Describe a Difficult Thing you did - IELTS Cue Card

The IELTS speaking section is divided into two parts. The second part contains more weightage than part 1. One of its elements is cue cards that reference a specific prompt on which you have to speak for two minutes. It evaluates your ability to talk and organise your ideas by employing various vocabulary and grammatical structures. The card also includes 2-4 pointers that you can use as cues to formulate your answer. Your Speaking scores are given as band scores, ranging from band 0 to 9. Every whole and half band score represents a proficiency level in English.

IELTS Cue Cards are important for several reasons:

• The weightage of Cue cards is more in the IELTS speaking test. Out of the 9 bands in IELTS Speaking, cue card weightage is of 4 bands.
• The cue card tests enable examiners to evaluate your English language proficiency by assessing how confidently and fluently you speak.
• It tests your ability to think within 1-minute duration.
• Your Cue Card task score affects your speaking score. This score is crucial for meeting language requirements in top institutions. 
• The follow-up questions required you to use a wide range of vocabulary to discuss the answer in detail.

For my cue card on "describe a difficult thing you did,”  I would like to speak about the recent hardest thing I had to do.

• What was it?

During my final year of mechanical engineering, I had to submit a project by designing an illustrative prototype of a 3D printer using computer-based creative editing tools like Adobe and Photoshop. Although I am good at crafting, I was unfamiliar with computer editing apps. The marks for this were going to add to my overall GPA, which made me anxious. However, I decided not to dwell on it and began researching and gathering information about the concept I wanted to work on.

• Why was it difficult?

The task was difficult because of my lack of skills with computer creative editing tools, and the limited timeframe.

• How did you complete it?

Once I completed my research, I watched several YouTube videos and got useful tips from a cousin who is pursuing a degree in creative design. By following the strategy of creating individual parts first and then assembling all of them later, I was able to complete and submit the project within three weeks.

• How did you feel about doing it?

Designing an elemental project such as this forced me to learn something new. Moreover, I scored quite well on the project, which made me proud of myself.

• Conclusion

Through this experience, I learned that technology is progressively overtaking physical work, and being acquainted with computers and their tools is necessary. 

I believe that difficulties can arise not only when we undertake a new task but also when we have to deal with an unsettling emotional period in our lives. For the cue card on "Describe a difficult thing you did", I would like to share a period where I felt robotic and emotionally drained.

• What was it?

During the worldwide pandemic, COVID-19, I experienced the most dreading emotion ever which was losing a parent. My mother fell victim to the virus, despite staying at home. Her condition worsened at a very fast rate, so much so that we did not have the time to fathom the situation but just act.

• Why was it difficult?

I am very close to my mother, so watching her being unable to breathe and bedridden shattered me. The possibility that she might not survive was so high that I turned down that unsettling emotion by working robotically. I immersed myself in praying, household chores, and nursing my mother.

• How did you complete it?

Due to the rise in the incident reports then, there was a dearth of oxygen cylinders and doctors willing to accept home visits. We were against admitting her to the hospital, especially because there was no guarantee that she would be observed by our family doctor. However, with my father's tireless hunt for oxygen tanks, the right medications, and home-based care, my mother was symptom-free within twenty days.

• How did you feel about doing it?

Overcoming this period made me stronger and strengthened my connections with my family members more than ever.

• Conclusion

The pandemic was harsh and hurtful for everyone but for some more than others. However, I believe that this period displayed the power of unity in overcoming challenges.

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For my answer to the cue card on "describe a difficult thing you did", I would like to speak about this sports challenge I victoriously beat.

• What was it?

In the second year of my degree, I became the senior sports executive of my college's sports club. To get the juniors more involved in sporty activities, we often organised events like Yoga and Zumba sessions, intra-college competitions, and more. One time, we decided to organise a marathon, which the seniors had to compulsorily participate in.

• Why was it difficult?

During school and junior college, I trained and gained expertise in field events like shot put and discus throw. Marathon is a track event that requires different skills. Field events require strength and accuracy while track events require stamina and speed. Then, I possessed the abilities for field events only, which added to the difficulty level.

• How did you complete it?

Although the challenge required me to practise diligently, I did not back off. As the senior sports executive, it was my role to set an example for the juniors. And so, I began training under the guidance of my brother, who is an athlete. I followed a strict diet and ran certain miles to test my limits and go beyond them. 

• How did you feel about doing it?

Although I did not win the marathon, I was immensely proud of myself for at least trying. The discipline and memories I developed while training for it are invaluable.

• Conclusion

Engaging in sports must be as important as other activities, from sleeping, and working, to studying. It teaches us dedication and time management, and most importantly, improves our psychological and physical health.

Sometimes, we take on difficult challenges because someone undermines our ability to achieve them. In my cue card on "Describe a difficult thing you did", I would like to talk about one such challenge posed to me by my friends.

• What was it?

Throughout the year, there are numerous treks organised by groups who have expertise in reaching moderate to difficult level peaks. In December 2022, my friends also planned to go on one such trek to Devkund Waterfall, in Maharashtra. It was with a group of people who had 10+ years of experience in trekking.

• Why was it difficult?

I was hesitant to go on the trek and gave an inconclusive answer to my friends for days. Trekking was difficult for me simply because I was fearful of heights and unfamiliar with the whole experience. However, with many convincing and challenging texts and calls centring around "We are accompanied by experts", and "Oh, we knew you would not be able to do it", I finally decided to go for it.

• How did you complete it?

At the beginning of the trek, it was simple walking on a levelled ground. But then it became increasingly steeper and riskier, with a narrow road on one side and a ditch on the other. As we kept going higher, deadly instances of the Final Destination movies continued crossing my mind. However, with one breakdown, loud blaming, and dedicated support from the expert trekkers, we reached the waterfall after five hours.

• How did you feel after doing it?

When Vanessa Gendoma said, "The best view comes after the hardest climb", she was not kidding. The picturesque view of the cloudy sky and the majestic waterfall left me awestruck. Then, I was teary, because not only did my fear of heights attenuate, but also because I realised the real beauty of nature.

• Conclusion

The trek to the Devkund Waterfall will forever be a core memory for me. Nature appealed so much to my heart and soul that since then, I have trekked to seven mountaintops!

Once you complete your answer in the two-minute duration, you will have to answer the follow-up questions asked by the examiner. Some questions that can be asked are:

Q1. What can people do to overcome the thought that everything is difficult? 

A1. To overcome challenges people must primarily challenge the negative thoughts, develop a growth mindset, and focus on progress, not perfection. Whenever a task or emotion feels too difficult to deal with, one can try breaking it down and rationalising the fear with the real intensity of the situation.

Q2. What are some challenges faced by today's generation?

A2. I believe that some of the challenges faced by today's generation include rapid technological advancement, high competition for everything, and loneliness. We need to develop at par with the technology and compete tirelessly for a decent education or job opportunity. The fear of "missing out" has raised cases of anxiety and depression among young adults globally.

Q3. How can one stay focused?

A3. By minimising distractions, managing time and tasks, and practising self-care, can all lead to increased sustained attention and allow one to stay focused.

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Answering an IELTS Cue Card may seem difficult, but with practice, you will be able to ace it. Give enough time to the preparation, and follow the following tips to present your ideas :

• Tip 1: Understand the topic. Make sure you address every question.
• Tip 2: Improve your pronunciation and intonation. Speak clearly, without interruptions.
• Tip 3: Be conscious of your pace. Speaking very fast can lead to mistakes. Speaking slowly may make it seem like you're struggling to speak.
• Tip 4: Expand your vocabulary. Present your ideas clearly and avoid repeating the same words.
• Tip 5: Demonstrate your English proficiency by using compound and complex sentences.

The "Describe a difficult thing you did" cue card is an excellent test of candidates' ability to organize their thoughts and speak coherently about a complex experience or achievement. Responding to this cue card requires reflection and perspective about the challenges faced and lessons learned. Examiners look for detailed content reflecting on the difficulties, examples, and outcomes. Structuring the response clearly and transitioning smoothly between ideas is critical. This cue card elicits a thoughtful and engaging monologue that differentiates speaking proficiency levels. With abundant possibilities for examples from academic, professional, or personal life, this is a cue card most test takers can comfortably talk about at length.

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