77. Topic: A Time You Overcame a Fear
– Question 77: Describe a time when you overcame a fear.
– You should say:
– What was the fear, and when did this happen?
– How did you face and conquer this fear?
– What was the outcome of overcoming it?
– How has this experience changed you?
Model answer by Lifestyle Training Centre
Fears, as they say, are like shadows—they grow larger the longer you avoid them. One of the biggest fears I had to tackle was my fear of public speaking. This happened a few years ago when I was asked to deliver a presentation at my workplace. To say I was petrified would be an understatement. The thought of standing in front of a crowd, with all eyes glued to me, sent shivers down my spine. But I knew that avoiding it would be detrimental to my career.
At first, I tried to wriggle out of it by suggesting someone else could handle the task. But my manager, in his infinite wisdom, insisted that I was the best person for the job. So, reluctantly, I decided to bite the bullet and face my fear head-on. I prepared relentlessly—writing, revising, and practising my speech multiple times. I even stood in front of a mirror, imagining an audience, and later rehearsed in front of my closest friends, who offered constructive feedback.
The big day arrived, and I felt my heart pounding like a drum. My palms were sweaty, and I had butterflies in my stomach. As I walked onto the stage, I reminded myself of a piece of advice I had read: “Speak to inform, not to impress.” With that in mind, I took a deep breath and started my presentation. Surprisingly, as I went on, the initial nervousness began to melt away. I made eye contact with the audience, shared a few anecdotes, and even managed to inject some humour into my talk.
By the end of the session, I received a round of applause, and some colleagues came up to me afterwards to commend my efforts. It was an overwhelming sense of relief and accomplishment. Overcoming this fear was a game-changer for me. It boosted my confidence and opened up doors for other opportunities, like leading workshops and facilitating meetings.
This experience taught me that fears often live only in our minds, and facing them can be incredibly liberating. I’ve learned to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and now, I take public speaking in my stride. It’s safe to say that the experience turned over a new leaf in my personal and professional life.
List of vocabulary used:
- Fears – Strong feelings of anxiety or apprehension about something.
- Shadows – A dark area caused by blocking light, often used metaphorically to represent something that causes fear or anxiety.
- Petrified – Extremely frightened or terrified.
- Understatement – A statement that downplays or expresses something in a less forceful way than it actually is.
- Shivers down my spine – A physical reaction to fear, often signifying intense nervousness or excitement.
- Detrimental – Harmful or damaging.
- Wriggle out of – To avoid or escape from a situation, often by evading responsibility.
- Infinite wisdom – Boundless or vast knowledge or understanding, often implying great intelligence.
- Reluctantly – Hesitantly or unwillingly.
- Bite the bullet – To face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely.
- Head-on – Confronting something directly and without avoidance.
- Relentlessly – In an unyielding or persistent manner.
- Revising – Making changes to improve or correct something, especially a piece of writing.
- Rehearsed – Practised something in preparation for performance.
- Constructive feedback – Helpful comments or suggestions aimed at improving performance.
- Pounding – A strong, rhythmic beating, often associated with fast or intense physical reactions (e.g., heart).
- Butterflies in my stomach – A feeling of nervousness or anxiety, especially before a stressful event.
- Anecdotes – Short, interesting stories about a particular event or incident, often used to make a point.
- Inject some humour – To introduce humour into a situation or speech.
- Round of applause – A gesture of approval or appreciation, typically by clapping hands.
- Commend – To praise or express approval for someone’s actions.
- Overwhelming – Something that is so intense or powerful that it is difficult to cope with.
- Liberating – Freeing or releasing, especially from emotional or mental constraints.
- Embrace challenges – To welcome or accept difficulties as opportunities for growth.
- Take in my stride – To handle something with ease and confidence, without letting it cause distress.
- Turned over a new leaf – To make a positive change in one’s life or behaviour, often starting anew.
- Game-changer – An event, decision, or factor that dramatically alters the course of something.
Idioms and Phrases:
- Fears, as they say, are like shadows – Fears grow or seem bigger when avoided.
- Grow larger the longer you avoid them – Fears become more daunting the more you try to escape them.
- Petrified – Extremely scared or frightened.
- Sent shivers down my spine – Caused a feeling of nervousness or fear.
- Avoiding it would be detrimental – Fleeing from it would have negative consequences.
- Tried to wriggle out of it – Attempted to escape or avoid the responsibility.
- In his infinite wisdom – In his great understanding or judgment.
- Bite the bullet – To do something difficult or unpleasant that has to be done.
- Face my fear head-on – Confront my fear directly without avoiding it.
- Prepared relentlessly – Worked extremely hard and without giving up.
- My heart pounding like a drum – My heart was beating very fast, indicating nervousness.
- Had butterflies in my stomach – Felt nervous or anxious.
- Speak to inform, not to impress – Focus on sharing knowledge rather than trying to impress others.
- Melt away – Gradually disappear or lessen.
- Inject some humour into my talk – Add humour to make the presentation more engaging.
- Round of applause – A show of appreciation or approval by clapping.
- Game-changer – A moment or event that significantly changes the situation or future outcomes.
- Boosted my confidence – Made me feel more self-assured or capable.
- Opened up doors – Created new opportunities or possibilities.
- Take public speaking in my stride – Handle public speaking with ease and confidence.
- Turned over a new leaf – Made a fresh start or changed for the better.
Additional Good Vocabulary:
- Perseverance – Continued effort despite difficulties.
- Resilience – The ability to recover quickly from challenges.
- Humility – Modesty or lack of arrogance.
- Transformative – Causing a major change or improvement.
- Proactive – Taking action in advance to address potential challenges.
- Aspiration – A strong desire to achieve something.
- Breakthrough – A significant or sudden advance.
- Insight – A deep understanding of something.
- Overcome – To successfully deal with or defeat a challenge.
IELTS Speaking Task Topics
Click on any topic to explore more!
Names
Learn about the importance of names and their cultural significance.
Study / Job
Discuss various aspects of studying and working in different fields.
Hometown
Explore the charm of your hometown and its unique features.
Accomodation
Understand various types of accommodation and living situations.
Weather
Learn about how weather influences daily life and activities.
Time
Discuss the concept of time, its importance, and time management.
Television
Talk about the role of television in modern entertainment.
Museum
Discuss the cultural importance of museums and historical exhibits.
Holidays
Explore the significance of holidays and different celebrations.
Films
Learn about the impact of films on culture and society.
Leisure Time
Discuss how leisure activities impact personal well-being.
Sport
Talk about the role of sports in health, entertainment, and culture.
Vegetables and Fruits
Discuss the health benefits and importance of fresh produce.
Maths
Explore the role of mathematics in various aspects of life.
Sky
Discuss the beauty and scientific significance of the sky.
Clothes&Fashion
Explore how clothing reflects culture and personal expression.
Weekend
Discuss the importance of weekends and ways people relax.
Reading
Learn about the importance of reading and various reading habits.
Sleep
Explore how sleep impacts physical and mental well-being.
Trees&Plants
Discuss the environmental and health benefits of plants.
Newspaper
Discuss the evolving role of newspapers in the digital age.
Texting
Explore the role of text messaging in modern communication.
Memorising
Learn techniques for improving memory and memorization.
Travelling
Discuss the importance and impact of traveling in modern society.
Communication
Explore the modes and significance of communicating well
Letter&Email
Explore the differences and significance of letters vs. emails.
Swimming
Discuss the benefits of swimming for health and fitness.
Snacks
Explore the role of snacks in daily nutrition and lifestyle.
Photography
Discuss photography’s cultural and artistic significance.
Help
Talk about the importance of offering and receiving help.
History
Discuss historical events and their impact on modern society.
Handwriting
Explore the significance of handwriting in education and culture.
Music
Learn about the influence of music on emotions and society.
Colours
Discuss how colours affect perception and mood.
Teachers
Explore the role of teachers in shaping students’ futures.
Being Alone
Talk about the experience and benefits of spending time alone.
Teamwork
Learn the importance of teamwork in professional and social contexts.
Countryside & City
Explore the charm and benefits of living in the countryside.
Social Media
Discuss the impact of social media on society and relationships.
Friends
Explore the importance of friendships in life.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Talk about the future of AI and its role in society.
Climate Change
Discuss the causes and consequences of climate change.
Transportation
Explore different modes of transportation in your area.
Sustainable Transportation
Explore ways to make transportation more environmentally friendly.
Space Exploration
Learn about the latest advancements in space exploration.
Shopping
Explore how shopping influences culture and the economy.
Modern Technology
Discuss how modern technology is reshaping society.
Technology
Learn about the role of technology in everyday life.
Sustainable Living
Explore ways to live sustainably for the future of the planet.
Globalisation
Learn about the effects of globalisation on society and economies.
Global Warming
Discuss the causes, effects, and solutions to global warming.
Gender Equality
Explore the importance of gender equality in modern society.
Health and Fitness
Discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Renewable Energy
Learn about renewable energy sources and their impact on the environment.
Cultural Traditions in Kerala
Explore the unique cultural traditions of Kerala, your hometown.
Cultural Traditions in Your Country
Learn about the cultural traditions in your country.
Education System
Discuss the education system in your country and its effectiveness.
Traditional Cuisine
Explore the significance of traditional cuisines in your culture.
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