With only 1 minute of preparation time, it can get a little difficult for not just you but anyone to formulate a response for the topic “Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved”. A topic that requires you to clearly explain what your ambition is, why you want to achieve it, and the steps you plan to take, all while speaking fluently and coherently under time pressure. Naturally, this can make aiming for a Band 8+ score feel difficult. But don’t worry, with enough practice, it is definitely achievable. So, keep reading to discover three sample answers for this Speaking Part 2 topic, along with useful tips and common follow-up questions!
Table of Contents
To start with, in the IELTS speaking part 2, which is also known as the “cue card” or “long turn,” you will be given a task card with a topic written on it. In total, you will get 3-4 minutes for the whole task, and it is further divided into 2 parts. In the first part, you will get 1 minute of preparation time to understand the topic and prepare your answer. And the second part is where you talk about it for 1-2 minutes.
This is one of the most important as well as challenging parts of the IELTS speaking section because in this, your ability to organise your thoughts and speak coherently and fluently in English will be assessed. Once you are done, your response will then be evaluated on metrics like your use of a wide range of vocabulary (lexical resources), fluency and coherence, pronunciation, and grammatical range.
In the IELTS cue card topic “Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved”, you will have to talk about a personal and significant goal or aspiration you want to achieve.
To answer your IELTS cue cards, you can first try to focus and understand the topic and what you are expected to talk about in it. This way, you will be able to use your 1-minute preparation time in a better way and structure your response accordingly. Below are a few more ways that can help you answer IELTS speaking part 2 for an 8+ Band score:
In addition to the topic, in the cue card or the task card, you will also get a few bullet points that you will need to use in your response. These will give you a basic idea of what the examiner expects from your answer and will help you structure your response properly.
For the IELTS cue card topic “Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved”, these are the pointers you can get:
Here is a sample of how your IELTS cue card for this topic might look:
Now take a look at three samples for “Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved” IELTS cue card topic. All of which can help you understand what an ideal 8+ band score cue card response looks like.
In this first sample, you will understand how you can formulate your answer for this second part of the IELTS speaking section and how you can use the given pointers in your response. Take a look:
While growing up, I was always asked by my parents to follow a career that is more practical and stable. This is true with almost every Indian parent. But ever since I was a child, I have always had a dream of opening my own bookstore café. Something most people my age don’t dream of, as it's not viable, mainly because of how the world is becoming more and more digital every day.
So my ambition is to open my own bookstore café and create a small and cosy place where people can not only come to just buy books, but can also read them over coffee. My main ambition is to create a community-driven third space that can host poetry nights, local author readings, or creative writing workshops.
I don’t remember exactly when the seed of this dream got planted first, but I remember snuggling up and spending hours in a local second-hand books store near my school. It was nothing fancy, but it felt like a secret world and a safe space for me. The owner knew most of the regulars, and people would generally stay just to talk about books, and this is something that stuck with me.
If I am being honest, I have not done much about it, mostly because I pursued a “stable” and “practical” career. And to start something like that, you need to have enough capital for the next couple of years. But I have taken up business management electives to understand how a business works.
Currently, I plan to follow the “stable career” and, with time, save up enough capital to start the café. In addition to this, I have also been researching cities where these types of bookstore cafés are still thriving and what makes them successful. I also believe that partnering or collaborating with a local publisher or an independent coffee roaster can help me create a unique experience.
So yeah, opening a bookstore café might not look like a conventional “ambition” but this is something that I have wanted to do as long as I can remember. I am not planning to complete it in the near future, but yes, once I am old enough, this is something I would like to do. Slowly, but with purpose.
In this next sample for the topic “Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved”, we have paid extra effort in using higher vocabulary words. Using a wide range of vocabulary in your response can help you in the lexical resources and improve your overall score in the IELTS speaking part 2. Read below:
In all honesty, I truly believe that ambition is actually the main driving force behind our actions and helps us shape the trajectory of our lives. And something that has been my driving force ever since I was a kid is becoming a professional documentary filmmaker. This is something that is deeply rooted in my love for storytelling and my desire to tell untold human experiences.
To be more specific about my ambition, I want to shoot compelling documentaries that explore different social issues as well as cultural narratives. This will help me in fostering empathy and understanding among a diverse audience, rather than just creating something for mere entertainment.
The first time I ever felt like this is something I want to do was in high school after watching a documentary that impacted me a lot. The documentary was about marginalised communities and the kind of harsh realities they face daily. This ignited a passion within me to create more such documentaries and make them a medium for creating a change.
When it comes to doing something towards achieving my goal, I have not done much other than equipping myself with all the requisite skills. I enrolled in a short course that was specifically about film production and editing.
Moving forward, this is something that I plan on achieving besides my other career goals. One way I plan on achieving this dream of mine is by pursuing formal education in media studies or film production at a university that is renowned for its art programs. In addition to this, I also plan on building a professional network by connecting with experienced filmmakers and professionals from the industry.
So, while I have not yet achieved this ambition of mine, I do plan on committing to transforming my vision into reality soon enough. This idea of influencing people’s perspectives and inspiring change with the help of my documentaries has motivated me profoundly.
In this last sample for the topic “Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved”, you will discover what an ideal 8+ band cue card response looks like. You can try to use this as a stencil for all the other topics during your practice. Read on:
For years, there has been this one ambition that has been lingering in the back of my mind, which I still haven’t been able to fulfil, which is becoming a published author. I don’t just want to be an author of an academic paper or a blog post, but I would like to be an author of a full-length novel.
So yes, my ambition is to write a novel that is a blend of literary fiction along with psychological depth. Ever since I first started reading, I have had this admiration for writers who could just take an ordinary idea and infuse it with meaning. And this is something I also dream of doing with my own writing.
I believe the first time I had this ambition was during my university years when I took a creative writing course as an elective. Before this, reading and writing were just hobbies for me, but after that, I realised I am also good at it. During that course, I got a lot of feedback and encouragement that made me feel I could actually follow this as a career and not just as something to pass my time.
There are several steps that I have taken to achieve this dream, but the progress has been sporadic. Mainly, I have completed a few drafts of short stories and participated in writing challenges. More recently, I have started outlining a novel and working on character development.
If I am looking ahead, then there are multiple ways I plan to achieve this. But the one thing I am consistently doing is carving time out for writing, even if it’s just a couple of hours a day. Once I create a solid draft, I intend to work with a professional editor and perhaps explore the traditional publishing route, although I’m open to self-publishing as well.
So yeah, while I have not yet achieved my ambition of becoming a published author, it is a dream I continue to pursue with persistence and purpose. For me, it is not just about fame or any financial gain, but it is more about contributing something authentic and thoughtful to the world, even if it is just something a few people read.
In the IELTS speaking section, you also get a score based on your ability to use a wide range of words. This is called lexical resources and contributes to 25% of your total score for the whole section.
Below is a table with all the words in the samples above that can help increase your lexical resources. Understanding the kind of vocabulary for IELTS you can use will help you know what kind of vocabulary to use in your response during the test.
| Word/Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Stable | Not likely to change; steady and reliable |
| Third space | A place that’s not home or work, where people relax or connect with others |
| Snuggling | Cuddling closely and warmly, often for comfort |
| Capital | Money or resources needed to start or grow a business |
| Electives | Optional subjects or courses you can choose to take |
| Conventional | Traditional or normal; what most people usually do |
| Driving force | The main reason or motivation behind something |
| Rooted | Deeply connected or established in something |
| Cultural narratives | Stories and ideas shared within a culture that shape how people see the world |
| Fostering | Helping something grow or develop |
| Empathy | The ability to understand and share how someone else feels |
| Marginalized communities | Groups of people who are pushed to the edge of society and don’t have equal power |
| Ignited | Started or sparked (like a strong emotion or idea) |
| Equipping | Giving someone the tools or skills they need to do something |
| Requisite | Required or necessary |
| Parallelly | At the same time; doing two things side by side |
| Crowdfunding | Raising small amounts of money from many people, usually online |
| Perspectives | The way someone sees or understands something |
| Lingering | Staying or remaining longer than expected |
| Literary fiction | Fiction that focuses more on style, emotions, and deep themes than on plot |
| Sporadic | Happening sometimes, but not regularly |
| Contemporary | Modern or happening in the present time |
| Narrative | A story or the way a story is told |
| Persistence | Not giving up; continuing to try even when it's hard |
Once you are done with your response to part 2, you will then have to answer some follow-up questions regarding the same topic in part 3 of the IELTS speaking section. These questions are generally broader-based, which helps the examiner to assess your ability to engage in a deeper, more abstract discussion.
Here are some follow-up questions for the topic “Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved” along with their answers:
1. Do you still want to achieve this ambition?
Yes, I still want to achieve this ambition despite all the challenges that I have found along the way. This ambition is something that gives me a sense of purpose, and even though my motivation does fluctuate from time to time, deep down I know I haven’t lost sight of the goal.
2. What are your current plans to achieve it?
My current plan is to focus on building all the necessary skills and gaining relevant experience. For example, I am taking online courses and connecting with other professionals in my field, and setting small milestones to track my progress.
3. Why are ambitions important in life?
I think ambitions play an important role in both personal growth and motivation. They push us to aim higher and not just settle for less. And because we have something to strive for, it adds direction to our lives and helps us stay focused even when we find it a little difficult to do so.
4. Do you think it is always a good thing to have ambitions?
Yes, I believe it is always a great thing to have ambitions because they can positively impact our lives. They not just inspire us to grow, but even help us achieve more. However, if ambitions are unrealistic, then it can negatively impact people.
5. What is the difference between an ambition and a dream?
In my view, the main difference between an ambition and a dream is that a dream is more abstract. It is something we hope for and can sometimes even see, but it is a little uncertain. But on the other hand, an ambition is more practical and actionable.
Here are some tips to help you excel and get a Band score of 8+ in IELTS cue cards:
Summing up, to guarantee your 8+ band score in the IELTS cue card topic “Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved”, you can try to clearly describe your ambition with specific details and examples. Also, make sure to use a wide range of vocabulary and even an IELTS band score calculator during your practice for better insights. If you want more personalised and structured guidance, then you can enrol in online IELTS Classes at Gradding to improve your speaking skills and boost your confidence.
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