Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
A person who encouraged you to achieve a goal in your life - Cue Card # 821
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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 person who encouraged you to achieve a goal in your life.
You should say:
- who this person is
- what goal he/she helped you to achieve
- how he or she has encouraged you to achieve the goal
and explain how useful this person's encouragement was for you to achieve this goal.
[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.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Model Answer 1:
The person who encouraged me the most to achieve a significant goal in my life is my mother. She has always been my guiding light and a constant source of support. She encouraged me to pursue my dreams of getting admitted into one of the best engineering universities in my country and majoring in Electrical Engineering. She has always been a pillar of support, and her encouragement played an instrumental role in shaping my academic journey. I am so happy to be able to talk about my mother and how she encouraged me to do better in life.
From a young age, I had an interest in how things worked, especially when it came to electronics and gadgets. However, I was unsure of whether I had the capability or the resources to pursue this interest at a higher level. At the time, I was struggling with self-doubt, wondering whether I would be able to compete with the best students in my country and make it into a prestigious university. That’s when my mother stepped in to offer her encouragement.
She believed in my potential even when I doubted myself. Although we did not come from a wealthy family, my mother always emphasized the value of education and how it could change my life. She constantly reminded me that, with hard work and determination, I could achieve anything I set my mind to. Her belief in me was unwavering, and this gave me the confidence to aim high. When I expressed my desire to apply to one of the top engineering universities in the country, she supported me wholeheartedly. She helped me plan my study schedule, encouraged me to stay focused on my goal, and even invested time in finding study materials that would help me prepare for the entrance exams. As I prepared for the rigorous entrance exams, my mother would often check on my progress, providing emotional support when I felt overwhelmed by the workload.
Finally, when I received the acceptance letter from the university, I could hardly contain my excitement. It was a moment of triumph, not just for me but also for my mother, who had been with me every step of the way. Her encouragement, both practical and emotional, played a pivotal role for me in successfully gaining admission to this prestigious University and pursuing my Electrical Engineering major.
Sample Answer 2:
Well, this is an interesting topic, and, in fact, I can think of at least a couple of people who have encouraged me to achieve a goal in my life or helped me do better. But this topic reminds me of a person who significantly encouraged me to achieve a crucial goal in my life, and he is my former university professor, Dr. Asif Khan.
I had the privilege of being his student during my undergraduate degree in Computer Science, and his belief in my potential during a particularly challenging time proved to be instrumental in my decision to pursue a Master's degree abroad.
The goal itself was to apply to and be accepted into a reputable postgraduate program in Artificial Intelligence at a university overseas. Towards the end of my undergraduate studies, I felt quite uncertain about my future academic path. While I enjoyed computer science, the prospect of undertaking rigorous research and moving to a new country felt daunting. Dr. Khan played a pivotal role in shifting my perspective. He noticed my aptitude for complex problem-solving, and my enthusiasm during his advanced algorithms course. He took the time to have several one-on-one conversations with me where he patiently listened to my concerns and doubts. He highlighted my strengths, reminding me of specific instances where I had excelled academically.
He shared his own experiences of studying overseas, demystifying the process and emphasizing the invaluable personal and intellectual growth it could foster. He also provided practical advice on the application process, suggesting universities that aligned with my interests and even offering to review my statement of purpose. His consistent support, both emotional and practical, chipped away at my self-doubt and instilled in me a sense of possibility.
Dr. Khan's encouragement was absolutely indispensable in my decision to pursue this goal. His belief in me acted as a powerful antidote to my own insecurities. His guidance provided a clear roadmap, making the seemingly overwhelming task feel manageable. Without his consistent reassurance and practical support, I honestly doubt I would have had the confidence to apply to universities overseas. His encouragement wasn't just about telling me I could do it; it was about showing me my own potential and providing the necessary tools and motivation to take that crucial first step. For that, I will be always grateful to him.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Encouragement can come from many people - family members, teachers, friends, or mentors. Their words or actions often become the spark that pushes us to reach a meaningful goal. Below are some ideas that highlight different forms of encouragement that led to success:
1. My mother encouraged me to complete my university degree:
There were times I felt like quitting due to stress and financial problems. But my mother reminded me how much I had already achieved and constantly motivated me with her support and belief in me. Her encouragement helped me graduate with honours.
2. My high school English teacher inspired me to become a writer:
She praised my essays and short stories in class. Her feedback gave me the confidence to pursue writing professionally. Today, I have published several articles and write regularly for a blog -all thanks to her early encouragement.
3. My elder brother motivated me to lose weight and stay fit:
He introduced me to exercise routines and checked on my progress regularly. I achieved my goal of losing 15 kilograms in 6 months. His guidance helped me develop better habits and improve my self-esteem.
4. A friend convinced me to apply for a scholarship abroad:
At first, I didn’t believe I had a chance, but she helped me prepare my documents and gave me confidence. I eventually received the scholarship and studied in Germany for a year. That experience changed my life.
5. My mentor at work encouraged me to lead a project:
Even though I lacked confidence, he believed in my potential and assigned me a key role. I successfully completed the project, which led to a promotion. His trust helped me overcome my fears.
6. My grandfather inspired me to learn classical music:
He was a skilled musician and always encouraged me to pursue music as a hobby. Because of his influence, I joined music classes, which gave me a creative outlet and helped reduce stress in my life.
7. My cousin supported me in starting a small business:
She had experience in business and helped me write a business plan. Her encouragement and advice led me to open an online shop, which is now quite successful. Her belief in my abilities made a big difference.
8. A coach at school pushed me to join the debate team:
I was a shy student, but he trained me and encouraged me to speak publicly. This helped me improve my communication skills and win awards in debate competitions, something I never thought possible.
9. A colleague encouraged me to take a professional certification course:
She had completed the course and recommended it to me. I followed her advice, which improved my career prospects and gave me more confidence in my abilities at work.
10. A YouTuber I follow inspired me to start painting again:
I had stopped drawing due to a lack of time and motivation. Watching her videos encouraged me to restart. Now, I paint regularly and even sell some of my artwork online.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
When describing someone who encouraged you to achieve a goal, using vocabulary that highlights their supportive actions, your feelings, and the impact of their encouragement can create a meaningful response. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
Instrumental in – Playing a crucial role in bringing about a particular outcome.
Example: His belief in me was instrumental in my decision to apply abroad.
Aptitude for – A natural ability to do something well.
Example: He noticed my aptitude for complex problem-solving.
Enthusiasm during – Showing great interest and excitement during something.
Example: He recognized my enthusiasm during his advanced course.
One-on-one conversations – Private discussions between two people.
Example: He took the time to have several one-on-one conversations with me.
Highlighted my strengths – Pointed out the positive qualities and abilities I possessed.
Example: He highlighted my strengths and past achievements.
Unwavering belief – A strong and firm conviction that didn't change.
Example: What was most encouraging was his unwavering belief in my potential.
Demystifying the process – Making a seemingly difficult or complicated process easier to understand.
Example: He shared his experiences, demystifying the process of studying overseas.
Invaluable personal and intellectual growth – Extremely useful development in terms of personal skills and knowledge.
Example: He emphasized the invaluable personal and intellectual growth it could foster.
Consistent support – Regular and reliable help and encouragement.
Example: His consistent support, both emotional and practical, was crucial.
Chipped away at my self-doubt – Gradually reduced my lack of confidence.
Example: His encouragement chipped away at my self-doubt.
Instilled in me a sense of possibility – Made me believe that something was achievable.
Example: He instilled in me a sense of possibility.
Indispensable in my decision – Absolutely necessary for the choice I made.
Example: His encouragement was absolutely indispensable in my decision.
Acted as a powerful antidote to – Served as a strong remedy against something negative.
Example: His belief in me acted as a powerful antidote to my insecurities.
Provided a clear roadmap – Gave me a clear plan or direction to follow.
Example: His guidance provided a clear roadmap for the application process.
Catalyst that propelled me – The thing that initiated and drove me forward.
Example: His mentorship was the catalyst that propelled me to overcome my hesitation.
Transformative for my growth – Having a significant and positive impact on my development.
Example: This journey has been transformative for my academic and personal growth.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a person who encouraged you to achieve a goal in your life", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a person who has encouraged you to do better in life.
2) Describe a friend who has played an important part in your life.
3) Describe a teacher who has influenced you in your education.
4) Describe a teacher you remember from your school/college or university.
5) Describe an achievement or goal that you achieved in your life.
6) Describe something difficult that you succeeded in doing.
7) Describe an ambition or a goal you have in your life.
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