Difficult Decision That You Once Made - Speaking Part 2 Topics

"Describe a Difficult Decision That You Once Made" on IELTS Speaking Topics or CUE Cards

The IELTS speaking section contains three parts with candidates required to give a general introduction about themselves in the first part of the task. The test-takers will get a cue card containing a topic on which they will speak for some minutes. The examiner will ask IELTS Speaking questions related to the topic that will entail candidates to give suitable responses.

With a clear understanding of the exam pattern in this section, we will now discuss one of the very common topics that test-takers often encounter and it is “ Describe a difficult decision that you once made.”

This question often gets repeated in the IELTS speaking cue card topics and knowing to face similar questions will help you to fare well in the exam. There will be other follow-up questions on this topic that will help examiners to test the knowledge and understanding you have about the topic.

How Should You Answer “Describe a Difficult Decision That You Once Made?”

It is important to frame an appropriate response to the question “Describe a difficult decision that you once made”. While it is expected that the answers should be spontaneous and impromptu in nature while going through the topic, you can jot down some of the important points that come to your mind. 

The answer requires to be divided into multiple parts and addressing each one of them individually will help to create better responses. Along with it, candidates must frame short questions or points and write them down on a piece of paper that will be provided to them or try to remember them as much as possible while answering the questions. 

The most common types of questions that arise in this topic “Describe a difficult decision that you once made” include:

• What was the decision that you took?

• When did you make the decision?

• How much time did you take to make this decision?

• Why do you consider the decision as difficult to take?

The exam pattern of this section provides the students with only two or three minutes to speak on “ Describe a difficult decision that you once made”. It is advised that students utilise this limited time available through mind mapping or brainstorming ideas. On this page, we have given two possible answers that candidates will require to answer while answering the IELTS speaking topic “ Describe a difficult decision that you once made.”

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Difficult Decision That You Once Made IELTS Sample Answer 1

You can follow the pattern provided in this sample answer.

Our decisions are what shape our lives. We keep taking major and minor decisions throughout that have some impact, both positive and negative on our life. We cannot always choose both roads, we need to settle on any one path to follow. Here I am going to speak about a tough decision which I took while deciding to select whether I should take up mathematics in class 11 or not.

I took up humanities to study in classes 11 and 12 which was, by itself, a huge leap from the ongoing trend of taking science. On top of that, I had to make a choice between two electives: history and mathematics. It was a tough decision to take as my parents were more inclined on taking up mathematics which can open up several career paths after boards but I loved studying history and knowing how our past events impact our present lives. Also, I was afraid of numerics and was under-confident to study mathematics.

Finally, after a week of dilemma, I chose to take history as I did not want to do something against my own wishes. I weighed the pros and cons of the proposition. I knew that if I took mathematics, my scores will not be as expected and can even impact my overall grades.  Though my parents were crest-fallen at first, they supported me when they found my fascination with the subject. Also, by scoring 98 in history on the boards, I proved to them that if I had not taken the difficult decision, I would not have tasted the sweet fruits of labour after.  

Difficult Decision That You Once Made IELTS Sample Answer 2

Another sample answer can be the following one.

The skill of decision-making is an important life skill to learn. Often there are times when we keep doing things in flow and do not consider the effects of it. Also, we should not be in a hurry when taking a decision. We must try to understand the outcomes of our decisions and the course they will take from that moment. 

After my college days were over, I decided to study masters abroad. When I started getting offer letters from UK universities, my results of a government exam taken long back came out. And I was selected. At that moment, I was at a crossway. On one hand, there was the temptation of a government job and a secured future, on the other hand, my dreams were calling me. I consulted my parents and my close relatives. They encouraged me to do what I felt was right. 

I was utterly confused and spent a few sleepless nights. The high unemployment rate in our country reminded me constantly of the lucrative job offer at hand but I also wanted to complete my dreams of higher education. As the day of my accepting the university offer letter was nearing, I finally took the toughest decision of my life. I decided to go abroad and complete my masters first and then hunt for a job. I was sure that my degree will prove valuable to recruiters and once I come back, I can again try for government or corporate jobs. Now I am teaching at a prestigious college in our country and I have fulfilled my aspirations.

Vocabulary Used in Describe a Difficult Decision That You Once Made

Here are some of the important vocabularies that have been used in the sentences with their meanings and an example has been cited to bring out the meaning in IELTS speaking section:

• Dilemma: A situation in which you have to take a difficult decision.

  • Example: I was in a dilemma about whether I should accompany my mother to the doctor or attend an important presentation in the office.

• Proposition: An idea or suggestion.

  • Example: His proposition in the meeting was accepted by all.

• Crest-fallen: Sad or disappointed.

  • Example: I was crest-fallen when I did not score high in the examination.

• At crossways: At an important point in life.

  • Example: I was at crossways when I had to choose between studying abroad and studying in the country.

• Temptation: Desire

Example: I succumbed to the temptation of eating ice cream though I had a cough and cold.

Follow-Up Questions and Answers for Describe a Difficult Decision That You Once Made

After speaking on the topic, the examiner may ask follow-up questions on the topic “describe a difficult decision that you once made”. This will be counted as the third part of the section, where candidates will be asked a couple of questions and be given 2-3 minutes to respond to all the questions. Listed below are some of the few follow-up questions and answers for “describe a difficult decision that you once made”:

Should One Take Decisions on Their Own or Consult Others?

Decisions should always be taken after consulting the relevant person or people as they help us in getting a new insight or bring to our observation a point that we might have been missing while discussing. However, we should not blindly trust the opinion of others and keep room for autonomy.

Why Do Young People Often Take Decisions on their Own?

Technology has empowered people to take decisions on their own nowadays. Young people can research online and gain much knowledge. Still, the importance of consulting parents or elders cannot be downplayed. One must consult them when they are unable to decide on their own.

What Should We Do When We Find Our Decisions are Not Correct?

As it is difficult to turn the wheels of time and go back to the previous time and correct the decision, we should accept whatever the decision has led to. We must learn from the experience and move on with our life.

Why Do Middle-Aged People Take Time to Come to a Decision?

As one grows old and gains experience, one understands that not all decisions will lead to fruitful ends. On top of that, they are burdened with responsibilities that prevent them from taking quicker decisions.

We recommend using these follow-up questions and answers on this topic for reference and understanding purposes only. It is advisable to take the time to understand how to properly answer the different types of questions that have been raised previously by examiners for this particular topic and section. With a clearer and better understanding of the different types of questions and the best ways to answer the respective questions, candidates will stand a better chance of scoring high in the section.