Just like describe a personal goal that you are working toward, discussing a life-changing experience requires careful preparation and structured delivery to achieve a high band score.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Common questions examiners may ask:
- Do you like trying new experiences?
- What kind of experiences have influenced your life?
- How do you feel about unexpected changes in life?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I absolutely thrive on new experiences as they help shape who I am. I believe that stepping out of one’s comfort zone is essential for personal growth. Recently, I’ve had several experiences that have profoundly impacted my perspective on life.”
IELTS speaking examiner interviewing candidate in professional setting
Part 2: Cue Card
Describe an experience that changed your life
You should say:
- What the experience was
- When it happened
- How it affected you
And explain why it was life-changing
Similar to describe a piece of poetry you like, this topic requires you to express personal emotions and reflections effectively.
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to talk about a transformative experience that occurred during my volunteer work at a rural school in Vietnam. This life-altering journey took place two years ago when I spent three months teaching English to underprivileged children.
The experience profoundly impacted my worldview in numerous ways. Most notably, it made me realize how privileged I had been and how much we take education for granted. The children’s unwavering enthusiasm for learning, despite their limited resources, completely shifted my perspective on what truly matters in life.
This experience was particularly significant because it prompted me to reassess my career path. Subsequently, I decided to pursue a degree in education, as I discovered my true calling in teaching. The genuine connection I formed with the students and witnessing their progress fundamentally changed my understanding of meaningful work.”
Volunteer teacher engaging with students in rural classroom setting
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
“I want to talk about when I volunteered at a school in Vietnam. It happened two years ago, and I taught English there for three months. It changed how I think about education and made me realize how lucky I am. The students were very happy to learn, even though they didn’t have many things. After this experience, I changed my mind about my job and decided to become a teacher.”
Part 3: Discussion Questions
When discussing experiences that shape our lives, it’s helpful to consider broader perspectives, much like when we describe an unusual job you heard about.
Q: How do different life experiences shape people’s personalities?
A (Band 8-9): “Life experiences play a pivotal role in molding one’s character. Particularly challenging experiences tend to foster resilience and adaptability. Moreover, exposure to diverse cultures and situations contributes significantly to developing empathy and broadening one’s perspective.”
Q: Why do some people adapt better to change than others?
A (Band 8-9): “People’s ability to adapt to change largely stems from their mindset and past experiences. Those who maintain a growth mindset and view challenges as opportunities typically demonstrate greater adaptability. Additionally, having a strong support system and effective coping mechanisms significantly influences one’s adaptability.”
Key Vocabulary and Expressions
- Transformative experience /trænsˈfɔːmətɪv ɪkˈspɪəriəns/ (adj + n): fundamentally changing someone
- Life-altering /laɪf ˈɔːltərɪŋ/ (adj): causing significant change in one’s life
- Profound impact /prəˈfaʊnd ˈɪmpækt/ (adj + n): deep, significant effect
- Paradigm shift /ˈpærədaɪm ʃɪft/ (n): fundamental change in approach or assumptions
IELTS speaking vocabulary and expressions chart
For additional practice approaches, you might find it helpful to describe a person who enjoys playing sports to develop your descriptive language skills further.
