Cue Card

Describe a time when you tried to do something but weren’t very successful

You should say:

• When it was
• What you tried
• Why you weren’t successful
• And explain how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What’s your definition of success?
2. What kinds of things do children try to be successful at?
3. What do you think is more important when it comes to being successful: hard work or opportunities?
4. Do you think people are happy if they don’t have any goals or aspirations?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'll never forget the time I attempted to start a community garden in my neighborhood. I was convinced it would be a great way to bring people together and provide fresh produce to those in need. I spent weeks researching, planning, and rallying my neighbors to join the cause. But, as it often does, reality had other plans. Our first meeting was met with a handful of attendees, and the enthusiasm was palpable. We secured a plot of land, and I invested in all the necessary tools and seeds. But, as the weeks went by, attendance dwindled, and the garden began to wither away – literally. Weeds overtook the plot, and our crops failed to thrive. It was a crushing blow, and I couldn't help but wonder where I'd gone wrong.

Looking back, I realize that my biggest mistake was underestimating the amount of work and dedication required to maintain a community garden. I had envisioned a utopian oasis, but the reality was far more complicated. Despite our best efforts, we couldn't compete with the local park's gardening program, which offered more resources and expertise. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of research, planning, and humility. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, things just don't work out as planned.

However, the experience wasn't a complete loss. The connections I made with my neighbors during that time have endured, and we've gone on to collaborate on other successful projects. I've also become more cautious in my approach, recognizing that sometimes it's better to start small and scale up rather than diving headfirst into a project. The experience taught me to be more realistic about my goals and to appreciate the value of incremental progress. And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll revive the community garden idea, armed with the knowledge and experience to make it a success.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

back to the drawing board

to start again from the beginning, often after a failure or setback

After the community garden failed, I had to go back to the drawing board and rethink my approach.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What’s your definition of success? To me, success is about achieving something that truly matters to you, something that brings you a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. It's not just about reaching a certain goal or milestone, but about the journey itself, the process of learning and growing. I think success is very personal and can mean different things to different people. For some, it might be landing their dream job, while for others, it might be building a happy and healthy relationships. For me, success is about finding a balance between my passions and responsibilities, and being able to make a positive impact on the world around me.

What kinds of things do children try to be successful at? I think children try to be successful at all sorts of things, from simple tasks like tying their shoes or riding a bike, to more complex activities like learning a new language or playing a musical instrument. As they grow older, they might try to be successful at sports, academics, or even social relationships. But I think what's really interesting is that children often don't even realize they're trying to be successful - they're just naturally curious and motivated to learn and improve. They're not held back by fear of failure or self-doubt, and that's something we can all learn from. By embracing that sense of curiosity and playfulness, we can approach challenges with a more open and creative mindset.

What do you think is more important when it comes to being successful: hard work or opportunities? I think both hard work and opportunities are crucial for success, but if I had to choose, I'd say hard work is more important. Opportunities can come and go, but if you don't have the drive and dedication to seize them, they'll pass you by. Hard work allows you to develop the skills and resilience you need to capitalize on opportunities when they arise. That being said, I also think that opportunities can be created through hard work. By putting in the effort to learn and grow, you can create your own opportunities and open doors that might not have been available otherwise. It's a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem, but I think hard work is the foundation upon which opportunities are built.

Do you think people are happy if they don’t have any goals or aspirations? I think it's possible for people to be happy without goals or aspirations, but it's not necessarily a sustainable or fulfilling kind of happiness. Having goals and aspirations gives us direction and purpose, and working towards them can bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Without goals, we might feel unmoored or aimless, like we're just drifting through life without a sense of direction. That being said, I think it's also possible for people to be happy in the present moment, without needing to be striving for something in the future. Maybe they've found contentment in their current circumstances, or they're able to appreciate the small joys in life. But for most people, I think having some kind of goal or aspiration is important for feeling engaged and motivated.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

chicken-and-egg problem

A situation where it is unclear what the cause and what the effect is.

It's a chicken-and-egg problem, whether the company's success is due to its innovative products or its strong marketing strategy.