How to Answer “Describe a Situation When You Had to Make a Sacrifice” in IELTS Speaking Test

In the IELTS Speaking test, examiners assess your ability to communicate effectively and coherently in English. One common topic that may arise is “Describe a situation when you had to make a sacrifice.” This guide will provide you with detailed advice and sample answers to help you excel in this part of the test.

I. Introduction

The IELTS Speaking test is divided into three parts:

1. Part 1: Introduction and Interview: The examiner asks you general questions about yourself, your family, work, studies, and interests.
2. Part 2: Long Turn: You will be given a cue card with a topic and you have one minute to prepare your response. You then speak for 1-2 minutes on the topic.
3. Part 3: Two-way Discussion: The examiner asks further questions related to the topic in Part 2, giving you a chance to discuss more abstract ideas and concepts.

To do well, you should aim to demonstrate fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range, and accuracy. Questions about sacrifices are common as they reveal your ability to discuss complex emotional and practical decisions.

Transitioning into the main content:

II. Main Content

1. Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Examiner: “Can you tell me about a time when you had to make a significant sacrifice?”

Sample Answer:

“Yes, certainly. A few years ago, I had to give up my long-held dream of becoming an actor to support my family. It was a very tough decision because acting was my passion and I had trained for years. However, when my family faced financial difficulties, I decided to take up a stable job to provide for them. Looking back, although it was a substantial personal sacrifice, I have no regrets because it brought stability and happiness to my loved ones.”

2. Part 2: Long Turn

Cue Card:

Describe a situation when you had to make a sacrifice. You should say:

• What the situation was
• What you had to sacrifice
• Why you made the sacrifice
• How you felt about it afterwards

Sample Answer:

“The situation where I had to make a significant sacrifice happened about three years ago when my father fell seriously ill. At that time, I was working in another city, and my career was just beginning to take off. The sacrifice I made was leaving my promising job to move back home and take care of him. I made this sacrifice because my family needed me. My father required constant care, and my presence was essential both for him and for my mother who was also struggling. After making this decision, I felt a mix of emotions – there was sadness for pausing my career, but also a deep sense of duty and love for my family. In the end, the experience taught me a lot about resilience and priorities in life.”

Potential Follow-up Questions:

1. Examiner: “Do you think it is important to make sacrifices for family? Why or why not?”

   Sample Answer: “Absolutely, I believe that family should always come first. Making sacrifices for family strengthens bonds and demonstrates love and respect. It shows that we value our relationships more than material gains. In the long run, having a supportive family provides emotional stability that is more rewarding than any career achievement.”

2. Examiner: “Do you think people today are less willing to make sacrifices than in the past?”

   Sample Answer: “In a way, yes. Today’s society is very individualistic and career-focused, which often makes personal sacrifices seem less appealing. However, I also think that the nature of sacrifices has evolved. People might be less willing to sacrifice their time or careers, but there are other forms of sacrifices, such as emotional support and financial help, that are still very common.”

3. Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner Questions:

Examiner: “Why do you think people are sometimes hesitant to make sacrifices?”

Sample Answer: “People might be hesitant to make sacrifices because it often involves giving up something valuable, whether it’s time, money, or personal ambitions. Such decisions are difficult and can create a lot of uncertainty about one’s future. Additionally, in a highly competitive world, sacrificing career opportunities can be particularly daunting as it can set someone back significantly in their professional life.”

Examiner: “Can sacrifices lead to positive outcomes? How?”

Sample Answer: “Definitely, sacrifices can lead to positive outcomes. For one, they can strengthen personal relationships and build trust. When people see that you’re willing to make sacrifices for them, it can deepen the bond and mutual respect. Moreover, sacrifices often teach valuable life lessons, such as resilience and gratitude, which can contribute to personal growth and long-term happiness.”

4. Key Vocabulary and Structures to Achieve High Scores

Here are some important words and phrases:

1. Sacrifice (n) /ˈsækrɪfaɪs/

   • Meaning: the act of giving up something important or valuable to you in order to get or do something that seems more important.
   • Example: “Making a sacrifice for family often means prioritizing their needs over your own ambitions.”

2. Resilience (n) /rɪˈzɪliəns/

   • Meaning: the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
   • Example: “Facing such a situation helped me develop resilience which is crucial in dealing with life’s challenges.”

3. Duty (n) /ˈdjuːti/

   • Meaning: a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility.
   • Example: “It was my duty to take care of my father during his illness.”

4. Stability (n) /stəˈbɪlɪti/

   • Meaning: the quality of being stable; steadiness.
   • Example: “My decision brought much-needed stability to my family.”

Description of Sacrifice

III. Tips from an Examiner

1. Practice Regularly: The more you practice speaking about different topics, the more fluent you will become.
2. Expand Your Vocabulary: Use varied and sophisticated vocabulary to express your ideas clearly.
3. Be Coherent: Structure your answers logically. Use linking words such as “firstly,” “however,” and “consequently.”
4. Practice Timed Responses: Get used to speaking for 1-2 minutes without stopping. This will help you manage your time during the test.
5. Seek Feedback: Have someone listen to your responses and provide constructive criticism.

By following these guidelines and utilizing the sample answers, vocabulary, and tips provided, you can improve your speaking skills and increase your chances of achieving a high score on the IELTS Speaking test.