Describe An Ambition that You haven’t Achieved- IELTS Cue Card

The International English Language Testing System or IELTS is an English language proficiency test taken for study, migration, or work. In part 2 of the speaking section, test takers are given a cue card to speak on a topic for one to two minutes.  Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved- is a common cue card topic. In this essay, you have to tap into your reservoir of personal experiences and thoughts. Talk honestly about your unfulfilled ambitions and why you wanted to achieve the same. You should maintain the flow of content in a logical manner, without going overboard. Here are a couple of samples to help you get the drift.

Describe an Ambition that You Haven’t Achieved: Sample 1

The pain of unfulfilled ambitions is severe; it disrupts the tone and tenor of daily life, continually interrupting our humdrum routines with the tenuous question- What if? I am also an individual who is similarly affected by the nostalgia and regret evoked in me periodically by the pangs of my unfulfilled ambition to be a professional swimmer. 

I loved swimming from childhood, learning at the tender age of six and graduating to full-fledged swimming at the neighborhood lake by age ten. The local swimming club where I enrolled supported my talents and even requested an audience with my parents when I was twelve years old. They urged my parents to let them nominate me for a national swimming scholarship. This would have advanced my career significantly, in their opinion. Alas, the ravages of time and fate are undeniable, and they struck at that budding moment. 

I suddenly got an eye infection, leaving my eyes swollen and red, and even impairing my visibility sometimes. The doctor advised me to stay away from swimming for a couple of months; this halted my selection trials for the national academy. Gradually, with my recovery from the eye infection, I had to wear goggles while swimming and eventually lost interest in the experience. I have not done too poorly in my alternative career as an engineer today. I work with a leading multinational company and can contribute handsomely towards meeting my familial and social commitments. However, I am reminded of my earlier passion for the sport whenever I get a glimpse of a swimming pool. This is one ambition I have not achieved and will continue to regret for the rest of my days.

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Describe an Ambition that You Haven’t Achieved: Sample 2

Many of us have diverse and ever-evolving ambitions while growing up. However, I was always steadfast in my goal to become a professional musician. I informed my parents of my decision when I was only ten years old and in the fifth standard. There was a backdrop to this; my maternal grandmother was a trained classical singer who had performed on radio. Listening to her recordings (dutifully preserved by my grandfather), I was inspired to take up music as my profession. My parents were immensely supportive of my decision and asked me to get trained by my grandmother. 

Over a few years, I had nurtured my passion into a lifelong obsession. I was a budding vocalist, and my grandmother (my first guru) maintained that I had a fine voice. She advised me to enroll under a legendary professional classical singer. I was pleasantly surprised when he decided to accept me as his student. Things were going fine, and I was gradually gaining confidence. I had just graduated from college with History as my major. I was planning to enroll in my postgraduate course in music and continue my journey in the field. 

Yet, destiny intervened. I had casually applied to a prestigious university abroad for a master’s program in history. It came as a surprise to me when they accepted my candidature. I only had a week to confirm. I could not resist and made my way to the university, studying there for two years and eventually settling down there as an academic. I am happy with my career and achievements to date. However, I still feel a tinge of regret on thinking of those days when I left my musical pursuits and the hard work of several years to take up a tempting offer.

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