As an IELTS Speaking examiner, I’ve encountered numerous candidates struggling with the topic “Describe a time when you overcame a personal fear.” This article will provide you with valuable insights and strategies to excel in this common IELTS Speaking task, helping you achieve a higher band score.
Understanding the Topic
The topic of overcoming personal fears is a popular one in IELTS Speaking tests. It allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate a personal experience, express emotions, and reflect on personal growth. This theme has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask you general questions about fear and courage. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
Sample Question: “Do you consider yourself a brave person?”
Band 6-7 Answer:
“I’d say I’m fairly brave. I try to face my fears when I need to, but sometimes I do feel nervous in challenging situations.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Well, bravery is relative, isn’t it? I’d describe myself as someone who strives to confront challenges head-on. While I may experience apprehension in daunting situations, I make a conscious effort to push through my fears and tackle obstacles with determination.”
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Cue Card:
Describe a time when you overcame a personal fear
You should say:
- What the fear was
- When and where you experienced this
- How you overcame it
- And explain how you felt afterwards
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to share an experience about overcoming my fear of public speaking. This phobia had plagued me since my school days, causing me to break out in cold sweats at the mere thought of addressing an audience.
The turning point came during my final year at university when I was required to deliver a presentation on my thesis to a panel of professors and peers. This was a make-or-break moment for my degree, and I knew I had to face my fear head-on.
To overcome this challenge, I adopted a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, I sought guidance from a public speaking coach who helped me with breathing techniques and body language. Additionally, I joined a local Toastmasters club to practice regularly in a supportive environment. I also recorded myself speaking and analyzed the footage to identify areas for improvement.
In the weeks leading up to the presentation, I rehearsed tirelessly, focusing on mastering my content and projecting confidence through my voice and posture. On the day of the presentation, despite initial nervousness, I managed to deliver my speech fluently and even engaged in a lively Q&A session afterwards.
The feeling after conquering this fear was utterly liberating. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I felt a surge of confidence that extended beyond public speaking. This experience taught me the power of perseverance and showed me that with the right mindset and preparation, even our deepest fears can be overcome.”
Examiner’s Follow-up Questions:
- How has overcoming this fear impacted your life?
- Do you think fear can sometimes be beneficial?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
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“Overcoming my fear of public speaking has had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life. It has opened up numerous opportunities that I would have previously shied away from. In my career, I’ve been able to take on leadership roles that require frequent presentations and team motivations. Personally, it has boosted my overall confidence, making me more assertive in social situations and more willing to step out of my comfort zone in various aspects of life.”
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“Absolutely, I believe fear can serve a crucial evolutionary purpose. In moderate amounts, it can be a powerful motivator, pushing us to prepare more thoroughly for challenges and sharpening our focus in critical situations. Fear can also enhance our performance by triggering the release of adrenaline. However, it’s essential to strike a balance – while healthy fear can be beneficial, excessive fear can be paralyzing and counterproductive.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: “Do you think modern society puts too much pressure on people to overcome their fears?”
Band 6-7 Answer:
“I think there is some pressure in society to overcome fears. Social media often shows people doing daring things, which can make others feel they should do the same. However, I believe it’s important to respect individual differences and understand that not everyone needs to overcome every fear they have.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“That’s an intriguing question. I believe there’s a delicate balance to be struck here. On one hand, our society often glorifies risk-taking and fearlessness, particularly through social media and popular culture. This can indeed create undue pressure on individuals to confront fears they may not be ready to face.
However, I also think there’s value in encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones. The key lies in promoting a healthy approach to fear management rather than an all-or-nothing mentality. It’s crucial to recognize that fear is a normal human emotion and that overcoming fears should be a personal journey, not a societal mandate.
Moreover, we should foster an environment that celebrates incremental progress rather than just grand, fearless acts. This approach would be more inclusive and psychologically beneficial, acknowledging that everyone’s path to overcoming fears is unique.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
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To plague /pleɪɡ/ (verb): To cause continual trouble or distress.
Example: The fear of failure plagued him throughout his career. -
Make-or-break moment (idiom): A critical point that will lead to either success or failure.
Example: The job interview was a make-or-break moment for her career aspirations. -
To adopt a multi-faceted approach (phrase): To use various methods or consider multiple aspects when dealing with a situation.
Example: The company adopted a multi-faceted approach to improve customer satisfaction. -
To project confidence (phrase): To display or exude self-assurance.
Example: Even when nervous, she managed to project confidence during her presentation. -
Utterly liberating (adjective phrase): Completely freeing or releasing from a burden.
Example: Conquering her fear of heights was an utterly liberating experience. -
To strike a balance (idiom): To find a compromise between two contrasting things.
Example: It’s important to strike a balance between work and personal life.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing overcoming fears:
- Use a variety of complex sentence structures and advanced vocabulary.
- Provide specific examples and personal experiences to support your points.
- Show your ability to analyze and reflect on experiences by discussing how overcoming fears has impacted you.
- Practice speaking fluently and coherently for 2-3 minutes on various topics related to fears and challenges.
- Develop your ideas fully, providing reasons and examples for your opinions.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Confidence, fluency, and the ability to express complex ideas clearly are crucial factors in achieving a high band score.
For more tips on improving your IELTS Speaking performance, you might find our article on describing a person who has helped you become more confident helpful. It provides additional strategies for expressing personal experiences effectively.