Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved.
Please tell me
what it is
why you haven’t achieved it
what you did
explain how you felt about it
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Model Answer 1
Ever since my teenage years, my greatest ambition has been to climb Mount Everest. This dream has been a beacon, guiding my passion for mountaineering. However, it remains unfulfilled, not for lack of trying, but due to several challenges that have come my way.
Initially, my journey towards this lofty goal began with smaller treks. I climbed various local peaks, each progressively higher and more challenging. My weekends were spent in the embrace of nature, scaling heights and developing my skills. Yet, achieving the pinnacle of Everest has eluded me. The primary reason is the financial and time commitment such an expedition requires. Balancing a full-time job and familial responsibilities, allocating the necessary resources for this venture has been a persistent hurdle.
Despite these challenges, my efforts have been unceasing. I've participated in advanced mountaineering courses, honed my physical fitness, and even joined a local climbers' club to stay connected with my ambition. Each step I've taken has been a stride towards Everest.
Reflecting on this unachieved ambition stirs a blend of emotions within me. There's a tinge of disappointment, naturally, but overwhelmingly, it's a source of motivation. This dream has shaped my life's journey, teaching me resilience, patience, and the value of incremental progress. It's a testament to my belief that some ambitions, even when unfulfilled, can illuminate our paths and enrich our lives in unexpected ways.
In essence, my quest to conquer Everest is more than just an unachieved goal; it's a journey that continues to define and inspire me. It stands as a beacon of my resilience and commitment, a reminder that the journey itself can be as significant as the destination.
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Why this is a High Scoring Answer
This sample response, crafted around the theme "Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved," exemplifies a high-scoring answer for several key reasons, aligning with the IELTS Speaking criteria:
Fluency and Coherence: The answer flows seamlessly from one point to the next, maintaining a clear narrative thread. By starting with the initial inspiration for mountaineering and gradually leading to current efforts and emotional reflections, the response demonstrates an excellent ability to communicate ideas logically and coherently.
Lexical Resource: The response is rich in vocabulary, with phrases like "a beacon guiding my passion," "the pinnacle of Everest," and "a testament to my belief." These choices not only convey precise meanings but also showcase a wide range of language, essential for a high band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The answer displays a variety of complex structures used accurately. Sentences like "Despite these challenges, my efforts have been unceasing," and "It's a testament to my belief that some ambitions, even when unfulfilled, can illuminate our paths," demonstrate skillful use of complex grammatical constructions.
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In short, this response to "Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved" effectively demonstrates the attributes required for a high band score in the IELTS Speaking test. It's not just about answering the question but doing so in a way that showcases your command of the English language, and this sample answer is a prime example of that.
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Model Answer 2
One ambition that has persistently nestled in my heart, yet remains unrealized, is authoring a novel. This dream took root in my early years, inspired by a deep-seated love for storytelling and literature. The vision of seeing my name on a book cover, my thoughts and imaginations woven into a compelling narrative, has been a constant source of inspiration.
My journey towards this goal has been marked by sporadic bursts of writing interspersed with lengthy periods of inactivity. The primary obstacle in achieving this dream has been the daunting task of balancing my professional life with my creative pursuits. Working in a demanding career leaves little room for the quiet, reflective space needed for writing a novel.
Despite these challenges, my efforts have not waned. I've penned numerous short stories and articles, honing my writing skills and exploring various genres. These smaller projects have been steps towards the larger goal, each a lesson in narrative development and character creation.
Emotionally, this unfulfilled ambition is a tapestry of hope and mild frustration. There's an undercurrent of longing when I think about the unfinished manuscript gathering dust. Yet, there's also a sense of pride in the strides I've made as a writer, even if the ultimate goal is still on the horizon. It's a dream that continues to evolve, adapting and growing with each chapter of my life.
Ultimately, writing a novel is more than just a goal; it's a journey of self-discovery and expression. It is a dream that keeps my passion for writing alive, reminding me that every word I write brings me one step closer to that cherished ambition.
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Why this is a High Scoring Answer
This sample response to "Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved" is an exemplary high-scoring answer for the IELTS Speaking section for several reasons:
Fluency and Coherence: The response is well-structured and fluid, showcasing the speaker's ability to articulate thoughts in a logical sequence. Starting with the initial dream of writing a novel and progressing through the challenges and personal reflections, the answer demonstrates excellent coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource: The use of rich and varied vocabulary is evident throughout the response. Phrases like "deep-seated love for storytelling," "compelling narrative," and "tapestry of hope and mild frustration" illustrate a high level of lexical proficiency, which is crucial for achieving a top band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The answer employs a range of grammatical structures, both simple and complex, with accuracy. Sentences like "Working in a demanding career leaves little room for the quiet, reflective space needed for writing a novel," exhibit the speaker's ability to use complex grammatical forms effectively.
To enhance your understanding and performance in the IELTS Speaking section, you might find it valuable to explore our exclusive IELTS books (download pdf). These resources are designed specifically for you, offering comprehensive guidance and advanced strategies to master each component of the IELTS, aiding you in achieving your desired band score.
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Model Answer 3
An ambition close to my heart, yet unrealized, is establishing my own café. This dream emerged from my passion for culinary arts and a desire to create a space where people could savor delightful flavors and enjoy moments of tranquility. Envisioning a cozy café, adorned with artistic décor and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, has been a source of inspiration for me.
The path to realizing this dream has been challenging. The primary hurdle has been accumulating the necessary capital and finding the ideal location. Balancing my current job in the corporate sector with this entrepreneurial aspiration has been a delicate dance of time management and resource allocation.
In pursuit of this dream, I've taken several proactive steps. I've attended culinary workshops, developed my barista skills, and even drafted a detailed business plan. These activities have been instrumental in keeping my ambition alive and have equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed for when the opportunity arises.
Emotionally, this unachieved ambition is a mixture of longing and optimism. At times, I feel a sense of impatience, eager to turn this dream into reality. Yet, there's also a deep sense of determination and hope. This dream fuels my ambition and continuously pushes me to strive for a future where I can meld my passion for coffee and culinary delights into a thriving business.
In essence, the aspiration to open my café is more than just a business venture; it's a manifestation of my love for culinary arts and creating memorable experiences. It represents a future where my entrepreneurial spirit and culinary passion converge, a dream that I tirelessly work towards with each passing day.
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Why this is a High Scoring Answer
This response to the task of describing an unachieved ambition is a sterling example of what can earn a high score in the IELTS Speaking test. Let's break down the elements that contribute to its effectiveness:
Fluency and Coherence: The answer maintains a clear and logical progression of ideas, a key aspect of fluency and coherence. It begins with the inception of the ambition (establishing a café), moves through the challenges faced, details the steps taken towards this goal, and concludes with a reflection on the emotional impact of this journey. This clear narrative arc demonstrates the speaker's ability to organize thoughts coherently.
Lexical Resource: The response is rich in descriptive language and varied vocabulary. Phrases such as "savor delightful flavors," "adorned with artistic décor," and "meld my passion for coffee and culinary delights" exhibit a strong command of language, crucial for scoring highly in the lexical resource criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The answer showcases a variety of complex grammatical structures used correctly. For example, "Balancing my current job with this entrepreneurial aspiration has been a delicate dance of time management" demonstrates effective use of complex sentence structures.
For those looking to achieve similar proficiency and depth in their IELTS Speaking responses, our exclusive IELTS books (download pdf) are an invaluable resource. These guides, tailored just for you, offer comprehensive strategies and insights to enhance your speaking skills, helping you approach the IELTS Speaking test with confidence and expertise.
In summary, this sample response perfectly aligns with the task of describing an unachieved ambition, demonstrating the qualities that IELTS examiners look for: fluency, a broad and precise use of language, grammatical sophistication, and clear, effective communication.
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