How to Describe a Time When You Had to Make an Unpopular Decision: A Guide for IELTS Speaking

The IELTS Speaking test requires candidates to showcase their ability to communicate efficiently in English. Your proficiency will be assessed based on four criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. One of the common topics that may come up during the test is describing a time when you had to make an unpopular decision. This guide will help you prepare for this type of question by providing useful examples, appropriate vocabulary, and suggestions for structuring your responses.

II. Main Content

1. Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner asks general questions about yourself. Here’s a sample question and a suggested answer:

Question: Do you find it difficult to make decisions?

Suggested Answer:
“Sometimes, I do find it challenging to make decisions, especially when they are significant and affect a lot of people. However, I try to gather as much information as possible and consider different perspectives before making a final decision.”

2. Part 2: Long Turn

Examiner Cue Card:

• Describe a time when you had to make an unpopular decision.
• You should say:
  • What the decision was
  • Why you made the decision
  • How you felt about the decision
  • And explain why it was unpopular

Suggested Answer:

“There was a time when I had to make a controversial decision at work. As a project manager, I had to decide to extend the project deadline by two weeks. The project was initially scheduled to be completed within three months, but due to some unforeseen challenges, including a delay in receiving crucial resources and a team member falling ill, I realized we wouldn’t be able to maintain the quality of our work if we rushed.

I made the decision after discussing it with my team and assessing the situation thoroughly. Although it was unpopular among the management because it affected the overall schedule and subsequent projects, I believed it was the right choice to ensure that we delivered a high-quality product to our clients.

At first, I felt quite anxious and uncertain about how my decision would be perceived. However, after explaining the reasons behind it and how it would benefit the final outcome, my team supported the decision, and we were able to deliver a more refined and well-tested product. It was unpopular at the time, but in the end, it proved to be the right call as the clients were extremely satisfied with the final product.”

Follow-up Questions (Bullet Points):

• What did you learn from this experience?

• Suggested Answer: “I learned the importance of considering the long-term impact over short-term gains. Sometimes, making an unpopular decision is necessary for the overall success of a project.”

• How did the other stakeholders respond to your decision?

• Suggested Answer: “Initially, the management was quite displeased with the delay, but after seeing the improved results, they acknowledged that it was the right decision.”

3. Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner’s Questions and Suggested Answers:

Question: How important is it for leaders to make difficult decisions?

Suggested Answer:
“It is crucial for leaders to make difficult decisions because these decisions often shape the future success of an organization. Leaders must have the foresight and the courage to make choices that, while unpopular in the short term, can lead to better results in the long run. They should also be able to effectively communicate the rationale behind their decisions to gain support and understanding from their team.”

Question: Can you give an example of a public figure who made an unpopular decision that turned out to be beneficial?

Suggested Answer:
“A well-known example would be Abraham Lincoln‘s decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Initially, this decision was very unpopular among many segments of the American population and even within his own government. However, it ultimately led to the abolition of slavery and became a monumental step towards civil rights and equality.”

Vocabulary and Structures

Here are some important words and phrases that can be useful for this topic:

• Controversial (adjective): /ˌkɒn.trəˈvɜː.ʃəl/ – something that causes disagreement or discussion.
  • e.g.: The manager made a controversial decision to cut down the workforce.
• Unforeseen (adjective): /ˌʌn.fəˈsiːn/ – not anticipated or predicted.
  • e.g.: Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to delay the meeting.
• Assessing (verb): /əˈses/ – to evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something.
  • e.g.: We need to assess the situation before making any decisions.
• Displeased (adjective): /dɪsˈpliːzd/ – feeling, showing, or expressing dissatisfaction.
  • e.g.: The board was displeased with the project’s delay.

III. Advice for Preparation

1. Practice Regularly: Regular practice with sample questions and answers will help you gain confidence and improve your fluency.
2. Use a Variety of Vocabulary: Enhance your lexical resource by incorporating a diverse range of words and phrases.
3. Mock Tests: Engage in mock speaking tests with a partner or tutor to simulate the exam environment and receive constructive feedback.

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By clearly structuring your thoughts and practicing your responses, you can effectively prepare to describe a time when you had to make an unpopular decision in the IELTS Speaking test.