Describe a time when you tried to do something but weren't very successful. You should say: what you tried to do, why you wanted to do it, what happened, and explain why you were not successful.

experiencefailurepersonalgrowthmotivation
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IELTS Speaking tip

Practice summarizing the main points of articles you read to improve brevity and clarity.

Vocabulary

  • attempt
  • goal
  • obstacle
  • challenge
  • failure
  • motivation
  • experience
  • effort
  • strategy
  • decision
  • outcome
  • feedback
  • perseverance
  • frustration
  • realization
  • improvement

Sample Answer

One memorable occasion when I attempted something but didn’t succeed was when I tried to learn how to play the guitar. I picked up this goal because I had always admired musicians who could effortlessly strum beautiful melodies, and I wanted to impress my friends and family by playing for them. I invested in a guitar and signed up for beginner lessons. At first, I was quite excited and practiced diligently. However, after a few weeks, I began to realize that my enthusiasm was not enough to overcome my lack of musical talent. I struggled significantly with finger placements and chord transitions. Even basic songs seemed daunting, and I found myself feeling frustrated and disheartened as my progress stagnated. Several factors contributed to my lack of success. Firstly, my busy schedule made it difficult to dedicate the time needed for regular practice. Secondly, I quickly became overwhelmed by the technical aspects of playing, which diminished my initial joy in learning. In conclusion, while this experience was disappointing, it taught me valuable lessons about perseverance and the importance of realistic expectations. I learned that not every attempt will end in success, and sometimes, it's beneficial to redefine our goals based on our strengths and interests.

User Answers

  • May 10, 2024 at 09:21 PM
  • February 27, 2024 at 09:25 AM
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  • December 19, 2023 at 08:48 AM