Cue Card

Describe a time when you gave advice to others

You should say:

• When it was
• Who you gave advice to
• What the advice was
• And explain why you gave the advice.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What kind of problems might you have if you ask too many people for advice?
2. What kind of personality traits do people have if their job is to give advice to others?
3. Is it good to ask for advice from strangers online?
4. Should people do research before giving advice?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I was at a coffee shop with a friend who was going through a tough breakup. She was devastated, and I could see the pain in her eyes. I listened to her vent for a while, and then I shared a story about my own experience with heartbreak. I told her about how I had thought I'd never love again, but then I met someone who changed my life. I shared how it took time, but I learned to open myself up to love again. My friend looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, 'I feel like I'm never going to find someone like him.' I took a deep breath and said, 'You know, I used to think that too.'

But here's the thing: you can't force someone to love you back. You can't make someone want to be with you. And that's what I told my friend. I told her that she deserved to be happy, but she needed to focus on herself, not on finding someone to fill the void. I said, 'You need to take care of yourself, focus on your own healing, and the right person will come along when the time is right.'

My friend looked at me, and I could see the gears turning in her head. She realized that she had been so focused on trying to fill the void that she had forgotten to take care of herself. I could see the weight lifting off her shoulders as she realized that she had the power to heal and move on. It was a powerful moment, and I was grateful to have been able to share my own experience to help her see things from a different perspective.

Giving advice can be tough, but sometimes all someone needs is someone to share their own story and offer a different perspective. It's not about telling someone what to do, but about sharing your own experiences and insights to help them see things in a new light. And that's exactly what I did in that coffee shop. I shared my story, and it helped my friend see that she had the power to heal and move on.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

take care of yourself

to make sure that you are healthy and happy

I'm going to take care of myself by going to the gym every day.

You need to take care of yourself during this difficult time.

open yourself up to

to become willing to accept or experience something new or unfamiliar

I'm trying to open myself up to new experiences and try new things.

She's not open to the idea of moving to a new city.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What kind of problems might you have if you ask too many people for advice? If you ask too many people for advice, you might end up with a problem known as 'analysis paralysis.' This is when you get so many different opinions and perspectives that you start to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. It's like trying to make a decision by committee, where everyone has a different idea and no one can agree. You might also start to doubt your own instincts and judgment, which can be really frustrating. For example, imagine you're trying to decide whether to take a new job offer or stay in your current role. If you ask too many people for advice, you might get some people telling you to take the new job for the money, while others tell you to stay in your current role for the stability. You might even get some people telling you to do something completely different, like travel the world or start your own business. With so many different opinions, it can be hard to know what to do, and you might end up feeling stuck and unsure of how to move forward.

What kind of personality traits do people have if their job is to give advice to others? People who give advice to others for a living, such as therapists, coaches, or consultants, often have a unique set of personality traits. One of the most important traits is empathy. They have to be able to put themselves in other people's shoes and understand their perspectives and feelings. They also tend to be good listeners, able to ask the right questions and really hear what the other person is saying. Additionally, they often have a strong sense of curiosity and a desire to learn, which helps them stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in their field. But perhaps most importantly, they have to be able to balance their own opinions and biases with the need to provide objective guidance. It's a delicate balance between being supportive and non-judgmental, while also being honest and direct. For example, a therapist might need to navigate a client's difficult emotions while also helping them see things from a different perspective. It's a tough job, but people who are good at it tend to be very compassionate, insightful, and wise.

Is it good to ask for advice from strangers online? While it can be tempting to ask for advice from strangers online, it's generally not the best idea. For one thing, you don't know anything about the person giving you advice - their qualifications, their experience, or their motivations. They might be well-meaning, but they might also be totally clueless or even malicious. Additionally, online advice can be really superficial, lacking the nuance and depth that comes from a face-to-face conversation. And let's be real, the internet can be a breeding ground for bad advice and misinformation. For example, imagine you're looking for advice on how to deal with a difficult health issue. If you ask for advice online, you might get a bunch of unqualified people telling you to try this or that remedy, without any real understanding of your specific situation. It's much better to talk to a qualified professional, someone who can give you personalized guidance and support.

Should people do research before giving advice? Absolutely, people should do research before giving advice. Giving advice without doing your homework can be irresponsible and even harmful. For example, imagine you're giving advice to someone about how to invest their money. If you haven't done your research and don't really understand the market, you might end up giving them bad advice that loses them a lot of money. Or, imagine you're giving advice to someone about how to deal with a mental health issue. If you haven't done your research and don't really understand the condition, you might end up giving them advice that's not only unhelpful, but actually makes things worse. By doing research, you can make sure that your advice is informed and accurate, and that you're not leading someone astray. It's always better to say 'I don't know, let me look into that' than to give bad advice that might harm someone.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

analysis paralysis

a situation in which someone is unable to make a decision because they have too many options or are overwhelmed by information

After reading too many reviews, I experienced analysis paralysis and couldn't decide which restaurant to choose.

The team suffered from analysis paralysis and couldn't make a decision about the project timeline.