Describe an ambition you have not yet achieved

IELTS Cue Card Question 02 With Model Answer:

Describe an ambition/success you have not yet achieved.

You should say:

• what it is
• how long you have it
• what you have to do to fulfil/ achieve it

and explain why it is important to you to fulfil/ achieve it.

[You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

 

Sample Answer 1:

Introduction:
Oh, this is such a nice topic to talk about and I would really like to thank you for that. I believe that ambitions are essential to keep us motivated and to strive for success. We all have certain aspirations in life that we wish to fulfil. And for this topic, I'd like to discuss an ambition that I have not yet achieved.

What it is:
My ambition is to become a published author. I have been passionate about writing since my childhood and have always dreamt of seeing my work in print. I have written several short stories and a novel, but none of them has been published yet.

How long you have had it:
I have had this ambition for as long as I can remember. I used to spend hours writing stories and poems when I was a child. As I grew up, my passion for writing intensified, and I started taking it more seriously.

What you have to do to achieve it:
To achieve my ambition of becoming a published author, I have to take several steps. Firstly, I need to polish my writing skills and improve my craft. Secondly, I need to build a strong network of literary agents and publishers. Thirdly, I have to be patient and persistent in my efforts and not give up even in the face of rejection.

And explain why it is important to you to achieve it: 

Becoming a published author is important to me for several reasons. Firstly, it is a validation of my writing skills and a fulfilment of my childhood dream. Secondly, it will give me a sense of accomplishment and pride in my work. Finally, it will allow me to share my stories and ideas with a wider audience and have a positive impact on their lives. Despite the challenges, I am determined to achieve the goal and make my mark in the literary world.

Model Answer 2:

I have long been dreaming to become a skilled IT specialist, and then establishing an IT company in my country. Technology and our dependency on it are advancing faster than we can imagine. So, boarding on IT would be a great decision, I guess. And I want to own an IT firm that will serve both local and global clients.

I have been dreaming about it for the last few months. The idea hit me when I came to study in Delhi and found that many students are engaged in different part-time jobs at different IT firms. I thought it would be an excellent idea to start such a company that would employ many youths while also contributing to the country's economic growth.

To reach my goal, I have already taken some initiatives. I've got admitted to a renowned IT training institute. There, I have started getting extensive training on different software and application development approaches. I am also learning about various aspects of web designing, mobile application development, video editing and outsourcing. My plan is that I will devote myself to learning for the next two years and then start an IT company.  In the beginning, I will start on a very small scale and then gradually expand and get bigger. As I neither have much money nor sufficient training and expertise, it may take around three more years to succeed in materialising my plans, ambitions and dreams.

The number of unemployed people, especially youths, is huge in my country. Since these youths are talented and interested in technology, IT could be a great sector for them to build their career. If I could establish an IT firm that would promise to provide some great services to its client, I think I will be able to recruit some talented youths. It will be helpful for me and them at the same time. Moreover, I believe that I am patient and I never give up. I may have ups and downs but I am keeping provisions to survive in the initial stage, and once the agency starts generating some steady revenue, hopefully, it will continue to flourish.

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Cue Card Answer 3: 
I have a great aspiration to establish a nonprofit organisation in my hometown that would help skilled but less-educated youths. The idea emerged in my mind when I read a success story of a skilled but less-educated young person from my district a few years ago. This person had been a successful small business owner with some financial help and advice from an NGO. I thought many such young people in my hometown could also establish and run their businesses if they are backed up financially and given proper advice.

It was probably 2019 when I had the idea, and after that, it has become one of the serious ambitions that I want to fulfil. I have done a lot of research and talked to many individuals about it. Most of them agreed that the idea is quite fascinating. They also warned me about the challenges I will have to face to make this dream come true. I agree with them as it would require a firm determination, my own establishment and financial solvency to start it.

My father is a successful businessman and a renowned philanthropist in our locality. I have discussed my plan with him and he gave me many pieces of advice. He also promised me that he would help me in every way possible. I, in fact, dared to dream of such a big ambition because I know that my father would back me up in anything benevolent for others.

I would first finish my Master's degree in a foreign university to get better exposure to new ideas and research facilities, and then come back to my hometown to start my nonprofit organisation. That would only be the beginning of my ambition. I will have to go a long way and work really hard to fulfil the desire and dream I have told you about.

I belong to a family where most of the members are established businessmen and have done something helpful for others. For example, my uncle finances a daycare centre for children, my father is one of the founding members of a charity organisation and my grandfather runs two schools and a college. Following their footsteps is very important for me, and I also have an aspiration to be able to help others.

Rounding off questions:
Q. Is it important for us to have ambitions?

A. Yes, I think ambitions in our life help us work harder and do even better. While positive ambitions can take us further and fulfil our dreams, negative and selfish ambitions can often drive us in the wrong way.

Q. Will it be easy for you to achieve the ambition you talked about?
A. I do not think it would be as easy. However, I believe that it is achievable with my determination, hard work and passion. I am somehow convinced that I will work very hard to achieve this ambition.

Idea Generation for this Cue Card/Candidate Task Card Topic: 

For this cue card topic, you should describe one of the big ambitions that you have not achieved yet. Following are some of the clues to let you brainstorm and organise your own answer. Don't forget to add your answer in the comment section for our evaluation.

• Your ambition to get a higher degree. 
• Your ambition to work for a large company or organisation. 
• Your ambition to establish a business of your own. 
• Your ambition to study or live in a foreign country. 
• Your ambition to learn a particular skill. 
• Your ambition to do something for the people in your area. 
• Your ambition to become a famous leader, politician, dancer, singer, sportsperson, model, filmmaker, artist, designer, etc. 
• Your ambition to go on a religious pilgrimage. 
• Your ambition to buy a luxury/ expensive item like a car or a house etc. 
• Your ambition to travel to a part of the world. 
• Your ambition to become a certain professional. 
• Your ambition to implement an idea.

[Don't forget to write your own ambition that you are yet to achieve in the comment section of this article.]

Useful Vocabulary for Describing this Cue Card Topic: 

Desire and determination someone has to achieve something- is often called ambition.

• 'Ambition' Synonyms: Aspiration, goal, aim, purpose, desire, wish, target, dream, appetite, longing, yearning, zeal.
• Requirements to achieve an ambition: Determination, hard work, passion, desire, motivation, enthusiasm, commitment, zeal,  eagerness, energy, qualification, initiative, hope, luck, vision, objective.
• 'Achieve' Synonyms: Reach, attain, accomplish, gain, complete, earn, obtain, enact, carry out, resolve, win. 
• 'Important' Synonyms: Vital, essential, crucial, significant, vital, urgent, key, salient, meaningful. 

Part 3 – Two-way discussion:

Q. What are the important qualities to achieve our ambitions?

A. The most important quality to achieving ambitions is sincerity. Then it should be followed with perseverance and hard work. One has to stand up against all the odds, and never give up. A "can-do" attitude is also important to reach the target.

  

Q. Are all ambitions good in life?

A. If an ambition involves doing something positive, achieving success and helping others, then they are good ambition. But if it involves being selfish and harming or hurting others to reach the goal, then they are definitely bad ambitions. I am afraid not all of our ambitions in life are good as sometimes they are selfish ambitions.

Q. What type of ambitions young generation in your country has?

A. Most youths in my country want to have career success and social recognition with that. Thus they prefer to be doctors, good players, IT specialists, researchers, professors, engineers, lawyers, scientists, politicians, government service holders etc. Some youths have different visions and dream to change the country with their work. 

Q. Would you focus more on achieving your ambition or doing things you love to do?

A. I believe I first need to focus more on reaching my ambition. Once I reach there, I will have much freedom, and time to pursue my interests and hobbies. But if I waste time now, I will not be able to reach the target. Moreover, time is the most precious thing in this world, so I believe that wasting time is foolish. I should march on the actions I have decided that I will lead to my ambition first. And surely then I will work for passion and interests, not for money and fame.

Q. Should parents encourage children to have ambitions? Why/Why not?

A. In my humble opinion, it is absolutely imperative that parents encourage children to have ambitions while they are growing up. This is mainly because, without any proper ambition or goal, life is very much like a “radar-less boat”. After all, ambitions generally keep people motivated to become somebody “important” and productive in life. Besides, having ambitions also plays an important role in allowing children to understand their strengths and weaknesses before it becomes too late for them to deliver any good things in life.

Q. Is there any difference between the ambition of grown-ups and that of children?

A. Yes, there are indeed some differences between the ambition of grown-ups and that of children, depending on the types of environment, culture, environments and surroundings they are exposed to. For example, a kid will probably have his or her ambition as high as the sky, whereas the ambition of an adult will probably be more measured or realistic since he/she probably knows what he or she is capable of doing. Besides, kids can be a lot more competitive than adults in achieving their goals since they (children) are not generally afraid of losing.

Your ability to talk about this topic will enable you to answer the following IELTS cue card topics also: 

• Describe an ambition you have in your life.
• Describe something you want to achieve. 
• Describe an achievement you have in your life. 
• Describe a positive change in your life. 
• Describe a quality you admire among others. 
• Describe something which is important to you. 
• Describe a recent success you have had. 
• Describe a goal you want to fulfil in your life. 
• Describe a future plan you have.