Describe a Person Who Solved a Problem in a Smart Way - IELTS Cue Card

The IELTS cue card is also known as "IELTS Speaking Part 2” in the IELTS speaking test.  A cue card is a card provided to the candidate by the examiner that references a specific cue on which you have to speak. The card will also include 2-4 pointers that you can expand on. You will have 1 minute time to prepare for the topic. A pen and paper will be provided to you for jotting down the points. You have to speak on the given topic for 2 minutes after which part 3 of the speaking test will start. An IELTS cue card tests how fluently and confidently the candidate speaks. The table below shows the duration of the IELTS speaking cue card.

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IELTS cue cards are an essential part of the speaking section of the IELTS exam. They are prompts that provide you with a topic to talk about for two minutes.  Here's why they are important.

• The cue card tests your English language proficiency by assessing how confidently and fluently you speak.
• It assesses your ability to form thoughts in the 1-minute time frame.
• The follow-up questions in the cue card require you to use a wide range of vocabulary to speak about the topic in detail.

Who is this person?

I believe hard work is important in a person’s life but sometimes you should also work smartly. My younger brother aspires to be a chef and has culinary skills. He knows a lot about this subject for his age.

What was the problem?

Last year, during the Christmas celebration, we planned to organize a party at our house, but I accidentally added too much salt to the curry. The curry was meant to be the main attraction, but it appeared that everything had been spoiled. 

How did he/she solve it?

My brother applied his intellect by dipping a ball of flour in the curry and reheating it. The ball soaked up all of the excess salt from the curry and even made it smoother. 

Explain why you think that he/she did it in a smart way.

Given the amount of curry, anyone would be scared off, yet my brother used his knowledge to deal with the issue. Rather than preparing the curry from scratch, he applied his brain. That day, he was the one who saved everything.

That day, my younger brother taught me a valuable lesson: smart work is always valued higher than hard work. He made me proud that day by saving me and my family from embarrassment. 

Who is this person?  

I would like to share an incident where my friend handled a situation smartly and saved me from getting scolded by my parents. We both live in the same society and are childhood friends. Whenever I go out for long drives, he always accompanies me.

What was the problem?  

One day we went to Nihar Lake and on the way back home we met with an accident. We lost control and the car struck a tree on the side. We were blessed that there was no major injury to any of us. But there was a huge dent in the front of the car. If my parents got to know that, they would scold me and would never allow me to take the car out again.

How did he/she solve it?  

We called a few car servicing companies but all the mechanics were far away from our location. I was so scared at that time. But my friend got an idea. He threw hot water on the dent and it solved the problem. The dent on the car completely disappeared. There was no sign of an accident visible.

Explain why you think he/ she did it in a smart way.

To be honest, he could have easily lost his calm, but he controlled it. Instead of going to a car service, he fixed the problem in 25 minutes.

The way he handled the problem with his presence of mind taught me an important life lesson to never lose calm in any situation.

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Who is this person?  

There was an instance where my best friend was a saviour for me. Krisha has been my friend since the age of 10. She has always been with me in my every ups and downs. 

What was the problem?  

Once I had my dance performance at my college fest. But on the previous night of the performance, the dress I was supposed to wear got torn. 

How did he/she solve it?  

Krisha stitched the dress in such a way that it created a flower-like look. The design added more elegance to my dress.

Explain why you think he/ she did it in a smart way.

To be honest, she has no sewing skills, but because she is techno-savvy, she searched everything on YouTube and created that flower from scratch. I was very happy and hugged Krisha tightly. If she hadn’t correctly sewed my outfit, all my hard work would have been useless.

Who is this person?  

I remember an instance where one of my neighbours wisely solved a problem. His name is Kartik. He is a computer engineer with excellent innovation and presentation skills. He is kind and friendly, always willing to assist his friends and neighbours. I recall an incident from a year ago when one of our neighbours had a problem, which he solved easily.

What was the problem?  

The neighbour was trying to start his vehicle but was unable to do so even after half an hour. He tried every means to start the vehicle, including the choke and kick, but it was ineffective. He was so furious that he began ranting in public, and as a result everyone gathered.

How did he/she solve it?  

When we saw this, we tried to assist him. To be more specific, I was confused by the vehicle's condition, but my Kartik identified the problem immediately. He simply removed the spark plug, which produced the spark while attempting to start the vehicle. He cleaned it, and after properly installing it, the vehicle started, and the neighbour thanked him for it.

Explain why you think he/ she did it in a smart way.

I think it was really wise of him because no one sought to help the neighbour at the time due to his anger problems. He was able to assist him solely due to his helping personality. Furthermore, he remains calm and composed in stressful situations, and his reasoning skills allow him to address the problem smartly. 

Candidates must answer follow-up questions about the discussed topic after completing the cue card task. Potential questions for "Describe a Person Who Solved a Problem in a Smart Way" include:

Q1. Do you believe that intelligence and resourcefulness are innate qualities, or it can be learned?

Ans: Some people are born brilliant due to their genes, but these characteristics can also be learned via experience and quick learning. 

Q2. Do you believe that multi-talented individuals are increasingly in demand?

Ans: As we all know, being adaptable is essential for achieving one's goals. The necessities of society have changed dramatically as a result of technological advancement, necessitating the development of individuals with quick learning skills and innovative thinking. 

Q3. How do youngsters become smart in school?

Ans: Schools are the key places where students learn. They observe both their mentors and their peers and learn various topics. This academic environment also puts their abilities to the test, polishing them and allowing them to improve themselves.

Q4. Why are some persons well-rounded, while others excel at only one thing? 

Ans: The answer to this question is the difference in exposure individuals receive. Two people from the same background but with distinct experiences have vastly different opinions. Even before entering the actual world, they have practiced dealing with various situations. 

Q5. How can we help young people realize their potential?

Ans: There are some strategies for bringing them to such a realisation. First, let them know what their true interests are. Second, to encourage them to participate in extracurricular activities that will allow them to identify their key interests and areas of specialisation.

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.
• Tip 6: Stay calm. It’s okay to be nervous, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Practise sufficiently to answer the question.
• Tip 7: Be sincere in your engagement with the issue. Personal experiences and examples may help you provide a more persuasive solution.
• Tip 8: Prepare for follow-up questions by adding details to your cue card responses.  

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The IELTS speaking test is of lesser duration than other part of the IELTS exam. But equal weightage is given to all four sections: writing, reading, speaking, and listening. 

a relatively more minor duration than other IELTS test parts. However, the weightage of the score band is equally divided among all the test sections: writing, reading, listening, and speaking. IELTS Speaking Part 2 is essential for the examiners to assess your English speaking skills and capability to formulate thoughts concisely. Moreover, practice the popular IELTS speaking part 2 cue cards beforehand, as it will boost your confidence and help you relax on the test day.

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