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Part 2 cue card · Events · New for September–December 2026

Describe an important decision you made and were happy with the result.

Describe an important decision you made and were happy with the result.

You should say:

  • ·what the decision was
  • ·when you made it
  • ·how you made it
  • ·what the result was

and explain why you were happy with the result.

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 · 196 words

One important decision I made was to take a part-time course in digital marketing while keeping my office job. I made this decision about two years ago, when I felt my work had become a bit repetitive. I was not unhappy, but I wanted to learn something new and have more choices in the future.

I made the decision after talking with my family and checking a few courses online. I also looked at the class times and the fees, because I didn't want it to affect my job or cost too much. In the end, I chose a course near my home that had classes twice a week. I thought I could manage it.

The course lasted six months. It was sometimes tiring to go to class after work, but I kept up with the assignments. After I finished, I was able to help with social media projects at my company. My manager noticed my work and gave me more responsibility. I was happy with the result because I learned a useful skill and felt more confident. It also showed me that I could make a change without giving up the security of my job.

  • State the decision · “take a part-time course in digital marketing”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7 · 244 words

Honestly, one important decision I’m glad I made was taking a part-time digital marketing course while keeping my office job. I chose to do it about two years ago, when my daily tasks had started to feel repetitive. I wasn’t unhappy at work, but I could see that learning a new skill might give me more options later on.

To decide, I talked it over with my family and compared a few courses online. I checked the fees and class times carefully, since I didn’t want to put my job or budget under pressure. I also went to a trial class, which helped me see that the teaching style suited me. I eventually picked a course near home that met twice a week, so the travel wouldn’t add too much stress.

It ran for six months, and fitting classes in after work was tiring at times. Still, I kept up with the assignments by setting aside an hour most evenings. Once I’d finished, I was able to help with social media projects at my company. My manager noticed that I could plan posts and understand basic results, so I was given more responsibility.

I’m happy with the result because I gained a practical skill and became more confident at work. If I’d waited until I had more free time, I might never have started. I didn’t need to quit my job to make a useful change, and that made the decision feel especially worthwhile.

  • Specific background · “my daily tasks had started to feel repetitive”
  • Relative clause · “which helped me see that the teaching style suited me”
  • Conditional reflection · “If I’d waited until I had more free time”
  • Highlight the benefit · “I didn’t need to quit my job”
Angles

3 ways to answer it

  1. 1Switching your major to computer science: the video call where you convinced your parents
  2. 2Working for a year before studying abroad: the day your first salary arrived
  3. 3Taking a job in your hometown, not a big city: weekend dinners with your parents
Expressions

5 expressions that fit this card

weigh up the pros and cons
consider good and bad points
a tough call
a hard decision
it paid off
it brought good results
trust my gut
follow my instinct
no regrets
not sorry at all
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

    Why do some people find it hard to make decisions?

    • ·They're afraid of choosing wrong and regretting it
    • ·Too many options, like when choosing a major
  2. 2

    Do you think young people should ask their parents before making big decisions?

    • ·Parents have experience and can spot risks
    • ·In the end, you live with the result
  3. 3

    How has technology changed the way people make decisions?

    • ·People check reviews before buying anything
    • ·Too much information can make choices harder
  4. 4

    Is it better to make decisions quickly or slowly?

    • ·Quick choices save time on small things
    • ·Taking time on big choices avoids mistakes
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