IELTS Speaking Cue Card

I am someone who is open to criticism, and suggestions from my peers or elders. I do not hesitate to reach out for advice on any issue when I think I need one. For a long time, I was thinking about whether going abroad to pursue higher education would be the right thing to do or try to get a job in order to gain professional experience before going further with my studies. My brother came to my rescue, advising me to try to get a job and then look at various opportunities for better future prospects. Although I was skeptical about it, I decided to go ahead and start giving interviews.

I graduated last year and did not really have a future plan. I wanted to start working but also wanted to pursue post-graduation. My brother sat me down and went over the pros and cons of the two options I had in mind. He suggested I would be able to study while working too.

I am glad I talked to him about my thoughts and precariousness. I have prepared for the interviews well and applied for jobs that suit my qualifications. Even though I am happy now, I have a regret of not discussing things earlier as I feel I have wasted a year doing nothing. I think it is best to take advice from our elders or peers when we feel stuck and not sure of what to do. If not a solution, at least it helps get an idea or a way to clear our thoughts and reach a decision. I am happy that I talked to my brother and I was able to make a decision. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for me.

 

Vocabulary:

1. Criticism - practice of judging the merits and faults of something
2. Skeptical - doubtful
3. Precariousness - the state of being uncertain

---

Part 3 Follow Up - Questions & Answers

---

1. Have your parents given you much advice?

I wouldn’t say much advice but whenever they did I always noticed that it was at the right time and the right advice when I needed it the most in my life. For instance, during my higher studies when I was on the verge of giving up, it was their advice which came to my rescue.

2. What kind of advice do parents give their children?

Parents always give advice to their children which they think is right. There are two major kinds of advice usually given by parents. One is when children pursue their higher studies and second one is when the children decide to marry someone.

3. What kind of advice do friends give each other?

Helpful advice from friends at any time is a gift. I have made it a point in my life to treat it as such. The ones that have helped me with advice along the way, I look at them as a Caring Giver. There’s nothing better than getting advice at a time it's needed. I think timing and style of delivery is most important for consideration. Not all advice is good, not all advice is bad. Friends who can place themselves in each other’s shoes when giving advice are genuine.

4. Do you think young people should follow their parents advice?

For teenagers and young adults who long for independence from their parents, I would say that it would still be best to honor our parents advice and listen to their words because there are times when we get blinded by our own desires that we do not see the consequences that might arise from our actions and so we need someone to bring us back to our senses. Our parents are primarily the ones whose job it is to do just that and even though we think that they want to strip us off our freedom, they are merely looking out for us.