Introduction

Helping a friend with an important decision is a common scenario that often appears in IELTS Speaking tests. This topic allows candidates to showcase their ability to describe personal experiences, express emotions, and discuss interpersonal relationships. Given its relevance to everyday life, this theme has been a recurring element in past IELTS exams and is likely to remain prevalent in future tests.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about friendship and decision-making. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

Question: How do you usually help your friends when they have problems?

Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“I typically offer a listening ear when my friends are facing difficulties. I believe that sometimes, people just need someone to hear them out without judgment. If they ask for advice, I try to provide balanced perspectives and encourage them to weigh their options carefully. I also make sure to follow up with them afterwards to see how they’re doing.”

Part 2: Long Turn

Cue Card:

Describe a time when you helped a friend with an important decision.

You should say:

• Who the friend was
• What the decision was about
• How you helped them
• And explain why you think your help was important

Sample Answer (Band 6-7):

“I’d like to talk about a time when I helped my college roommate, Sarah, make an important decision about her career path. She was torn between pursuing a master’s degree in biology or accepting a job offer at a pharmaceutical company.

Sarah was really stressed out about this decision because both options had their pros and cons. The master’s degree would give her more specialized knowledge, but it meant two more years of study and student loans. The job offer, on the other hand, provided immediate financial stability but might limit her future academic opportunities.

To help her, I sat down with her and we made a pros and cons list for each option. We discussed her long-term goals and what she valued most in her career. I also encouraged her to reach out to professionals in both academia and industry to get their insights.

I think my help was important because I provided a neutral perspective and helped her organize her thoughts. Sometimes when we’re too close to a problem, it’s hard to see the bigger picture. By asking her questions and listening actively, I helped her realize that the job offer aligned better with her immediate goals of gaining practical experience and financial independence.

In the end, Sarah decided to accept the job offer, and she’s been really happy with her choice. It was rewarding to see how my support helped her navigate such a crucial decision in her life.”

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“I’d like to recount an instance when I assisted my close friend, Emma, in making a life-altering decision regarding her entrepreneurial aspirations. Emma was grappling with the dilemma of whether to leave her stable corporate job to pursue her dream of starting her own sustainable fashion brand.

This decision was particularly challenging for Emma as it involved significant risks and uncertainties. On one hand, her corporate job offered financial security and a clear career trajectory. On the other, her passion for sustainable fashion and desire for creative autonomy were pulling her towards entrepreneurship.

To help Emma navigate this complex decision, I employed a multifaceted approach. Firstly, I facilitated a series of in-depth discussions where we explored her motivations, fears, and long-term vision. We conducted a comprehensive SWOT analysis of both options, meticulously examining the potential outcomes of each path.

Moreover, I connected Emma with several entrepreneurs in my network, arranging informational interviews to provide her with real-world insights into the challenges and rewards of running a business. We also delved into financial planning, creating detailed projections for her potential business venture and comparing them with her current financial situation.

I believe my assistance was instrumental in Emma’s decision-making process for several reasons. Firstly, I provided an objective sounding board, allowing her to verbalize and process her thoughts without judgment. Secondly, by introducing her to experienced entrepreneurs, I helped bridge her knowledge gap and gave her a more realistic perspective on entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, our financial analysis shed light on the viability of her business idea and helped her develop a concrete plan to mitigate risks. This systematic approach transformed an overwhelming decision into a series of manageable steps, making the process less daunting for Emma.

Ultimately, Emma decided to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, feeling more confident and prepared thanks to our thorough evaluation. Witnessing her flourish in her new venture has been incredibly rewarding, reinforcing the importance of providing comprehensive support during such pivotal moments in a friend’s life.”

Friend helping with decision-making process

Follow-up Questions:

1. How did you feel about helping your friend make this decision?

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I felt a profound sense of responsibility and gratitude simultaneously. On one hand, I was acutely aware of the weight of the situation and the potential impact my input could have on my friend’s future. This made me approach the task with utmost seriousness and diligence. On the other hand, I felt deeply honored that my friend trusted me enough to involve me in such a crucial decision. It was a testament to the strength of our friendship and reinforced my commitment to providing the most thoughtful and unbiased assistance possible.”

2. Do you think it’s always good to give advice to friends?

Sample answer (Band 6-7):
“I believe giving advice to friends can be helpful, but it’s not always the best approach. It really depends on the situation and what the friend needs. Sometimes, friends just want someone to listen to them rather than receive advice. It’s important to be mindful of when advice is welcome and when it might be seen as intrusive. Also, we should recognize our own limitations and not give advice on topics we’re not knowledgeable about.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: Let’s discuss the role of friends in decision-making more broadly.

1. In what ways do you think friends can influence our decisions?

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Friends can exert a profound influence on our decision-making processes in various ways. Firstly, they often serve as a valuable sounding board, allowing us to verbalize and refine our thoughts. This process of articulation can lead to greater clarity and insight into our own motivations and preferences.

Moreover, friends can broaden our perspectives by sharing their own experiences and viewpoints, which may challenge our preconceptions or illuminate aspects we hadn’t previously considered. Their input can help us anticipate potential outcomes or consequences that we might have overlooked.

Additionally, the emotional support provided by friends can bolster our confidence in making difficult decisions. Knowing that we have a support system can make us more willing to take calculated risks or pursue challenging paths.

However, it’s crucial to note that friend influence can also have potential drawbacks. There’s a risk of groupthink or peer pressure influencing decisions in ways that may not align with our true desires or best interests. Therefore, while friends can be an invaluable resource in decision-making, it’s essential to maintain a degree of autonomy and critically evaluate all input.”

2. Do you think people rely too much on their friends for advice nowadays?

Sample answer (Band 6-7):
“I think there’s a growing trend of people turning to their friends for advice more frequently, especially with the rise of social media and instant messaging. While it’s great to have support from friends, there’s a risk of over-reliance. Sometimes, professional advice from experts might be more appropriate, especially for complex issues like legal or financial matters.

Also, constantly seeking advice from friends might prevent people from developing their own decision-making skills. It’s important to strike a balance between getting input from friends and learning to trust our own judgment. Friends can offer valuable perspectives, but ultimately, we need to take responsibility for our own choices.”

Friends discussing decision on social media

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Grapple with /ˈɡræp.əl wɪð/ (phrasal verb): to try to deal with or understand a difficult problem or situation
   Example: “She was grappling with the decision to move abroad for work.”

2. Weigh options (phrase): to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of different choices
   Example: “Before making a decision, it’s important to weigh all your options carefully.”

3. Pivotal /ˈpɪv.ə.təl/ (adjective): very important and having a significant effect on the success of something
   Example: “His advice played a pivotal role in my career choice.”

4. Sounding board (noun): a person or group whose reactions to suggested ideas are used as a test of their validity or likely success before they are made public
   Example: “I often use my sister as a sounding board for my business ideas.”

5. Shed light on (idiom): to help to explain a situation or make it easier to understand
   Example: “Our discussion shed light on aspects of the problem I hadn’t considered before.”

6. Take the plunge (idiom): to decide to do something important or difficult, especially after thinking about it for a long time
   Example: “After months of deliberation, she finally took the plunge and started her own business.”

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing helping a friend with an important decision:

1. Use varied vocabulary: Incorporate a range of words and phrases related to decision-making, friendship, and support. This demonstrates your lexical resource.

2. Provide specific examples: When describing how you helped your friend, give concrete details. This adds authenticity to your response and shows your ability to communicate precise information.

3. Show reflection: Discuss why you think your help was important and what you learned from the experience. This demonstrates critical thinking and the ability to analyze situations.

4. Use appropriate tenses: When recounting past events, ensure you use past tenses correctly. Mix simple past, past continuous, and past perfect as appropriate to show your grammatical range.

5. Develop your answers: In Part 3, aim to give extended responses that explore different aspects of the questions. This shows your ability to discuss abstract ideas and give opinions.

6. Use discourse markers: Words and phrases like “moreover”, “on the other hand”, and “in conclusion” help structure your response and show fluency.

7. Practice active listening: In Part 3, make sure you understand the questions fully. It’s okay to ask for clarification if needed.

Remember, the key to success in the IELTS Speaking test is to communicate clearly and confidently while showcasing your English language skills. Regular practice with a variety of topics will help you feel more prepared on test day.

For more tips on improving your IELTS Speaking skills, you might find it helpful to read about how to describe a person who has positively influenced your career or how to describe a time when you shared something important with someone. These resources can provide additional insights into effective communication strategies for the IELTS Speaking test.