Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers
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Improve your speaking skills to get a band 8+ score by practicing with the cue card, ‘Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time’. Get a list of vocabulary terms and sample answers for Part 2 & 3 to learn how to ace the IELTS Speaking test.
Table of Contents
- Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers
- Vocabulary You Can Use For IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time
- Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time Follow Up Questions
- Vocabulary for Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time IELTS Follow-up Questions


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It is important to practice various latest IELTS Speaking cue card topics with sample answers to master the ability to answer any random topic regarding goals and inspiration, like ‘Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time’. Sometimes, even though we have a clear vision of what we want to achieve in life, sharing it with a stranger and that too while taking the IELTS Speaking test makes it difficult to communicate fluently.
To avoid such a situation, practice from this list of IELTS cue cards for topic – Life, like ‘Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time’ or ‘Describe an Ambition that You Have Had for a Long Time’. Go through the sample answers and vocabulary given below, followed by the Part 3 questions and answers.
Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers
In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you will have exactly one minute to prepare before speaking on the topic. So, explore the sample answers to describe a long term goal you would like to achieve cue card that will guide you on how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 effectively.
Describe an ambition that you have had for a long time.
You should say
- What the goal is?
- How long have you had this goal?
- How would you achieve it?
- Explain why you set this goal.
Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 1
- What the goal is?
Everyone should have some goals in life because it motivates a person to do the hard work. I have had ambitions in my life. Some I have achieved, and some I have failed. I have always felt that my failure to achieve a goal has always been associated with my lack of motivation. So, today, I want to talk about the ambition that motivated me to succeed. One such ambition is to be able to communicate in French.
- How long have you had this goal?
I think it all started when I randomly got a notification on my phone from a news app that French is the world’s most beautiful spoken language.
- How would you achieve it?
Knowing more foreign languages is always an advantage. I enrolled in a French learning academy, a stone’s throw away from my house, to achieve this. I also got myself enrolled in the French language course so that on completion, I can get a certificate for the same. Initially, I was very excited and used to converse daily with my friends and family. Unfortunately, I could not keep up with the schedule for long since I drowned in the swamp of my projects and assignments.
- Explain why you set this goal.
Initially, this goal is significant to me because I love communicating with people from different cultures. However, I gradually learnt that learning a new language enhances cognitive abilities and provides a sense of accomplishment. To top it all, it aligns with my dream of traveling across France, immersing myself in the local culture and traditions.
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Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 2
- What the goal is?
- How long have you had this goal?
One of my biggest life goals is to travel around the world and explore different countries, cultures, and traditions. Ever since I was a teenager, I have been fascinated by the idea of experiencing life in various parts of the world. I set this goal about seven years ago when I first traveled to a new country and realized how enriching it was to see different ways of living.
- How would you achieve it?
To turn this dream into reality, I have been setting aside funds and planning my travels strategically. I also make sure to research cost-effective travel options, such as budget airlines and backpacking routes, to maximize my resources. Learning new languages and understanding different customs will help me engage with locals and make my experiences more meaningful and authentic.
- Explain why you set this goal.
To be honest, I set this goal because I loved to travel, just like my parents. I believe that traveling broadens horizons and helps people grow on a personal and intellectual level. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds, trying new cuisines, and experiencing unique traditions allow me to gain insights that I could never get from books or the internet. Moreover, since I want to become a writer, I feel opening myself to the world will bring me more inspiration and stories to share. I hope to fulfill this lifelong ambition by exploring as many countries as possible and making unforgettable memories.
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Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 3
- What the goal is?
A life aspiration that I have had for a long time is to establish my own business. I have always been passionate about entrepreneurship and the idea of creating something from the ground up.
- How long have you had this goal?
I set this goal about five years ago when I realized that I wanted to be self-reliant and work on something I truly enjoy rather than following a conventional career path.
- How would you achieve it?
To bring this vision to life, I have been acquiring knowledge about business strategies, market trends, and financial management. I am also gaining hands-on experience by working in related fields and networking with successful entrepreneurs. In addition, I am allocating savings to invest in my future business and developing the necessary leadership and problem-solving skills to manage it effectively.
- Explain why you set this goal.
Initially, I desire to set up this business because I despise my 9 to 5 desk job, which is making my lifestyle unhealthy. I want to have autonomy over my career and bring innovative ideas to fruition. Being an entrepreneur means taking calculated risks, but it also offers the freedom to pursue one’s passion and make a significant impact. I believe that with determination, resilience, and a strategic mindset, I will be able to build a thriving business in the near future.
Vocabulary You Can Use For IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time
To achieve a good speaking score, you need to use appropriate language and maintain proper speaking test tone, particularly when answering to describe a skill you learned in your childhood cue cards. Thus, check the list of words and expand your latest IELTS Speaking vocabulary to boost your score.
Word/Phrase |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
Motivation |
the desire or willingness to do something |
The teachers usually give weak students motivation to study hard to keep up. |
Swamp |
overwhelmed with an excessive amount of something |
Nowadays, kids are more swamped with assignments and projects than in sports. |
A stone’s throw away |
a very short distance away |
The cafe is just a stone’s throw away from my apartment, so I go there every morning. |
Cognitive |
connected with thinking or conscious mental processes |
Reading regularly helps improve cognitive skills such as memory and problem-solving. |
Accomplishment |
something that has been achieved successfully |
Completing the marathon was a huge accomplishment for her after months of training. |
Fascinated |
extremely interested in something |
The children were fascinated by the magician’s amazing tricks. |
Strategically |
in a way that is planned to achieve a particular goal |
The company strategically expanded into new markets to increase its profits. |
Backpacking |
the activity of traveling while carrying your belongings in a backpack |
She spent the summer backpacking across India, exploring different cities and cultures. |
Broadens horizons |
increases knowledge and experience, often by exposure to new ideas or cultures |
Traveling abroad broadens horizons by introducing people to different ways of life. |
Entrepreneurship |
the skill or activity of starting and running businesses |
Many universities now offer courses on entrepreneurship to help students develop business ideas. |
Self-reliant |
able to do things and make decisions without help from others |
Living alone has made him more self-reliant and responsible. |
Calculated risks |
risks that are carefully considered before taking action |
The entrepreneur took calculated risks when investing in new technology. |
Resilience |
the ability to recover quickly from difficulties |
Her resilience helped her overcome many obstacles and achieve success. |
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Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time Follow Up Questions
Given below are the sample answers to IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions related to the cue card, Describe an Ambition that You Have Had for a Long Time, with expert-curated sample answers and vocabulary that you can use in your own responses.
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What kinds of ambition do people have?
People have a wide range of ambitions, depending on their personal interests, values, and circumstances. While some individuals aspire to achieve professional success, aiming to climb the corporate ladder or start their own businesses, others are driven by academic ambitions, seeking higher education, research opportunities, or intellectual accomplishments. Also, many people have personal ambitions, such as traveling the world, mastering a new skill, or pursuing a passion like music or art. Additionally, some individuals are motivated by philanthropic ambitions, aiming to contribute to society through charitable work or social activism.
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Why should parents encourage children to have ambitions?
Parents should encourage their children to have ambitions because it helps them develop a sense of purpose and a strong work ethic from an early age. When children have clear goals, they are more likely to be motivated, disciplined, and resilient in the face of challenges. Moreover, having ambitions can give children a sense of direction, helping them make informed decisions about their education and career. So, by supporting their children's aspirations, parents can instill a growth mindset and ensure they have the confidence to pursue their dreams.
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Should parents interfere with their children’s ambitions?
While parents should guide their children, they should avoid excessive interference in their ambitions. It is natural for parents to want the best for their children, but forcing them into a particular career or life path can lead to frustration, lack of motivation, and even resentment. Instead, parents should act as mentors and supporters, helping their children explore different interests and make informed choices.
- Is there any difference between the ambition of grown-ups and that of children?
Ambitions are fabricated based on the orientation of the person. There is a vast difference between children’s and grown people’s ambitions because their exposure to the world is different. Not all children are exposed. But children are more ambitious than adults. They strive to achieve something better and more significant than an adult has achieved. Every child is a dreamer.
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How do people balance work and life?
To maintain work and life balance, people learn to prioritize things. After doing this, they do careful planning and make logical decisions. Moreover, they work with discipline, dedication and determination to solve the pressing problems of their lives. To brief up, their hard work coupled with an intelligent attitude helps them maintain a work-life balance.
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Vocabulary for Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time IELTS Follow-up Questions
Here are the IELTS vocabulary for Part 3 follow-up questions on ‘Describe a Life Goal that You Have Had for a Long Time’ with examples. Also learn some useful idioms for IELTS Speaking to score band 8.0+ and make your answers more native-like.
Word/Phrase |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
Climb the corporate ladder |
advancing in a company through promotions |
She was able to climb the corporate ladder through her hard work and determination. |
Philanthropic |
giving money to help people who are poor or sick, or to pay for things such as museums or schools that are good for society |
Mr. Hyun supports many philanthropic causes and is loved by the people. |
Ethics |
beliefs about what is morally correct or acceptable |
Even though ethics is taught in the class, many students do not pay much attention to it in real life. |
Resentment |
a feeling of anger because you have been forced to accept something that you do not like |
Lim harbours a sense of resentment for his father as he forces him to leave the dance group. |
Mentor |
an experienced person who advises and helps somebody with less experience over a period of time |
We need a good mentor in life to guide us on the right path. |
Orientation |
familiarization with something |
Freshers need to have an orientation before deciding to work in that organization. |
Dedication |
state of being committed to someone or something |
It’s the dedication of the army soldiers which keeps us safe. |
To sum up, while IELTS Speaking Part 2 is an opportunity to express your ideas clearly and confidently, Part 3 gives you an opportunity to answer broader questions about goal-setting, motivation, and personal development. To perform well, it's important to take IELTS Speaking practice tests, structure your responses logically, use a range of IELTS vocabulary, and support your ideas with examples to engage the examiner and showcase your language skills.
Useful Links:
- Describe an Exciting Experience in Your Life - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers
- Describe an age/stage you enjoyed most in your life – IELTS Cue Card Sample
- 21 Phrasal Verbs for IELTS Speaking
- How to agree and disagree in IELTS Speaking? - Vocabulary, Questions and Phrases
- IELTS Speaking tips and hints to get IELTS band score 8
- Boost Your IELTS Speaking Score from 6.5 to 8 in 30 Days
- What is the Correct Tone in IELTS Speaking Test?


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