A decision card asks you to describe a thought process: the options, the doubt, the outcome. The third conditional ("If I had..., I would have...") looks especially strong here.
The cue card
Describe a difficult decision you made.
You should say:
what the decision was
when you made it
why it was difficult
and explain how you feel about the decision now.
One-minute notes
- decision: change from medicine to computer science
- when: end of first year, 2 years ago
- difficult: parents' hopes, lost a year, friends stayed
- now: right choice, happier, parents proud now
Model answer (about 2 minutes)
The hardest decision I've made so far was to leave medical school after my first year and start again in computer science.
I made the decision about two years ago, at the end of the summer after my first year. I'd spent most of that summer feeling anxious, because I already knew I wasn't happy, but I kept telling myself it would get better.
It was difficult for several reasons. My parents had always dreamed of having a doctor in the family, and I felt I was letting them down. On top of that, switching meant losing a whole year, and watching my friends move on without me. I remember sitting with my dad in the kitchen for almost three hours, trying to explain that I'd been coding in my free time since school and that it was the only thing I never got tired of.
Looking back, I'm completely sure it was the right choice. I'm much happier now, my grades are far better, and I've already done an internship. If I had stayed in medicine, I would have finished with a degree I didn't care about. The funny thing is that my parents now tell everyone about my programming projects.
It taught me that a decision can be painful and still be the right one.
Useful words and phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| let someone down | let someone down |
| switch to | switch to |
| move on | move on |
| looking back | looking back |
| anxious | anxious |
| have the final say | have the final say |
| be afraid of regret | be afraid of regret |
| a decision in itself | a decision in itself |
How to answer
- Use the third conditional: "If I had stayed, I would have...".
- List the difficulties: "for several reasons... On top of that...".
- Give today's view: "Looking back, I'm sure...".
- End with a lesson: "It taught me that...".
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The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
Part 3: follow-up discussion questions
Should parents choose careers for their children?
I don't think they should choose, but they should definitely be involved. Parents have experience and often see strengths their children miss, but the person who has to do the job every day should have the final say.
Why do some people find it hard to make decisions?
Often because they're afraid of regret. When there are many options, people worry about choosing the wrong one, so they delay, and sometimes not deciding becomes a decision in itself.
Do young people today have more choices than in the past?
Is it better to make decisions quickly or slowly?
Part 2 strategy: the cue card guide. Next step: the Part 3 guide.
Practise this topic now
The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
