Cue Card

Describe a difficult thing you did

You should say:

• What it was
• How you did it
• Why it was difficult
• And how you felt about doing it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What kinds of jobs require people to be confident?
2. On what occasions should children be encouraged? How?
3. What kinds of things can you do to help a child stay focused?
4. What challenges do young people face nowadays?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'm going to tell you about the time I spent 30 days living in a tiny house in the middle of the desert. It was an experiment in minimalism, and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I mean, think about it - no TV, no phone signal, no running water. Just me, a tiny cabin, and the endless dunes. I had to haul my own water, build my own fire, and cook my own meals. It was like being a pioneer, minus the cool hat and the horse.

The first few days were the toughest. I was so used to being constantly connected, constantly stimulated, that the silence was deafening. I felt like I was going crazy. But slowly, I started to adjust. I started to appreciate the little things - the way the sunlight filtered through the windows, the sound of the wind rustling through the bushes, the taste of a meal cooked over an open flame.

But it wasn't all peace and tranquility. There were days when the heat was so intense that I thought I was going to spontaneously combust. Days when the loneliness was so crushing that I just wanted to pack up and leave. But I didn't. I stuck it out, and that's when the real magic happened. I started to see the world in a different way. I started to appreciate the beauty in the mundane, the wonder in the everyday.

It's funny, because when I came back to civilization, people would ask me about my experience and I'd say, 'It was hard, but it was amazing.' And they'd say, 'Oh, I could never do that.' But the thing is, you can. You just have to be willing to take the leap. To be uncomfortable. To be still. And that's the hardest part - being still in a world that's constantly moving.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

take the leap

to take a risk and do something new or challenging

I'm thinking of quitting my job and starting my own business - it's time to take the leap!

She took the leap and moved to a new city for college.

be still

to be quiet and calm, often in a situation where it's difficult to do so

The teacher asked the students to be still during the test.

It's hard to be still when you're waiting for news about a loved one.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What kinds of jobs require people to be confident? I think one of the most obvious jobs that require people to be confident is sales. When you're in sales, you have to be able to walk into a room, look someone in the eye, and convince them that your product or service is the best thing they've ever seen. That takes a lot of confidence, especially if you're dealing with rejection on a daily basis. I mean, can you imagine having to make call after call, only to have people hang up on you or tell you no? It's tough, but that's why confident people tend to thrive in sales roles. They're not afraid to take risks, and they're not discouraged by setbacks.

On what occasions should children be encouraged? How? I think one of the most important times to encourage children is when they're trying something new. You know, like when they're learning to ride a bike or tie their shoes. It's easy to get frustrated when they don't pick it up right away, but that's exactly when they need encouragement the most. A simple 'you got this!' or 'I believe in you!' can go a long way in building their confidence and motivation. I remember when I was learning to play the piano, my teacher would always say 'don't worry if you make mistakes, that's how we learn!' It really helped me to relax and enjoy the process, even when it got tough.

What kinds of things can you do to help a child stay focused? One thing that I've found really helps kids stay focused is setting clear goals and expectations. When they know what they're working towards, they're more likely to stay on track. For example, if you're helping them with their homework, you could say 'okay, let's break this down into smaller tasks, and we'll take a break when we finish each one.' It gives them a sense of accomplishment and helps them see the light at the end of the tunnel. Another thing that helps is minimizing distractions. I mean, let's be real, kids can get distracted by anything! So, turning off the TV, putting away the phone, and finding a quiet workspace can make all the difference.

What challenges do young people face nowadays? I think one of the biggest challenges young people face today is the pressure to constantly present a perfect online image. Social media has created this unrealistic expectation that everyone's life is perfect, and it can be really tough for kids to deal with. They feel like they need to have a certain number of followers, or post a certain type of content, or they're not good enough. It's a lot of pressure, and it can lead to anxiety and depression. I think it's so important for parents and educators to talk to kids about the reality of social media, and help them develop a healthy relationship with it. We need to remind them that it's okay to not be perfect, and that real life is so much more valuable than a curated online image.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

break it down

to divide a task or problem into smaller, more manageable parts

Let's break down this project into smaller tasks so we can finish it on time.

I'm feeling overwhelmed, can you help me break down this problem?