Mastering the IELTS Speaking Section: Describe a Time When You Made a Promise to Yourself

The IELTS Speaking section is a crucial part of your overall IELTS score. To gain high marks, you must demonstrate fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range, and accuracy. One common topic that often appears is “Describe a time when you made a promise to yourself.” This topic tests your ability to narrate a personal experience and reflect on how it has influenced you.

Introduction

The IELTS Speaking test is divided into three parts:

1. Part 1: Introduction and Interview
2. Part 2: Long Turn
3. Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiners assess your performance based on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. The topic “Describe a time when you made a promise to yourself” is particularly popular as it allows examiners to gauge your narrative skills and your ability to discuss personal development and goals.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Common Questions Asked

1. What do you do to stay motivated?
2. Have you ever made any promises to yourself? Can you share one?
3. Why do you think it is important to keep promises?

Sample Answer

Examiner: Have you ever made any promises to yourself? Can you share one?

Candidate: Yes, I have made several promises to myself throughout my life. The most significant one was to maintain a healthier lifestyle. I realized a couple of years ago that I was not eating well or exercising enough. Therefore, I promised myself that I would adopt better eating habits and incorporate regular exercise into my routine.

Analysis: The candidate clearly states a promise they made to themselves, providing specific details about what the promise entailed and why they felt it was necessary.

Part 2: Long Turn

Cue Card

Describe a time when you made a promise to yourself. You should say:

• What the promise was
• Why you made the promise
• How you kept the promise
• How you felt after keeping it

Sample Answer

There was a time when I promised myself to improve my public speaking skills. I had always been anxious about speaking in front of an audience, and I realized that it was hindering my professional growth. I made this promise just before starting my new job as a project manager, where effective communication is crucial.

To keep this promise, I enrolled in a local Toastmasters club, which is a supportive environment where individuals can practice public speaking and leadership skills. I attended weekly meetings, participated in speaking exercises, and gradually built up my confidence. Over time, I noticed a significant improvement in my ability to articulate my thoughts clearly and manage my anxiety.

After keeping this promise, I felt immensely proud and confident. This experience not only enhanced my professional skills but also positively impacted my personal development. I now approach public speaking with enthusiasm rather than fear.

Keywords and Phrases: improve public speaking skills, anxious about speaking, professional growth, Toastmasters club, effective communication, articulate my thoughts, manage my anxiety, professional skills, personal development.

Follow-Up Questions by Examiner

1. Examiner: Do you think it is difficult to keep promises? Why or why not?

   Candidate: Keeping promises can indeed be challenging, especially when they require significant changes to our habits or mindset. For example, my promise to improve my public speaking skills required consistent effort and stepping out of my comfort zone. However, with determination and the right support, it is possible to keep promises.

2. Examiner: How can making a promise to yourself impact your life?

   Candidate: Making a promise to oneself can be highly impactful as it often leads to personal growth and self-improvement. It creates a sense of accountability and can motivate you to make positive changes in your life. For instance, my promise to improve my public speaking skills has enhanced my confidence and career prospects.

Keywords and Phrases: challenging, significant changes, consistent effort, stepping out of comfort zone, determination, support, personal growth, self-improvement, sense of accountability, positive changes.

Part 3: Two-Way Discussion

Examiner’s Questions

1. Examiner: In your opinion, why do people sometimes fail to keep their promises?

   Candidate: People often fail to keep their promises due to a lack of self-discipline, unforeseen circumstances, or setting unrealistic goals. Additionally, without a clear plan or support system, sticking to a promise can become overwhelming.

2. Examiner: How does making and keeping promises affect relationships?

   Candidate: Promises are fundamental to building trust in relationships. When we keep our promises, we show reliability and respect for the other person, fostering a stronger bond. On the other hand, consistently breaking promises can lead to mistrust and conflict.

Sample Answer

Examiner: In your opinion, why do people sometimes fail to keep their promises?

Candidate: There are several reasons why people may fail to keep their promises. One major factor is a lack of self-discipline, which makes it difficult for individuals to follow through on their commitments. Additionally, unforeseen circumstances such as emergencies or changes in personal situations can interfere with one’s ability to keep a promise. Lastly, setting unrealistic goals without considering practical limitations can also lead to failure in keeping promises.

Analysis: The candidate provides a well-rounded answer that covers multiple reasons in detail, demonstrating critical thinking and a good command of vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary and Structures

Important Vocabulary

1. Commitment /kəˈmɪt.mənt/ (noun): A promise to do something or to behave in a particular way.
   • Example: Keeping commitments is crucial for building trust.
2. Accountability /əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/ (noun): The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.
   • Example: Personal accountability can help you maintain consistency in keeping promises.
3. Discipline /ˈdɪs.ə.plɪn/ (noun): The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.
   • Example: Effective discipline is essential to adhere to self-made promises.
4. Self-improvement /ˈsɛlf ɪmˈpruvmənt/ (noun): The improvement of one’s status, education, or character by one’s own efforts.
   • Example: Keeping promises often leads to significant self-improvement.

Important Structures

1. “There was a time when…”: Used to introduce a specific instance or narrative.
   • Example: There was a time when I promised myself to improve my public speaking skills.
2. “I promised myself that…”: A structure to express a promise you made to yourself.
   • Example: I promised myself that I would adopt better eating habits.
3. “To keep this promise, I…”: A way to discuss actions taken to fulfill a promise.
   • Example: To keep this promise, I enrolled in a local Toastmasters club.

Tips for Scoring High in the Speaking Section

1. Practice Consistently: Regularly practice speaking English to build fluency and confidence.
2. Expand Your Vocabulary: Learn and use a wide range of vocabulary to express your thoughts clearly and accurately.
3. Stay Calm and Focused: Maintain your composure during the test to ensure clear and coherent responses.
4. Reflect Personal Experiences: Use personal anecdotes to make your answers more engaging and relatable.
5. Seek Feedback: Practice with a mentor or join a speaking club to receive constructive feedback.

Making a promise to yourself

By following these guidelines and consistently practicing, you can master the IELTS Speaking section and achieve a high band score. Remember, clarity, coherence, and appropriate vocabulary usage are key elements that examiners look for. Good luck!