Describe a Time When You Tried to do Something

While speaking about the IELTS topic ‘Describe a time when you tried doing something’, try to keep it conversational and natural. You can explain by expressing your feelings and emotions, and the lessons learned while trying out the activity. Read on to know how to tackle ‘describe’ cue cards.

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Introduction: Understanding the ‘Describe’ Cue Card Questions

The “Describe” cue card questions in the IELTS Speaking Test assess your ability to speak at length about a specific topic. The assessment criteria is as follows:

Fluency: Ability to speak smoothly and logically.

Vocabulary: Use of a variety of words and phrases.

Grammar: Range and accuracy of grammatical structures.

Pronunciation: Clarity and naturalness of speech.

In this part, the examiner gives you a cue card with a topic you need to talk about for 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll be given a cue card with a topic along with a few bullet points to guide your response.

How to Approach “Describe a time when you tried to do something”

You can effectively approach the topic “Describe a time when you tried to do something,” by structuring it as follows:

1. Think of the context

What was it that you tried to differently and when was it.

2. Organize Your Response

Structure your description into clear sections:

• Briefly introduce the situation by mentioning what you tried to do.
• Provide key details about the preparations you did for it. You can mention the resources you used.
• Describe your experience while doing it. Highlight any challenges you faced.
• Explain the outcome, whether it was successful or not. You can share the lessons you learned.

3. Use Descriptive Language

Be specific and vivid in your descriptions.

4. Practice Brevity and Clarity

Keep your response focused and avoid unnecessary details.

Structuring Your Answer: The Ideal Format for “Describe a time when you tried to do something”

To structure the answer effectively, follow these steps:

1. Introduction

Introduce the situation briefly. Mention what you tried to do and when.

2. Preparation

Provide details about the steps taken to do the activity.

3. Development

Describe your experience of trying it. Add personal feelings.

4. Result

Explain the outcome. You can share your emotions and any lessons learned.

5. Keep it natural

Speak from your heart and make it sound natural.

Example Answer: A Model Response for “Describe a time when you tried to do something”

A few months ago, I decided to learn how to cook a traditional dish from my culture. It’s my favourite dish, but I had never tried making it myself. One day, I was yearning for it, so I looked up for the recipe on YouTube and decided to give it a try. I thought it would be a great challenge.

First, I gathered all the necessary ingredients and the right kitchen tools. Since it was my first attempt, I carefully followed the recipe step by step.

At first, things went well, but as the dish was getting done, I realized that I had miscalculated the amount of spices. The dish turned out spicier than expected! However, my family still appreciated the effort and encouraged me to try again.

I tried preparing the dish several times since then, and now I can proudly say that I’ve mastered it. Even though my first attempt wasn’t a complete success, I learned a lot from the experience. It taught me that mistakes are part of the learning process, and with patience and practice, I could improve my skills.

Tips for Practicing and Preparing for the ‘Describe’ Cue Cards

Preparing for “Describe” cue cards requires a structured approach. Here are some tips to help you give a well organized response:

1. Familiarize Yourself with Common Topics
2. Master the structure to organize your response effectively
3. Choose a personal story or real life experience (wherever possible)
4. Use the one minute preparation time to note down key points and related vocabulary
5. Add depth to your response by describing the topic and mentioning your feelings or thoughts about it.
6. Record yourself speaking. Listen to it and assess the changes needed. Check your intonation and pronunciation.
7. Practice regularly with a friend or a partner
8. Attempt mock tests

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