Part 1
Neighbors
How often do you see your neighbors? [Why/Why not?]
The neighborhood where I live is a very quiet area with very high fences and large gates. The doors open and close automatically and all the neighbors go in and out so fast in their cars that they don't notice anyone. That's why I hardly know my neighbors.Do you invite your neighbors to your home? [Why/Why not?]
My neighbors are mostly adults, many of them are parents and others are also grandparents. I am single and do not have children, I think that I do not have much in common with them beyond commenting on the weather. So I don't have much contact with my neighbors.Do you think you are a good neighbor? [Why/Why not?]
I think I'm not a bad neighbor, but I'm not good either. I believe that a good neighbor should propose and organize ideas to improve the area and I have not taken any initiative in anything related to the needs of our neighborhood.Has a neighbor ever helped you? [Why/Why not?]
Five years ago, some neighbors had a very sick son. One morning I passed in front of their house and the old man stopped me. His son was passed out on the floor. He could not lift him alone, so another neighbor came and helped me lift him onto the bed. Then he called the doctor. That is the only time that a neighbor has helped me.Part 2
Describe a very difficult task that you succeeded in doing as part of your work or studies.
We all rushed to get to the area. The house was on fire and we did not see anyone, but suddenly I heard the cry of a dog that seemed to come from inside. I asked the neighbors if they had knowledge of an animal in the home and they said there was a small dog.
So I decided to go find the animal. I was sure I heard a cry. The doors were broken and I was able to run in, there was a lot of smoke and I couldn't see anything, I called and suddenly I heard the crying again. It came from above, I walked up the stairs with long strides. I called again and I could see it was a small puppy with long, droopy ears.
He was terrified, under the bed, I called him but he did not come, so I crawled over to him and thanks to being thin I managed to get under. I reached for his leg and dragged him towards me, but not without him crying even harder. But soon he gave in and let himself go.
With the animal in my arms, I turned around and ran downstairs, I left the house with him safe. Neighbors applauded and a lady came over to help me check it. Thankfully, he was fine, just very scared.
It took several hours to put out the flames in the house, the owners were notified by one of their neighbors and arrived early when the sun was rising. A young woman approached me and very worried asked me if we had seen a dog inside, but at that moment the lady who helped me with the animal came and handed it to her. She cried and hugged him tightly.
I am a man without a family, I live alone and I do not have pets because I do not have time to care for them, but I was very happy to see that this little animal was safe and his family were happy he had not perished in the fire.
You should say:and explain how you felt when you had successfully completed this task.
- what task you did
- why this task was very difficult
- how you worked on this task
IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer
I am a tall and thin 30-year old man, my co-workers always make jokes because they are more robust and less tall. We are firefighters. One night we received a call for help, they had reported a fire in a house on the edge of the city.We all rushed to get to the area. The house was on fire and we did not see anyone, but suddenly I heard the cry of a dog that seemed to come from inside. I asked the neighbors if they had knowledge of an animal in the home and they said there was a small dog.
So I decided to go find the animal. I was sure I heard a cry. The doors were broken and I was able to run in, there was a lot of smoke and I couldn't see anything, I called and suddenly I heard the crying again. It came from above, I walked up the stairs with long strides. I called again and I could see it was a small puppy with long, droopy ears.
He was terrified, under the bed, I called him but he did not come, so I crawled over to him and thanks to being thin I managed to get under. I reached for his leg and dragged him towards me, but not without him crying even harder. But soon he gave in and let himself go.
With the animal in my arms, I turned around and ran downstairs, I left the house with him safe. Neighbors applauded and a lady came over to help me check it. Thankfully, he was fine, just very scared.
It took several hours to put out the flames in the house, the owners were notified by one of their neighbors and arrived early when the sun was rising. A young woman approached me and very worried asked me if we had seen a dog inside, but at that moment the lady who helped me with the animal came and handed it to her. She cried and hugged him tightly.
I am a man without a family, I live alone and I do not have pets because I do not have time to care for them, but I was very happy to see that this little animal was safe and his family were happy he had not perished in the fire.
Part 3
Difficult jobs
What are the most difficult jobs that people do?
I believe that all jobs that challenge a person's physical and mental resilience must be the most difficult jobs to do. For example, being a miner. I think it is very hard and dangerous work.Another job that must be very difficult is that of a window cleaner for very tall buildings. The mental challenge of staying suspended way up in the air while working must be terrifying.
One of the worst jobs is cleaning drains, I suppose the odor emanating from the sewers must be very difficult to endure.
Why do you think some people choose to do difficult jobs?
I think that the people who choose the most difficult jobs are people who have not had the opportunity to finish studying for a professional career. That’s why they carry out less complicated tasks.Others may also live in places where the only job opportunities are the most difficult, such as living in a mining area.
Do you agree or disagree that all jobs are difficult sometimes?
I think that everything often depends on the state of mind in which a person is or the circumstances they are experiencing.A routine without change can become very difficult to endure, as well as bad treatment by superiors if they are in a bad mood.
On the other hand, the pressure of being an entrepreneur who handles many risks and challenges daily can be exhausting.
Personal and career success
There are short-term goals such as losing weight. So, there will be some decisions about diet and eating habits that need to be taken.
Hopefully, that short term goal might turn into a long term habit, leading to a much healthier life.
Also, if you know how to choose what you want to be successful in with your skills and passion, for example, your career, it is easier to achieve success in your professional life.
Hard work can be easier to do if the work is a task that pleases us.
Health is an important issue and I believe that a successful person is happy and therefore will be much healthier than a person surrounded by failure, worry, and possibly depression.
How important is it for everyone to have a goal in their personal life?
Any goal is the end of a path and you must have a goal to know which steps to take to get there. Having a goal is to make sense of the decisions that are made over the years, months, or days.There are short-term goals such as losing weight. So, there will be some decisions about diet and eating habits that need to be taken.
Hopefully, that short term goal might turn into a long term habit, leading to a much healthier life.
Is it always necessary to work hard in order to achieve career success?
I believe that constant work is needed to achieve lasting success.Also, if you know how to choose what you want to be successful in with your skills and passion, for example, your career, it is easier to achieve success in your professional life.
Hard work can be easier to do if the work is a task that pleases us.
Do you think that successful people are always happy people?
Often, success and happiness go hand in hand. A successful person will be full of satisfaction of all kinds: economic, emotional, and sentimental.Health is an important issue and I believe that a successful person is happy and therefore will be much healthier than a person surrounded by failure, worry, and possibly depression.