How to Describe a Time When You Had to Stand Up for Yourself in an IELTS Speaking Test

In the IELTS Speaking test, examiners evaluate your English speaking ability based on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. One of the common topics you might encounter is describing a time when you had to stand up for yourself. This topic tests your ability to narrate past experiences and articulate your feelings and actions persuasively. Understanding the structure of the speaking test and preparing effectively for this kind of question can significantly boost your score.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

During Part 1, the examiner will ask general questions about familiar topics. Here are some sample questions and a suggested answer:

Common Questions:

1. Can you tell me about a time when you had to stand up for yourself?
2. Do you often find yourself in situations where you need to assert your opinion?

Sample Answer:
“Yes, I can recall a time when I had to stand up for myself during a team project in university. One of my teammates wanted to divide the work unfairly, leaving me with the major tasks. I had to confront him and explain why it was essential that the work be divided equally. Though it was uncomfortable, the positive outcome bolstered my confidence in addressing such situations.”

Part 2: Long Turn

Cue Card

Describe a time when you had to stand up for yourself. You should say:

• When this happened
• Where you were
• What you did
• And explain why you had to stand up for yourself

Suggested Answer

“When I was in college, there was a memorable incident where I had to stand up for myself. It happened during my final year, in the middle of an important group project for one of my major courses. We were tasked with preparing a comprehensive business plan, and as part of the team, we decided to split the responsibilities equally. However, one of my team members, Alex, began asserting his authority and attempting to shift his workload onto others.

I felt frustrated and disappointed, as this was not only unfair but also jeopardized the quality of our project. Initially, I tried to handle the situation diplomatically by discussing it with the team, but Alex didn’t seem to grasp the importance of shared responsibility. Consequently, I decided to confront him directly. I laid out why it was crucial for everyone to contribute equally and how his actions were affecting our productivity and team morale.

This conversation wasn’t easy; it required a lot of courage and determination. However, my assertiveness paid off. Alex understood my perspective and agreed to take on his share of the work. The experience taught me the significance of advocating for fairness and standing up for myself, not just for my own sake but for the success of our team as well.”

standing up for yourself

Follow-up Questions

1. What skills do you think are important when standing up for yourself?

   • Suggested Answer: “I believe communication skills, empathy, and self-confidence are crucial. Effective communication helps convey your thoughts clearly, while empathy allows you to understand others’ perspectives. Self-confidence gives you the courage to assert your needs and defend your rights.”

2. How do you balance standing up for yourself with maintaining harmony in a group?

   • Suggested Answer: “It’s essential to be assertive yet respectful. One should voice opinions calmly and rationally without undermining others. Seeking compromises and mutually beneficial solutions often helps maintain group harmony.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Sample Dialogue

Examiner: Do you think it’s always important to stand up for oneself?

Candidate: Absolutely, standing up for oneself is crucial for self-respect and personal integrity. It ensures that one’s rights and needs are acknowledged and respected, which is fundamental in both personal and professional settings. However, it’s also important to choose the right time and manner to do so, to ensure the message is conveyed effectively without unnecessary conflict.

Examiner: Can you think of any situations where it might be better to not assert oneself?

Candidate: Yes, sometimes it’s wiser to pick battles carefully. In situations where asserting oneself might lead to significant negative consequences or where compromise might lead to a better outcome, it might be strategic to show restraint. For instance, at work, if the issue is minor and temporary, it might be practical to adapt rather than confront.

Useful Vocabulary & Structures

1. Assert ([əˈsɜːrt]) – To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
   • Example: “She asserted her opinion during the meeting.”
2. Diplomatic ([ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk]) – Having or showing an ability to deal with people in a sensitive and effective way.
   • Example: “He handled the criticism in a very diplomatic manner.”
3. Empathy ([ˈɛmpəθi]) – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
   • Example: “Her empathy towards her colleagues helped create a supportive work environment.”
4. Integrity ([ɪnˈtɛɡrəti]) – The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
   • Example: “His integrity earned him the respect of his peers.”

These words and phrases, when used naturally and accurately in your responses, can greatly enhance the complexity and coherence of your speech, leading to higher band scores.

Tips for Practicing

• Record yourself: Practice speaking on various topics and record your responses. Listen critically and identify areas for improvement.
• Expand your vocabulary: Make it a habit to learn new words regularly and use them in your speech.
• Engage in discussions: Participate in English-speaking groups or forums to enhance your fluency and confidence.
• Seek feedback: If possible, get feedback from teachers or peers to refine your speaking skills.

By maintaining a focused practice routine and applying these strategies, you can improve your ability to respond effectively to various IELTS Speaking prompts, especially situations like describing a time when you had to stand up for yourself.