IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Topic: Descraibe a time when you made a mistake

To be honest, I have lost count on how many times I have acted on impulse and caused troubles for not only me but also others. One time when I was in high school, I played truant from class for a week and finally got caught at an Internet store nearby playing Audition, the most popular online game among teenagers during that time.

It was an embarrassing and forgettable experience when you were escorted by the school’s supervisor all the way from the Internet store to the principal’s room. It was even worse when all of that happened in broad daylight when everyone could see and I could have sworn my face was as red as a lobster. That was not my first time absent from school but was the first time I got caught and my parents were involved. Fortunately, they didn’t make a fuss about it in public but kept regard me with disappointment and suppressed anger in their eyes, which made me felt guilty and ashamed at the same time for my thoughtless action. The exchange with the principal was swift, yet serious when I got an after-school detention for a week and had to work on all of my assignments the week before.

After everything had been sought out at school, it was kind of tense on our way home. Unlike what I had expected, my parents didn’t raise their voice or keep nagging me about my misconduct. On the contrary, we had a so-called “peer to peer” conversation in which we shared our concerns. After all, I learnt my lesson the hard way and truly appreciated my parents’ reaction when dealing with a teenage girl like me. Bottom line is our parents love us no matter what, therefore, I’ve tried ever since to give them less headache.

Vocabulary:

Play truant (phrase) to stay away from school without permission

Example: Parents often don’t know their children are playing truant.

Escort (verb) go somewhere with another person to protect them or to prevent them from escaping

As red as a lobster (expression) very red

Make a fuss about (expression) become angry or complain

QUESTION PART 3

1. What should teachers do when students make mistakes?

Teachers have their own methods when dealing with different types of students. Those who tends to be rebels often receive more severe punishment, while those who rarely make mistakes can easily get off the hook. Still, I think no matter how naughty or disobedient students might be, the way teachers communicate their messages or penalties are all that matter. Teenagers usually behave inappropriately to seek attention, to show off or to drag themselves out of boredom. The reasons are varied and that’s what teachers should care about. Once they understand the source of the issue, they can have straightforward conversation with their students and have higher chances to get through their stubborn minds than just imposing punishment on them.

Disobedient (adj) deliberately not obeying rules

Show off (phrasal verb) to boast; to show people something that you are very proud of so that they will admire it

Example: Young musicians will get the chance to show off their musical skills.

Straightforward (adj) clear and honest

Impose something on someone (expression) to give someone something unpleasant to deal with

Example: This new tax is imposing an unfair burden on employers.

2. What can people learn from mistakes?

I have to say they can learn a lot from what they have done in the past. We can consider them mistakes, or simply a life lesson and in either way, it would be best to look at them with a positive attitude and an open mind. Learning process happens with trial and error so once you’ve made mistakes, whether it was work-related or relationship issues, you would acknowledge the cause and learn from it, more or less. For example, if you failed to meet the deadline of your previous project because of your procrastination, learn how to manage your time and try something out to kick start yourself any time you get demotivated or the like.

Trial and error (phrasal noun) experimenting until a solution is found

Demotivate (verb) to make someone lose their enthusiasm and interest

3. Do you often make mistakes?

There’s no way I could ever say no since I am a true troublemaker. Making wrong decisions appears to be my talent, both in my professional and personal life. Yet, thanks to those wrongly made choices, I’ve learnt to be less gullible and more efficient in most of the things I do now. There was a time when I would say “yes” to practically anything anyone told me to since they were my friends, my bosses or my colleagues. It could be sending an email for somebody, working a little late or on weekend or just hanging out with friends. I was so stressed out with all the requests I got that I barely had time for myself. Fortunately, I realized my mistake soon enough and learnt how to say “no” to people and to prioritize on what I care and love doing.

Troublemaker (noun) someone who causes problems, often by being violent or by making others argue or not obey people in authority

Gullible (adj) a gullible person is easy to trick because they trust and believe people too easily

4. Can mistakes help people to be more successful?

That’s the truth which has been proven by so many successful people around the world. Mistakes and failures are meant to be obstacles that you need to overcome in order to have a taste of glory and those who can’t walk through the fire line will forever stand still. “Fire proves gold, adversity proves men”. Thomas Edison is a prime example. If he hadn’t had a will to try no less than 10,000 times, he would never have come up with new solutions and finally invented a light bulb, a significant breakthrough in mankind history. Hence, don’t afraid to be wrong if you truly want to advance.

Obstacle (noun) a difficulty or problem that prevents you from achieving something

Example: Disabled people succeed in overcoming many obstacles in everyday life.

Breakthrough (noun) a discovery or achievement that comes after a lot of hard work

Example: Scientists predict a major breakthrough within six months.

5. How to avoid making mistakes?

From my point of view, it’s nearly impossible to avoid making mistakes, especially in areas you don’t familiarize with. However, there are some certain measures we can take to minimize possible consequences to an acceptable extent. Firstly, do your own research. If you have no idea what you’re dealing with, it will be like going to wars unarmed. As a result, find out as much information as you can about the issue. Secondly, ask the right person the right question. If someone in your friend circle has knowledge, or better yet, personal experience related to what you’re working on, don’t waste such a valuable source of reference. Lastly, just go with it. That may sound useless but after you’re done with those previous steps, don’t hesitate to jump into action. The faster you start to work on it, the less nervous you become.

Work on something (phrasal verb) used for saying that you are dealing with something

Example: Don’t worry about that, I’m working on it.

Hesitate (verb) to pause before doing something

Example: My mother never hesitates to tell me when I look bad.