Last Updated on June 26, 2025
“Describe a difficult decision you made” іs a common cue card іn IELTS Speaking Part 2. In this article, you will find four sample answers, vocabulary for high band scores, follow-up questions from Part 3, and an explanation оf what this topic assesses.
This cue card helps test your fluency іn narrating past events, your ability tо reflect оn choices, and how you handle emotional оr complex situations.
Learn how tо answer “Describe a difficult decision you made” with IELTS sample answers, Band 9 vocabulary, tips, follow-up questions & structure.
Cue Card Topic Breakdown
You will have:
- 1 minute to prepare
- 1–2 minutes to speak
Describe a difficult decision you made
You should say:
- What the decision was
- When you made it
- What your options were
- Why it was difficult
- And how you felt after making the decision
Why This Cue Card Matters
This cue card helps examiners assess your ability to:
- Tell personal stories with fluency and coherence
- Use a mix of past and reflective language
- Express complexity using contrast, reasoning, and emotions
- Organize your thoughts into a beginning, middle, and end
Choosing Between Two Career Paths: Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
What was the decision?
I had tо choose between pursuing a stable government job оr joining a startup that aligned with my passion.
When did you make it?
This decision came up right after I completed my master’s degree іn computer science.
What were your options?
The government job offered job security and social prestige, while the startup promised innovation, fast growth, and uncertainty.
Why was іt difficult?
It was a clash between stability and ambition. I had family pressure tо take the government job, but my heart leaned toward the startup.
How did you feel after deciding?
I chose the startup. Initially, I was nervous, but over time, I found іt fulfilling and learned more than I could have imagined.
Ending a Long Friendship: Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
What was the decision?
I had tо end a close friendship that had become toxic and emotionally draining.
When did you make it?
It happened during the final year оf university, after repeated conflicts.
What were your options?
Either tolerate the situation tо avoid confrontation оr set boundaries and end the friendship.
Why was іt difficult?
We had known each other for over 10 years. Letting gо оf shared memories was emotionally exhausting.
How did you feel after deciding?
Sad but lighter. I realised that peace оf mind sometimes comes from making hard emotional choices.
Moving Away from Home for Higher Studies: Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
So what was the decision?
I had to choose between studying at my home town and taking an offer of a foreign university.
When was it done?
I did that two years back, when I got an offer letter of a UK university.
So what could you do?
Live with my family and study at home о Bernie or get out of the comfort zone and studies overseas.
Why was it hard?
I had not lived outside home before. This was the idea of being in a new country alone which was intimidating.
What were your feelings after you made a decision?
I found it difficult at first, but it also made me grow, adapt and learn to become independent.
Refusing a High-Paying Job: Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
What was the decision?
I refused to work at a well-paid position because it was not what I wanted in the long perspective.
How long ago did you make it?
It occurred a couple of months ago after my campus placements.
What could you do?
Accept the post since it pays well or keep studying to take part in civil services, which was the dream career.
Why did it prove to be hard?
It never gets easy to refuse financial security. It involved self-doubt and risk.
Exactly how did it feel after you made a decision?
Relieved. It helped bring clarity to me. It was the moment which assisted me in learning to trust my intuition.
Follow-Up Questions: Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
- Why do people find it difficult to make decisions?
Because decisions often involve conflicting emotions, unknown outcomes, or long-term consequences.
- Do young people and older people make decisions differently?
Yes. Younger people may act on impulse or dreams, while older individuals often prioritize stability and responsibility.
- Can emotions affect decision-making?
Absolutely. Emotions can both cloud judgment and offer insight, depending on the context.
- Do people always regret difficult decisions?
Not always. Some decisions feel hard in the moment but offer clarity or benefit in the long run.
- What kind of decisions are hardest to make?
Choices involving relationships, career paths, or ethical dilemmas tend to be the most challenging.
Vocabulary to Use for This Cue Card
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Weighing the pros and cons | Considering both sides of a decision | I spent days weighing the pros and cons. |
| At a crossroads | In a situation requiring a major decision | I found myself at a crossroads in my career. |
| Moral dilemma | A decision between two ethically tough choices | It was a moral dilemma between honesty and loyalty. |
| Risk vs reward | Trade-off between danger and benefit | It was a classic risk vs reward situation. |
| Life-altering | Having a big impact on one’s future | That choice was truly life-altering. |
| Second-guessing | Doubting a decision after making it | I kept second-guessing myself. |
| Followed my instincts | Trusted my gut feeling | I followed my instincts even though it was scary. |
| Internal conflict | Struggle between opposing feelings | I had a lot of internal conflict about the matter. |
| Stuck between two worlds | Caught between contrasting options | I was stuck between two worlds—security and freedom. |
| Peace of mind | Relief after making a decision | Eventually, I gained peace of mind. |
Related IELTS Cue Card Topics
Describe an Item of Clothing Someone Gave You
Describe a Historical Building You Have Been To
Describe an Old Person Who Has Had an Interesting Life
Describe a Place in Your City Where You Can See Wildlife
Describe an Old Person Who Taught You a New Activity When You Were Young
Describe a Special Day Out That Cost You Little Money/Did Not Cost You Much
Summary
| Section | Key Points |
| Cue Card Breakdown | Focus on a tough choice and how you handled it |
| Sample Answers | Four examples covering relationships, career, and personal life |
| Vocabulary Bank | Phrases to describe pressure, reflection, and choice |
| Follow-Up Questions | Explores deeper thinking and emotional awareness |
| Related Topics | Linked with cue cards involving change, choice, and emotion |
Final thoughts
This IELTS cue card is an opportunity to demonstrate maturity, emotional complexity, and narration. Engage organized ideas, colorful words and personal mindfulness. Do not write in generalities, but rather describe what made your decision difficult, as well as what you learned. It can set your answer apart by having a strong beginning, conflict and ending.
FAQs
What is an example of a difficult decision for IELTS?
Choosing between two job offers, ending a friendship, or moving away from home.
Can I talk about a personal decision?
Yes. Personal decisions are often the most authentic and relatable.
Is it okay if the decision didn’t turn out well?
Yes. IELTS assesses communication, not the outcome of your decision.
Should I include emotions in my answer?
Absolutely. Expressing feelings shows depth and fluency.
How can I prepare for this cue card?
Think of real-life decisions you’ve made. Practice describing them aloud using vocabulary and structure from this guide.
As a dynamic social media content strategist and storyteller, Bhaskarjyoti blends creativity with data-driven precision to turn aspirations into action. With a keen understanding of what today’s students seek, he has redefined how study-abroad dreams are communicated, combining global trends with grounded Indian values. He also works across student guides, scholarship explainers, university deep-dives, and thought pieces, making study-abroad content both insightful and accessible. Always curious, always evolving – he believes that great content is not just about reach, but about impact. And that the right story, told the right way, can change a life.
