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Describe an important decision/choice that you made in your life. v.1

Describe an important decision/choice that you made in your life. v. 1
Describe an important decision/choice that you made in your life. You should say:   what the decision/choice was   when you made the decision/choice   what the result of the decision/choice was, and whether it was good for you. and explain why it was an important decision or choice for you. Follow-up Questions: How parents' decisions affect their children's life? What important things do you consider while making a big decision?   Model Answer 1: Whether we like it not, we all have to make some important decisions at some points of our lives because they allow us the opportunities not only to grow as a “person”, but also to adapt and adjust our “life strategies” with the demand of time. Today, I would like to talk about one such important decision, which I made about 5 years ago or so. The decision was about whether to quit my job or not and then going back to university again in order to obtain an advanced degree, such as an MBA, in “international business”. And, the reason, for which I wanted to obtain an advanced degree, was that I wanted to build my career as a university teacher instead of pursuing a career in the corporate world. But, it was not a very easy decision to make for me at that time as I didn’t only have enough funds to pay for my educational expenses, but also I wasn’t confident enough about a good academic performance, after a significant time of study break, which would be a “must” thing to help me get a job as a university faculty member. Not knowing for sure what to do, I sought for some important advice from one of my high school teachers, who was very much like a “mentor” to me, and he told me that I should have gone back to university again. So, I went back to the university again, and in hindsight 20/20, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made so far. Anyway, it was indeed a very important decision to make because it allowed me to find out my true potentials, both on the intellectual level and professional level, in the subsequent years. In fact, I did get an invitation to work as a teacher at a local university after finishing my advanced degree. Besides, this particular decision made me more confident about my life and future than ever before which was more of an important “gift” for me in itself than prospective career opportunities.   Model Answer 2: Decisions, decisions. I’m not always good at making decisions. I worry about making the wrong choices and often seek advice from friends to help me think through the consequences of picking one option over another. Mind you, some people say that we choose who to ask for advice depending on what advice we want to hear. That might be true. Some decisions are easy to make – perhaps because all the possible options are good ones (like choosing a favourite pudding) others seem to have no good options only ‘least bad’ ones, those are hardest to make. The important decision I can think of, and which I’m going to talk about today, worked out in the end, but it was terrifying to have to make at the time. I’ll talk you through what the decision was, when I took it and what the results were. Finally, I’ll explain why it was so important that it still impacts me today. The decision was whether or not I should relocate to a different part of the country to take up a new job. I had to make this decision about 6 years ago. I had been self-employed for a while, but then there was a downturn in the economy and I stopped getting enough work to support myself. I applied for a job in Sheffield, which was a city I didn’t know at all, and when I had first an interview, and then a job offer, I was faced with a big decision. Should I leave my home and friends to start a new life in Sheffield for a promising job at a prestigious university; or should I stay where I was in my lovely house and familiar surroundings, and hope the work might pick up again in the future? I thought a lot about the pros and cons; I cried a lot to be honest, as the thought of making a new start was really scary. I’d be all on my own, and what if I didn’t make friends or couldn’t do the job well? However, ultimately it came down to income. I couldn’t live on fresh air, and this was a well-paid job. I also thought if I turned the work down, and then didn’t manage to pick up new contracts I’d always wonder ‘what if? ’ or how might things have been different if I’d just been brave enough to ‘give it a go! ’  I accepted the job and started to pack. In less than three weeks I was renting a flat in a new city and turning up to work in a new office with new colleagues. One resolution I made early on, was to be really positive about the decision once I’d made it. I’d join societies, say ‘yes’ to every social invitation, and really try to build a new life quickly. I wouldn’t ever look back! The result of the decision? Well, I moved to a new city and took a new job. It was hard at first, there was a lot to learn and sometimes it was lonely too. However, I’ve never regretted it. Sheffield is a lovely city near to the beautiful countryside. I've rented an attic flat which has great views over the city in one direction and woodland in the other. I think this city must be one of the friendliest ones in the UK, people were incredibly welcoming to me as a newcomer, and there is always lots to do. I don’t have that job anymore, but I don’t regret taking it at all. I do sometimes miss my old house in Leamington where I used to live, but I don’t miss anything else. I think the move revitalised me and took me on a great new adventure, sometimes you do just have to take a bit of a risk in life to progress, this bit of risk-taking worked for me. So in conclusion, I think it was a big decision, but I made a good choice. Of course, it was an important one as it changed everything for me, from where I lived and worked, to who my friends are. Honestly, I think perhaps with decisions it matters less what you decide, and more than once you have made a decision you make the best of it, wherever it may take you. Sometimes the journey is speedy and smooth, sometimes it is rocky along the way, but whatever path we choose, it is what makes us the people we are – for better or worse! [ Written by - Lucy Marris,   Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
Describe
an
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important
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision/choice
that you made in your
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life
. You should say:
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
what the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision/choice
was
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
when you made the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision/choice
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
what the result of the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision/choice
was, and whether it was
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
for you.
This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
explain
why it was an
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
or choice for you. Follow-up Questions: How parents'
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decisions
affect their children's
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
? What
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
things do you consider while making a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
big
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
?
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Model Answer 1:

Whether we like it not, we all
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
have to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
make
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decisions
at
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
points of our
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
lives
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
they
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
allow
us the opportunities not
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
only
to grow as a “person”,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
also
to adapt and adjust our
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“life
strategies” with the demand of
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time
.
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
Today
, I would like to talk about one such
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
, which I made about 5 years ago or
so
.

The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
was about whether to quit my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
or not and then going
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
back
to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
university
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
again
in order to obtain an advanced degree, such as an MBA, in “international business”. And, the reason, for which I wanted to obtain an advanced degree, was that I wanted to build my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
career
as a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
university
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
teacher
instead
of pursuing a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
career
in the corporate world.

This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
But
, it was not a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
easy
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
make
for me at that
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
as I didn’t
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
only
have
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enough
funds to pay for my educational expenses,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
also
I wasn’t confident
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
enough
about a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
academic performance, after a significant
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
of study break, which would be a “
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
must
” thing to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
help
me
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
get
a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
as a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
university
faculty member. Not knowing for sure what to do, I sought for
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
advice
from one of my high school
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
teachers
, who was
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
much like a “mentor” to me, and he
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
told
me that I should have gone
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
back
to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
university
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
again
.
So
, I went
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
back
to the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
university
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
again
, and in hindsight 20/20, it was one of the best
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decisions
I have ever made
so
far.

Anyway
, it was
indeed
a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
make
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
it
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
allowed
me to find out my true potentials, both on the intellectual level and professional level, in the subsequent years. In fact, I did
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
get
an invitation to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
work
as a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
teacher
at a local
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
university
after finishing my advanced degree.
Besides
, this particular
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
made me more confident about my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
and future than ever
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
before
which was more of an
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
“gift” for me in itself than prospective
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
career
opportunities.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Model Answer
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
2: Decisions
,
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decisions
. I’m not always
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
at making
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decisions
. I worry about making the
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
wrong
choices and
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
often
seek
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
advice
from
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
friends
to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
help
me
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
through the consequences of picking one option over another. Mind you,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
people
say that we choose who to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
ask for
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
advice
depending on what
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
advice
we want to hear. That might be true.
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
Some
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decisions
are easy to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
make
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
perhaps
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
all the possible options are
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
ones
(like choosing a
Possible spelling mistake. 'favourite' is British English.
favourite
pudding) others seem to have no
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
options
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
only
‘least
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
bad
’
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
ones
, those are hardest to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
make
. The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
I can
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
of, and which I’m going to talk about
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
today
, worked out in the
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
end
,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
it was terrifying to
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
have to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
make
at the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
. I’ll talk you through what the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
was, when I took it and what the results were.
Finally
, I’ll
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
explain
why it was
so
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
that it
still
impacts me
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
today
. The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
was
Consider shortening this phrase to just "whether". It is correct though if you mean 'regardless of whether'.
whether or not
I should relocate to a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
different
part of the country to take up a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
. I had to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
make
this
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
about 6 years ago. I had been self-employed for a while,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
then there was a downturn in the economy and I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
stopped
getting
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
enough
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
work
to support myself.
Three successive sentences begin with the same word. Consider rewording the sentence or use a thesaurus to find a synonym.
I
applied for a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
in Sheffield, which was a city I didn’t know at all, and when I had
first
an interview, and then a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
offer, I
was faced
with a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
big
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
. Should I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
leave
my home and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
friends
to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
start
a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
in Sheffield for a promising
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
at a prestigious
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
university
; or should I stay where I was in my lovely
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
house
and familiar surroundings, and hope the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
work
might pick up
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
again
in the future? I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
thought
a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
about the pros and cons; I cried a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
to be honest, as the
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
thought
of making a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
start
was
The extreme adjective for scary is "terrifying".
really scary
. I’d be all on my
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
own
, and what if I didn’t
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
make
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
friends
or couldn’t do the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
well
?
However
,
ultimately
it came down to income. I couldn’t
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
live
on fresh air, and this was a
well
-paid
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
. I
also
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
thought
if I turned the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
work
down, and then didn’t manage to pick up
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
contracts I’d always wonder ‘what if? ’ or how might things have been
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
different
if I’d
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
just
been brave
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
enough
to ‘give it a go! ’
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
I
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
accepted
the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
started
to pack. In less than three weeks I was renting a flat in a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
city and turning up to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
work
in a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
office with
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
colleagues. One resolution I made early on, was to be
really
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
positive
about the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
once I’d made it. I’d
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
join
societies, say ‘yes’ to every social invitation, and
really
try to build a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
quickly
. I wouldn’t ever look
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
back
! The result of the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
?
Well
, I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
moved
to a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
city and took a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
. It was
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
hard
at
first
, there was a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
to learn and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
sometimes
it was lonely too.
However
, I’ve never regretted it. Sheffield is a lovely city near to the
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
beautiful
countryside. I've rented an attic flat which has great views over the city in one direction and woodland in the other. I
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
this city
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
must
be one of the friendliest
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
ones
in the UK,
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
people
were
incredibly
welcoming to me as a newcomer, and there is always
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lots
to do.
Three successive sentences begin with the same word. Consider rewording the sentence or use a thesaurus to find a synonym.
I
don’t have that
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
job
anymore,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
I don’t regret taking it at all.
Three successive sentences begin with the same word. Consider rewording the sentence or use a thesaurus to find a synonym.
I
do
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
sometimes
miss my
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
old
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
house
in
Possible spelling mistake found.
Leamington
where I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
used
to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
live
,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
I don’t miss anything else.
Three successive sentences begin with the same word. Consider rewording the sentence or use a thesaurus to find a synonym.
I
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
the
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
move
Possible spelling mistake. 'revitalised' is British English.
revitalised
me and took me on a great
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
new
adventure,
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
sometimes
you do
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
just
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
have to
take a bit of a
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
risk
in
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
to progress, this bit of
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
risk
-taking worked for me.
So
in conclusion
, I
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
it was a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
big
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
I made a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
good
choice.
Of course
, it was an
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
important
one as it
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
changed
everything for me, from where I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
lived
and worked, to who my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
friends
are.
Honestly
, I
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
think
perhaps with
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decisions
it matters less what you decide, and more than once you have made a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
decision
you
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
make
the best of it, wherever it may take you.
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
Sometimes
the journey is speedy and smooth,
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
sometimes
it is rocky along the way,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
whatever path we choose, it is what
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
makes
us the
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
people
we are
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
for better or worse!
Don't put a space after the opening parenthesis
[
Written by
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
-
Lucy
Possible spelling mistake found.
Marris
,
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
Careers
Adviser (UK), TEFL
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
teacher
(Vietnam)
Don't put a space before the closing parenthesis
]
15Linking words, meeting the goal of 7 or more
146Repeated words, meeting the goal of 3 or fewer
23Mistakes

IELTS speaking Describe an important decision/choice that you made in your life. v. 1

Speaking
  American English
6 paragraphs
1193 words
5.5
Overall Band Score
Coherence and Cohesion: 5.5
  • Structure your answers in logical paragraphs
  • ?
    One main idea per paragraph
  • ?
    Include an introduction and conclusion
  • ?
    Support main points with an explanation and then an example
  • Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately
  • ?
    Vary your linking phrases using synonyms
Lexical Resource: 5.0
  • Try to vary your vocabulary using accurate synonyms
  • Use less common question specific words that accurately convey meaning
  • Check your work for spelling and word formation mistakes
Grammatical Range: 5.5
  • Use a variety of complex and simple sentences
  • Check your writing for errors
Task Achievement: 5.0
  • Answer all parts of the question
  • ?
    Present relevant ideas
  • Fully explain these ideas
  • ?
    Support ideas with relevant, specific examples
Labels Descriptions
  • ?
    Currently is not available
  • Meet the criteria
  • Doesn't meet the criteria
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