my teachers chose to leave her well-paid job at an urban school and join a rural government school. She wanted to contribute more meaningfully to underprivileged children’s education. The decision brought her immense satisfaction and recognition. It changed her life by giving her purpose beyond salary and comfort.

5. My brother deciding to learn a new skill online:
My elder brother was unemployed for some time, but then he decided to take an online digital marketing course. That decision led to a remote job and eventually a freelance career. It completely changed his lifestyle, making him financially independent and self-reliant.

6. My neighbour moving to a different city for better education:
My neighbour decided to move to a distant city for higher education. It was a bold choice as he had never lived away from home. The experience helped him grow emotionally and academically, and he now works in a reputed company. That decision reshaped his future entirely.

7. A family friend starting her own business:
A family friend left her banking job to start a home-based baking business. At first, people doubted her, but she worked hard and succeeded. Now her bakery is popular and she earns more than she did before. Her decision gave her both freedom and success.

8. A cousin choosing to volunteer abroad:
My cousin joined a volunteer programme overseas for a year after college. The decision taught him responsibility, cultural awareness, and leadership. He came back more mature and confident, and now works in international development. That one decision shaped his entire career.

9. A friend switching academic streams:
One of my classmates switched from science to humanities, going against family expectations. At first, it was controversial, but she thrived in the new field and eventually became a successful journalist. It proved to be the right decision and brought her happiness and fulfilment.

10. My aunt choosing to adopt a child:
My aunt and her husband decided to adopt a child after years of trying to conceive. That decision not only gave them a complete family but also gave a loving home to a child in need. It was life-changing and brought them immense joy and emotional satisfaction.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a life-changing decision made by someone you know, using impactful vocabulary can effectively convey the significance of the choice, its consequences, and the resulting transformation. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the before-and-after impact and your perspective on its outcome, making your response insightful and compelling. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Pivotal: – Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.
Example: It was a pivotal decision that completely reshaped their future.

Transformative: – Causing a marked change in someone or something.
Example: The experience was truly transformative, altering their perspective profoundly.

Trajectory: – The path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces; figuratively, a person's path through life or career.
Example: This decision altered the entire trajectory of their career.

Crossroads in life: – A critical point at which a decision must be made that will have far-reaching consequences.
Example: They were at a crossroads in life, unsure of which path to take.

Took a leap of faith: – Took a risk in the belief that the outcome would be positive.
Example: It was a huge risk, but they took a leap of faith and pursued their passion.

Opened new horizons: – Created new opportunities or possibilities.
Example: The move to a new country truly opened new horizons for them.

Metamorphosis: – A change of the form or nature of a person or thing into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.
Example: Witnessing their metamorphosis from a shy individual to a confident leader was inspiring.

Unforeseen consequences: – Results or outcomes that were not anticipated.
Example: While mostly positive, the decision also had some unforeseen consequences.

Navigated challenges: – Successfully dealt with difficult or intricate situations.
Example: They had to navigate numerous challenges, but their determination paid off.

Gained newfound confidence: – Acquired a recently developed sense of self-assurance.
Example: As a result of that decision, they gained newfound confidence.

Profound impact: – A significant and lasting effect.
Example: The decision had a profound impact not just on them, but on their whole family.

Regretted the decision: – Felt sorrow or disappointment over a choice made.
Example: Initially, they regretted the decision, but it ultimately proved beneficial.

Empowered them: – Gave them the authority or power to do something; made them stronger and more confident.
Example: The independence they gained truly empowered them to live life on their own terms.

A turning point: – A time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs, especially one with beneficial results.
Example: It was undoubtedly a turning point in their life, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe a decision made by someone you know that changed his/her life", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe an adventurous person you know.
2) Describe a time when you had to make a tough choice.
3) Describe a decision someone made that you disagreed with.
4) Describe a time when you had a disagreement with someone.|
5) Describe a decision you had to make in your life.
6) Describe a decision that someone made that turned out to be a good decision.
 

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

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