The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about personal experiences and their impacts. One common topic is describing a time when you gave advice that had a positive effect. This article will guide you through answering such questions effectively, with sample responses for different band scores.
Understanding the Topic
Giving advice that positively impacts someone’s life is a universal experience. IELTS examiners frequently use this topic to assess a candidate’s ability to narrate personal experiences, express opinions, and discuss abstract concepts related to decision-making and influence.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about advice and decision-making. Here are some possible questions with sample answers:
Question: Do you often give advice to others?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I sometimes give advice to my friends and family. I try to help when they ask for my opinion on different matters.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’d say I give advice fairly regularly, particularly to close friends and family members. However, I’m always mindful to offer suggestions rather than impose my views, as I believe it’s important to respect others’ autonomy in decision-making.”
Question: What kind of advice do people usually ask you for?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“People often ask me for advice about their studies or career choices. I think it’s because I’ve had some success in these areas.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“I find that people tend to seek my counsel on a range of issues, from academic and career-related matters to personal relationships. This could be attributed to my diverse life experiences and my reputation for being a good listener and offering balanced perspectives.”
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:
Describe a time when you gave advice that had a positive impact.
You should say:
- What the advice was
- Who you gave the advice to
- Why you gave this advice
- And explain how this advice had a positive impact
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
“I remember a time when I gave advice to my younger sister about her career choice. She was unsure whether to pursue engineering or medicine. I suggested she should choose engineering because she had always been good at math and science, and she enjoyed solving practical problems.
I gave her this advice because I knew her strengths and interests well. I also thought that engineering would offer her more diverse career opportunities in the future.
This advice had a positive impact because my sister followed it and is now a successful software engineer. She often tells me how happy she is with her choice and thanks me for guiding her in the right direction. It makes me feel good to know that my advice helped her find a fulfilling career.”
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to recount an instance where I offered advice to a close friend who was grappling with work-related stress and considering quitting his job. The advice I gave was multifaceted: firstly, to practice mindfulness techniques to manage stress; secondly, to engage in open communication with his superiors about his workload; and lastly, to reassess his work-life balance.
I chose to offer this advice because I had observed my friend’s deteriorating well-being over time and felt compelled to help. Moreover, having experienced similar challenges in my own career, I believed I could offer valuable insights.
The positive impact of this advice was profound and multifaceted. By implementing mindfulness techniques, my friend was able to significantly reduce his stress levels. The open dialogue with his superiors led to a restructuring of his responsibilities, making his workload more manageable. Finally, by reassessing his work-life balance, he was able to allocate more time to his personal life and hobbies, which greatly improved his overall satisfaction.
What’s particularly gratifying is that not only did this advice prevent my friend from making a hasty decision to quit, but it also led to a marked improvement in his job satisfaction and performance. He has since been promoted and often expresses gratitude for the guidance I provided during that challenging period. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of empathetic listening and thoughtful advice-giving.”
Follow-up Questions:
- How did you feel when you realized your advice had helped?
- Do you think it’s always good to give advice to others?
Band 6-7 Answers:
- “I felt really happy and proud that my advice had helped my sister. It made me feel useful and appreciated.”
- “Not always. Sometimes people need to make their own decisions. But giving advice can be good when someone asks for help.”
Band 8-9 Answers:
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“The realization that my advice had such a positive impact was incredibly fulfilling. It instilled in me a sense of responsibility and reinforced the importance of thoughtful communication. This experience also heightened my awareness of the potential influence we can have on others’ lives, even through seemingly small interactions.”
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“While offering advice can be beneficial, it’s crucial to approach it judiciously. The appropriateness of giving advice depends on various factors such as the relationship dynamics, the recipient’s receptiveness, and the nature of the situation. It’s often more productive to guide people towards their own solutions rather than prescribing actions. That said, when done with empathy and insight, advice-giving can be a powerful tool for positive change and personal growth.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Question: How do cultural differences affect the way people give and receive advice?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Cultural differences can affect advice-giving a lot. In some cultures, older people are expected to give advice to younger ones. In others, it’s more equal. Also, some cultures are more direct in giving advice, while others are more indirect.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Cultural nuances significantly influence the dynamics of advice-giving and receiving. In collectivist cultures, for instance, there’s often a greater emphasis on seeking and following advice from family members or community elders, as it aligns with values of respect and interdependence. Conversely, individualistic cultures might place more value on personal autonomy in decision-making.
The manner of delivery also varies culturally. Some cultures favor a more direct approach, where advice is given explicitly, while others prefer a more subtle, implicit style. For example, in many Asian cultures, advice might be conveyed through storytelling or by referencing historical examples, rather than through direct suggestions.
Moreover, the perceived appropriateness of giving unsolicited advice differs across cultures. In some societies, it’s seen as a sign of care and involvement, while in others, it might be perceived as intrusive or presumptuous.
Understanding these cultural differences is crucial in our increasingly globalized world, as it helps in fostering effective cross-cultural communication and avoiding potential misunderstandings in personal and professional contexts.”
Question: Do you think the ability to give good advice is a natural talent or a learned skill?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“I think it’s a bit of both. Some people are naturally good at understanding others and giving advice. But you can also learn to be better at it by listening more and gaining more life experience.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“The ability to give good advice is, in my opinion, a complex interplay between innate qualities and acquired skills. Some individuals may possess natural attributes that lend themselves well to advice-giving, such as empathy, intuition, and strong analytical skills. These traits can certainly provide a solid foundation for effective counseling.
However, I believe that the art of giving good advice is predominantly a learned skill that can be honed over time. It requires a combination of life experience, emotional intelligence, and active listening skills – all of which can be developed and refined. Moreover, understanding different perspectives, staying informed about various subjects, and learning to communicate effectively are crucial components that typically improve with conscious effort and practice.
Additionally, cultural awareness and adaptability play significant roles in giving universally applicable advice, and these are certainly skills that can be cultivated. The most effective advice-givers often demonstrate a balance between drawing from their personal experiences and continuously learning from new situations and diverse viewpoints.
In essence, while some may have a natural predisposition towards giving good advice, the skill can be significantly enhanced through deliberate practice, self-reflection, and a commitment to lifelong learning.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
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Multifaceted /ˌmʌl.tiˈfæs.ɪ.tɪd/ (adjective): Having many different aspects or features.
Example: “The advice I gave was multifaceted, addressing various aspects of the problem.” -
Empathetic listening /ˌem.pəˈθet.ɪk ˈlɪs.ən.ɪŋ/ (noun phrase): The practice of fully concentrating on and understanding the speaker’s perspective.
Example: “Through empathetic listening, I was able to understand my friend’s concerns better.” -
Judiciously /dʒuːˈdɪʃ.əs.li/ (adverb): With good judgment or sense.
Example: “It’s important to offer advice judiciously, considering the recipient’s feelings and circumstances.” -
Interdependence /ˌɪn.tə.dɪˈpen.dəns/ (noun): The dependence of two or more people or things on each other.
Example: “In some cultures, there’s a strong sense of interdependence within families when it comes to decision-making.” -
Cross-cultural communication /krɒs ˈkʌl.tʃər.əl kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ (noun phrase): The exchange of information between people from different cultural backgrounds.
Example: “Effective cross-cultural communication is essential when giving advice to people from diverse backgrounds.”
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing topics like giving impactful advice:
- Use a range of complex vocabulary and grammatical structures accurately.
- Provide detailed and extended responses, especially in Part 2 and 3.
- Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
- Show your ability to discuss abstract concepts, particularly in Part 3.
- Maintain fluency throughout your responses, avoiding long pauses.
- Practice regularly with a variety of topics to improve your spontaneity and confidence.
Remember, the key to success in the IELTS Speaking test is not just about language proficiency, but also about effectively communicating your thoughts and experiences.
For more tips on improving your IELTS Speaking skills, you might find it helpful to read about describing a time when you made a life-changing decision or describing a person who inspires you to stay motivated. These topics can provide additional context and practice for discussing personal experiences and their impacts.