Cue Card

Describe a time when you helped someone

You should say:

• Where you were
• When it was
• How you helped them
• Why you helped
• And explain how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Should parents help their kids with their homework?
2. What kinds of advice should parents give to their kids?
3. Should parents give their children advice? Why or why not?
4. What kind of help can children give their parents?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'll never forget the day I met Maria, a single mother of two who had just been evicted from her home. She was standing on the sidewalk, surrounded by her belongings, with tears streaming down her face. I was on my way to work, but something about her desperation stopped me in my tracks. I approached her and asked if she needed help. She explained that she had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. Without hesitation, I offered to help her find a new place to live and get back on her feet.

Over the next few weeks, I worked tirelessly to help Maria find a new home, get her kids enrolled in school, and even helped her find a job. It was a challenging and emotional journey, but seeing the smile on her face when she finally had a roof over her head and a sense of stability was all the reward I needed. As I watched her kids thrive in their new environment, I realized that helping Maria wasn't just about providing temporary assistance – it was about giving her a chance to rebuild her life.

What struck me most about this experience was the ripple effect of kindness. As I helped Maria, I saw how it impacted not just her, but also her children, her new neighbors, and even the community at large. It was a powerful reminder that helping someone in need can have far-reaching consequences, and that even the smallest act of kindness can change the course of someone's life. For me, helping Maria was a defining moment that taught me the value of compassion and the impact one person can have on another's life.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

pay it forward

to do something helpful for someone else after someone has done something helpful for you

When I helped Maria, I was paying it forward after someone had helped me in the past.

a ripple effect

a situation in which an event or action has a series of effects, each of which is caused by the previous one

Helping Maria had a ripple effect on her whole family and community.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Should parents help their kids with their homework? I remember when my little sister was struggling with her math homework. She was getting frustrated and on the verge of tears, so I sat down with her and we went through the problems together. I didn't just give her the answers, but I explained the concepts behind them, so she could understand the material better. As we worked through the problems, I could see the light bulb go off in her head, and she started to grasp the concepts. It was amazing to see her confidence grow, and she ended up finishing her homework with a big smile on her face. I think that's what parents should do - not just help with homework, but help their kids understand and learn.

What kinds of advice should parents give to their kids? One of the most valuable pieces of advice my mom gave me was to take risks and not be afraid of failure. She told me that it's okay to make mistakes, as long as I learn from them. She shared a story about when she was my age and had to overcome a similar challenge. Her advice helped me to see things from a different perspective, and I ended up trying out for the school play, which I never would have done otherwise. I think parents should give advice that's personal and comes from their own experiences, so their kids can relate to it better.

Should parents give their children advice? Why or why not? I think parents should give their children advice, but only when they ask for it. My friend's mom was always telling him what to do, without him asking for her opinion. He started to feel like he couldn't make his own decisions, and it created tension between them. On the other hand, when I asked my dad for advice on what college major to choose, he gave me some great insights that I hadn't considered before. He asked me questions about my interests and strengths, and helped me narrow down my options. I think parents should wait for their kids to ask for advice, so they can give guidance without being overbearing.

What kind of help can children give their parents? One way children can help their parents is by being a listening ear. My grandma was going through a tough time after my grandfather passed away, and I would spend hours talking to her and listening to her stories about him. I didn't have any advice to offer, but just being there for her and listening made a big difference. I think children can help their parents by being present and showing empathy, especially during difficult times. It's not always about solving the problem, but about being there to support them.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

on the verge of tears

on the point of crying

She was getting frustrated and on the verge of tears

see the light bulb go off

to suddenly understand something

As we worked through the problems, I could see the light bulb go off in her head

take risks

to do something that might be dangerous or have an uncertain outcome

One of the most valuable pieces of advice my mom gave me was to take risks and not be afraid of failure

come from

to originate or have a source

I think parents should give advice that's personal and comes from their own experiences

on the other hand

used to contrast two ideas or situations

On the other hand, when I asked my dad for advice on what college major to choose

being there for someone

to provide emotional support and companionship

I think children can help their parents by being present and showing empathy, especially during difficult times