Describe a decision made by others you disagreed with – IELTS Cue Card Sample

This article contains sample answers for the cue card topic – Describe a decision made by others you disagreed with.

In the Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking section, the most common question type is the cue card. The provided prompts will help you to formulate a response and speak on the given topic. You will have exactly one minute to prepare and speak on a specific topic.

To attempt this type of question, you must narrow down the essential questions on the given topic to answer within the given time. And the sample answers given below will guide you to learn how to communicate clearly and successfully.

This IELTS cue card gives you an opportunity to share about a decision made by others you disagreed with.

Before you have a look at the sample answers below, check this video for some latest topics for IELTS Speaking.

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Sample Answer 1

Here is the sample for “Describe a decision made by others you disagreed with” topic:

I perfectly remember the incident that fits the situation here. Whenever I roll back to that day, I am struck with a feeling of pride. My disagreement was not just significant but meaningful as well.

My decision was about going against the harassment that my classmates were planning for the new student. He joined our school in the mid-session. Apparently, he had flunked a class in the previous school. There, he was bullied brutally, so he had to change school. Since he had already suffered so much, I could not bear him suffering anymore. So, I had to support him. I stood strong, opposing their plans. I didn’t budge from my stand until they were compelled to give up.

During the lunch break, the classmates had thought of doing something weird. One of them suggested that they would hide the tiffin of the new student. The other one came with several names to call him. Since they all were bored, they decided to execute these pranks. While they tried involving me in their messy ideas, nothing appealed to me at all. I told them to stop everything at once. First, I requested humbly, but they didn’t pay attention. However, I put my foot down and conveyed that if they continued with the plan, I would complain to the authorities.

I disagreed with my classmates as their decision was rude, insensitive and incorrect. I don’t believe in getting entertained at the cost of anybody’s emotions. I made everybody sit down and explained the gravity of the situation. Fortunately, everybody understood my perspective.

And, I am glad I saved somebody from getting hurt unnecessarily.

Sample Answer 2

It was a few years back, when I was still in college that I was offered an opportunity to go on a voluntary trip to X, the most worth-living city in our country. I was over the moon when first hearing the news but all my anticipation and happiness crashed, when my parents flatly rejected the idea. I was dumbfounded since my time and effort spent on the preparation for our project wasn’t about to be paid off. However, I was old enough to know better than making a fuss about it at the moment; instead, I gave myself time and peace before reasoning with my parents. It came as no surprise to me when they took their all-time-favorite excuse that I was too immature to take care of myself and that there were plenty of untrustworthy people willing to take advantage of me out there when I was unaware. Much as I tried to assure them how well I would manage to stay safe and help other underprivileged people, I just couldn’t get through them. As a result, I had no options but withdrawing from the project with regrets. However, I wasn’t able to hold a grudge against my parents for long because I understood they were just overprotective and genuinely concerned about my well-being.

Vocabulary for Cue Card

Here are the vocabularies for “Describe a decision made by others you disagreed with” with examples:

• Offer/ give: provide an opportunity
  Eg: Rose was offered a scholarship to pursue higher education. 
• Be over the moon: to be very pleased
  Eg: She was over the moon when she was announced as the winner. 
• Anticipation (n): a feeling of excitement about something (usually something good) that is going to happen
  Eg: The mother waited in eager anticipation.
• Flatly (adv): in a way that is very definite and will not be changed
  Eg: The institute flatly refused to offer the financial assistance to the students. 
• Come as no surprise to someone: will not be surprising [for someone] to learn [something]
  Eg: It came as no surprise that the robber had been lying. 
• Underprivileged (a): having less money and fewer opportunities than most people in society
  Eg: John shows sympathy towards the underprivileged. 
• Get through (phrasal verb): succeed in communicating with someone in a meaningful way
  Eg: It was tough going through the lockdown. 
• Withdraw (v): to stop taking part in an activity or being a member of an organization; to stop somebody/something from doing these things
  Eg: Rose withdrew her name from the list of participants. 
• Hold a grudge against someone: to stay angry (at someone or something)
  Eg: The old woman holds a grudge against his son as he left her in the old age home. 
• Overprotective (a): too anxious to protect somebody from being hurt, in a way that restricts their freedom
  Eg: As Rose’s family is overprotective, they’ll not allow her to go out. 
• Genuinely (adv): in a sincere and honest way that can be trusted
  Eg: I genuinely feel sorry for Raj. 

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Questions for Part 3

1. What skills are necessary when making decisions?

Off the top of my head, there are quite a few skills that should be made use of when we make a decision. The first one is that we should have a clear vision of what the future is like before a decision is reached. To be precise, we must weigh the pros and cons as well as the worst-case scenarios of each option. Secondly, it ought to be noted that judging our own ability correctly is another skill which is usually ignored. We should be aware of our strengths and weaknesses before deciding whether to take risks or not.

2. Do parents in your country allow their children to make important decisions about the future?

Usually, parents are really influential when it comes to big decisions in a person’s lifetime. Since they have previous experience, they often impose their thinking on their kids and sometimes urge them to follow their advice. However, the final decision usually depends on the children themselves. This is simply because they are the ones who will take responsibility for their actions.

3. Do you think that parents should make important decisions for their children?

It’s true that parents have previous experience and they often impose their thinking on their kids and sometimes urge them to follow their advice. However, the final decision should depend on the children themselves. This is simply because they are the ones who will take responsibility for their actions. So, a father’s or mother’s role here is to inform the young of the consequences they have to bear if a certain decision is made.

Vocabulary for Speaking Part 3

• Off the top of your head: without careful thought or investigation. 
  Eg: She answered the tricky question off the top of her head. 
• Made use of: use for a purpose 
  Eg: The teacher makes use of every equipment in the lab.
• Pros and cons: the favorable and the unfavorable factors or reasons; advantages and disadvantages 
  Eg: The teacher described the pros and cons of using smartphone applications. 
• Worst-case scenario: the most unpleasant or serious thing that could happen in a situation
  Eg: In the worst case scenario, the little girl will become deaf. 
• Influential: having great influence on someone or something.
  Eg: The facts in the bible are influential and will help us lead a better life. 
• Impose: force (an unwelcome decision or ruling) on someone 
  Eg: During the pandemic, the Indian government imposed a 21-day lockdown. 
• Urge: a strong wish, especially one that is difficult or impossible to control
  Eg: The doctor urged John to give up smoking. 
• Consequences: result or effect, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.
  Eg: Loss of biodiversity and climatic change can be one of the consequences of deforestation. 

You can get our latest speaking ebook titled “IELTS Speaking Actual Tests & Sample Answers” to read Band 9.0 model answers for IELTS Speaking Actual Tests (Full 3 Parts) that appears in the IELTS speaking module from September to December 2017.

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