Cue Card Sample
A resolution you once made in the new year - Cue Card # 789
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a resolution you once made in the new year.
You should say:
- what resolution it was
- when it was
- why you made this resolution
and explain whether you had been able to keep it or not.
[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.]
Model Answer 1:
Until I started university about 8 years ago, I used to be considered a rather “unsocial” or “unfriendly” person because of my “unwillingness” or "inability" to open up myself to other people around me. As a result, people didn’t really like me that much. I didn’t really make much of it until one of my university teachers, many thanks to him, advised me to become a more “friendly and social” person. And that’s when I made a New Year resolution – a resolution to socialize more and more with people around me.
Now, you must be wondering why I needed to wait to make such an important and life-changing resolution until I started university. Well, the answer is I wasn’t only “unsocial”, but also a bit "arrogant". And this “arrogance” actually forced me to believe that I didn’t really need to talk to anybody or need anybody to survive or succeed in this world. Of course, my parents and close relatives had asked me multiple times to display pleasant behaviours in front of others, but I just shrugged them off and decided to go my own way.
But, things got a bit tricky, to say the least, at my university as the people there, especially my classmates, started to avoid me, which started to affect my studies rather negatively. In fact, I wasn’t really getting any class notes or lessons from my classmates in case I ever had missed my university lectures. Needless to say, that particular university teacher read and understood my situation perfectly and that’s why he gave me the advice to become more “friendly”.
Thankfully, I didn’t only make the New Year’s resolution but also was able to follow through with it for the whole year. Initially, it was a bit difficult for me to carry on with that resolution because, frankly speaking, things had got a bit awkward at times when I wanted to start being friendly, but slowly but surely, I was well on my way to becoming a “friendly” and "social" person that my teacher, as well as other well-wishers of mine, wanted me to be.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
New Year's resolutions are common among people all over the world. It is an exciting time to reflect on the past year and to set new goals for the upcoming year. I also made many New Year resolutions, and for this topic, I'd like to talk about one such resolution that I made in the new year.
What resolution it was:
The resolution that I made in the new year was to start exercising regularly and lose at least 15 pounds within the next six months to get in shape. As I noticed that I had gained weight over the past few years due to a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits, I was determined to regain my shape.
When it was:
I made this resolution on January 1st, at the start of the new year in 2021. I was determined to stick to my resolution and achieve my weight loss goal.
Why you made this resolution:
I made this resolution for two main reasons. Firstly, I wanted to improve my overall health and fitness level. I realized that I was not taking care of my body and I needed to make some changes to my lifestyle. Secondly, I wanted to feel better about myself and gain more confidence. I felt unhappy with my appearance, and I believed that losing weight would help me feel more comfortable in my own skin.
And explain whether you had been able to keep it or not:
I am happy to say that I was able to keep my resolution and achieve my weight loss goal. It was not easy, but with dedication and hard work, I was able to make exercising a part of my daily routine and adopt healthier eating habits. I started by going to the gym three times a week and gradually increased the frequency and intensity of my workouts. I also cut back on junk food and started eating more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. In the next seven or eight months, I had lost 24 pounds and felt healthier and more confident than ever before.
After that event, I learnt that making resolutions is a great way to set goals and work towards self-improvement. While it can be challenging to stick to them, with dedication and hard work, it is possible to achieve our goals and make positive changes in our lives.
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