Cue Card

Describe a goal you set that you tried your best to achieve

You should say:

• What it was
• When you set it
• What you did to achieve it
• And explain whether you were successful.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Do people in your country set goals?
2. Do people usually set long term goals or short term ones?
3. Why setting goals is important at work?
4. What is the difference between goals set by young people and the goals set by old people?

Sample Cue Card Answer

So I've always been fascinated by the concept of completing a marathon. Not just any marathon, but the infamous New York City Marathon. I mean, who wouldn't want to run 26.2 miles through the five boroughs, surrounded by cheering crowds and iconic skyscrapers? Sounds crazy, right? But I was determined to make it happen. I started training a year in advance, mapping out a rigorous schedule that included 5am wake-up calls, grueling hill sprints, and endless miles of pavement pounding. I read every book, article, and blog post on marathon training, joined online forums, and even hired a running coach to help me fine-tune my technique.

But as the months went by, reality started to set in. My legs ached, my feet blistered, and my motivation began to wane. There were days when I just wanted to throw in the towel and say, 'Forget it, I'll just stick to yoga.' But something inside me kept pushing forward. Maybe it was the fear of failure, or maybe it was the promise of that sweet, sweet finisher's medal. Whatever it was, it drove me to keep going, even when my body screamed'stop!'

Fast forward to the day of the marathon. I'm standing at the starting line, surrounded by 50,000 other runners, all of us poised to take on the city. The gun goes off, and we're off, a sea of humanity surging forward like a tidal wave. The next few hours are a blur of sweat, tears, and sheer adrenaline. I hit the wall around mile 20, but somehow, someway, I found the strength to push through. And then, suddenly, I'm crossing the finish line, arms raised in triumph, as the crowd erupts in cheers. It was an indescribable rush, like nothing I'd ever experienced before.

Looking back, I realize that completing the NYC Marathon wasn't just about the physical achievement – it was about the mental toughness, the resilience, and the sheer willpower it took to get there. It taught me that with dedication and perseverance, I can overcome even the most daunting challenges. And that's a lesson that's stayed with me long after I crossed that finish line.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

hit the wall

to reach a point of extreme physical or mental exhaustion, where one's energy and motivation are depleted

I hit the wall during the marathon and had to dig deep to find the strength to finish.

After a few months of intense studying, I hit the wall and needed a break.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Do people in your country set goals? In the United States, setting goals is a pretty common practice. I think it's because we're a society that values achievement and self-improvement. From a young age, we're encouraged to set goals for ourselves, whether it's getting good grades in school, landing a dream job, or running a marathon. It's not uncommon for people to set goals for themselves in various areas of their lives, like their career, finances, health, or relationships. For example, someone might set a goal to save up for a down payment on a house, or to learn a new language. Having goals gives people a sense of direction and motivation, and it's a way to measure progress and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Do people usually set long term goals or short term ones? I think people in the US tend to set a mix of both long-term and short-term goals. Short-term goals are often more tangible and achievable, like saving up for a vacation or paying off a credit card balance. These goals are great for building momentum and confidence. Long-term goals, on the other hand, are often more abstract and require more planning and dedication, like saving for retirement or starting a business. While it's easier to get caught up in the excitement of short-term goals, having long-term goals helps people stay focused on what's truly important to them and gives them a sense of direction.

Why setting goals is important at work? Setting goals at work is crucial because it helps individuals and teams stay focused on what needs to be accomplished. When employees have clear goals, they're more likely to be motivated and directed, which can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. Goals also provide a way to measure success and evaluate performance, which is essential for career growth and development. For example, a sales team might set a goal to increase sales by 10% within the next quarter. Having a specific target in mind helps them stay on track and work together towards a common objective. Plus, achieving goals at work can be a huge confidence booster and can lead to recognition and rewards.

What is the difference between goals set by young people and the goals set by old people? I think the goals set by young people and older people differ in terms of priorities and life stage. When you're younger, you're often focused on building a foundation for your life, whether that's finishing education, starting a career, or forming relationships. Goals might be more centered around exploration and self-discovery, like traveling, learning new skills, or finding a passion. As people get older, their goals tend to shift towards more practical and stable objectives, like securing a steady income, raising a family, or planning for retirement. Older adults may also focus more on giving back to their community or pursuing hobbies and interests they've put off until later in life.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

set goals

to decide on and plan to achieve something

I'm setting a goal to run a marathon next year.

She set a goal to learn a new language.

self-improvement

the act of improving oneself or one's abilities

Reading books is a great way to focus on self-improvement.

He's been working on his self-improvement by taking online courses.

sense of direction

a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how to achieve it

Having goals gives me a sense of direction in life.

She felt lost without a sense of direction after graduating from college.

measure progress

to track or assess how well something is going

I use a spreadsheet to measure progress on my goals.

The company measures progress by tracking sales numbers.

short-term goals

goals that can be achieved in a short period of time

My short-term goal is to finish this project by the end of the week.

She has a short-term goal to learn how to cook a new recipe.

long-term goals

goals that take a long time to achieve

My long-term goal is to buy a house.

He has a long-term goal to start his own business.

stay focused

to keep your attention on something

Having goals helps me stay focused on what's important.

The team needs to stay focused to meet the deadline.

evaluate performance

to assess how well someone or something is doing

The manager evaluates performance by looking at sales numbers.

She evaluates her own performance by setting goals and tracking progress.

confidence booster

something that increases confidence

Achieving my goals is a huge confidence booster.

Getting a promotion was a confidence booster for him.