The cue card
Describe a time when you worked with a group of people to complete a task.
You should say:
- what the task was
- who you worked with
- what your role was
- and explain how successful the team was
Band 7 sample answer
I would like to talk about a group project I did in my second year at university. Our task was to prepare a ten-minute presentation about renewable energy in Uzbekistan, and we had three weeks to finish it. There were four of us in the team.
At the first meeting we divided the work according to our strengths. One teammate, Aziz, was good at research, another, Malika, designed the slides, and a third member prepared the speaking notes. My role was to coordinate the schedule and to collect everyone's parts into a single presentation. I also had to remind people about deadlines, which was not always comfortable.
There was one problem. Halfway through, Aziz got ill and could not finish his section. Instead of blaming him, we reorganised the plan, and each of us took a small part of his work. We met online in the evenings for two days, and I learned that clear communication is more important than perfect planning.
In the end, the team was quite successful. We received a high mark, and our lecturer praised the clear structure. The experience showed me that teamwork is not just dividing tasks; it also means supporting each other under pressure. I think I became a better listener and a more patient person through that project. Since then, I have worked in several groups, and I always remember that first project. It taught me to speak up early if a deadline looks risky, rather than waiting until the last night and hoping for a miracle.
About 255 words, roughly 2 minutes of natural speech.
Key vocabulary
- divide the workload — share tasks between people
- meet a deadline — finish by the required time
- pull together — work together to deal with a problem
- take the lead — become the person in charge
- a strength — something someone does well
- collaborate — work jointly with others
- communication skills — ability to share ideas clearly
Tips for this cue card
- Name your own role clearly.
- Include one problem and how the team solved it.
- Assess success honestly: what worked and what could be better.
Part 3 follow-up questions
Is teamwork more important than individual skills?
Idea: Both matter, but most modern jobs depend on cooperation, so social skills are highly valuable.
What makes a good team leader?
Idea: Clear goals, fairness, listening skills and the ability to stay calm in difficult moments.
Do children learn teamwork at school?
Idea: Group projects and sports teach it, though competition for grades can sometimes discourage cooperation.
More discussion questions with full answers: IELTS Speaking Part 3 topics.
Study guides
How Is IELTS Scored in Speaking and Writing? Criteria, Weighting and Rounding
The short answer first, then the Speaking and Writing criteria tables, how Task 1 and Task 2 combine and how the overall band is rounded.
IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors Explained in Plain English
The IELTS Speaking test is marked on four criteria. Here is what each one means at bands 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, with short examples you can compare with your own answers.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: How Many Minutes to Speak (With a Practice Timer)
How long Part 2 lasts (1 minute to prepare, 1–2 minutes to speak), a practice timer, a four-step structure and a model answer.