Cue Card

Describe a time when you needed to use your imagination

You should say:

• When it was
• Why you needed to use your imagination
• Whether it was difficult or easy
• And explain how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Do you think adults are very imaginative?
2. Do you think it’s important for scientists to be imaginative?
3. What kinds of jobs need lots of imagination?
4. What kinds of subjects should children study to improve their imagination?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I still recall the summer I spent at my grandparents' house when I was 8 years old. It was a hot day and I was bored out of my mind. My grandparents, being the creative people they are, handed me a cardboard box and told me to make something out of it. At first, I was hesitant, but as I started cutting and gluing, I began to imagine that the box was a spaceship, and I was an astronaut on a mission to Mars. I added some buttons, made a control panel, and even created a makeshift helmet out of a colander. My grandparents were impressed, and we spent the rest of the day playing with my new spaceship, exploring the 'galaxy' in their backyard.

As I grew older, I realized that this experience taught me the power of imagination. When faced with a seemingly mundane object, I learned to see beyond its original purpose and create something entirely new. This skill has helped me in various aspects of my life, from solving problems at work to coming up with innovative ideas for personal projects. It's amazing how a simple cardboard box can spark creativity and take you on incredible adventures.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

She's always thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative solutions to problems.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Do you think adults are very imaginative? I think adults can be very imaginative, but it's not always as obvious as it is in children. As people get older, they often have more responsibilities and pressures that can stifle their creativity. However, I believe that imagination is like a muscle that can be exercised and developed at any age. Adults who continue to engage in creative activities, such as art, music, or writing, can maintain and even enhance their imaginative abilities. For example, many successful entrepreneurs and innovators are adults who have used their imagination to come up with groundbreaking ideas and solutions. So, while it's true that adults may not have the same level of unbridled creativity as children, I think they can still be very imaginative and innovative in their own ways.

Do you think it’s important for scientists to be imaginative? I think imagination is essential for scientists. While science is often associated with facts and data, the best scientists are those who can think outside the box and come up with novel solutions to complex problems. Imagination allows scientists to hypothesize, to envision new possibilities, and to design innovative experiments. Without imagination, scientists would be limited to simply collecting data and analyzing it, without being able to see the bigger picture or make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas. For instance, Albert Einstein's theory of relativity was the result of his imaginative thinking, where he was able to visualize the universe in a completely new way. So, I think imagination is a crucial tool for scientists to make breakthroughs and advance our understanding of the world.

What kinds of jobs need lots of imagination? There are many jobs that require a high level of imagination, but one that stands out to me is video game design. Video game designers need to be able to create entire worlds, characters, and storylines from scratch, which requires a tremendous amount of imagination. They have to be able to think creatively about how to engage players, how to create immersive experiences, and how to balance gameplay and narrative. Another job that requires a lot of imagination is architecture. Architects need to be able to envision and design buildings and spaces that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. They have to be able to think creatively about how to use materials, how to incorporate sustainability, and how to create spaces that inspire and uplift people. These are just a few examples, but there are many other jobs that require imagination, such as writers, artists, and engineers.

What kinds of subjects should children study to improve their imagination? I think children should study subjects that encourage creativity and self-expression, such as art, music, and drama. These subjects allow children to explore different forms of expression and to develop their imagination in a hands-on way. For example, in art class, children can experiment with different materials and techniques to create unique pieces of art that reflect their imagination. In music class, they can compose their own songs or create their own instruments, which requires a lot of creative thinking. Additionally, subjects like creative writing and storytelling can also help children develop their imagination by encouraging them to think creatively about characters, plotlines, and settings. By studying these subjects, children can develop their imagination and learn to think creatively, which can benefit them in many areas of life.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

think outside the box

to think creatively and come up with new and original ideas

The company needs someone who can think outside the box to solve this problem.

She's always been able to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.

stifle

to suppress or restrain something, such as a feeling or an activity

The strict rules stifled her creativity.

The government tried to stifle the opposition by censoring the media.

breakthrough

an important discovery or achievement that happens after a lot of effort

The scientists made a breakthrough in their research and discovered a new cure.

The team's breakthrough in the project led to a major success.