Cue Card

Describe a time when a family member asked for help

You should say:

• Who asked for help
• When it was
• How you helped
• And explain how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. How can children help their parents?
2. What are the benefits of children helping their parents?
3. Should parents reward their children when they help others?
4. Do parents help children because they will need their help when they’re older?

Sample Cue Card Answer

My grandma was a force of nature. She was the kind of person who could whip up a three-course meal from scratch, fix a leaky faucet, and still have time to knit a sweater by the end of the day. So when she called me one afternoon, her voice shaking, and asked for help, I knew something was seriously wrong. She'd been struggling to take care of my grandfather, who'd been diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years prior. She'd been his primary caregiver, but it was taking a toll on her own health.

I dropped everything and drove to their house, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. When I arrived, I found my grandma sitting on the couch, surrounded by stacks of bills, medical records, and insurance forms. She looked like she was drowning in paperwork. She explained that she was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of administrative tasks required to care for my grandfather, from scheduling doctor's appointments to managing his medication. She felt like she was losing herself in the process.

I spent the next few hours helping her organize the paperwork, making phone calls, and creating a schedule. It wasn't rocket science, but it was a huge weight off her shoulders. As we worked, I realized that my grandma wasn't just asking for help with the tasks – she was asking for permission to not be okay. She was asking for permission to acknowledge that she couldn't do it all on her own. And in that moment, I realized that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength.

That experience taught me the importance of being present for the people we love. It taught me that sometimes, all someone needs is someone to sit with them, to listen, and to help them carry the load. And it taught me that asking for help is not only okay, it's necessary. We don't have to do it all on our own. We can ask for help, and in doing so, we can find strength in our vulnerability.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

carry the load

to share the responsibility or burden of something

She's been carrying the load of caring for her mother alone for years.

He's happy to carry the load of household chores so his partner can focus on work.

Sample Part 3 Answers

How can children help their parents? One of the ways children can help their parents is by taking on responsibilities that are manageable for them. For example, my younger sister used to help my mom with laundry when she was just 8 years old. She would sort the clothes, put them in the washing machine, and even fold them afterwards. It was a huge help for my mom, who was always busy with work and taking care of our family. By doing so, my sister learned how to be independent and developed a sense of responsibility that has stayed with her to this day. It also brought them closer together, as they would spend quality time talking while doing the laundry.

What are the benefits of children helping their parents? When children help their parents, they develop a sense of empathy and understanding of the hard work that goes into taking care of a family. For instance, when I was a teenager, my dad asked me to help him with yard work every weekend. At first, I thought it was a chore, but as I started doing it, I realized how much effort he put into maintaining our home. It made me appreciate him more and understand why he was always tired after work. By helping him, I learned to be more considerate and grateful for everything he does for our family.

Should parents reward their children when they help others? While it's natural for parents to want to reward their children for helping others, it's essential to do so in a way that doesn't create an expectation of payment for every good deed. When I was younger, my mom would sometimes surprise me with small treats or praise me in front of my siblings when I helped her with household chores. However, she also made it clear that helping others was a part of being a family and that we should do it without expecting anything in return. This approach taught me that helping others is a fundamental part of being a good person, and it's a value that I still carry with me today.

Do parents help children because they will need their help when they’re older? While it's true that parents may think about the future and hope that their children will be there to care for them when they're older, that's not the primary reason they help their kids. In my family, my parents have always been there for me, supporting me through thick and thin, not because they expect me to repay them in the future, but because they love me and want the best for me. When my grandma was ill, my parents took care of her without hesitation, even though she couldn't reciprocate. It was an act of selfless love, and it taught me that family is about giving and receiving love and support, not just about what we can get in return.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

taking on responsibilities

to accept and do a task or duty

She took on the responsibility of caring for her younger brother.

manageable

able to be controlled or dealt with

The task was manageable for a single person.

developed a sense of

to start to have a particular feeling or understanding

She developed a sense of confidence after her first public speech.

brought them closer together

to make people feel more friendly or connected

The shared experience brought them closer together.

appreciate

to recognize and enjoy the good qualities of something

I appreciate your help with this task.

considerate

thinking about the needs and feelings of others

He was considerate of his roommate's noise sensitivity.

grateful

feeling thankful for something

I'm grateful for your support.

surprise

to give someone a pleasant surprise

She surprised him with a birthday cake.

expectation of payment

the idea that someone should receive something in return for their actions

There's no expectation of payment for volunteering.

selfless

doing something without thinking about what you will get in return

Her selfless act of donating to charity inspired others.