Cue Card

Describe a skill that you are interested in learning or improving

You should say:

• What it is
• What you will do
• Why you are interested in it
• And explain how you would feel about learning or improving it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Is it hard for adults to continue studying?
2. Is it the government’s responsibility to help people learn new skills?
3. What is the difference between how people learn today versus the past?
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'm fascinated by the art of playing the piano. There's something about the way a skilled pianist's fingers dance across the keys, creating a symphony of sounds that evoke emotions and transport us to another world. I've always been mesmerized by the complexity and beauty of piano music, and I've recently started taking lessons to learn how to play. It's not easy, let me tell you - my fingers feel like clumsy sausages trying to press the right keys at the right time. But the more I practice, the more I realize how much I enjoy the process of learning. It's like solving a puzzle, figuring out how to make the notes work together to create a cohesive sound.

What I love about playing the piano is that it requires both creativity and discipline. You need to be able to interpret the music, to understand the composer's intent and convey the emotions through your playing. But at the same time, you need to have the technical skills to execute the notes correctly. It's a delicate balance, and one that I'm still working to master. I've been practicing for a few months now, and I can already see progress. My fingers are more nimble, my timing is better, and I can play simple melodies with ease. But I'm far from being a virtuoso, and I know I have a long way to go before I can call myself a proficient pianist.

Despite the challenges, I'm hooked. There's something therapeutic about sitting at the piano, losing myself in the music, and letting my worries fade away. It's meditative, almost. And when I'm playing, I feel like I'm tapping into a part of myself that I never knew existed. It's exhilarating and intimidating all at once, but I'm excited to see where this journey takes me. Who knows - maybe one day I'll be able to play a Chopin nocturne with ease. A girl can dream, right?

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

dancing fingers

moving quickly and lightly, often in a way that is graceful or elegant

Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she typed out the email.

The pianist's fingers danced across the keys, creating a beautiful melody.

solving a puzzle

figuring out a problem or challenge, often in a creative or innovative way

The team worked together to solve the puzzle of how to meet the tight deadline.

She spent hours solving the puzzle of how to fix the broken appliance.

delicate balance

a situation where two or more things need to be kept in balance in order to achieve a desired outcome

The chef had to maintain a delicate balance of flavors in the sauce.

The politician had to balance the needs of different groups in order to pass the bill.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Is it hard for adults to continue studying? Honestly, I think it can be really tough for adults to continue studying. I mean, think about it - when we're kids, we're in school, and learning is just a part of our daily routine. But as adults, we've got so many other responsibilities competing for our time and energy - work, family, bills to pay, you name it. It's easy to put learning on the backburner, especially if we don't see an immediate payoff. Plus, let's be real, it can be intimidating to go back to school or start learning something new when we're not used to it. We might feel like we're not as sharp as we used to be, or that we're too old to start over. But the thing is, it's exactly that mindset that holds us back. When we challenge ourselves to keep learning, we're not just gaining new skills - we're also keeping our minds active, and that's essential for staying young and engaged.

Is it the government’s responsibility to help people learn new skills? I think the government definitely has a role to play in helping people learn new skills, but it's not the only solution. On one hand, governments can provide resources and funding for education and training programs that help people develop in-demand skills. They can also create policies that support lifelong learning, like tax breaks for continuing education or subsidies for vocational training. But on the other hand, I don't think the government can do it alone. Individuals need to take ownership of their own learning, and employers need to invest in their employees' development too. It's a shared responsibility. Plus, the government can't possibly anticipate every skill that's going to be needed in the future - that's where private companies and individuals come in, to fill the gaps and drive innovation.

What is the difference between how people learn today versus the past? The way people learn today is so different from how we used to learn in the past. I mean, think about it - just a few decades ago, if you wanted to learn something new, you had to go to a physical classroom, or read a book, or maybe watch a VHS tape. But now, with the internet and social media, we've got access to a vast amount of information at our fingertips. We can learn from anyone, anywhere in the world, at any time. And it's not just about consuming information - we can also connect with others, share our own knowledge, and collaborate on projects. It's a totally different ball game. Plus, with AI and machine learning, we're starting to see personalized learning experiences that adapt to our individual needs and learning styles. It's an exciting time to be a learner!

What are the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning? Distance learning has its pros and cons, for sure. On the plus side, it's super convenient - you can learn from anywhere, at any time, as long as you've got a stable internet connection. That's a game-changer for people who can't afford to take time off work, or who live in remote areas. Plus, you can often learn at your own pace, which is great for people who need to review material multiple times. But on the downside, distance learning can be isolating - you miss out on the social aspect of learning, which is a big part of the experience. You also need to be super self-motivated, because it's easy to get distracted or fall behind when you're not in a physical classroom. And sometimes, the technology can be glitchy, which can be frustrating. Still, I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks - distance learning has opened up so many opportunities for people who might not have been able to access education otherwise.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

put something on the backburner

to give something a lower priority or postpone it

It's easy to put learning on the backburner, especially if we don't see an immediate payoff.

stay young and engaged

to remain active, enthusiastic, and interested in life

When we challenge ourselves to keep learning, we're not just gaining new skills - we're also keeping our minds active, and that's essential for staying young and engaged.

drive innovation

to encourage and support the development of new ideas and products

Plus, the government can't possibly anticipate every skill that's going to be needed in the future - that's where private companies and individuals come in, to fill the gaps and drive innovation.

at our fingertips

easily accessible or available

But now, with the internet and social media, we've got access to a vast amount of information at our fingertips.

game-changer

something that completely changes the way something is done or the way people think about something

That's a game-changer for people who can't afford to take time off work, or who live in remote areas.