Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe something you tried to do but were not very successful - Cue Card # 796
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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 something you tried to do but were not very successful.
You should say:
- when it was
- what you tried to do
- why you were not successful in doing it
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:
Well, the truth is, success never comes easy, at least, for some people – people who are not always as gifted and smart as successful people are. But, still, we try as best as we can to test our limits, just like I did about a decade ago when I tried to learn karate.
Now, I can’t exactly remember what motivated me to become a “karate champion” back then, but I am assuming that I started to develop a liking for this thing because of watching too many karate and kung fu movies. After all, back then, I was a young, university-going student, and I had a lot of energy to spend (or “waste”, depending on how one looks at it!). So, moving the story forward, one day, I asked my parents to give me some money so that I could get enrolled at a karate school in my home town. Initially, my parents were a bit hesitant to give me the money, but they eventually gave in to my insistence and enthusiasm to learn karate.
Thankfully, I got my wish and started to attend karate school every day for the first few weeks. I even learned quite a few basics of karate, but as the practice got a bit more intense, and it demanded more physical involvement, and time from my end, apparently because the instructors there wanted to teach me more advanced things, I started to get disillusioned about my ability, or lack thereof, to become even a simple “karate” learner, let alone a karate expert. So, in the end, I eventually stopped going to the karate school after attending it just for one month.
So, anyway, as I left the karate school, I felt really disappointed about it, to say the least. Besides, I also felt a bit embarrassed about my physical ability which I thought was quite good up until that point. Of course, my only consolation was that I did learn quite a few basic things about karate!
Sample Answer 2:
Introduction:
In life, we often encounter failures and setbacks that can be discouraging. However, they can also be a good source of lessons for us. Today, I will describe a time when I tried to do something but was not successful, and thank you for letting me talk about such an event.
When it was:
It was a couple of years ago when I tried to learn how to play the guitar. I was really excited about it and had saved up some money to buy a new guitar.
What you tried to do:
I wanted to learn how to play the guitar, so I bought a beginner's guitar and started watching tutorials online. I spent hours practising every day, and I was very determined to become a good guitar player.
Why you were not successful in doing it:
Despite my efforts, I was not very successful in learning how to play the guitar. I found it very difficult to coordinate my fingers to play the chords, and I was not able to get the sound that I wanted. I tried different techniques, watched more tutorials, and even took some lessons, but I still could not get the hang of it.
And explain how you felt about it:
To be frank and honest, I felt disappointed and frustrated that I was not able to learn how to play the guitar. It was something that I really wanted to do, and I had put a lot of time and effort into it. However, I also realised that it was okay to fail and that it was not the end of the world. I learned that it is important to keep trying and not give up on something just because it is difficult. I decided to take a break from the guitar and focus on other hobbies that I was better at.
Idea generation for this IELTS Candidate Task Card/ Cue Card Question:
There are times when we attempt something, only to realise that we are not as successful as we had hoped. Below are a few examples of situations where people faced failure or difficulty in their attempts. These ideas will help you develop a detailed and meaningful response.
1. Trying to learn a musical instrument:
I tried to learn how to play the guitar a couple of years ago, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to progress as much as I had hoped. Despite practising regularly, I found it difficult to get the finger placements right, and the chords felt uncomfortable to play. I was also struggling with the rhythm, which made it challenging to play along with songs. I had to admit that it wasn’t working out for me at that point. It was a bit disheartening, but I plan to try again in the future with better guidance.
2. Running a marathon:
There was a time when I decided to run a marathon to push my physical limits. I trained for months, but when race day arrived, I was not able to finish the marathon. I had to stop halfway through due to muscle cramps and exhaustion. It was frustrating because I had worked so hard for months. However, I realised it was a learning experience, and I understood how important proper training, nutrition, and mindset are for achieving such a feat.
3. Starting a new business venture:
Several years ago, I tried to start an online business selling handmade crafts. I was enthusiastic about it and invested time and money into setting up the website and creating the products. However, I wasn't able to generate enough sales. The marketing strategies I used were not effective, and I struggled to reach the target audience. I learned valuable lessons about market research, customer needs, and business management, which will help me in future ventures.
4. Cooking a complicated recipe:
There was one instance when I tried to cook an elaborate three-course meal for my family. Despite following the recipe carefully, I wasn’t able to achieve the right taste, and the presentation didn’t look as expected. The dish was either too salty or undercooked in parts. I was disappointed at first, but my family was very supportive and made me feel better by encouraging me to keep trying. This experience taught me that practice makes perfect and that I should not give up after a single failure.
5. Learning a new language:
I tried to learn Spanish a few years ago, but after months of study, I was not able to communicate confidently or fluently. I struggled with the grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary retention. The lack of progress was discouraging. However, I didn’t give up entirely and instead switched my approach, focusing more on speaking practice and cultural immersion. Now, I feel more comfortable and capable of communicating in Spanish.
6. Attempting to lose weight:
There was a time when I set a goal to lose weight by following a strict diet and exercise plan. However, I was not very successful in sticking to the routine, and my weight loss journey wasn’t as smooth as I had hoped. Despite working out regularly, I wasn’t seeing the results I wanted, which made me feel demotivated. After reflecting on my approach, I realised that I needed to be more patient with myself and adopt a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. I gradually started seeing improvements after adjusting my diet and focusing on consistency.
7. Organising a large event:
Not long ago, I took on the task of organising a charity event at my workplace. While I was excited to contribute, the event didn’t go as planned. We faced difficulties with coordination, and there was a lack of engagement from some attendees. It was a little disappointing, but I took it as a learning experience. I learned the importance of good communication, clear planning, and the need to anticipate challenges beforehand.
8. Writing a book:
Some years ago, I attempted to write a book. I started with great enthusiasm and wrote several chapters, but after a while, I realised that my writing lacked direction. I struggled with the plot development, and the characters didn’t feel authentic. I stopped writing for a while, feeling frustrated with myself. However, I have learned that writing is a process and that it’s okay to experience setbacks along the way. I plan to revisit this project when I feel more confident.
9. Attempting to play a video game:
I once tried playing a very complex strategy video game with my friends, and I failed miserably. My friends were experts, and I was a complete beginner, which made me feel overwhelmed. I couldn’t grasp the rules quickly enough, and I ended up losing repeatedly. It wasn’t the most fun experience at the time, but I learned that I needed more patience and practice to get better. It also helped me understand how important teamwork and strategy are in such games.
10. Learning to drive:
I tried learning to drive when I was 18, but after a few lessons, I realised that driving wasn't as easy as I had thought. I failed my driving test twice, which left me feeling discouraged. The nerves and pressure got to me, and I wasn’t able to perform well during the test. However, after some more practice and a change in mindset, I eventually passed the test. This taught me the value of perseverance and overcoming personal challenges.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ cue card topic:
When describing a time you tried something unsuccessfully, using vocabulary that conveys your effort, the reasons for the lack of success, and your emotional response can create a relatable and honest narrative. Focusing on the specific challenges and your feelings of disappointment or learning will help explain the experience. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
Embarked on a challenge – Started a task that you knew would be difficult.
Example: I once embarked on a challenge to bake a complex cake.
Set out to accomplish – Aimed to achieve a particular goal.
Example: I set out to accomplish learning a new language in six months.
Underestimated the difficulty – Didn't realise how hard something would be.
Example: I significantly underestimated the difficulty of the project.
Bit off more than I could chew – Tried to do something that was too difficult for me.
Example: I think I bit off more than I could chew when I volunteered for that role.
Fell short of my expectations – Didn't achieve the level of success I had hoped for.
Example: My attempt fell short of my expectations.
Didn't quite pan out – Didn't happen in the way I had planned or hoped.
Example: Unfortunately, my plan didn't quite pan out.
Met with limited success – Achieved some results but not to the extent I wanted.
Example: My efforts to fix the computer met with limited success.
Felt a pang of disappointment – Experienced a sudden feeling of sadness or letdown.
Example: I felt a pang of disappointment when I didn't succeed.
A bit disheartened – Feeling a loss of enthusiasm or confidence.
Example: I was a bit disheartened by the outcome.
Frustration started to mount – Began to feel increasingly annoyed and impatient.
Example: As I encountered more obstacles, frustration started to mount.
Took it in stride – Accepted the lack of success calmly and without getting upset.
Example: Although I was disappointed, I tried to take it in stride.
Learned a valuable lesson – Gained important knowledge or understanding from the experience.
Example: Despite the lack of success, I learned a valuable lesson.
Realised my limitations – Became aware of the boundaries of my abilities.
Example: The experience helped me realise my limitations in that area.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe something you tried to do but were not very successful", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe something you did that was a waste of time.
2) Describe a situation when you did not have enough time.
3) Describe something you did that was new or exciting.
4) Describe something you planned to do but have not done yet.
5) Describe something you were disappointed about.
6) Describe a very difficult task that you succeeded in doing as part of your work or studies.
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