Cue Card

Describe an important decision made with the help of other people

You should say:

• When it happened
• Who helped you make the decision
• What the decision was
• And how you felt about it

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Should we trust the advice given by strangers when making decisions?
2. Who can be helpful when making decisions?
3. Do you think it’s advisable to listen to others’ advice when making decisions?
4. When you are going to make a decision, should they listen to advice?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I recall a pivotal moment in my life when I had to make a crucial decision that would impact not only my career but also my personal life. I was considering a job offer from a prestigious company, but it required me to relocate to a new city, leaving behind my support system and loved ones. I was torn between the excitement of a new opportunity and the fear of the unknown.

That's when I decided to seek advice from people I trusted. I spoke to my family, friends, and even a career coach. Each conversation provided a unique perspective, but it was my grandmother's words that resonated with me the most. She reminded me that sometimes, the hardest decisions lead to the most growth, and that I had the power to create a new support system in this new city.

With their input, I was able to weigh the pros and cons more clearly. I realized that this opportunity was not just about the job itself, but about the chance to start anew, to challenge myself, and to discover a new city. I decided to take the leap, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I learned that sometimes, all it takes is a little guidance from others to help us make a decision that can change the course of our lives.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

Seeking advice

To ask for guidance or opinion from someone, especially an expert or someone with experience.

I sought advice from my mentor before making a major career change.

She sought advice from her doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

Torn between

To be unable to decide between two or more options, often because of conflicting desires or priorities.

I'm torn between going to the beach or the mountains for vacation.

She was torn between taking the job offer or pursuing further education.

Weigh the pros and cons

To consider the advantages and disadvantages of a decision or situation.

I'm weighing the pros and cons of buying a new car.

He weighed the pros and cons of moving to a new city before making a decision.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Should we trust the advice given by strangers when making decisions? I think it's really important to approach advice from strangers with a critical eye. While it's possible that a stranger might offer some valuable insights, it's also possible that they might not have all the facts or might have their own biases that could influence their advice. For example, I once asked a stranger for directions in a new city, and they told me to take a route that ended up being a lot longer than necessary. It turned out that they were trying to avoid a particular neighborhood, but they didn't tell me that. So, while their advice was well-intentioned, it wasn't the best for my specific situation. That's why I think it's always a good idea to take advice from strangers with a grain of salt and do some additional research or seek out second opinions before making a decision.

Who can be helpful when making decisions? I think the people who can be most helpful when making decisions are those who know us well and have our best interests at heart. For me, that's usually close friends and family members. They've seen me in different situations and have a good understanding of my values and goals, so they can offer advice that's tailored to my specific needs. For example, when I was deciding whether to take a job offer in a new city, my best friend was able to offer some really valuable insights because she knew how much I valued stability and security. She helped me weigh the pros and cons of the decision and consider factors that I hadn't thought of before. Having people like that in my life who can offer thoughtful and personalized advice has been really helpful in making tough decisions.

Do you think it’s advisable to listen to others’ advice when making decisions? I think it's always a good idea to listen to others' advice when making decisions, but it's also important to remember that ultimately, the decision is yours to make. What I mean by that is that you should take others' advice into consideration, but also trust your own instincts and values. For example, when I was deciding whether to switch careers, I sought out advice from a lot of different people, including mentors and professionals in the field. While their advice was really helpful, I also had to listen to my own inner voice and consider what I truly wanted to do. I think that's an important part of the decision-making process - taking in all the advice and information you can, and then using that to inform your own decision.

When you are going to make a decision, should they listen to advice? I think it's always a good idea to seek out advice when making a decision, but it's also important to choose your advisors carefully. What I mean by that is that you should seek out advice from people who know you well and have your best interests at heart. For me, that might be a trusted friend or family member, or a professional who has expertise in the area I'm making a decision about. When I was deciding whether to take a big risk and start my own business, I sought out advice from a business mentor who had experience in the field. Her advice was really valuable, but I also made sure to take it with a grain of salt and consider my own goals and values. I think that's an important part of the decision-making process - seeking out advice, but also trusting your own instincts and values.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

take something with a grain of salt

to be cautious and not take something too seriously

I took the stranger's advice with a grain of salt and did some additional research before making a decision.