When discussing advice received from others in IELTS Speaking, it’s crucial to provide detailed and well-structured responses. This topic frequently appears in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2 cue cards and Part 3 discussions. Let’s explore how to effectively handle this speaking topic and achieve a high band score.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Common questions you may encounter:
- Do you often ask for advice?
- Who do you usually go to for advice?
- What kind of advice do people usually ask you for?
Here’s a sample answer for “Do you often ask for advice?” (Band 8-9):
“Well, I’d say I’m quite selective about seeking advice. While I value independence in decision-making, I definitely reach out to those with relevant experience when facing significant life choices. For instance, before choosing my career path, I extensively consulted with professionals in my field of interest.”
Professional giving advice to young person in office setting
Part 2: Cue Card
Topic
Describe a piece of advice you received from a friend that helped you make an important decision.
You should say:
- What the advice was
- When you received it
- Who gave you the advice
- How it helped you
Similar to describe a piece of advice you received that helped you make a decision, here’s a sample response (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to talk about some invaluable advice I received from my close friend Sarah regarding my career transition. This particularly memorable guidance came about two years ago when I was contemplating leaving my stable banking job to pursue a career in digital marketing.
Sarah, who had successfully navigated a similar career change herself, advised me to take calculated steps rather than making an abrupt switch. She specifically suggested that I should first gain relevant certifications and experience through freelance projects while maintaining my current job.
What made her advice especially impactful was how it perfectly balanced practicality with ambition. She emphasized the importance of building a safety net while pursuing my passion. Following her guidance, I systematically acquired digital marketing skills through online courses and gradually built a client portfolio.
This advice proved instrumental in my successful career transition. Instead of taking a risky leap, I made a smooth transition over eight months, which allowed me to maintain financial stability while pursuing my true calling.”
Professional discussing career transition plans with mentor
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Q: How has the nature of advice-giving changed with social media?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“The advent of social media has fundamentally transformed the landscape of advice-giving. While traditional mentorship typically involved face-to-face interactions, social media has created a vast ecosystem of peer-to-peer advice sharing. However, this comes with both advantages and potential pitfalls. The unprecedented access to diverse perspectives can be enlightening, but it also necessitates careful verification of sources and context.”
For those interested in describe a piece of advice that you received and found helpful, remember to focus on authenticity and personal experience.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases
- Invaluable guidance (adj + n): extremely useful advice
- To take calculated steps (phrase): to make careful, well-planned decisions
- To navigate through (phrasal verb): to successfully deal with a difficult situation
- To build a safety net (idiom): to create security measures
- To prove instrumental (phrase): to be very important in achieving something
Examiner’s Tips
- Structure your response clearly with a beginning, middle, and end
- Use specific examples to support your points
- Demonstrate range in vocabulary and grammar
- Maintain natural fluency while incorporating sophisticated language
- Show awareness of nuance in different contexts
Similar to how you might describe a situation where you felt very emotional, remember to include personal reactions and feelings in your response.
