IELTS TOPIC: Setting Goals
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
Goal: (abstract noun)
the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.
He achieved his goal of becoming the CEO of the corporation.
Planning: (verb or gerund)
the process of making plans for something.
Mass production methods call for detailed planning.
(overcoming) obstacles: (verb phrase)
to prevail in spite of adversity, to successfully solve a problem, or defeat an opponent.
By working hard I overcame my obstacles of poverty by earning enough money.
determination: (abstract noun)
the quality of being determined; firmness of purpose.
Those who succeed because of sheer grit and determination
motivation : (abstract noun)
a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way.
To just escape from your everyday life can be a strong motivation to travel.
priorities: (plural noun)
a thing that is regarded as more important than others. singular noun: priority
Housework didn't figure high on her list of priorities.
accomplishment: (abstract noun)
something that has been achieved successfully.
The reduction of inflation was a remarkable accomplishment.
objectives: (noun)
a thing aimed at or sought; a goal.
The system has achieved its objective.
Target: (noun)
a person, object, or place selected as the aim of an achievement.
The sales team accomplished their target and earned an incentive.
predictions: (abstract noun)
a thing predicted; a forecast.
The prediction that economic growth would resume to its original state is evident in the sales figures.
Principles:(noun)
a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.
The basic principles of justice are honesty and integrity.
turn out: (phrasal verb)
prove to be the case.
The job turned out to be beyond his rather limited abilities.
Explore all avenues: (idiom)
To explore all avenues. Meaning: to try everything in order to find a solution
The board of directors had to explore all avenues, trying everything in order to find a solution or to obtain the desired result.
Go the extra mile: (idiom)
to make a special effort to achieve something/ to do more than is expected.
State regulators will go the extra mile to ensure that this settlement is as investor-friendly as possible.
PART 1 QUESTIONS
Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the first part, the examiner will ask you a number of general questions
Are setting goals important why or why not?
What are your biggest goals in life?
What are your short term goals?
How do you plan to achieve these goals?
Should parents help their children set goals?
Should parents set goals for their children or teach them the values of setting goals for themselves?
When do young children start learning to set goals for themselves?
How often do you set goals for yourself?
What goals have you set and achieved in the past?
How do you feel when you reach your goals?
What kinds of goals are not realistic?
Why do people set goals?
How would you feel if you couldn’t achieve your goals?
PART 2 QUESTIONS
Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
You will have 1 minute to prepare to speak, and then you will talk for 2 minutes, during which the examiner will not speak.
Part 2 – sample task card
Sample A
Describe a goal that you hope to achieve in the future.
You should say:
what the goal is
when you hope to achieve it
what you need to do to reach your goal and why this goal is important to you.
Sample B
Describe why it is sometimes difficult to set goals.
You should say:
Why it could be difficult
What are some possible ways one can overcome some of these obstacles
And what the importance is to do so and how it could influence a person's life in a positive way.
Sample C
Describe why receiving advice can help in setting a goal
You should say:
Why you should ask for advice
from who and When to ask for advice
What the pros and cons are about asking advice
And what your thoughts were on why asking advice when setting a goal could helpful
PART 3 QUESTIONS
Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the last part, you will talk with the examiner about issues related to the topic on the card.
Some people say that learning how to set goals is an essential skill to learn. Do you agree with this or not, and why?
Do you think it's better to have clear aims for the future, or is it best to take each day as it comes?
People often say that goal setting is necessary for success. Do you agree with this or not, and why?
Do you think people have fewer goals as they get older?
Why do you think some people never manage to achieve their goals, do you think it is genetic?
Have people’s goals changed in recent times?
Who do you think has a greater influence on the goals children set these days, parents, or teachers?
Does technology have an influence on how people set goals these days?
How can the use of the internet and technology aid people in setting goals?
What would you say is the best way to help others set goals for themselves?
