Ashore for webTry a mock test
Part 2 cue card · Events · Retained in September–December 2026

Describe an important decision that you made.

Describe an important decision that you made.

You should say:

  • ·what the decision was
  • ·how you made your decision
  • ·what the results of the decision were

and explain why it was important.

One minute to prepare, up to two minutes to talk. Then Part 3 asks the questions below.

Sample answers

Two answers to the same card

Same story, two levels. Both were written by Ashore, then checked against the public band descriptors in a separate pass. The bands are practice estimates, not official IELTS results.

A simpler answer

Checked at band 6.5 · 165 words

An important decision I made was to leave my old job and look for work in another field. I had been working in a small shop for three years. The pay was okay, but I didn't enjoy the work and I couldn't see a good future there.

I made the decision after talking with my parents and two friends. I also looked at job advertisements and checked what skills employers wanted. I found that many office jobs needed basic computer skills, so I decided to take an evening course while keeping my job. After a few months, I passed the course and applied for several positions.

I got a job as an assistant in a local company. At first, the work was new and sometimes difficult, but my colleagues helped me. Now I feel more interested in my work, and I have a clearer chance to improve. It was important because I chose a direction that suited me better and took responsibility for my future.

  • Seeking advice · “talking with my parents and two friends”
  • Specific actions · “passed the course and applied for several positions”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7.5 · 248 words

Honestly, one of the biggest decisions I've made was leaving my job at a small shop and retraining for office work. I'd been there for three years, and although the pay was steady, the work felt repetitive. I couldn't picture myself doing the same thing for another five years.

I didn't decide overnight. I spoke to my parents and two close friends, but I also tried to look at the practical side. I searched local job adverts, which helped me see that many entry-level office roles asked for basic computer skills rather than a degree. That made the change seem manageable. I enrolled in an evening computer course so I could keep earning while I studied. When I finished it a few months later, I applied for several assistant positions and got an offer from a local company.

The first few weeks were a bit stressful because I had to learn new systems and ask lots of questions. Still, my colleagues were patient, and I gradually became more confident. I now enjoy having clearer tasks and a chance to build useful skills. If I hadn't taken that course, I might still be in the shop, wondering whether I could do something different. That experience made me less afraid of making a change, because I knew I could prepare for it gradually. This decision mattered because it wasn't just about getting a new job; it helped me take control of my future and choose work that fits me better.

  • Concession · “although the pay was steady”
  • Practical research · “searched local job adverts”
  • Balancing work and study · “keep earning while I studied”
  • Hypothetical reflection · “If I hadn't taken that course”
  • Highlighting the impact · “take control of my future”
Angles

3 ways to answer it

  1. 1Choosing a university 2,000 km from home: saying goodbye to your mum at the station
  2. 2Turning down a big tech company for a small firm: one line the boss said at interview
  3. 3Deciding to work out every day: the number on your health check that shocked you
Expressions

5 expressions that fit this card

a turning point
a moment of big change
sleep on it
wait a night before deciding
step out of my comfort zone
try something difficult
there was no going back
I couldn't change my mind
the right call
the correct choice
Part 3

The questions that follow

After the long turn, Part 3 asks bigger questions on the same theme. Each one comes with two points you can build an answer from.

  1. 1

    Do you think children sometimes have to make important decisions?

    • ·Course choices and friendship problems can feel important to children.
    • ·Adults can explain consequences without taking over every choice.
  2. 2

    What important decisions do teenagers need to make after graduation?

    • ·Many school leavers must decide between further study and work.
    • ·Subject, location and cost are connected and need to be considered together.
  3. 3

    Who can children turn to for help when making a decision?

    • ·Parents know the child well, while teachers understand educational options.
    • ·People with relevant experience offer another perspective to compare.
  4. 4

    Do you think advertisements can influence our decisions when shopping?

    • ·Advertisements can influence choices by emphasising benefits and urgency.
    • ·A clear needs list and independent comparisons can reduce impulse buying.
Stories

One story, many cards

This card fits this story. Prepare the story once and you can bend it to every card listed with it on the season page.

  • Deciding to study abroad

    Why you are taking IELTS: the choice, who you talked to, what you gave up, how you are preparing.

Say it out loud and get a band score