Describe a change that you would like to make in your life
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a change that you would like to make in your life.
You should say:
- what the change is
- how you plan to make it
- what difficulties you might face
and explain how this change would improve your life.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
269 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
A change I'd like to make in my life is to spend a lot less time on my phone. It might sound like a small thing, but I've realised that I check it far too often, and it affects my concentration, my sleep and my relationships.
At the moment, I probably spend over five hours a day on it, mostly scrolling through social media and watching short videos. I often pick it up without even thinking, and I've noticed that I can no longer sit through a whole film or read for an hour without checking for notifications. I plan to approach the change gradually. First, I'm going to turn off all unnecessary notifications. Then I'll set daily limits on my social apps using the phone's built-in tools, and I'll leave the phone outside my bedroom at night, using a traditional alarm clock. I'd also like to replace the time with activities I enjoy, like reading and going for walks.
I know there'll be difficulties. The habit is strong, and I'll probably feel anxious at first, as if I'm missing something. Also, my friends mostly communicate through messaging groups, so I'll need to explain what I'm doing. To hold myself accountable, I've asked my sister to join me, so we can check in with each other every week.
I believe this change would improve my life in many ways. I'd have more time for my studies and hobbies, sleep better, and be more present when I'm talking to people. Overall, I think it would make me calmer and more productive, and I'm determined to turn over a new leaf.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
Getting ready for IELTS?
Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| turn over a new leaf | start behaving in a better way |
| get into the habit of | start doing something regularly |
| break a bad habit | stop doing something unhealthy |
| set myself a goal | decide on something to achieve |
| hold myself accountable | take responsibility for my own progress |
| make a fresh start | begin again |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- Spending less time on your phone
- Getting up earlier or exercising regularly
- Changing careers or moving to another city
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the change is
- 25 show you plan to make it
- 25 swhat difficulties you might face
- 45 sand explain how this change would improve your life.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Change and personal development. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do some people find it hard to change?
- Do you think people change a lot as they get older?
- What are the advantages of trying something new?
- How do big changes, like moving to another city, affect people?
- Is it easier for young people to adapt to change than older people?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Plans and wishes
- Describe a business that you would like to start in the future
- Describe a job that you would like to do in the future
- Describe a book that you would like to read in the future
- Describe a party that you would like to organise in the future
- Describe a family celebration that you are looking forward to or would like to organise
- Describe a trip that you are planning to take in the future
Frequently asked questions
How do I talk about future plans in an IELTS cue card?
Say what you would like to do, why, and how you would go about it. Mix future forms: "I'm planning to", "I'd love to", "if I had the chance, I would". A plan you really have gives you more to say than an invented one.
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