Describe a Person Who Solved a Problem in a Smart Way - IELTS Cue Card

• IELTS

Describe a Person Who Solved a Problem in a Smart Way - IELTS Cue Card

5988 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Dec 27,2023 05:30 PM IST

The structure of the IELTS exam is designed to check the proficiency level of the English language among the candidates. In the IELTS speaking test part 2, a candidate is required to speak on a topic for about 1 to 2 minutes. With the speaking topic, 3 to 4 cues are provided which helps the candidates to answer the question to the point.

Describe a Person Who Solved a Problem.webp

The IELTS exam is conducted all around the world, and there are two types of exams, Academic and General exam. It is one of the most prestigious English language proficiency exams.

Out of the four modules in the IELTS exam, the speaking module is the one where three steps are incorporated to test a candidate’s language skills.

Cue Card is provided at the second step of the IELTS Speaking exam. It also contains a few pointers to be included in the speech. Examiners look for relevance and coherence while taking the test of the candidates.

IELTS Cue Card

After mastering IELTS Speaking Part 1, one needs to practice speaking on cue cards, as in Part 2 of the IELTS exam. Following is one such example of a cue card.

Describe a Person Who Solved a Problem in a Smart Way

One should say

• Who is this person

• What was the problem

• How did he/she solve it?

• And explain why you think that he/she did it in a smart way.

Sample Answer

I have, at times, managed to resolve most of the obstacles myself or with the support of family members, but there are times when a situation is so unnerving that it is difficult to come up with a solution. During such testing times, I feel blessed to have sensible and resourceful friends. Although I am seldom in a situation where it becomes difficult to escape, there have been times when it was the quick-wit of a friend which saved me. I would like to talk about one instance where Aman, a close friend of mine, was able to get me out of a tough situation. It was during the first semester of college, and I had just gotten my driver’s license, so I had been taking my father’s motorcycle to the institute.

One day, we had plans to visit another friend who stayed close to my house. Me and Aman took my father’s bike to visit him. Unfortunately, the vehicle broke down and stopped suddenly on the road. Since we were in the middle of a busy road, I steered the bike towards the side, and both of us began to look for the cause of such a snag. Since this was the first time I had faced such a problem with the bike, I started panicking about the situation. Nevertheless, Aman quickly figured out that there was a connection problem with the vehicle’s battery, and he was right. I was relieved and impressed with how quickly he figured out and even solved the problem by making a few tweaks to the battery, and we were able to carry on with the plan without any hassle.

Sample Answer 2

People say that there are some people who are hard working while there are others who are street smart. But sometimes, I think that street-smart people have a solution to unique problems. So it was my friend Raman who gave me a clever solution to a problem.

I liked going to school and attending classes, but I never liked to carry a load of books in my bag from home to school and back every day, either because I was physically weak or I was a bit too lazy. But whatever was the reason, I was desperately trying to find a solution to this problem of carrying books. So, I randomly asked Raman for any solution that came to his mind. He simply told me to give him some time to think and vanished.

I observed him giving it a really serious thought. It was actually amusing to see how he took it very seriously, but I never believed that he would really come up with any solution. I was completely sure that I would have to carry this weight always and maybe just try to build some strength for it. The next day, when I met him, I was convinced he would say that he had given up and found no solution for me. To my surprise, he was beaming with confidence and told me about his idea.

He had been talking to our teachers as well about it. The idea was to keep a set of books at school also and one would be already at home. This just took a little investment but solved not just mine but many students’ weight was just shifted from their shoulders to our school lockers. This idea worked wonders, and I think such a practice has been adopted in various schools as well, and it makes complete sense. I was seriously proud of my friend for helping us out and applying his out-of-the-box ideas to solve such issues.

It was definitely a smart idea because it wouldn’t only help me save my energy but would also save me the time to organize them at home.

Sample Answer 3

Being an altruist person, I tend to meet people with different talents and backgrounds. I have met various people with unique talents. Recently, I met a person who has carved out a niche for himself by doing smart work.

Mr. Vainketesh, my neighbor, had been assigned by his company to devise a strategy to deal with the plastic waste in the city.To solve this problem, he went beyond the conventional domain. He realized that some unique plan is required to address this grave concern of plastic waste disposal.

To proceed with his plan, he had made a tie-up with rag pickers and instructed them to deposit all the plastic waste with his company. The collected waste would then be converted into flower pots of different sizes and different colors.

The rag pickers would get these flower pots free of cost for the hard work done by them. They would later sell these products in the market to earn money. This strategy worked like a charm for him and led to a tremendous decline in the quantity of plastic waste in our city.

He did it smartly as he also proved the point that all problems have a solution. The only thing we need to do is to change our perspective towards the issues surrounding us. This smart work by Mr. Vainketesh made me an optimistic person, and now I, too, try to look for smart ideas as well along with hard work.

Follow up Questions

The Speaking Test is conducted along the same lines in both IELTS General Training and academics. The third step of the speaking test is follow-up questions as given below.

• Do you think smart thinking and resourcefulness are inherent traits, or can one learn to be so?

We can say that some are born intelligent as well due to heredity but these traits can also be learnt from environment and quick learning. Smartness thrives primarily in one’s environment as in the company of those who think beyond the conventional domain turn out to be smarter.

• Does school play any role in building up logical as well as out-of-the-box thinking?

Children can certainly become smarter if stimulated consistently in an environment filled with little problem-solving tasks. Along with academics, children should be challenged from a tender age only to handle some day-to-day conflicts in their lives. This builds a habit of facing problems without fear as they build the confidence to come up with a solution.

• Why do you think some people adapt well in various unknown situations and others are only confident in a few things?

Some people listen to their intuitive mind and act accordingly and also try their hands at all kinds of things. But few people tend to excel in one field, which is, of course, a good thing. But when it comes to a diversified environment where one needs to think and act with the presence of mind and not just be book-smart, there are people with basic knowledge of all fields that come in handy.

• Do you think multi-talented people are the need of the hour?

As we are well aware nowadays, one needs to be versatile to accomplish their goals. The needs of society have taken a tremendous turn due to technical influx as well, and so it requires people with quick learning and out-of-the-box perspectives.

• What’s the best way to learn problem-solving skills?

The best way to learn problem-solving skills is by working on real-world problems. Many people find that they’re much better at solving problems when they apply what they have learned in a practical setting.

For more detailed information on ‘Describing a Person Who Solved a Problem in a Smart Way’-IELTS Cue Card, Contact �鶹��prep, the leading IELTS trainer worldwide.

Conclusion

The IELTS Cue Card- ‘Describe a Person Who Solved a Problem in a Smart Way’ is a unique topic to explore one’s creative thinking. The IELTS Speaking Test in all as well tests the candidate’s flow of thoughts along with language skills. The test-takers can practice speaking on diverse topics and hone their speaking skills.

FAQ

What is the IELTS Cue Card?

The Cue Card is the second step of the IELTS Speaking Test. It contains a question along with a few pointers to help the candidate form an answer. The candidate needs to speak on the topic for 1-2 minutes.

How is the time segregated among the three tasks of the speaking test?

Candidates are asked to answer a few questions on day-to-day lives for 1-2 minutes. The examiner then gives a cue card and 1 minute for the preparation of the topic. The candidate then is required to speak on the topic for 1-2 minutes. The examiner then asks follow-up questions.

Is it required to answer all the pointers in the cue card?

The pointers on the cue card are actually for guidance to build up the answer. It’s good to include them in the answer, and one can speak on them in any order.

What do IELTS examiners look for in the speaking test?

Examiners assess a candidate’s performance based on four criterias. Fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy as well as pronunciation.

How to prepare for an IELTS Cue Card?

Students can practice taking notes on different topics and then speaking on them within the time limit. This way, they can gather ideas about various topics in advance and will be confident enough to speak on any given topic.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

Liverpool Hope University - Hope Park Campus

England, UK • 675 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 12500-13000 / year

Okanagan College - Vernon Campus

British Columbia, Canada • 13 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 12500-18500 / year

Shorelight Group - University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alaska, USA • 89 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 27500-28000 / year

Kaplan Group - Arizona State University - Tempe Campus

Arizona, USA • 326 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 31200-33000 / year

Shorelight Group - University of Portland

Oregon, USA • 48 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 29152-54440 / year

BPP North America - University of West Florida

Florida, USA • 88 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 19000-19500 / year

The Australian National University (ANU)

Australian Capital Territory, Australia • 410 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 44000-54000 / year

Shorelight Group - Carroll University

Wisconsin, USA • 52 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 39000-40000 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

University Visit - Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), USA and UK

Study in UK, USA • University Visit

Ahmedabad • 12:30PM

In-Person Event

Study Abroad Application Fair

Study in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, France

Multiple Location • 11:00AM

In-Person Event

University Visit - Deakin University

Study in Australia • University Visit

Kolkata • 04:00PM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

IELTS Online

- Live Classes

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

MS in Pharmacy in USA

Have you ever thought about what it takes to break into the world’s largest pharmaceutical market? Generating more than 46% of the global pharmaceut...

Updated on • Jul 17,2025 05:33 PM IST • USA

PTE Accepted Universities in Australia

In recent years, PTE has emerged as one of the alternatives to IELTS to study abroad. Many top study-abroad destinations like USA, UK and New Zealand ...

Updated on • Jul 17,2025 05:09 PM IST • PTE

Part-Time Jobs for International Students in Australia

One of the most asked questions by our Indian students is about the part-time jobs for international students in Australia. Indeed, a part-time job pl...

Updated on • Jul 17,2025 03:44 PM IST • Australia

STEM MBA in USA

STEM MBA may be an odd-sounding combination of courses, but it is fulfilling if pursued. The perfect blend of science and commerce adds to this progra...

Updated on • Jul 12,2025 04:02 PM IST • USA

Highest Paying Jobs in India

Indian parents expect their children to follow a set pattern of going to school, getting into a college and finally pursuing a job. But what are the h...

Updated on • Jul 11,2025 11:32 AM IST • Education

CPT vs OPT: Meaning, Difference, and How to Apply

The USA has always been a popular study destination among international students for its wide variety of courses and post-study work opportuniti...

Updated on • Jul 11,2025 10:40 AM IST • USA

Masters in Computer Science in UK: Top Colleges, Eligibility, Scholarships

The UK is an excellent choice to study a Masters in Computer Science. It is a home to world-renowned institutions offering a high standard of educatio...

Updated on • Jul 10,2025 11:29 AM IST • study in the UK

Highest Paying Jobs in the World

With super-advanced technologies like AI entering every field, the assumptions are high that the job roles that exist today won't exist after some yea...

Updated on • Jul 08,2025 01:40 PM IST • Study Abroad

MBA in Australia for Indian Students: Best Universities, Requirements, Scholarship, Courses, Jobs

Master of Business Administration (MBA) has always been a popular postgraduate degree for Indian students to pursue in order to gain advanced sk...

Updated on • Jul 08,2025 01:35 PM IST • Australia

Canada vs Australia: Which Country is Better for Indian Students in 2025?

Human life is filled with making choices every day. In 10th grade, we choose between arts and commerce, after 12th grade, the college, but those were ...

Updated on • Jul 07,2025 12:46 PM IST • Education

France vs Germany: Which Is Better for International Students?

In 2024, many vintage study destinations, including the Big 4, saw a drop in international enrolment, and this trend continues till this year. This le...

Updated on • Jun 30,2025 05:15 PM IST • Education

Top 10 Agricultural Universities in USA

Agriculture or farming is not merely the growing of crops or taking care of animals, but it’s the largest contributor (27%) to global employment. It...

Updated on • Jun 27,2025 05:25 PM IST • USA

Most In-Demand Future Careers in 2025

The world of work is changing faster than ever. Technology, climate change, aging populations, and space exploration are creating jobs we’ve never s...

Updated on • Jun 26,2025 04:41 PM IST • Education

How Much Do Nurses Make in the U.S.?

Do you also think, “How much is the salary of a nurse in the USA?”. If yes, then you are not alone. Being one of the noblest professions in the wo...

Updated on • Jun 23,2025 03:59 PM IST • USA

Study MBBS in the USA

There are innumerable professions, but a career in MBBS is respected and admired more than any other line of work. Many of us harbour a drea...

Updated on • Jun 21,2025 02:00 PM IST • USA

MBA in UK: Universities, Eligibility, Types, and Career Opportunities

Master of Business Administration from UK is a prestigious academic degree, especially when gained from the UK. Business schools in the UK are well kn...

Updated on • Jun 19,2025 04:09 PM IST • UK • study in the UK

Scholarships in France for Indian Students

Are you planning to study in France but are scared of the expensive tuition fees? But now there is no need to fear because you can take advantage of F...

Updated on • May 29,2025 05:22 PM IST • France

Intakes in Dubai for Indian Students

World-class universities, a multicultural environment and tax-free earnings are some of the benefits that attract Indian students to Dubai. However, i...

Updated on • May 27,2025 03:34 PM IST • Study in Dubai

France Student Visa 2025 – Requirements, Fees, Checklist & Application Process

Imagine this: Today is the day you will sit for your dream job interview. You practised all possible questions, wore formal attire, and collected all ...

Updated on • May 23,2025 03:36 PM IST • France

MBA in France for Indian Students in 2025

MBA is one of the most sought-after master’s programs worldwide. France is increasingly becoming popular as an overseas education destination. The r...

Updated on • May 22,2025 05:35 PM IST • France

�鶹����

Describe a Person Who Solved a Problem in a Smart Way - IELTS Cue Card

Table of Contents

IELTS Cue Card

Sample Answer

Sample Answer 2

Sample Answer 3

Follow up Questions

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

IELTS Online

�鶹��