IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Topic: Describe a difficult decision that you made.

One of the hardest choices I have ever made was which university I would attend to pursue my dream and further explore the world. That was when I was eighteen. Now years later, even though I haven’t figured out what I should do with my life and keep tip toeing on my way to discover my inner self, I still believe my decision was right.

When you were eighteen and living in an Asian country, going to university was all you know. When your parents were looking forward to seeing you being a college students and your classmates up to their neck with homework and extra classes, things might get stressed and you felt like you were carrying a giant candy bag big enough to trick or treat all the kids in your neighborhood until the next Halloween. That was how stressful it was. However, once you successfully passed the university entrance exams, the real deal began. I was lucky enough to get accepted by both schools that I had applied for, one in economics, the other in pedagogy. It was such a dilemma since I enjoyed studying how the world economy operated as well as looked forward to the day when I could share my knowledge and inspire my students to become anything they wanted to be. I felt like my future was hanging by a    thread at that moment and in serious need of others’ help. Thankfully, my family and friends were always there for me when I needed them most. After sharing my concerns, with their in-depth analysis and personal sharing, we came to a conclusion that economics would be a more appropriate choice. And that was what I did.

Until now, I have never regretted it since going to ABC school has changed me, in a positive way and afforded me many opportunities to learn and grow. After graduation, in spite of working full-time in financial industry, I still pursue my teaching hobby with some classes during weekend, which is the best of both worlds to me.

Inner self (noun) a person’s true or internal mind, soul, or nature

Up to one’s neck (idiom) deeply involved or occupied fully

Dilemma (noun) a situation that requires a choice between options that are or seem equally unfavorable or unsatisfactory.

Trick or treat (phrase) a Halloween custom for children in many countries. Children in costumes travel from house to house asking for treats such as candy

Hang by a thread (idiom) to be in danger of having something unlucky or bad happen

In-depth (adj) detailed and thorough

QUESTION FOR PART 3

1. What’s the most important factor in decision-making?

Speaking from my own experience, the thing that should be taken into account firstly when making any decision is its impacts on a current situation and people who are involved. It would be unmindful and thoughtless if one only pay sole attention to his or her own benefits while neglecting others’. There might be many outcome as direct results of your choices, which could either positive or the other way around. Hence, considering how your decision would be of great help for not only you but other parties is absolutely essential.

Take into account (collocation) to remember to consider someone or something

Unmindful (adj) not conscious or aware

Outcome (noun) a consequence

2. Should parents make decisions for their children?

Parents tend to be overprotective and overreact when it comes to their children, therefore, they would always want to be a part of the decision-making process of their kids, if not the whole process. It is understandable that parents have their worries since children are young, inexperienced and sometimes impulsive. There might be a chance they just go with it with absolutely no care about the consequences. In such cases, parents should act as their mentor or advisor who are considerate and empathize with children that age. However, under no circumstance should parents forfeit their child the right to have their own voice and thinking in making decisions related to them as they need to be responsible for their own choice and learn from their mistakes.

Overprotective (adj) too worried about someone’s safety, so that you prevent them from being independent

Overreact (verb) to be more worried, annoyed, or offended by something than you should be

Impulsive (adj) someone who is impulsive tends to do things without thinking about what will happen as a result

3. What can people learn from wrong decisions?

Life gives us both happiness and disappointment. As we make a mistake by making a wrong decision, we taste failure and defeat. However, everything happens for a reason. If you’ve never committed a mistake, how could you know you are doing things the right way. Likewise, it you’ve never made a wrong decision or dared to make any important decision at all, how could you avoid making it the next time. Therefore, as how a learning process should be, you acknowledge your wrongdoings, accept it, find motivation to pick yourself up, learn from it and move on. You will understand there’s always a way for those who have a will. Don’t let that one failure pull you down.

Pick yourself up (phrasal verb) self-motivate yourself after failure

Move on (phrasal verb) to continue moving

Will (noun) someone’s determination to do what is necessary to achieve what they want

Pull down (phrasal verb) to depress someone, as in spirits or health

4. Do you like to make quick decisions?

Ideally, making swift decision is likely to save you tons of time and energy since you don’t have to bother about details and overanalyze every nuance of reaction. That, however, only works best for things which are trivial and have little impact on our lives. Those that are particularly influential should be granted thorough consideration, otherwise, you yourself will be the one to blame for any unfavorable outcome. For example, if you have no idea which university you should enroll, spend enough time to do research and ask for advice other than randomly pick one because that’s what you spare 4 years of your life to accomplish, which is no joke.

Nuance (noun) a slight difference that may be difficult to notice but is fairly important

Trivial (adj) not very important, serious, or valuable

Unfavorable (adj) not positive, or not showing approval

5. Do you think adults always make better decisions than children?

In most of the situations, I believe, but not always. Adults are likely to have more experience and certain skills acquired after years of living and dealing with particular matters that can afford them to make rational decisions, especially in situations in which they used to face. Having said that, there are cases where fresh and unconventional approach are best policies and children are the ones who give us that. Thanks to their innocence, can-do attitude and continuously growing mindset, they might approach the same issue with different angles and find the simplest but sometimes most effective way to address it.

Rational (adj) based on sensible practical reasons rather than emotions

Can-do (adj) keen to do difficult things and confident of success