IELTS Speaking Archives - Page 19 of 43

IELTS Cue Card #Speak about a difficult thing you did

March 8, 2022 IELTS Research

IELTS Cue Card #Speak about a difficult thing you did

Speak about a difficult thing you did.
You should say:

What was that activity?

When and where did you do it?

How did you do it?

And how do you feel after it.

IELTS CUE CARD # Speak about a difficult thing you did

Sample Answer :

We often come across few difficult tasks in our day to day lives. Tasks which are practiced less often, turn into difficult tasks. When we are performing a task for the first time, at that time, difficulty level is more. As we practice more and become proficient, difficulty level decreases and task is performed better in lesser time. Anyways, we almost always remember the struggle we underwent in those difficult times. I, too, remember my efforts in debugging a software programme, that was infected very severely and damaging our whole server data.

Basically, I am a software engineer and work in an MNC based in Dehradun. We have been offering the software solutions to our clients for the last 20 years, which are spread all over the globe. I am a programmer at core but also deals in security system and protection. I just have an average fair knowledge about malwares and debugging, and from no angle, I am an expert. Few months back, our chief engineer for software security was on a long leave. His team used to handle the security issues well, even in his absence but one day, all the systems suddenly shut down like a blackout except the master computer networked directly to the server.

We acknowledged that it was a virus attack injected intentionally in our cloud space. Our existing programmes were inadequate to counter this superiorly coded malware sent in our network. This could have led to the stealing of private classified data, if handled erroneously. I had dealt with debugging programmes earlier also, but here, I needed to include one extra loop in my programme to run it successfully. I scratched my grey cells for 10 hrs at a stretch to run the new programme. After a series of successive futile efforts, I finally managed to crack the code and debug the software. Our whole team shouted with a hurray and lifted me on their shoulders.

I was a kind of, on the spot hero for my colleagues. I am a serious freak in anything that I do. This was a big leap in my programming skills and I invented that in an exigency. That forged the tons of confidence inside me, being fit to perform under pressure. My boss promoted me the next day and I felt very elated.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning
Erroneously	inaccurately: Present approach taken by world leaders to combat climate change seems to be erroneous as there are no substantial results over so many years
Exigency	emergency: One should remember the exigency numbers provided by state administration

Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Do you like to take up difficult tasks? Why?

Sample answer: Yes, quite often I volunteer for the difficult tasks. Since my childhood days, I used to believe in doing the tasks, which were not being done earlier or very difficult to perform. I think, this appetite keeps me high and motivated. Tough tasks appear to me as challenges and the accomplishment of those tasks after my strenuous efforts gave an immense sense of joy and satisfaction.

Q. 2 How can we shed the fear of taking up difficult tasks?

Sample answer: I think, we should not take up the utmost difficult task in the very beginning. We should follow the slow and steady approach in mastering a particular task and only later on, we should venture the toughest aspects of it. Even the small and easy achievements in the beginning, can be rich motivators and brain openers preparing us for the next difficult task.

Q. 3 Do you believe in punishment, as a tool for improvement in the performance?

Sample answer: I may not be able to answer this question absolutely. Because on one hand, I believe that even negative reinforcement or punishment can be instrumental in performance improvement if administered properly and without time delays while on the other hand, I cannot claim punishment to be the only effective option for corrections. I think one should resort to it as the last available option. Positive reinforcements and right encouragement can be highly effective in performing difficult tasks.

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

IELTS Cue Card #Speak about an item on which you spent more than you expected

March 4, 2022 IELTS Research

IELTS Cue Card #Speak about an item on which you spent more than you expected

Speak about an item on which you spent more than you expected.
You should say :

What was that thing and when and why did you buy it?

What did you feel while buying it or how did you buy it?

Why do you think you spent more than your expectations?

IELTS CUE CARD # Speak about an item on which you spent more than you expected

Sample Answer :

I got my first job, only recently. It is a finance firm dealing primarily in the audits and market research. I was appointed as a business analyst. My rented flat is quite a distance afar from my office. Public conveyance in Gurgaon, had always been in a bad shape, so I decided to go for a Bullet, Enfield bike, which was my favourite bike, ever since the days, when I used to sit in front on its petrol tank and my father used to drive one of those maiden bullets, with the new features introduced in India, in early 80’s. Rather, it was a craze for every masculine guy in our country, when there were very few choices in such sports bikes. I went to a showroom near my house and bought a jet black royal bike for myself. Not only my daily commute to and from office became convenient, rather I was enjoying the ride on my first favourite bike.

I entered the Enfield bike studio, located in Sec 14 market, Gurgaon, with a broad smile and a cheers on my face. I took some time to observe the latest models and selected my favourite black bullet, 350 cc standard. I did not like the outlook of the new models. Outlook of this bullet was as usual robust, compact and and simply outstandingly elegant. I asked for a test drive. I was in my fourth dimension while taking the test ride on this bike after a long, long time. I was driving crazy out of excitement. I enjoyed the gallop, shooting swiftly at 140 kmph. Finally, I returned to the showroom, signed a check worth the price and came back home riding my new Enfield bike.

While driving the new bike, I felt it a little lighter in weight and it had this new red button for the kick less start. I had had an image of antiquity for this bike, which was interfered by these silly alterations introduced lately. I could even feel the dampness in the exhaust roar, which was disliked and objected by my friend also. The sound, which this bike used to generate, was something that gave it that classy touch but even that sound was tempered in the new model. Out of my excitement and long gap of driving, I could not appraise these limitations while taking the test drive. Then I realized that all these features, introduced for the new generation, are actually hijacking the true spirit of this bike and I actually spent more than what I expected. By adding a little more money, I could have fetched a Yazidi roadster for myself with the superior male features and better performance.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning
Commute	travel: In big cities, it is difficult to commute because of traffic congestion
Lavish	luxurious: Rich people have their homes decorated in a lavish manner

Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Do you think quality of products has deteriorated in the present?

Sample answer: I want to say that although the new versions are being introduced with these sparky features and add ons but they are definitely losing their character and durability. Companies and corporations are on cost cutting spree, which comes with the compromise in quality. Lower shelf life, in turn, will create the demand more frequently, thereby adding profits to the manufacturers.

Q. 2 Do you like to spend lavishly on things you like?

Sample answer: I do not hesitate in spending on a thing I like, if I have that much money. But, I have learnt over the time that quality and utility of an article should be proportionate to the amount spent, otherwise it feels like duping.

Q. 3 Do you think that a brand should uphold its integrity?

Sample answer: Yes, a brand becomes a brand because of the certain distinguished features which are superior to it counterparts. Therefore, a compromise on integrity will adulterate the quality and brand then longer holds the same esteem. Eventually, customer base will also be eroded over the time.

Feel free to call for suggestions and queries.

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

IELTS Cue Card #Describe an activity that you engage in and waste your time

March 2, 2022 IELTS Research

IELTS Cue Card #Describe an activity that you engage in and waste your time

Describe an activity that you engage in and waste your time.
You should say :

What is that activity and when did you start the indulgence?

Why did you engage in that activity?

Why do you think it as a waste of time?

and what else can be done?

IELTS CUE CARD # Describe an activity that you engage in and waste your time

Sample Answer :

Although, nowadays it is a popular trend to say that I am very busy. But, if we observe a little closely, we will find that most of us waste our time in such an unconscious manner that we do not even stay aware of it. I also engage in this activity of net and social media browsing, which, I came to realize lately, is a sheer waste of time. Whenever I have a break at work or whenever I am at home, I instantly start browsing on my phone. Reading and watching different posts, messages, blogs and other such useless gossips turned into adrenalin pumpers and eventually, the addiction. These quivers offered by the internet start offering a vicarious entertainment and one gets hooked to them. I started this habit only a year ago, when I bought my new smartphone. Feature phone, I used to have earlier, had no such space for internet windows.

I started with opening an account on Facebook, which is a very common cult among netizens. It was after that, that I started receiving so many comments, posts, videos and what not on my account. Once I started diving in them, I kept on pushing deeper and deeper. Some are funny to watch while others have aphrodisiac nature. Some criticise the PM while others support the government. Some comments make you feel hero while others bring embarrassment. It is this colourful play of different emotions and temperaments which becomes an inducement for any user and similarly for me.

For the first few months, after I bought the smartphone, I could not even realize the long durations at a stretch, just floating in those clouds and networks. It was lately only, when I started feeling severe backache and detected a rise in my lens number. I had literally punished my health, for the sake of the activity of sitting with that stupid device, in any bad posture. Then I realized, that there is nothing creative or productive, which is drawn out of this useless activity which not only consumes time but health as well.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning
Quiver	sudden vibrations: Loud music at the party sent the quivers in my body.
Vicarious	not original, derived: One should not believe in vicarious satisfactions.
Atrophy	Judicious policies do not allow atrophy of natural resources.

Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Why do people engage in activities other than work?

Sample answer: Actually, the urgency in life at all times can drive a person crazy. Therefore, one takes a break in work as well as in thought process. Otherwise, one would become total mechanical with no time for amusing and creative things. Therefore, to spend some time for personal rejuvenation, people engage in activities other than work.

Q. 2 How does an activity become a time wasting activity?

Sample answer: Initially, no activity can be termed as time wasting activity. Even listening to a joke will be called as an amusement and entertainment, necessary for living beings. But when we indulge in an activity for a longer duration, then it becomes a matter of concern to evaluate the productivity and utility of that activity, otherwise it becomes an atrophy. For instance, drinking wine occasionally can be an entertainment but overindulgence in drinking will change its character from amusement to devastation.

Q. 3 What should the parents do, to avoid children getting over engaged in video games?

Sample answer: First of all, children, even till the graduation level should not be handed the mobile phones. They can learn their apt soft skills on desktop or personal computer placed at a common place for everyone. Secondly, even if they use the mobile phones of parents for some time, they should be duly observed and should not be allowed for overtime. Moreover, parents should educate their children about uses and drawbacks of using a mobile phone at an early age. Rather, they should encourage them to participate in outdoor games, instead.

Q. 4 How can people spend their time creatively?

Sample answer: Books are considered to be the beat friends in free time. Reading good books not only provides information on so many streams, but it also paves the way for generation of new ideas after accumulation of knowledge. Apart from this, one can be engaged in outdoor games and adventures. This will help in maintaining good health and enthusiastic spirits.

Feel free to call for suggestions and queries.

IELTS Band 7 Dehradun
Near Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun

9634777700

7249900007

IELTS Band 7 Saharanpur
Parsvnath Plaza, Saharanpur

email: info at ieltsband7.com

IELTS online simulator

IELTS Cue Card #Speak about a skill that was difficult for you to learn

February 28, 2022 IELTS Research

IELTS Cue Card #Speak about a skill that was difficult for you to learn

Speak about a skill that was difficult for you to learn.
You should say:

What was that skill and where and when did you learn it?

How did it happen to learn the skill and how were you feeling while learning?

How did you feel after learning it?

IELTS CUE CARD # Speak about a skill that was difficult for you to learn

Sample Answer :

I was always interested in playing harmonica since my childhood days. At that time, when I was barely 5 years old, my mother bought a harmonica for me, from a local fair. It was a very tiny one, for kids only. I often used to play it, in whatever way I could. Later, when I went for graduation, my elder brother gifted me another harmonica, this one with proper size and notes. I felt delighted to have that. Thereafter, in my second year of graduation, I joined a music class, where I could learn playing the mouth organ. Interestingly, teacher was blind but despite that, he has very proficient in so many instruments. It was there, in that Taal music academy, very close to my university in Dehradun, where I learnt this skill of playing harmonica.

So, it was my childhood interest and later, that gift by brother, which pushed me in learning this skill. I used to have 2 hours’ classes in the evenings, where I was taught the basics of music notes and the instrument, in the beginning. Later on, we moved to the art of playing the organ, actually. In class, we were just two students, so the teacher could spend enough time teaching me about my instrument. Well, learning this skill was a challenge and fun both, together. At moments, I felt the task of memorizing different notes for different music, a bit tiresome and even a boring repetition. But then, my perseverance and curiosity to learn stood firm to facilitate my learning. I was happy to follow my childhood hobby in this evolved manner. Overall, it was a great learning experience and terrific fun being in the company of music.

And yes, my mother intervened in between and held our horses then. I was thinking what exactly my mother would say at that point. For a gap of few seconds I even felt fearful whether she would support my father and with a majority stake, my parents would kill my dream of having that special bike. But then she came up with a new idea of gifting me the car instead of bike because of safety concerns. As I was free to pick up my choice of car and because of the safety features involved in it, I gave my consent. Surprisingly, my father who seemed a bit reluctant on any gift, agreed too.

I learnt my lessons for nearly 10 months. After that, I was in a position to play almost every famous song of Hindi cinema. I could attune with the newcomer songs and even invent my own feeble compositions time and then. My harmonica became my best friend and company. I never feel bored now, even if alone. Because, with my mouth organ, I am never lonely.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning
Perseverance	deep patience: Even difficult targets can be achieved by perseverance.
Feeble	weak: Body of an old person becomes feeble with growing age.

Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Do you like learning new skills?

Sample answer: Yes, I am very fond of learning new skills. I still remember clearly, how desperate I was on the day, when my father brought me my first new bicycle. It was my appetite to learn the skill there and then, that I learnt the driving in a single day. Later also, I was a sincere student of craft group in my school, where I learnt the skill of wood cutting and drawing.

Q. 2 Why do you like learning new things?

Sample answer: I believe that most primitive and aboriginal trait of humans is, the curiosity to learn. New things and novel experiences of learning always seem to be so interesting and fun filled. A pleasant feeling of acknowledging the new knowledge just sweeps over us, once we happen to learn a new task or skill. Therefore, it is this good feeling about, me being myself, that happens in acquisition of a new skill.

Q. 3 Do you think it is important to learn new skills for vocational purpose?

Sample answer: Yes, I think new skills are imminent for growth and development of the individual. For instance, computer training programmes and ITI’s impart hardware as well as software skills to the rural youth. This cultivates the skills required by the modern businesses and industries and enhances their chance for a productive employment. Learning new skills nowadays can be very instrumental in accelerating your career.

Q. 4 What do you think about the effectiveness of PM Skill Development Programme?

Sample answer: Well, PM Skill Development programme is a wise initiative by central as well as state governments. This acts as a podium for so many unemployed youths to learn new market oriented skills and a workshop to those already employed in informal sector, to augment their skills with latest technology and projects. So, I think, it is very effective in guaranteeing the job security to the people and further improve upon the operational skills.