Describe A Time When You Did Something Creative: IELTS Speaking Guide

The IELTS Speaking Test is a crucial part of the IELTS examination, designed to assess a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English. This test is divided into three parts:

1. Part 1: Introduction and Interview.
2. Part 2: The Long Turn.
3. Part 3: Two-way Discussion.

An IELTS Speaking Examiner evaluates your performance based on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.

One common task in Part 2 is describing a time when you did something creative. In this guide, we’ll go through strategies, example answers, and tips to help you excel in this type of question.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner will ask you questions about yourself and general topics. These questions establish a baseline of your speaking ability.

Example Questions for Part 1

• Do you enjoy being creative?
• When was the last time you did something creative?
• Is it important to be creative? Why?

Sample Answer:

Question: Do you enjoy being creative?
Answer: Yes, I truly enjoy being creative. I find that engaging in creative activities such as painting or writing helps me to unwind and express myself in unique ways. It’s an essential part of my life as it allows me to explore my imagination.

Part 2: The Long Turn

In Part 2, you will be given a cue card and you will have to speak about the topic for 1-2 minutes. You will have 1 minute to prepare.

Cue Card:

Describe A Time When You Did Something Creative. You should say:

• What the creative activity was
• When and where you did it
• How you did it
• And explain how you felt about it

Sample Answer:

Answer: One of the most memorable times I engaged in a creative activity was when I painted a mural for a local community center. This occurred about two years ago when I volunteered to help revitalize the center, which is located in the heart of my town. We performed this task over the course of several weekends. We started by brainstorming ideas that would resonate with the community. We decided on a theme that depicted the local history and cultural heritage.

Once the theme was chosen, we sketched the outline directly onto the wall. It was a collaborative effort, with each volunteer contributing their skills and ideas. As I painted, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and joy. The mural turned out beautifully, and the community was incredibly appreciative. This experience not only honed my painting skills but also brought the community closer together.

community mural painting activity

Follow-Up Questions:

• Question: Why do you think creativity is important?
  Answer: Creativity is crucial because it fuels innovation and problem-solving. Creative thinking allows for new and unique ideas to flourish, driving progress in various fields.

• Question: How can people develop their creative abilities?
  Answer: People can develop their creative abilities by engaging in diverse activities, experimenting without fear of failure, and continually seeking inspiration from different sources such as art, music, and nature.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the examiner will ask questions related to the topic in Part 2 but in a more abstract manner.

Example Questions for Part 3:

• How important is creativity in your job/studies?
• Do you think creativity is something people are born with?
• How can schools encourage creativity in students?

Sample Answers:

Question: How important is creativity in your job/studies?
Answer: Creativity is extremely important in my field of study as it encourages innovative thinking and problem-solving. For instance, in engineering, creative approaches can lead to more efficient designs and solutions that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.

Question: Do you think creativity is something people are born with?
Answer: I believe that everyone possesses some level of innate creativity, though it can be nurtured and developed. Environmental factors such as early exposure to creative activities and supportive educators can greatly enhance one’s creative abilities.

Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

• Accomplishment (noun) /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/: something that has been achieved successfully.
• Collaborative (adjective) /kəˈlæbəreɪtɪv/: produced or conducted by two or more parties working together.
• Crucial (adjective) /ˈkruːʃəl/: extremely important or necessary.
• Exposure (noun) /ɪkˈspoʊʒər/: the state of being exposed to contact with something.
• Fuel (verb) /fjuːəl/: to supply with material needed for growth.

Examples:

• “The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming after completing the mural.”
• “It was a collaborative project that brought the community together.”
• “Creativity is crucial for innovation in any field.”
• “Early exposure to arts can significantly boost a child’s creativity.”
• “Programs that fuel creative thinking are essential in today’s education systems.”

Tips to Achieve a High Band Score

1. Practice Regularly: Consistent speaking practice will improve fluency and confidence.
2. Enhance Vocabulary: Learning new words and how to use them in context will enrich your responses.
3. Seek Feedback: Have a teacher or fluent speaker evaluate your speaking exercises and provide feedback.
4. Stay Calm and Composed: Nervousness can impede your performance. Practice relaxation techniques.
5. Structure Your Answers: Organize your thoughts logically to make your answers coherent.

By following these recommendations and practicing the sample questions and answers, you will be well on your way to scoring high in the IELTS Speaking Test.