Describe a goal you set for yourself IELTS cue card

A cue card for the question "Describe a goal you set for yourself" can be found in this IELTS speaking blog. The three sections of the IELTS speaking test are the introduction, the cue card round, and the follow-up discussion round. You will have 11 to 15 minutes to present your ideas and communication abilities to the examiner. We've included four model responses for this Cue card (IELTS Speaking) along with follow-up questions, to help you improve your skills and help you come up with ideas.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 - IELTS Cue Card

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You must prepare a cue card that will be provided by your examiner for IELTS Speaking Task 2 (Part 2). You can find your topic in that cue card—"Describe a goal you set for yourself"—along with some sub questions to talk about the cue card for a minute or two where you’ll be given a minute to prepare your cue card. You have to keep talking and the examiner will stop you once you cover all the given questions. The IELTS speaking part 3 will have a follow-up section, which will be a discussion around, based on the topic on your cue card.

Describe a goal you set for yourself

You should say

• What it was
• When did you set it
• How did you achieve it
• Explain how it influenced your life

Describe a goal you set for yourself - Model answer and Follow up questions

The model cue card answer for the “Describe a goal you set for yourself” topic is given and the corresponding IELTS speaking cue card part 3 follow-up questions are also given for reference.

Describe a goal you set for yourself Model answer 1

Introduction
I find it a little challenging to explain this one because I don't set and accomplish many goals. I'll still go ahead and describe a time when I set a goal, toiled hard to achieve it. I appreciate you giving me the chance to discuss it. I've always thought that achieving a personal goal can be a very rewarding experience. I recalled a specific objective that I set for myself and worked arduously to accomplish when I was considering one of my goals for this topic.

What it was
I wanted to run a 8000 metre race, so that was my objective. I've always been interested in running, but I've never done anything longer than a 5000 metre race. I faced a significant challenge when trying to complete a half-race, but I remained steadfast in my goal.

When did you set it
Last year at the time of summer.

How did you achieve it
I trained for the 8000 metre race for several months before I started. I began by going for a short run each day and overtime worked up to running more miles. To further help with injury prevention, I also included stretching and strength training in my routine. In addition to this, I had to drastically alter my lifestyle in order to reach my goal. I gave up some of my social life because I had to get up earlier every day to fit in my training runs. I also needed to be very strict with my diet and make sure I was getting enough sleep so my body could heal.

Explain how it influenced your life
It influenced my life in terms of health, in those times I made a good fitness routine which I still continue to do and it has made me healthy not only physically but also mentally. 

Conclusion
I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment when I finally finished the race. I had succeeded in doing something I had previously believed to be impossible because all of my effort and dedication had paid off. I was more assured that I could set and accomplish future goals and felt proud of myself for doing so.

Describe a goal you set for yourself Model answer 2

Introduction
We probably spend a significant portion of our lives setting and attempting to achieve various goals. I will now discuss one of the objectives I set for myself as a university student and achieved. It goes without saying that I am no exception in this regard. We appreciate you bringing up such a fascinating subject.

What it was
I'm not sure how many people actually set out to "boost their social networking" skills, but I had to do it because, to be completely honest, I wasn't a very "sociable" person. In other words, I lacked the ability to interact or communicate with people effectively, whether they were close friends or complete strangers. I didn't have many neighbours I could call "friends," which was obviously a situation I desperately wanted to change. But regrettably, developing one's "networking skills and abilities" required a methodical approach, a lot of patience, and, of course, overcoming some uncomfortable or embarrassing situations in the beginning (due to saying the "wrong things" to the wrong people at the wrong time, obviously). But as I read some helpful books on "improving communication skills" and "how to become funny and witty," I gradually began to grasp it.

When did you set it
In the beginning of my college, that is a two years back.

How did you achieve it
In order to learn the art of being humorous and sociable with people, I also spent a great deal of time watching comedy films. By the way, apparently because I was too "boring" to hang out with, I had to "bribe" my classmates to go to the movies with me or restaurants with me. But fortunately, after more than 8 or 9 months, all of my hard work and effort paid off when I finally mastered the art of effective communication.

Explain how it influenced your life
It has had a significant influence on me because it has helped me become more outgoing and develop strong communication skills. And to be completely honest, people really enjoy my sarcastic tone of voice.

Conclusion
Anyway, when I was able to accomplish my goal, it felt really good and satisfying. In the end, it gave me the courage to interact with people from all backgrounds and walks of life, regardless of their age, race, or ethnicity. It also gave me self-confidence and increased my sense of competence.

Describe a goal you set for yourself Model answer 3

Introduction
I don't believe I have a strong willpower, so I frequently set goals but didn't succeed in achieving them.

What it was
However, I made a resolution last year and made sure to follow through on it.
I took my NEET (National Eligible entrance test) exams in 2018, which unfortunately made me sit at home for two to three months. 

When did you set it
It was a few years back as mentioned. I had already appeared for the exam in 2017 but I was not satisfied with my score and as a result of it I decided to take a year off and study hard to get myself into the medical field and pursue the best education from the renowned university.

How did you achieve it
I use to start my day with meditation and I use to make notes of each and every information that happened in 2018 on daily basis and I use to study day and night and will all the hard work and god’s grace I was able to get my desired scores and I got admission in my city in one of the most prestigious university named as Baroda Medical College. 

Explain how it influenced your life
It has influenced me a lot and one thing I have learnt is a learning attitude. If you decide to achieve something then there's nothing that can stop you.

Conclusion
All in all, Always believe in yourself and never give up on what you truly want.

Describe a goal you set for yourself Model answer 4

Introduction
Setting goals and putting more effort into achieving them have always piqued my interest because doing so allows me to save time and energy since I plan out every task before completing it. However, I'd like to discuss a target I set for myself: getting good grades in post graduation to get myself in an R and D company.

What it was
I was ill during my last year of M.sc, and because of this, I was unable to earn good grades. As a result, I moved on to my last year of study with a target that was 75 percent higher than what I had hoped to achieve because my graduation performance from the previous year had a significant impact on my ability to find employment. 

When did you set it
Last year when my final year was about to start.

How did you achieve it
To accomplish my goal that I set last year, I created a study schedule and did a lot of planning. When it came time for the exam, I did well based on my preparation. I was thrilled to receive 77 percent of the possible points when my results were announced a few months later. In addition to this, I earned the second spot in the overall degree.

Explain how it influenced your life
It has influenced me a lot and one thing I have learnt is a learning attitude. If you decide to achieve something then there's nothing that can stop you.

Conclusion
To recapitulate, That achievement meant a lot to me, and I was thrilled to have achieved my own personal goal.

IELTS speaking part 3 - Describe a goal you set for yourself follow up questions

Follow-up questions for “Describe a goal you set for yourself” are given below. In the actual exam, this session is conducted for about 4-5 minutes where you have to discuss questions about a general topic or question on your cue card.

1. Do people need to write down goals or simply memorise them?
In any case, I enjoy setting goals in writing. When we are feeling down or having a bad day and want to give up, it simply gives us that extra motivation we need.

2. Do Indian people usually set goals?
Many Indians do, indeed. In fact, I recall that on January 1st, many of my friends and I shared our resolutions and goals for the coming year.

3. Should parents set goals for children?
I think parents should motivate children to keep goals, but I don’t think parents should themselves keep the goals. Because I think if children don’t keep the goals, they won’t have the same level of motivation to fulfil them.

4. When do young people start setting goals for themselves?
Goal-setting is something that I believe parents should encourage their kids to do, but I don't believe they should do it for themselves. I believe that if kids don't keep the goals, they won't be as motivated to complete them.

5. What are the kinds of goals that are unrealistic?
Goals that fit a person's personality, in my opinion, are realistic. In other words, if I make a decision that would require me to undergo a significant change in my personality, I would not be able to fulfil that goal. That is therefore unrealistic for me.

6. Do young people and old people have different kinds of goals? What are they?
Honestly, I'm not sure. Yes, in that young people's goals tend to focus more on achieving something in life, whereas old people's goals tend to centre on supporting their young family members in doing the same. No, because sometimes objectives can overlap. For instance, both young and old people may attend gyms in an effort to slim down and look presentable.

7. What is more fulfilling working towards a goal or achieving it?
Both, in my opinion, are satisfying in their own ways. The process of achieving a goal involves facing obstacles head-on and rising to the occasion. The feeling that one's efforts were successful is brought on by reaching a goal. But neither the effort we put forth nor the ultimate objective brings about fulfilment if we don't fight to achieve something.

IELTS cue card topics

Check out the other IELTS cue card topics to practise

• Describe a song that is special to you
• Describe your favourite food
• Describe a person who motivates you
• Describe a daily routine that you enjoy

Conclusion

Review sample responses for the cue card "Describe a goal you set for yourself" as it will help you when creating your own responses. You can try coming up with your own solutions using these answers as a starting point. Additionally, you can get a sense of the follow-up inquiries.