Describe a time you successfully did something difficult - IELTS speaking cue card

Success is defined differently by different people. Some individuals think that success is owning a beautiful home, while others think that success is having a fulfilling career. But because it has nothing to do with money, the success story I'm going to share with you today is a little different. Instead, it's about developing the ability to break a really bad habit.

Of course, some people may not view giving up as a success, but it was a major victory for me. But for me, leaving the habit of smoking and drinking was a success. 

I didn't have the motivation to accomplish this goal until I heard a podcast by a famous health and fitness guide in which he described how dangerous smoking and drinking could be. After listening to that podcast, I realised how important it is for the body to break all these bad habits.

By the way, the doctor also advised me to stop smoking as soon as possible about a year ago due to some health issues. However, I chose to disregard the advice. But when I found out later how seriously this habit can damage my lungs, it was, therefore, time for me to act like an adult and give up smoking completely for the benefit of my health. 

For someone who had smoked and consumed alcohol for almost 4 years, giving up the habit in a matter of months was truly a difficult task. However, I didn't quit smoking in a day. But I pledged to reduce it gradually and stop consuming it one day. 

Of course, at first, I was upset and frustrated that I couldn't indulge in my favourite pastime, smoking, but by keeping myself busy with other things like gyming and video gaming, I eventually got used to it. 

Either way, this accomplishment was vital to my life since it made me a more productive and healthy person. It also allowed me to reestablish my relationship with my family as a mature adult. Thanks to this success, I eventually saved some money that I had been wasting on cigarettes.

Also, Read: IELTS Exam

One of my most important life milestones was learning to drive a four-wheeler. As an 18-year-old young adult, I realised that I would not be able to achieve independence and the freedom that accompanies it unless I learned to drive.

I needed to learn how to drive to become independent and go wherever I wanted to go. Since I had no prior experience or knowledge about it, it was even more challenging. However, I knew I had to accomplish this to succeed on my own, but I also had to take a risk.

Initially, to start practising, I purchased a second-hand car for myself. In the morning, I used to go for a driving lesson with my coach and then take on the task of learning to drive on my own. After getting a little better and completing my 1 month of driving course, I practised on some deserted roads and in an empty parking lot for several hours. Further, as my driving confidence grew, I began to practise on peaceful roads at night when no one else was there.

Learning to drive was challenging because I had to overcome many tough difficulties. As a beginner, I had to pick up the fundamentals, such as shifting gears, braking, acceleration, and mirror checks. In addition, I had to be mindful of an element of risk associated with driving. Furthermore, driving by myself at a later stage without an instructor or anyone else to assist me was pretty nerve-wracking.

It took me some time to adjust to the difficult challenge of learning to drive. However, I ultimately got the hang of it as I gained more self-assurance. I felt proud of myself for overcoming my concerns and learning to drive, even though I was first afraid. I never imagined I could accomplish this, and feeling confident as a driver afterwards made me feel amazing. 

Ultimately, I'm glad I took the plunge and learned to drive, even though it wasn't easy. I knew I had to do it to gain independence, and it was worth it since it allowed me to go wherever I wanted. Though difficult at first, it was a worthwhile experience for which I am now thankful.

Also, Read: Describe a time you were very busy (IELTS Speaking cue card)

Everything appears challenging until we try to solve it or get some experience. It could appear challenging at first, but with patience and hard work, all things get resolved. I will now discuss a challenging experience I had in my life.

I gained a lot of weight during the COVID-19 pandemic, and when my friends noticed that I was overweight, one of them challenged me to drop 12 kg in four months. I took up the challenge, and while I was bulky at first, I started working out. During the initial stage, working out used to hurt so much.

Initially, for a few days, I began by walking three kilometres along with 1 kilometre running every morning. After that, I joined yoga and gym classes, where my coach gave me a food plan to follow.  I continued to work out and followed those charts. I used to work out every day; it became my habit.

Working out was really unpleasant and tough for me because I was overweight. In addition, I have cheated on my diet plan, which has caused me to acquire extra weight. Since I only lost 1 kg in a month, my coach made sure I followed my food and exercise plan strictly.

Three months later, I had dropped 9 kgs. My body transformation stunned all of my friends. They saw me shockingly. I was also very satisfied with my transformation and body shape. In four months, I completed the challenge and lost 12 kg of weight. It truly is a difficult yet exciting journey for me. 

I was very happy and satisfied with myself when I eventually met my goal. I want to start by saying thank you to my friend for setting a weight loss challenge for me. Without it, I would probably end up gaining more weight.

Also, Read: What is UKVI IELTS?

Question: What kinds of jobs require people to be confident?

Answer: While confidence is necessary for many jobs, it's especially important for positions involving decision-making, leadership, and public contact. For example, jobs in marketing and sales require assurance when presenting goods and convincing consumers. Any organisation's leadership positions demand self-assurance in order to manage teams and make choices. Publicly visible professions like broadcasting, acting, and public speaking also require a high level of confidence. A confident demeanour is beneficial in any position where you are required to influence others, push your ideas, or represent a company or product.

Question: On what occasions should children be encouraged? How?   

Answer: In my opinion, youngsters who are afraid to undertake something healthy for them should be supported in those circumstances. Additionally, they shouldn't feel as though they are being forced to accept the support; it should only be given up to a point. If kids show interest in learning something creative, like painting, we can encourage them to do so. Parents can also take kids to a museum, science park, or planetarium to further stimulate their curiosity and help them grow.

Question: How do you help children stay focused?  

Answer: We need to take away any outside distractions before we can assist the kids in maintaining their focus on a single task. In addition, there should be role-playing activities where students learn the value of staying focused in their life from professionals and through a variety of plays and stories from the protagonist, they should clarify how his focus allowed him to steer his career toward remarkable growth.

Question: What challenges do young people face today?

Answer: Today's youth must overcome several obstacles. These involve managing the intricacies of the digital realm, including the demands of social media and an excess of information. Anxiety and sadness are two mental health conditions that are becoming more common in young people. With competitive job markets and high expectations for achievement, substantial pressures are associated with education and careers. Climate change and other environmental issues are another primary concern for a large number of young people. Common difficulties also include social issues like prejudice, inequality, and the quest for a sense of purpose and identity.   

Question: What are the most difficult things for youngsters to do?   

Answer: When young, there are many tough decisions to make. A person's youth is a stage when they are prepared to embark on their journey as independent individuals. Apart from this, during this time only, they had to face a lot of physical and hormonal changes, which affected their behaviour. 

Question: What can we do to overcome the thought that everything is difficult?  

Answer: In my opinion, nothing is hard until we give it a shot. Even though we are unaware of the consequences, we should attempt it first. Trying something new is not a bad thing.

Also, Read: Describe a Person who you believe Dresses Well - IELTS cue card

"Describe a difficult thing you did" cue cards are a great way to assess candidates' ability to structure their ideas and communicate logically about a challenging experience or accomplishment. In order to respond to this cue card, one must consider the difficulties encountered and the lessons discovered. Examiners search for thorough speaking that considers the challenges, illustrations, and results. It's crucial to answer with a clear structure and seamless concept transitions. Differentiating speaking proficiency levels, this cue card creates a reflective and captivating monologue. Most test takers can speak confidently and in-depth about this cue card because there are many opportunities to provide examples from their academic, professional, or personal lives.

We hope you know how to answer the “Describe a time you successfully did something difficult” cue card questions in your IELTS speaking test. But, if you want to get further details or would like to prepare for IELTS (PI), you can contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance you need for admission and visa. In addition, they will help you shortlist the universities according to your profile. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.