Describe a Competition that You Took Part in - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers

Competitions are a common IELTS topic because they allow candidates to talk about experiences, achievements, challenges, and personal growth. The cue card ‘Describe a competition that you took part in’ from the list of IELTS cue cards for topic – activity allows you to narrate an event in detail while expressing your emotions, performance, and motivation.

In this blog, you will find three sample answers for ‘Describe a competition that you took part in’ to help you with how to prepare a cue card for IELTS Speaking, along with relevant vocabulary, so that you will be ready for similar topics.

Describe a Competition that You Took Part in IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers

The cue card ‘Describe a competition that you took part in’ focuses on competitive experiences and self-development. To achieve a Band 8+, your answer should include clear storytelling, specific details about the event, and reflection on your performance. Using idioms and advanced vocabulary naturally demonstrates a strong lexical range and improves your overall score.

So, explore the sample answers to ‘Describe a competition that you took part in’ cue card that will help you score better in IELTS Speaking Part 2.

Describe a Competition that You Took Part in - Sample Answer 1

Since my childhood, I am not an academically competitive person, unlike my siblings, which made my parents quite unhappy at times. I liked to perform at my own pace and never liked when anybody hustled me. But, when it came to sports, anyone would always find me on the ground. One such competition that I eagerly participated in was the District Sports Meet organized by the Police Department of our state. 

 My grandfather always encouraged me to take part in various sports events, even though I could not perform well every time. So, I got selected to represent my school in the throwing events, and he was very pleased. Although I was very excited, on the D-day, I began to feel anxious. The huge ground was beautifully decorated and there was a huge podium for the guests on one side and the audience on the other. The Chief Guests were the then Chief Minister of our state and the Director-General of Police. After the races, the throwing events began. For the first event, I had shotput, followed by a javelin throw, and finally, the discus throw. 

To be honest, I do not remember how I performed in the events and the process went as I was dazed. However, when the results were declared, I could secure the second position in shotput and the third position in the discus. So, according to the rules, individuals who secured the first and the second position would have to participate in the next level, that is, the state. Unfortunately, although I made my grandfather and mother proud, my father did not sign the permission form as I had an exam on the same day as the state event.

I chose to participate to improve my public speaking skills and gain confidence. In the end, the experience was worth the effort as it helped me overcome my fear of speaking in front of an audience and enhanced my communication abilities.

Describe a Competition that You Took Part in - Sample Answer 2

I am very excited that I got an opportunity to discuss a competition that I participated in. I am going to discuss my first ever competition in high school which I took part in four years ago when I was a school student. The art and craft competition was divided into 4 teams; each team had two members.

I was not very good at art and craft competitions. Drawing and painting were not my interests, and I had never practiced drawing in my life ever. There were lots of other competitions which were comfortable for me. But I wanted to participate and challenge myself to progress in life. I had no idea about the question offered to us. My partner and I were baffled and blanked out for a few seconds. There was a lot of confusion when we started our sketch, and suddenly my partner became very sick to continue further in the competition. No backup could help to complete the sketch. I took it on myself and, fortunately, completed the whole task very comfortably within time.

Yes, I was proud to be successful in the competition. In the drawing, there were lots of uneven, hatching, and crisscrossing lines. I did not have many painting colors with me. The clarity of the drawing was not perfect, but I got the highest marks in the competition for imagination and creativity. I never thought that I would score over the other team members. My idea and thought process helped me to win the trophy of the first runner-up. I was very happy and encouraged by my performance.

I chose to participate because I enjoy teamwork and physical activity. The competition not only boosted my confidence but also taught me valuable lessons about discipline and cooperation.

Describe a Competition that You Took Part in - Sample Answer 3

A memorable competition that I participated in was an online coding challenge hosted on HackerRank. This took place about a year ago when I was actively trying to sharpen my programming skills and gain some hands-on experience. I had always been interested in coding, but I wanted to push myself further and put my skills to the test in a competitive environment.

The competition involved solving a series of complex coding problems within a strict time limit. Each question required strong logical reasoning and efficient problem-solving abilities. At first, I felt quite nervous because the questions were not easy at all, and the pressure of time made it even more challenging. However, once I got started, I gradually got into the groove and began solving problems one by one. The final round, however, was a real challenge. It was truly a tough nut to crack, and I had to think outside the box even to attempt it.

Although I did not win the competition, I managed to rank among the top participants, which was quite satisfying for me. I genuinely felt that I had given it my all and left no stone unturned in my preparation and performance. Instead of feeling disappointed, I looked at it as a valuable learning experience that helped me step up my game.

I chose to participate in this competition because I wanted to challenge myself and gain practical exposure beyond theoretical knowledge. Competing with talented participants from different backgrounds also helped me understand where I stand. Overall, the experience was incredibly rewarding. It boosted my confidence, improved my problem-solving speed, and highlighted both my strengths and areas for improvement. In fact, it was a real eye-opener that motivated me to continue improving my skills and take part in more such competitions in the future.

Vocabulary You Can Use For IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe a Competition that You Took Part in

Given below is a list of common English words and the best phrases to use in IELTS Speaking related to the topic, Describe a competition that you took part in, which will expand your vocabulary and boost your score.

To conclude, this cue card allows you to showcase your ability to talk about experiences, achievements, and personal growth. By describing the competition in detail and explaining your motivation and outcome, you can present a well-rounded response. However, to learn these skills and boost your confidence, make sure to practice more recent IELTS topics in IELTS Speaking tests regularly. 

Useful Links:

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• Band 8.0 Sample Answers for 10 IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards
• How to Organize Your Responses on the IELTS Speaking Exam?
• What Happens if You Don't Speak for Full 2 Minutes in IELTS Speaking Test?