Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved – IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Sample Answers

Ambition is a powerful driving force that motivates individuals to strive for success and self-improvement. The IELTS life cue card, Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved, gives you an opportunity to share one of your aspirations of an ambition you have not yet achieved. This could be a personal goal, a career aspiration, an academic achievement, or a skill you want to develop.

In this blog, we will provide 3 well-structured sample answers for Part 2, useful vocabulary, and answers to common Part 3 questions to help you perform well in the IELTS Speaking test.

Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you will have exactly one minute to prepare and speak on specific IELTS Speaking topics like describe an ambition you have not yet achieved.

Have a look at the IELTS cue card samples below. These sample answers below will teach you how to communicate clearly and successfully.

Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 1

• What your ambition is?

Most of us set some goals for ourselves that we wish to achieve by some point in our life. These goals can be small steps toward achieving something valuable or meaningful dreams and ambitions. One of my most significant ambitions is to become a published writer.

• When did you first have this ambition? (Or, how long you have had this ambition?)

I have always been fascinated by stories and epics. Since childhood, I have always loved a good story and often used to sit with my grandmother, listening to different tales and events from her time. Although I discovered my knack for writing during high school, ever since I wrote my first short story for the school magazine, I fell in love with the process of writing. I also developed a habit of reading fiction books quite frequently in high school and can spend hours reading a good novel. Reading the works of authors like George Orwell, Khaled Hosseini, Paulo Coelho, and many others has always motivated me to write a story of my own.

• How do you plan to achieve it?

Although I do not have a definite path toward achieving my ambition of writing a novel, I believe that once I have a good idea for a story, I will put my heart and soul into turning it into something worth reading. In the meantime, I am writing short stories and poems and also engage in other forms of creative writing to make sure my writing skills are well polished.

• (Possibly) What you have done towards achieving this ambition?

Writing a novel is not an easy task, and such a big project does require an individual to be an expert in quite a few areas. I have maintained my habit of reading since high school so that I always keep learning about stories and writing ideas and techniques. I also keep my writing skills as sharp as possible so that I do not suffer from writer’s block.

• And explain why you have not achieved it yet.

The primary reason for me not achieving my ambition of writing a novel is the lack of a good story idea. It is impossible to begin a novel when you do not have an idea. That being said, I have written a few screenplays from a few story ideas I have had and will continue to write until I find the perfect story that I want to turn into a book.

Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 2

• What your ambition is?

In a way, ambitions fuel up our lives and invigorate us to do our best in our respective lives. Although I have plenty of them, the primary purpose that I am working towards currently is to commence a startup and establish a business.

• When did you first have this ambition? (Or, how long you have had this ambition?)

The seed of entrepreneurship was sowed in my mind back in 2016. That was when I met a person on the internet who was an entrepreneur. His lifestyle and work culture fascinated me to a great extent. His hard work and the vision to bring a change in society were alluring to me. Thus, I decided to be an entrepreneur as well.

• How do you plan to achieve it?

I am planning to achieve this ambition in the coming years. By the end of next year, I will probably launch my internet startup and commence serving my target audience.

• (Possibly) What you have done towards achieving this ambition?

So far, I have been on a learning spree. To be honest, I don’t want anything to go wrong with my startup because of a silly mistake. Therefore, I am taking many online courses, gaining knowledge by talking to like-minded people, and sharpening my skills by being a part of seminars and online discussions.

• And explain why you have not achieved it yet.

Since I am working on developing my skills, I haven’t been able to accomplish this ambition yet. However, I am planning to execute the plans quite soon.

Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 3

Sample Audio

Click on the audio to listen to the sample answer above. Pay attention to the intonation and pronunciation of the words

• What your ambition is?

One of the ambitions that I have not yet achieved is to be able to communicate in Japanese.

• When did you first have this ambition? (Or, how long you have had this ambition?)

I just got this idea a year ago because I realized that nowadays, knowing more foreign languages is an advantage not only in our daily lives but also in work environments.

• How do you plan to achieve it?
• (Possibly) What you have done towards achieving this ambition?

In order to achieve this, I registered for a Japanese class for beginners, twice a week. I also downloaded an application named Duolingo on my iPhone which helps people study foreign languages, so that I can study on my own at home. For the first two months, I did not skip any classes and spent at least 30 minutes every night studying Japanese on Duolingo at home.

• And explain why you have not achieved it yet.

Unfortunately, I could not keep up with the schedule for long since I was working full time, not to mention that I had many other social activities that distracted me from studying. There were days when I was so busy that I had to work overtime to finish my job. As a result, I wasn’t able to go to class and I definitely didn’t have any time to study at home. Moreover, my friends complained that I had been ignoring them, so I needed to arrange a time to hang out with them. Just like that, I gradually lost my ambition to study Japanese and until now, I can only remember one alphabet table, even though Japanese uses three types of the alphabet.

Vocabulary for Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved IELTS Cue Card

Using appropriate vocabulary while answering IELTS cue cards, like Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved, is an important aspect of scoring a high speaking band score. Therefore, go through the list of words and learn some best phrases to use in IELTS Speaking.

Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved – IELTS Cue Card Part 3 Follow-Up Questions

In IELTS Speaking Part 3, the discussion on speaking part 2 topics like ‘Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved’ will go deeper into the importance of ambition, the factors that influence success, and whether ambition is necessary for a fulfilling life.

Given below are the sample answers to Part 3 questions with expert-curated sample answers and vocabulary that you can use in your own responses.

• Do you believe our ambitions help us do better in life? How?

Yes, in my opinion, ambitions help us improve by giving us direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose. When we set goals, we push ourselves to learn new skills, overcome challenges, and grow as individuals. Additionally, it encourages hard work and persistence, which are essential for success in any field.

• What ambitions do children in your country usually have?

Children in my country often dream of becoming doctors, engineers, teachers, or athletes. Many also aspire to be artists, musicians, or social media influencers, depending on their interests and exposure. Their parents, teachers, and the media often influence their ambitions. Some children aim to help their families financially, while others dream of exploring the world or making a difference in society.

• Do our ambitions change with our age? Why/ Why not?

I believe ambitions often change as we grow older because our experiences, interests, and priorities evolve. As children, we may dream of becoming astronauts or superheroes, but as we gain real-world experience, we develop more practical or meaningful goals. Moreover, responsibilities, opportunities, and circumstances shape our ambitions over time.

• Why are some people very ambitious about their careers?

I think some people are highly ambitious about their careers because they seek financial success, recognition, or personal fulfillment. Others are driven by passion and a desire to make a significant impact in their field. In some cases, societal pressure and family expectations also play a role in making people more career-focused.

• Why don’t some people have dreams?

There are several reasons why some people lack dreams or ambitions. They may have low self-confidence, limited exposure to opportunities, or discouraging life experiences. Others feel trapped by financial struggles or societal expectations, making it difficult for them to think beyond their immediate survival. Other than that, some people believe in living in the present rather than chasing long-term goals.

• What are some disadvantages of having too many ambitions in life?

Having too many ambitions can lead to stress, burnout, and a lack of focus. When a person spreads themselves too thin, they may struggle to make meaningful progress in any one area. Additionally, constantly chasing new goals can result in dissatisfaction, as people may feel they are never achieving enough. Therefore, balancing ambition with well-being is essential for a happy and fulfilling life.

• What does success look like to you?

To me, success is a combination of personal fulfillment, financial stability, and making a positive impact on others. It is not just about achieving big goals but also about finding happiness in the journey, maintaining good relationships, and living a balanced life. True success means waking up every day, feeling content and motivated to keep growing.

Vocabulary for Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved IELTS Follow-up Questions

Here are the IELTS vocabulary for Part 3 follow-up questions on ‘Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved’ with examples.

Ambition plays a vital role in personal growth and success, but achieving it requires dedication, perseverance, and smart planning. While preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, discussing your ambitions fluently and confidently will help you score higher and fulfil your ambition to migrate to your dream country.

Additionally, use specific examples, varied vocabulary, and well-structured responses to impress the examiner. Keep practicing with IELTS Speaking practice tests, and you will be one step closer to achieving your own ambitions—starting with a great IELTS score!

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