Last Updated on October 10, 2025
A cue card for the question “describe a difficult thing you did” can be found in this IELTS speaking blog. The three sections of the IELTS exam speaking test are the introduction, the cue card round, and the follow-up discussion round. You will have 11 to 15 minutes to present your ideas and communication abilities to the examiner.
We’ve included three model responses for this IELTS speaking cue card along with follow-up questions, related vocabulary, and a conclusion to help you prepare for similar IELTS cue card topics effectively.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 – IELTS Cue Card
In IELTS Speaking Task 2 (Part 2), you must prepare a cue card that will be provided by your examiner. Your topic will be “describe a difficult thing you did”, along with some sub-questions. You’ll be given 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1–2 minutes.
The examiner will stop you once you cover all the given questions. Later, in IELTS speaking part 3, you’ll have a discussion round based on the same cue card. Practicing such IELTS speaking cue card topics regularly helps candidates build fluency and confidence for the IELTS exam.
Cue Card Topic “Describe a Difficult Thing You Did”
You should say:
- What it was?
- How you overcame the difficulties?
- Whether you got help?
- And explain how you felt after you succeeded?
Describe a Difficult Thing You Did – Model answer and Follow-up questions
The model cue card answers for the “Describe a Difficult Thing You Did” topic are given below. These are followed by IELTS Speaking Part 3 discussion questions for your practice. Preparing such IELTS Speaking Cue Card answers helps you respond naturally in the exam.
Model Answer 1 – Describe a Difficult Thing You Did
Introduction
Learning to ride a bicycle when I was a kid is one of the hardest tasks I have ever accomplished.
What it was and how you completed it
Initially, I was so scared to fall and my father had to show me how. After practicing several days and scraping my knees several times, I was finally able to stand on my own.
Why it was difficult
This proved hard since I lacked proper coordination at that age and I would lose balance. Nevertheless, I did not want to give up.
How you felt afterward
Once I managed to do it, I was very proud and liberated. It was my initial actual accomplishment.
Conclusion
It was a challenging experience that I learned how to ride a bicycle, and so, it is a wonderful story to assess the IELTS speaking cue card “describe a difficult thing you did.”
Model Answer 2 – Describe a Difficult Thing You Did
Introduction
One of the challenging things that I have done recently was during my college seminar when I delivered a speech in English in public.
What it was and how you completed it
I was forced to present in front of over 100 individuals and I am not English born. I spent weeks and practiced every day, and even filmed myself to be better at my pronunciation.
Why it was difficult
This was a challenge as I would have stage fright, and forgotten my lines when I would get nervous.
How you felt afterward
In the cases when the presentation was successful, I was proud and confident. It also enhanced my communicational skills.
Conclusion
The presentation was a milestone in my life, and it is a perfect fit of the IELTS cue card topic of describe a difficult thing you did.
Model Answer 3 – Describe a Difficult Thing You Did
Introduction
Another challenging aspect that I did is to study my board exams with the issue of personal stress.
What it was and how you did it.
It was quite a stressful period, and I created a strict study plan and followed it, as well as I was motivated by taking short breaks.
Why it was difficult
This has been challenging since I was expected to handle my emotions, as well as my studies, at the same time, which was a disciplined task.
How you felt afterward
I was relieved, grateful, and strong when the results were obtained and I scored higher than expected.
Conclusion
The lesson taught me to stay strong and concentrate on things- excellent points to write about in the IELTS Speaking Cue Card, the description of a challenging thing I have done.
Read more: Dеscribе a Placе Whеrе You Go to Do Outdoor Activitiеs Or Play a Sport
IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Describe a Difficult Thing You Did Follow-up Questions
Here are some follow-up questions for “describe a difficult thing you did”, commonly asked in IELTS speaking part 3. They allow you to express opinions and discuss broader ideas.
What are the most difficult things young people face today?
Balancing studies, social life, and mental health are among the toughest challenges.
Why is it important to face difficult situations?
Because challenges help us grow stronger, learn, and build confidence.
Do you think people should avoid difficult situations?
No, avoiding them only limits personal growth and new experiences.
How do people usually overcome difficulties?
By staying patient, seeking help, and keeping a positive attitude.
Do you think technology makes life easier or more complicated?
Both — it helps in solving problems but sometimes creates new distractions or stress.
Read more: Describe A Competition You Would Like To Take Part In
Related Vocabulary – Describe a Difficult Thing You Did
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Resilient | Able to recover quickly from difficulties | She became more resilient after overcoming failure. |
| Perseverance | Continued effort despite challenges | Perseverance helped me achieve my goal. |
| Accomplishment | Something successfully achieved | Completing my project on time was a big accomplishment. |
| Determination | Firmness of purpose | With determination, I finally mastered public speaking. |
| Obstacles | Things that block progress | I faced many obstacles while learning to code. |
| Self-discipline | Ability to control one’s behavior for long-term goals | Self-discipline was key to my success. |
| Persistence | Refusal to give up | His persistence helped him pass the exam. |
| Relief | Feeling of comfort after stress | I felt an immense relief when I finished the task. |
Conclusion
Preparing for the IELTS speaking cue card “describe a difficult thing you did” allows you to showcase resilience, storytelling, and vocabulary related to challenges and growth. Such IELTS cue card topics are common in the IELTS exam, and mastering them will improve your fluency, coherence, and emotional depth during the speaking test.
FAQs
Cue cards in IELTS Speaking Part 2 are short task cards with a topic and prompts that you must speak about for 1–2 minutes.
You can score 8.5 by practicing fluency, pronunciation, and structured responses for common IELTS Speaking Cue Card topics.
Yes, IELTS Cue Card topics are often repeated in different test sessions with slight variations.
Start with a simple sentence, e.g., “One of the most difficult things I’ve ever done was learning to ride a bicycle.
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