Describing a time when you felt motivated to achieve something is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests. This topic allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate personal experiences, express emotions, and discuss motivation and goals. To help you prepare for this potential question, let’s explore how to approach it effectively across all parts of the IELTS Speaking test.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about motivation and achievements. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:

1. Do you consider yourself a motivated person?
2. What usually motivates you to work hard?
3. How do you stay motivated when facing challenges?

Sample answer (Band 7-8):

“I’d say I’m generally quite motivated, especially when it comes to my studies and career goals. What really drives me is the desire to constantly improve myself and make a positive impact in my field. When I face challenges, I try to remind myself of the bigger picture and break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This approach helps me stay focused and motivated even when things get tough.”

Describe an activity you do to stay fit can also be a related topic that examiners might ask about, as physical activities often serve as a source of motivation for many people.

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:

Describe A Time You Felt Motivated To Achieve Something.
You should say:

• What you wanted to achieve
• Why you felt motivated
• What actions you took
• And explain the outcome of your efforts

Sample answer (Band 8-9):

“I’d like to talk about a time when I felt incredibly motivated to improve my public speaking skills. This was about two years ago when I realized that my fear of speaking in front of large groups was holding me back in my career.

The catalyst for my motivation was a missed opportunity to present a project at a company-wide meeting. I was deeply disappointed in myself for letting my anxiety get the better of me, and I knew I had to make a change. This setback became my driving force.

Determined to overcome my fear, I took several concrete steps. Firstly, I enrolled in a public speaking course at a local community college. This provided me with a structured learning environment and the chance to practice regularly. Secondly, I joined a local Toastmasters club, which offered a supportive atmosphere to hone my skills. I made a commitment to attend every weekly meeting and to volunteer for speaking roles as often as possible.

Additionally, I started watching TED Talks daily, not just for their content, but to analyze the speakers’ techniques and body language. I would often practice in front of a mirror, recording myself to identify areas for improvement.

The outcome of my efforts was truly transformative. Over the course of six months, I noticed a significant boost in my confidence. I volunteered to present at team meetings and even spoke at a departmental conference. The positive feedback I received was incredibly rewarding, but more importantly, I felt a profound sense of personal growth.

This experience taught me the power of perseverance and the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. It reinforced my belief that with the right motivation and dedicated effort, it’s possible to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.”

Motivated individual delivering a confident speech

Follow-up questions:

1. How did you maintain your motivation throughout this process?
2. Did you face any setbacks, and if so, how did you overcome them?

Sample answer (Band 8-9):

“Maintaining motivation was indeed a challenge at times. I kept myself accountable by setting small, achievable goals and rewarding myself upon completion. I also found an accountability partner in the Toastmasters club, which helped me stay committed.

As for setbacks, there were certainly moments of self-doubt, especially after a few less-than-stellar performances. However, I reframed these experiences as learning opportunities rather than failures. I would analyze what went wrong, seek feedback from more experienced speakers, and focus on specific improvements for the next time. This growth mindset was crucial in helping me persevere and ultimately achieve my goal.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the examiner might ask more abstract questions related to motivation and achievement. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

1. What factors do you think contribute to a person’s motivation?
2. How do you think society can better motivate young people to achieve their goals?
3. Do you believe that external rewards are more effective motivators than internal satisfaction?

Sample answer (Band 8-9):

“I believe that motivation is a complex interplay of internal and external factors. Intrinsic motivation, which comes from personal interests and values, is often the most powerful driver. This could be a passion for a particular field or a deep-seated desire for personal growth. Extrinsic motivators, such as recognition or financial rewards, can also play a significant role, especially in professional settings.

However, I think the most sustainable motivation comes from a combination of both. For instance, a scientist might be driven by a genuine curiosity about their subject (intrinsic) but also motivated by the potential recognition from peers in their field (extrinsic).

As for motivating young people, I believe society needs to focus on fostering environments that encourage curiosity and resilience. This could involve educational systems that emphasize problem-solving and critical thinking over rote memorization. Additionally, providing young people with diverse role models and exposing them to various career paths early on can help them discover their passions and set meaningful goals.

Regarding external rewards versus internal satisfaction, I think their effectiveness largely depends on the individual and the context. In my experience, external rewards can be powerful short-term motivators, but they often lack the staying power of internal satisfaction. For long-term motivation, feeling a sense of purpose and seeing personal growth are usually more effective.

That being said, I believe the most effective approach is to align external rewards with internal values. For example, a company might offer promotions (external reward) based on criteria that also foster an employee’s sense of mastery and autonomy (internal satisfaction). This way, achieving the external reward simultaneously fulfills internal motivations.”

Students collaborating on a motivating project

Describe a skill that you can teach other people is another related topic that could come up in this discussion, as teaching skills often requires understanding motivation and achievement.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To achieve a high score in IELTS Speaking when discussing motivation and achievement, consider using the following vocabulary and phrases:

1. Catalyst (noun) /ˈkætəlɪst/ – something that causes an important event to happen
   Example: “The failed presentation was the catalyst for my decision to improve my public speaking skills.”

2. Perseverance (noun) /ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns/ – continued effort and determination
   Example: “My success was largely due to my perseverance in the face of initial setbacks.”

3. Transformative (adjective) /trænsˈfɔːmətɪv/ – causing a major change to something or someone
   Example: “The experience of overcoming my fear was truly transformative.”

4. Intrinsic motivation (noun phrase) /ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃn/ – motivation that comes from inside an individual
   Example: “My intrinsic motivation to improve myself was a key factor in my success.”

5. Extrinsic motivation (noun phrase) /ekˈstrɪnsɪk ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃn/ – motivation that comes from external factors
   Example: “While the potential for promotion was an extrinsic motivation, my main drive came from within.”

6. To step out of one’s comfort zone (idiom) – to do things that you find difficult or uncomfortable
   Example: “I had to constantly step out of my comfort zone to improve my public speaking skills.”

7. Growth mindset (noun phrase) /ɡrəʊθ ˈmaɪndset/ – the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work
   Example: “Adopting a growth mindset helped me view challenges as opportunities for improvement.”

Individual climbing a mountain symbolizing motivation and achievement

Examiner’s Advice

To score highly when describing a time you felt motivated to achieve something, focus on the following:

1. Provide specific details about your experience, including what motivated you, the actions you took, and the outcome.

2. Use a range of vocabulary related to motivation and achievement, demonstrating your ability to discuss the topic in depth.

3. Employ complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions naturally throughout your response.

4. Show your ability to reflect on your experience by discussing what you learned or how it changed you.

5. Practice linking your ideas coherently, using appropriate transition words and phrases.

6. When answering follow-up questions, try to expand on your initial response and provide new information or perspectives.

Remember, the key to a high score is not just in what you say, but how you say it. Aim for fluency, coherence, and a natural conversational style while showcasing your vocabulary and grammatical range.

Describe a time when you received an award or recognition could be another relevant topic to practice, as it often involves discussing motivation and achievement from a different angle.

By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-prepared to discuss motivation and achievement effectively in your IELTS Speaking test.