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IELTS and other spoken English examinations frequently use cue card questions to test candidates’ English language proficiency. These questions are intended to assess vocabulary, coherence, fluency, and quick thinking. Cue card inquiries that ask about an experience or an incident from everyday life are a popular type. An example that is frequently used is “Describe A Successful Person Who You Once Studied Or Worked With.”
Although these kind of questions may appear simple to many students, they are an important component of the speaking exam where structure, vocabulary, and intelligibility are factors. Clear thought, well-structured delivery, and pertinent content must all be combined to provide a good response to such questions.
This blog post will discuss how to tackle this specific cue card topic, present a methodical response, and provide advice on how to get better prepared. Together, we should dissect the question, plan an answer, and practice.
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Describe A Successful Person Who You Once Studied Or Worked With
How to Approach
For a well-structured and captivating response to a topic such as “Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with,” adhere to the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework. Here is a detailed guide:
Introduction
First, introduce yourself and briefly describe your relationship with the person. Describe their field of specialization.
For an example: “I would want to discuss my colleague Jiya, a software developer with whom I worked on a noteworthy project at my previous job. She is renowned for her innovative problem-solving and leadership skills and is extremely accomplished.
Situation
Describe the environment in which you worked with or studied this person.
Example: “With a short turnaround time, we were tasked with creating a new feature for a mobile application. Jiya led the team.
Task
Emphasize both your and their roles in the circumstance.
For Example: “Jiya was responsible for managing the project and making sure the team completed the deliverables. She also took the initiative to coach me and other team members who were newer.
Action
Give particular examples of this person’s accomplishments and attributes.
For example: “She facilitated open communication, planned daily stand-ups to monitor progress, and even stepped in to code crucial parts when the team encountered difficulties. Her capacity to remain composed under duress and come up with creative solutions was admirable.
Result
Describe their actions’ results and how they demonstrated their success.
For instance: “We finished the project two weeks earlier than expected because of Jiya’s leadership. Users gave the new feature great feedback, and it resulted in a 40% boost in the app’s engagement rate.
Personal Reflection
Talk about the things you learned from this individual and how they affected you.
Example: “Working with Jiya taught me the value of effective communication, flexibility, and persistence.” Ever since, I’ve made an effort to imitate her leadership approach at work.
Structuring Your Answer
1: Most university students ........................ on campus in their first year.
When responding to the question, “Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with,” utilize the below given fromat for maximum impact and clarity:
Brief Overview
Give a brief overview of the individual, your relationship with them, and the main reasons behind their achievement. This establishes the scene.
For iexample: “I would like to discuss Ms. Priya, my previous mentor with whom I collaborated during my first internship. She is a very successful project manager who is renowned for her outstanding problem-solving and leadership abilities.
Context Of Interaction
Explain the circumstance or setting in which you worked or studied with this individual. This demonstrates how pertinent your example is.
For instance: “I worked with Ms. Priya on a challenging assignment to optimize a retail company’s supply chain operation during my internship. Because it had a direct effect on the company’s profitability, the project was crucial.
Qualities That Make Them Successfull
Emphasize particular qualities or behaviors that demonstrate their accomplishment. Provide examples to support your arguments.
For instance: “Her capacity to properly strategize even in challenging circumstances was one of her most notable traits. She divided the project into manageable goals and delegated work according to team members’ areas of strength. Her remarkable ability to communicate made sure that everyone understood the goals.
Tangible Outcomes
Talk about their successes or the outcomes of their work. This reinforces their reputation for success.
For instance: “The project was finished a week ahead of schedule and 15% under budget because of her leadership.” The solutions we put in place improved operating efficiency by 25%, and the client was quite satisfied.
Personal Impact
Describe how their accomplishments and personal traits motivated or affected you. Link it to your personal development.
For example: “Ms. Priya’s emphasis on teamwork and her capacity to remain composed under duress motivated me to cultivate comparable qualities. I now place a higher value on strategic thought and effective communication in my profession.
Conclusion
Explain why you think they were successful and why this particular recollection is memorable.
For example: “All things considered, collaborating with Ms. Priya was motivating. I learned important lessons from her approach to problem-solving and her commitment to excellence that have guided me throughout my career.
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A Model Response
Below given is a model example to the question “Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with.”
I want to talk about Riya, a college friend of mine with whom I took a computer science course. She is among the most accomplished and diligent people I have ever met.
Riya was a standout student who always received high grades in our class. Her tenacity and readiness to assist others, however, were what set her apart. For example, Riya organized our duties and made sure everyone knew their roles during a group project on creating a mobile app.
We overcame technical obstacles and presented one of the finest projects in the class thanks to her capacity to think creatively and solve difficulties fast. In addition to her academic achievements, she has won multiple coding contests, demonstrating her enthusiasm and proficiency in programming.
Because of her commitment and upbeat outlook on obstacles, Riya is someone I admire. She motivated me to put in more effort and maintain my focus on my objectives. She now works for a prestigious IT company, and I consider myself fortunate to have studied with her.
Tips for Practicing and Preparing for the ‘Describe’ Cue Cards
- Participate in daily speaking exercises by talking with a partner or practicing alone.
- Expand and utilize a wide range of vocabulary related to common IELTS themes.
- Avoid using highly technical language and opt for everyday conversational terms.
- Respond to questions concisely, clearly, and stick to the main topic.
- Practice speaking without long hesitations or pauses.
- Observe native speakers and try to imitate their pronunciation and intonation.
- Provide reasons and examples to support your points in your responses.
- Maintaining a positive mindset will help reduce anxiety during the oral exam.
- During your practice sessions, jot down notes and seek valuable feedback from your tutor or peers.
- Build your confidence by becoming acquainted with the test format and practicing with sample questions.
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