Cue Card

Describe a course that impressed you a lot

You should say:

• What the course was about
• Where you took the course
• What you did during the course
• And explain why it impressed you a lot.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Why do some people have a better memory?
2. Can technology help people remember things better? How?
3. Do you think words or pictures help people remember things better?
4. What kinds of things do you think people remember the best?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'm still trying to process the sheer intensity of Professor Thompson's 'Design Thinking' course. It was like a boot camp for creativity - 12 weeks of non-stop brainstorming, prototyping, and iterating. I mean, we're talking 3 AM coffee-fueled work sessions, where the only thing that mattered was turning our wild ideas into something tangible. And the best part? We weren't just limited to our own disciplines - we had engineers, artists, and even a philosopher in the mix. It was like a masterclass in collaboration.

What really blew me away was the way Professor Thompson encouraged us to take risks. I mean, we're talking about a class where failure was not only accepted but celebrated. It was like, 'Hey, you tried something crazy, and it didn't work out? Awesome! What did you learn from it?' That kind of mindset shift was incredibly liberating. I mean, I've never felt so free to experiment and push boundaries in my life.

One of the projects that really stands out was when we had to design a sustainable community for a small town in Africa. We're talking about a place with limited resources, where every decision had to be intentional. It was amazing to see how our diverse perspectives came together to create something truly innovative. I mean, we designed a system that not only provided clean water but also created a thriving ecosystem. It was like, 'Wow, we actually did it!'

That course taught me that creativity isn't just about art or design; it's about problem-solving, empathy, and understanding human needs. It's about being willing to take the road less traveled and creating something from scratch. And I think that's what I love most about it - it's a mindset that I can apply to any aspect of my life.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

Boot camp

A short, intensive period of training or instruction

The course was like a boot camp for public speaking.

I'm going to a coding boot camp this summer.

Take risks

To do something that might be dangerous or have an uncertain outcome

I'm going to take a risk and ask for a raise.

She took a risk by quitting her job to start her own business.

Mindset shift

A change in the way you think about something

The course gave me a mindset shift about failure.

I had a mindset shift after reading that book.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Why do some people have a better memory? I think some people have a better memory because they've developed habits that help them pay attention and retain information more effectively. For instance, they might be more likely to repeat new information out loud or to themselves, which helps solidify it in their brains. Additionally, they might be more organized and methodical in their daily lives, which reduces mental clutter and makes it easier to recall specific details. It's almost as if their brains have become more efficient at filtering out distractions and focusing on what's important, allowing them to hold onto memories more securely.

Can technology help people remember things better? How? Absolutely, technology can be a huge help when it comes to remembering things. One way it does this is by automating routine tasks and reminders, freeing up mental space for more important things. For example, setting reminders on our phones or putting events in our digital calendars can ensure we don't forget appointments or deadlines. Moreover, tools like password managers and note-taking apps can help us keep track of complex information, reducing the mental load and minimizing the likelihood of forgetting important details. By offloading these tasks to technology, we can conserve our mental energy for more creative and critical thinking.

Do you think words or pictures help people remember things better? I think pictures are often more effective at helping people remember things. When we see an image, it can evoke a strong emotional response and create a more lasting impression than words alone. This is because our brains process visual information more quickly and efficiently than text, making it easier to recall later. For instance, if someone shows you a photo of a beautiful sunset, you're more likely to remember the image and the emotions it evoked than if they simply described it to you in words. This is why infographics and visual aids are often used in educational settings – they help people remember complex information more effectively.

What kinds of things do you think people remember the best? I think people tend to remember experiences and stories better than facts and figures. When we're emotionally invested in a story or experience, our brains are more likely to create a strong connection between the different elements, making it easier to recall later. For example, if someone tells you a funny anecdote about a time they got lost in a foreign country, you're more likely to remember the story and the emotions it evoked than a list of dry facts about the country's geography or history. This is why storytelling is such a powerful tool for learning and memory – it taps into our emotional selves and helps us create lasting connections.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

pay attention

to give attention to something or someone

She paid attention to the teacher's instructions.

He paid attention to the road while driving.

mental clutter

the state of having too many thoughts or distractions in one's mind

She felt overwhelmed by the mental clutter of her busy schedule.

He tried to clear his mental clutter by meditating.

offloading

to transfer a task or responsibility to someone or something else

She offloaded her tasks to her assistant.

He offloaded his responsibilities to his colleague.

visual aids

tools used to help people remember or understand information, such as images or diagrams

The teacher used visual aids to help the students understand the lesson.

The presentation included visual aids to illustrate the points being made.

emotionally invested

to be deeply interested or involved in something

She was emotionally invested in the project.

He was emotionally invested in the story.