Describe a time when you changed your opinion

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card 460 with Model Answer:

Describe a time when you changed your opinion.

You should say:

• when it was
• what your original opinion was
• why you changed it

and explain how you felt about it.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

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Model Answer 1:

I don’t really like to argue with people unless I have a very valid reason to do so. But, when I do argue, I always want to make sure that my opinions are not ignored or rendered irrelevant. Then again, I have changed my opinions also on a number of occasions before when I was offered some more valid opinions, and today, I would like to talk about one such occasion.

It was about 2/3 years ago when I was a final-year university student. Up until then, I very much had an opinion that we didn’t really need to participate in any kind of cultural activities (i.e. music, debates, dancing, or performing in theatres) as students since such activities can distract us from our studies and academic lessons. In other words, as students, we should only focus on our studies. 

By the way, I had such strong opinions in favour of focusing on studies only as a student, mainly because that’s exactly what my parents had taught me all along. Besides, my parents had pointed out to me that one of my distant cousins was not able to perform well academically because he was just too busy learning/playing guitar with his friends. So, naturally, I just didn’t have the courage to challenge the opinion of my parents as far as the issue of taking part in cultural activities was concerned.

But, all that changed when I came across a research article, published by one of the most prestigious universities in the world, which meticulously articulated the benefits of taking part in cultural activities as to actually how it could help students learn to maintain balance in their lives when focusing on different tasks and things as adults.

Anyway, when I got the opportunity to change my opinion, I initially felt a bit sad, learning that I had missed some great opportunities as a student in the past to unearth my talents in the cultural arena. Having said that, however, I also felt like I was “liberated” from a rather poor “stereotype”.

Model Answer 2:

Introduction:
Throughout our lives, we encounter situations and experiences that have the power to reshape our perspectives and challenge our existing beliefs. One such significant moment occurred in my life when I had a profound change of opinion on a particular matter.

When it was:
This change of opinion happened a few years ago when I was engaged in a debate about climate change.

What your original opinion was:
Initially, I held a sceptical view regarding the severity and causes of climate change. I believed that the issue was exaggerated and that natural fluctuations in the Earth's climate were responsible for any observed changes.

Why you changed it:
However, as I delved deeper into the subject, I came across compelling scientific research, documentaries, and reports that presented a vast body of evidence supporting the reality and human influence on climate change. I realized the importance of considering multiple perspectives and seeking reliable information from credible sources. The overwhelming consensus among experts, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, and the visible impacts on ecosystems convinced me to reconsider my stance.

And explain how you felt about it:
Changing my opinion on such a significant matter was not easy. Initially, I felt a sense of discomfort and cognitive dissonance as it required me to question my existing beliefs and confront the reality of the situation. However, as I embraced the new perspective and continued to educate myself on the topic, I felt a sense of liberation and empowerment. I understood that changing my opinion was not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to my willingness to evolve, learn, and adapt based on new information.