IELTS Speaking Cue Card

I am scatter-brained and often forget things that I need to do. Being forgetful landed me in many troubles but the one that affected me the most was when I appeared for my engineering entrance exam in 2013. I just graduated high school and worked hard to prepare for the exam ahead so I can get into the university of my choice. However, it all came crumbling down when I realised that I forgot my hall ticket at home which is needed for verification that I enrolled for the test letting the authorities allow me to enter the examination hall. I was positive it was in my bag when I left home, but I was astonished to find it missing when I had only 15 minutes to locate it in order to sit for the exam. Consequently, I had to opt out of taking the exam and leave the examination building in a state of devastation. One mistake has resulted in a disaster where all the work I put in had gone to waste. Inevitably, I had to wait a year to reappear for the test to be able to apply for the universities I wished to study in. 

While attending practice classes and tests, I never bothered to take a hall admission letter with me as my student id card was enough. I inadvertently failed to understand its importance being the sole identification and proof that I was eligible to take the test. It was a tough lesson for me, but I managed to take away a positive result out of it. 

 

Vocabulary:

1. Scatter-brained – disorganised 
2. Consequently – as a result
3. Devastation – overwhelming grief
4. Inevitably – unavoidably
5. Inadvertently – accidentally

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Part 3 Follow Up - Questions & Answers

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1. What kind of things do people forget easily?

Birthdays and anniversaries are difficult to remember when one is occupied with other important things. Hence, people forget them quite regularly. Besides, some also forget names of people more often than not which creates an embarrassing situation to both parties.

2. What kinds of people are more forgetful?

I think everyone forgets something in their day-to-day life, but clumsy and disorganised people are more prone to forgetting schedules. People who maintain calendar entries or notes tend to be mindful of their plans while others who do not, usually become absent-minded.

3. How can people improve their memory?

People can enhance their memory by eating healthier and being attentive to their surroundings and work. Making a mental note and willing strongly to follow it can help in remembering things as well as develop brain activity.

4. What do you think of people using calendars?

I believe calendars keep track of all the things that we need to do and people who use them are highly efficient. They know when to work on what and manage their time effectively. In addition, they prioritise their tasks and be accountable for them by arranging them as per their importance.