Describe a Time you Made a Promise to Someone- IELTS Cue Card

In the IELTS Speaking section, one of the most common question types is the Cue Card Speaking prompt. The IELTS Cue Card topics will prompt you to formulate a response and speak on the given topic. To attempt this question, you must narrow down the essential questions on the given topic to answer within the given time. Consider the sample Cue Card below. Study the types of questions that have been formulated based on the cue card and how to go about with your response:

Sample Answer

We tend to make a lot of promises and commitments in life as per the situation and circumstances. However, one incident or so to say, a promise I made that I still remember is back then when I was in the final year of my undergraduate program. The promise made was to my teacher who was also my departmental head.

So, I was a good student throughout my academics and in all the semesters of my undergraduate program. However, owing to the slew of events that I anchored in my fourth semester, it affected my grades in the fourth semester exams. To this, my teacher was obviously miffed and disgruntled with me. Therefore, she asked for a commitment to score good marks in my last two semesters like I did in all other semesters except for the fourth one. I promised her that I would score well and shall strive hard to get the same. At times, all people want to listen from the horse’s mouth are the words and intent to achieve something they want you to, and so, it was obvious that I made that promise.

It wasn’t that facile as the curriculum of the last two semesters were extremely difficult. However, I managed to keep up with the promise I made and was a merit holder for the semesters I made the promise for.

Vocabulary

• Circumstances

Meaning: Situations
E.g.: Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had no option but to accede to it.

• Slew

Meaning: A great in number
E.g.: There were a slew of programs that we had to plan for.

• Sundry

Meaning: Too many
E.g.: There are sundry incidents that signify its importance.

• Deleteriously

Meaning: Harmfully
E.g.: These chemicals could deleteriously affect your health.

• Elephantine

Meaning: Huge
E.g.: The elephantine buildings and huge castles charmed us.

Part 3 Questions

• Generally speaking, do Indian parents make promises to children?

Wel, yes, they do. Indian parents perhaps make a lot of promises to their wards and they make sure that they keep up with it. The bond between the Indian families and especially, between parents and their children is something that is a paradigm to all.

• Do children also make promises to their parents?

Yes, children do make promises. In fact, children are the ones who make the most number of promises according to me regarding their grades or behaving well with others. The naivety of children prompts them to make a lot of promises.

• Do most people fulfill their promises?
  

  Well that depends upon the personality of people and a lot of it has to do with the kind of people they are. There are various attributes like loyalty, chivalry and honesty and one who has them all would definitely keep up one’s promise.

• How do you feel when others break their promises?
  

  I genuinely feel indifferent if they are a matter of indifference to me. However, if I trust someone and they breach it by not staying up with what they committed, I honestly feel bad.

Vocabulary

• Ward

Meaning: Children
Eg.: Parents should take care of their ward.

• Naivety

Meaning: Innocence
Eg.: His naivety garnered him a lot of support from the people around.

• Prompt

Meaning: Something that/someone who makes you do something
Eg.: He prompted her to condone his behavior.

• Attributes

Meaning: Qualities
Eg.: A virtuous human being should have certain attributes and I don’t think you have any.

• Indifference

Meaning: Something that doesn’t cause any difference to one.
Eg.: The indifference that was reflected on Charle’s face showed that he didn’t care about Tulisa.