Advice: IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Sample Answers

Describe an advice you receive on your subject or work

You should say:

• What it was and who you received it from
• What you did after receiving it
• And how you felt about it

Model Answer:

(What it was and who you received it from) 

Today, I would like to talk about some advice my sister gave me regarding my studies. It was when I completed my university graduation, and I had to decide what I wanted to do in my life. Back then, I was at a crossroads, where I had to choose between embarking on further studies abroad or work full-time with my bachelor’s degree. I wanted an option which would provide me a promising future and at the same time should be interesting as well. Understandably, higher academic qualifications nowadays are virtually a prerequisite for employment, especially in grey-matter fields where rivalry is cutthroat for graduates. I searched a lot on the internet about courses and sought advice from friends and relatives, yet still felt unassured. So, I decided to consult my elder sister, who was living in America and working in an advertising company.

 (What you did after receiving it) 

On receiving my question, she talked to me a lot and also pondered on it. Having weighed up the pros and cons of each scenario, she advised me to continue to study for a Master’s degree instead of working early. She believed that a master’s degree could open many career doors for young people, including specific career fields, advancement opportunities, and higher salaries. As the workforce evolves, a graduate degree shows a person is dedicated to enhancing his industry expertise and credibility. I trusted her and followed her advice.

Without her, I could not have made the most crucial decision of my life.

(And how you felt about it) 

I felt incredibly grateful for my sister’s advice and emotional support. She told me that no matter what road I choose, I need to stick to it until the end and make it the most meaningful one. It is one of the reasons I always want to see her perspective before making any vital moves, as she is so experienced and insightful.

Vocabulary:

at a crossroads [expression]: to be at a stage in your life when you have to make a very important decision.

Eg: After earning my degree, I’m at a crossroads.

prerequisite [n]: something that must exist or happen before something else can exist or happen.

Eg: Passing a written test is a prerequisite for taking the advanced course.

rivalry [n]:  a situation in which people, businesses, etc. compete with each other for the same thing.

Eg: There’s such rivalry among/between my three sons.

cut-throat [adj]: competing in a strong and unfair way, without considering any harm caused to others.

Eg: Scrapping of price fixing legislation led to a cut-throat battle for supermarket customers.

consult [v]: to discuss something with someone before you make a decision.

Eg: This afternoon the president was consulting with his advisers.

advancement [n]:  the development or improvement of something.

Eg: All she was interested in was the advancement of her own career.

evolve [v]:  to develop gradually, or to cause something or someone to develop gradually.

Eg: The company has evolved over the years into a multi-million-dollar organization.

credibility [n]:  the fact that someone can be believed or trusted.

Eg: His arrest for lewd behaviour seriously damaged his credibility as a religious leader

grateful [adj]: feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful.

Eg: I’m very grateful to you for all your help.

Part 3 questions:

Advice Giving:

1.  Have your parents given you much advice?

Yes, my parents have given me tons of advice. They always do it in a way, where they aren’t just telling me what to do. Instead, they give me some of their wisdom and let me do what I want with it. This way, I can make more informed decisions.

2. What kind of advice do parents give their children?

I’ve found that it varies from one parent to another. Many of my friends’ parents are overbearing. They try to force themselves into every decision their kids make, be it essential like moving or unimportant like buying a bike. Other parents are hands-off; they let their kids make their own decisions. This way, kids can learn from their mistakes. I think both of them have their advantages and disadvantages.

3. What kind of advice do friends give each other?

Friends seem to advise each other about things that they have experienced before. For instance, I’ve lived in China, so I can help my friends decide whether it’d be a smart move for them. These situations are useful because friends are often of the same age, so they can get a viewpoint from someone who is going through the same kinds of situations. Most of the time, though, friends’ advice is about small things like what clothes to wear or what stuff to buy. They aren’t advice but more like suggestions or what they think.

4. Do you think young people should follow their parents’ advice?

No, I don’t think young people should follow all of their parents’ advice. I believe that they should listen to what their parents say and use them to come up with their own decisions. Parents are there to help kids whenever they need it, but not instruct their kids on how to lead their lives. If you rely too much on your parents, you might eventually end up in a situation where they are not around to help you, and you have to decide on something you have never thought about on your own before.

 5. In China, do children ever strongly oppose the advice of their parents?

I’m not sure. But in my experience, it seems that young Chinese people rely on their parents. Therefore, I think it is rare to see a Chinese person flat out, denying what their parents suggest. It seems that they are far more likely to take what their parents say than to not listen to it.

6. In China, do young people ever advise older people, for example, their parents?

I think, yes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving advice. You can make your opinions known. Then whoever you are talking to can choose whether or not to listen to it. Advising does nothing more than trying to give the person who is making a decision a bit more than he had before. It is especially seen in the case of parents and children because so many parents’ decisions affect kids’ life, so the kids should have a say in the decision making process.

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