IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Challenges
IELTS Speaking Part 1 (Challenges)
Topic: Challenges
Difficulty: Medium
IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Challenges
- How do you usually deal with challenges in daily life?
- Do you like to live a life that has a lot of challenges?
- Do you like to challenge yourself?
- What subject do you think is the most challenging at school?
How do you usually deal with challenges in daily life?
Aya (High School Student):
“When I face challenges, I usually take time to think about them before making a decision. I don’t like rushing, so I try to stay calm and ask for help if I need it. For example, if I have trouble with schoolwork, I talk to my teacher or classmates to understand better. I also practice on my own, especially when I need to improve. Sometimes, I get frustrated, but I remind myself that, step by step, I can overcome the problem. I believe in staying positive, but there are moments when it feels difficult. That’s when I take a break and come back to the challenge with a fresh mind.”
Minho (University Student):
“Dealing with challenges for me is all about breaking them down into smaller tasks. When I feel overwhelmed, especially with my studies or projects, I create a plan and prioritize what’s most important. I usually handle things one step at a time, and that keeps me focused. I also talk with friends or professors when something feels too hard. I believe that discussing problems with others helps you find new perspectives. Sometimes, the challenge might be big, but I tell myself that it’s just part of the process, and that motivates me to keep going.”
Linh (Office Worker):
“In my daily life, I approach challenges by staying organized and focused. Whether it’s a tough deadline at work or managing personal responsibilities, I like to create a clear plan of action. I believe that having a strategy helps reduce stress and makes the challenge more manageable. I also try to stay adaptable because things don’t always go as planned. If the challenge involves something new, I take the opportunity to learn from it. I may not always have the answers right away, but I stay persistent and open to feedback, which helps me overcome obstacles more effectively.”
Mr. Wong (Retired English Teacher):
“I usually tackle challenges by approaching them thoughtfully. First, I assess the situation and consider the best course of action. If the challenge is complex, I break it down into smaller, manageable parts. In my years of teaching, I’ve found that patience is key when dealing with difficulties, and this has served me well in life. I also believe in seeking advice when necessary, as a fresh perspective can provide clarity. Although challenges can sometimes be unexpected, I’ve learned that maintaining a calm and positive attitude can make all the difference in finding solutions.”
Do you like to live a life that has a lot of challenges?
Aya (High School Student):
“I’m not sure if I like a life with too many challenges. I prefer things to be simple and not too stressful. When there are too many problems, I feel nervous, and it’s hard for me to stay calm. I enjoy some challenges, especially when they help me learn something new, but I wouldn’t say I like a lot of them. It’s nice to have a balance, where I can enjoy my hobbies and spend time with friends without feeling pressured all the time. So, I think I like a life with only a few challenges, not too many.”
Minho (University Student):
“I enjoy a life with challenges, but only to a certain extent. I believe challenges help you grow, and they keep things interesting. Without them, life might get a bit boring. However, if there are too many challenges at once, it can become overwhelming, especially with university assignments and other responsibilities. I think having some challenges is important for personal development, but balance is key. A mix of both challenging moments and some easier times is ideal for me. This way, I feel like I’m progressing without burning out.”
Linh (Office Worker):
“I welcome challenges in my life because I believe they push me to grow and improve. In my job, especially in marketing, challenges often lead to creative solutions and new opportunities. That being said, I don’t seek out challenges just for the sake of it. I prefer challenges that are meaningful, ones that help me develop professionally or personally. I think a life with the right amount of challenges keeps things exciting, but too many can be stressful. Overall, I enjoy a balanced life where challenges are part of my growth, but they don’t dominate every aspect.”
Mr. Wong (Retired English Teacher):
“I’ve lived through many challenges, and I’ve found that they are an essential part of life. I wouldn’t say I enjoy a life filled with difficulties, but I do believe that facing challenges helps you develop wisdom and resilience. A life without any challenges would be quite stagnant, as it is through adversity that we often learn the most. However, I think it’s important to recognize when challenges become too overwhelming. At this stage in my life, I appreciate challenges that are intellectual or personal, but I prefer a more peaceful existence now compared to when I was younger.”
Do you like to challenge yourself?
Aya (High School Student):
“Um, I like to challenge myself sometimes, but not too much. I try to push myself in school because I want to do better in English and other subjects. For example, when I have a difficult test, I study more to see how much I can improve. I also challenge myself to try new things, like reading books in English. But I don’t always like hard challenges because they make me feel, um, stressed. So, I prefer small challenges that help me grow slowly, rather than very big ones.”
Minho (University Student):
“Yes, I definitely like to challenge myself. I think it’s the best way to improve. Whether it’s studying a new concept in business or trying to play basketball better, I believe that pushing myself beyond my comfort zone helps me grow. For example, when I decided to learn coding, it was challenging at first, but now I’m glad I kept going. I feel more confident when I achieve something that seemed difficult. So, while challenges can be tough, I enjoy them because they make me feel accomplished in the end.”
Linh (Office Worker):
“I enjoy challenging myself because it’s how I’ve made progress in my career and personal life. Whether it’s taking on a new project at work or learning a new skill, I believe that challenges push me to achieve more. For instance, when I started my job in marketing, there were many aspects I didn’t know, but I challenged myself to learn quickly. Over time, I realized that these challenges made me more competent and confident. I don’t always seek out the hardest challenges, but I do enjoy testing my limits and discovering what I’m capable of.”
Mr. Wong (Retired English Teacher):
“I have always appreciated the value of challenging oneself. Throughout my teaching career, I consistently pushed myself to learn new techniques and stay updated in my field. Even now in retirement, I continue to set personal challenges, whether that’s reading a complex philosophical text or learning a new skill. I believe that mental and intellectual challenges keep the mind sharp. While physical challenges may not be as important to me anymore, I still enjoy testing my abilities and learning from the experience. Self-improvement is a lifelong journey, after all.”
What subject do you think is the most challenging at school?
Aya (High School Student):
“For me, math is the most challenging subject at school. I find it hard because, um, the formulas are complicated, and I don’t always understand the steps. Sometimes, I get confused with numbers, and it takes me a long time to finish my homework. I often need extra help from my teacher or classmates to figure out the problems. English is also a bit difficult, but I can study it more easily with practice. Math, though, feels much harder because it’s not something I can just memorize. I need to really understand how to solve each question.”
Minho (University Student):
“Honestly, the most challenging subject for me is accounting. Even though I’m studying business, accounting requires a lot of attention to detail, and the numbers can get confusing. I often have to spend extra time reviewing concepts and formulas, especially when working on financial reports. It’s not something that you can just understand by memorizing; it requires a deep understanding of how each piece of information fits together. I know that accounting is important for my career, but I find it much harder than other subjects like marketing or economics.”
Linh (Office Worker):
“When I was in school, I found physics to be the most challenging subject. It required not only understanding formulas but also applying them in practical situations, which was difficult for me. I struggled with the abstract concepts, especially when it came to topics like electricity and magnetism. It wasn’t enough to memorize the equations; I had to really grasp the theory behind them. Even though I studied hard, it never came naturally to me. I eventually managed to pass, but I definitely found it much harder than subjects like literature or history.”
Mr. Wong (Retired English Teacher):
“From my experience as a teacher, many students found mathematics to be the most challenging subject, and I can understand why. It requires logical thinking and precision, which not everyone finds intuitive. In my own schooling, I struggled more with chemistry because it involved a lot of complex reactions and formulas that didn’t always make sense to me. You couldn’t simply memorize your way through it—you had to truly comprehend the underlying principles. It was certainly more difficult for me than languages or the humanities, which I always found more engaging.”
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Ian Tanpiuco is an ESL and virtual assistant. With a decade of experience, he has become an expert in his field. Dedicated to helping others achieve their goals, Ian works tirelessly in the classroom or as a virtual assistant.
