As an experienced IELTS examiner, I’ve seen countless candidates struggle with the speaking section, particularly when faced with challenging topics like describing a time when they had to make a tough decision quickly. This article will provide you with valuable insights, sample answers, and expert tips to help you excel in this task and boost your IELTS speaking score.
Understanding the Task: “Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision quickly”
This topic is a common one in IELTS speaking tests, often appearing in Part 2 (Long Turn) or as a follow-up question in Part 3 (Two-way Discussion). It tests your ability to recall a specific experience, articulate your thoughts under pressure, and reflect on the decision-making process.
IELTS Speaking Test
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
While this specific topic is unlikely to appear in Part 1, the examiner might ask related questions to warm you up. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:
Q: Do you usually make decisions quickly or do you take your time?
A: Well, it really depends on the situation. For minor, day-to-day decisions, I tend to be quite spontaneous and make choices quickly. However, when it comes to more significant matters, I prefer to take my time and weigh the pros and cons carefully before reaching a conclusion.
Q: How do you feel when you have to make important decisions?
A: To be honest, I often feel a bit anxious when faced with important decisions. There’s always that nagging worry about making the wrong choice. However, I try to approach it methodically by gathering information and considering all angles to help alleviate some of that stress.
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:
Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision quickly
You should say:
- What the decision was about
- When and where you had to make this decision
- Why you had to make it quickly
- And explain how you felt about making this decision
Sample Answer:
“I’d like to talk about a time when I had to make a tough decision quickly. It was about two years ago when I was offered a job opportunity in another city.
The decision was about whether to accept the job offer or stay in my current position. I received the offer on a Friday afternoon and was given only until Monday morning to respond. This happened while I was at work, which made it even more challenging to process.
I had to make the decision quickly because the company needed someone to start immediately, and they had other candidates lined up if I declined. The time pressure was immense, as I had to consider not only my career prospects but also the impact on my personal life, including my relationship and living situation.
Feeling about making this decision was a whirlwind of emotions. On one hand, I was excited about the potential for growth and the chance to live in a new city. On the other hand, I felt anxious about leaving my comfort zone and the people I cared about. The short timeframe added an extra layer of stress, as I felt I couldn’t fully weigh all the pros and cons.
To make the decision, I reached out to my closest friends and family for advice. I also made a list of the potential benefits and drawbacks of each option. Ultimately, I decided to take the leap and accept the offer, as I felt it aligned better with my long-term career goals.
Looking back, I’m glad I had the courage to make that decision quickly. While it was certainly challenging at the time, it taught me a lot about trusting my instincts and being willing to take calculated risks for personal growth.”
Examiner’s Follow-up Questions:
- How did this experience change your approach to decision-making?
- Do you think you made the right choice? Why or why not?
Sample Answers:
This experience significantly impacted my approach to decision-making. It taught me the importance of having a clear set of personal and professional priorities, which makes it easier to make quick decisions when necessary. I’ve also learned to trust my instincts more, while still balancing them with logical reasoning. Now, I try to maintain a broader perspective on my life goals, which helps me evaluate opportunities more efficiently, even under time pressure.
In retrospect, I believe I made the right choice. The new job provided me with invaluable experience and helped me develop new skills that have been crucial for my career progression. While there were certainly challenges, particularly in the beginning, overcoming these obstacles has made me more resilient and adaptable. The move also broadened my horizons both personally and professionally, introducing me to new people and ideas that have enriched my life. That said, I acknowledge that there’s no way to know for certain what would have happened if I’d chosen differently, but I’m satisfied with how things have turned out.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic of decision-making. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
Q: Do you think people generally make better decisions when they have more time to think?
A: That’s an interesting question. I believe that having more time can be beneficial, but it’s not always a guarantee of better decisions. With more time, people can gather more information, consult with others, and consider different perspectives, which can lead to more informed choices. However, there’s also a risk of overthinking or second-guessing oneself, which can sometimes lead to decision paralysis.
I think the key is to find a balance. Some decisions benefit from careful deliberation, while others might be better made quickly based on intuition and experience. It also depends on the individual’s decision-making style and the nature of the decision at hand.
Additionally, in today’s fast-paced world, the ability to make quick, yet well-informed decisions is becoming increasingly valuable. So while having more time can be helpful, it’s also crucial to develop the skill of making effective decisions under time constraints.
Q: How has technology affected the way people make decisions?
A: Technology has profoundly impacted decision-making processes in several ways. On the positive side, it has given us access to vast amounts of information at our fingertips, allowing us to make more informed decisions. We can easily research options, compare alternatives, and even use data analytics and AI-powered tools to assist in complex decision-making scenarios.
Social media and online forums have also made it easier to gather opinions and seek advice from a wide range of people, which can provide diverse perspectives on a decision.
However, there are also potential downsides. The abundance of information can sometimes lead to information overload, making it harder to focus on what’s truly important. There’s also the risk of encountering misinformation or biased views online, which can skew our judgment.
Moreover, the instant gratification culture fostered by technology might be making us more impulsive in our decision-making. We’re often expected to respond quickly to messages or make split-second choices while scrolling through social media, which could be affecting our ability to make thoughtful, long-term decisions.
In essence, while technology has provided us with powerful tools for decision-making, it has also created new challenges. The key is to use technology mindfully and balance it with critical thinking and personal judgment.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
To elevate your speaking performance, incorporate these advanced vocabulary items and phrases:
Weigh the pros and cons /weɪ ðə prəʊz ænd kɒnz/ – to consider the advantages and disadvantages
Example: “Before making any major decision, I always try to weigh the pros and cons carefully.”Spontaneous /spɒnˈteɪniəs/ – done or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse
Example: “While I’m usually quite planned, I can be spontaneous when the situation calls for it.”Nagging worry /ˈnæɡɪŋ ˈwʌri/ – a persistent, troubling concern
Example: “I had a nagging worry that I might regret not taking the job offer.”Whirlwind of emotions /ˈwɜːlwɪnd əv ɪˈməʊʃənz/ – a turbulent mix of feelings
Example: “Making such a big decision in a short time left me experiencing a whirlwind of emotions.”Take the leap /teɪk ðə liːp/ – to do something even though it is frightening or risky
Example: “After much consideration, I decided to take the leap and accept the job in a new city.”Trust one’s instincts /trʌst wʌnz ˈɪnstɪŋkts/ – to rely on one’s innate feeling about what to do
Example: “In situations where I have to decide quickly, I’ve learned to trust my instincts more.”Broaden one’s horizons /ˈbrɔːdn wʌnz həˈraɪznz/ – to expand one’s range of interests, experiences, and knowledge
Example: “Moving to a new city for work really helped broaden my horizons both personally and professionally.”Decision paralysis /dɪˈsɪʒən pəˈræləsɪs/ – the inability to make a decision due to overthinking
Example: “With so many options available, some people experience decision paralysis when trying to choose a career path.”
Tips from an IELTS Examiner
Practice makes perfect: Regularly practice speaking about various topics, especially those involving decision-making and personal experiences.
Use a variety of tenses: Incorporate past, present, and future tenses appropriately to demonstrate your language proficiency.
Develop your ideas: Don’t just give short answers. Expand on your thoughts and provide examples to support your points.
Mind your pronunciation and fluency: Work on speaking clearly and maintaining a steady pace. Pausing to collect your thoughts is fine, but try to avoid long silences.
Stay calm under pressure: Remember, it’s okay to take a moment to gather your thoughts before answering a question.
Be authentic: While it’s good to prepare, avoid memorizing answers. Examiners appreciate genuine responses that show your true language ability.
By following these guidelines and incorporating the sample answers and vocabulary provided, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the IELTS speaking task on describing a tough decision made quickly. Remember, confidence and practice are key to achieving a high score in your IELTS speaking test.
For more tips on handling challenging IELTS speaking topics, check out our articles on describing a situation when you had to make a sacrifice and describing a time when you faced a difficult decision.