Describe a volunteering experience you have had IELTS cue card

Approaching the IELTS cue card questions with a clear structure and fluid delivery is crucial when preparing for them. These questions usually centre on commonplace events, enabling applicants to provide anecdotes that illustrate their viewpoints.

When talking about volunteer opportunities, for example, one could look at a variety of positions, such as working at neighbourhood community centres or taking part in global humanitarian initiatives.

By structuring your thoughts around the main elements of the encounter, such as what you did, where it happened, and its impact on society, you may craft an engaging narrative that interests the examiner and demonstrates your language ability.

If you are asked to describe a volunteer experience on an IELTS cue card, you must approach the topic with confidence and structure. If you want to respond well, think about structuring it around the following points:

• What: Tell us about the particular volunteer work you did.
• Where and When: Describe the time and place of your encounter.
• Why: Describe why you want to volunteer.
• How: Talk about what you did and how it affected you or other people.

For instance, you could discuss fundraising at a community food bank, or a local animal shelter, or taking part in a beach clean-up. You could talk about your volunteer opportunities at one of AECC's partner institutions if you have studied abroad or want to do so.

Give an example of a time you volunteered for a cause or occasion. You should say:

• What the volunteer effort was, and where you did do it?
• When you did it should be stated.
• The reasons for your decision to volunteer and do networking.
• Your thoughts about the encounter.

To properly respond to this query, take the following actions:

• Give a succinct overview of your time volunteering first.
• Give a detailed account of the volunteer work you completed, citing the event or organisation if applicable.
• Give specifics regarding the time and place of your volunteer work.
• Describe why you are volunteering abroad.
• Express your emotions and thoughts about the encounter.
• Give a succinct overview of the lessons you took away from volunteering.

A drafted answer may sound like this:

“One example of a time I volunteered was when I helped organise a community health awareness event in my hometown. The event took place in the local community centre in early 2023, and it focused on educating people about Sickle Cell Anemia. I volunteered to raise awareness, distribute educational materials, and assist in organising the event. The main reason I chose to have that social responsibility and volunteer for this cause was because of my connection to Sickle Cell Anemia. I have a close family member who has been affected by this condition, and I wanted to help others who might be unaware of the symptoms, treatments, and resources available for managing the disease. The experience was incredibly rewarding.”

Give an example of a talent you picked up while volunteering and evolving teamwork. The appropriate thing to say is:

• What you learn, where you learned it, and when
• Why this talent was necessary for you to learn
• Since then, how has this ability helped you?

To properly respond to this query:

• Give a brief overview of the skills you acquired throughout your volunteer work to start.
• Describe how and where you acquired this talent, specifying the particular organisation or volunteer activity.
• Describe why your volunteer job required you to acquire this skill.
• Talk about how you've used this ability ever since and how it has affected your life, both personally and professionally.
• Finally, consider the importance of volunteering to gain new abilities.

You may present your answer like this:

“During my time volunteering at a local health awareness event for Sickle Cell Anemia, I acquired the valuable skills of public speaking and event coordination. This experience took place in early 2023, at the community centre where I worked with a team to organise and manage the event. I learned the basics of public speaking and engaging with an audience while presenting key information about Sickle Cell Anemia and answering questions. Since then, this ability has helped me both personally and professionally. I have become more confident when speaking in public, whether in academic settings or during professional meetings.”

Tell us about a difficulty you encountered while volunteering. You can say:

• What was the difficulty? Where and when did you face this difficulty?
• How did you handle it?
• What did you take away from this encounter?

To properly respond to this question

• Start by giving a quick overview of the difficulty you encountered while volunteering.
• Give background information regarding the location and time of this challenge, specifying the particular organisation or volunteer activity.
• Describe your strategy for overcoming the obstacle.
• Talk about the lessons you took away from this experience and how it affected your development as a person.
• Finally, consider how this experience has changed the way you will handle upcoming tasks or volunteer opportunities.

You may say something like:

“During my volunteering experience at a health awareness event for Sickle Cell Anemia in early 2023, I faced significant difficulty in managing a large group of attendees, especially when many of them had specific questions and concerns about the disease. The event was held at a local community centre, and with such a large crowd, it became challenging to ensure that everyone’s questions were addressed promptly without creating chaos. The difficulty arose when we were conducting an open Q&A session. I had to step in to help manage the crowd, directing questions in an orderly manner while also ensuring that the speakers had enough time to respond properly. To handle this, I focused on my personal growth, and skill development to quickly organise the attendees into smaller groups, so we could address their concerns one at a time.”

Give an example of a volunteer you met. You can say:

• Who was this individual? Where and when did you meet them?
• What were you two volunteering for?
• Why did this individual leave an effect on you?

To properly respond to this query:

• Start by giving a brief introduction to the individual you volunteered with.
• Describe how and where you met this person, including the particular organisation or volunteer activity.
• Describe the volunteer work that you were both doing at the time.
• Talk about how this individual affected your volunteering experience and why they made a lasting impression on you.
• Finish by considering the lessons you took away from this individual or how they motivated you.

A sample presentation of what you can say:

“I met Raj, a seasoned healthcare professional while volunteering at a Sickle Cell Anemia awareness campaign in 2023. Raj had been volunteering benefits with the organisation for over five years and helped me navigate my new role. He patiently guided me in communicating complex medical information and encouraged me to ask questions. His genuine compassion and dedication left a lasting impact on me, teaching me the importance of mentorship and leading by example. This experience inspired me to continue volunteering and supporting others in their journeys.”

Here are some follow-up questions that take into account the details you gave in response to the cue card question about characterising a person you met while volunteering:

• How did meeting this person change your perspective on volunteering?
• Can you describe a specific project or task you worked on together with this person?
• How might your experience inspire others to volunteer, especially international students?
• What emotions did you experience while working alongside this person?" is the ideal tone and approach.
• Did this person share any insights about the local community or cultural exchange that you found valuable?

In summary, success in the IELTS cue card work that asks you to describe a volunteer experience necessitates a methodical approach, precise articulation, and the capacity to make significant connections between your own experiences and more general concepts.

Looking to achieve your dream IELTS score? AECC offers personalised coaching, expert guidance, and all the resources you need to succeed. Whether you’re aiming for higher education abroad or career advancement, we’ll help you prepare with tailored strategies. Get in touch with AECC today to start your journey towards IELTS success and secure a brighter future!