The cue card
Describe a time when you changed your mind. You should say:
- what the situation was
- what you originally thought
- why you changed your mind
- and explain how you felt about it
You have 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1 to 2 minutes.
🎙 Practise this card with the examiner
Notes you could make in 1 minute
Write key words only, one line per bullet point:
- didn't want to study online
- thought it would be boring
- tried it, flexible
- glad I was wrong
Band 7+ sample answer
I'd like to talk about the time I changed my mind about studying online. A couple of years ago, I needed to take a course in project management for my job, and my manager suggested an online version because it was cheaper and more flexible.
Originally, I was completely against the idea. I've always been someone who learns best in a classroom, with a teacher in front of me and other students to talk to. I imagined online learning would be lonely and boring, just watching videos and clicking buttons, and I was worried I wouldn't have the discipline to keep up.
What changed my mind was actually a conversation with a friend who'd done an online degree. She explained that good courses have live classes, group projects and discussion forums, and that the flexibility meant she could fit study around her shifts. So I decided to give it a try, half expecting to quit after a few weeks.
In fact, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made. The course had weekly live sessions where we worked in small groups, and I got to know people from all over Australia. Being able to rewatch lectures was also really useful when the content was difficult.
I felt a bit embarrassed about how negative I'd been at the start, but mostly I was glad I'd kept an open mind. It's made me more willing to try things before deciding I don't like them, which I think is a good habit to have.
About 255 words, or roughly 2 minutes at a natural speaking pace.
Useful vocabulary for this topic
- to have a change of heart
- to be sceptical about
- to keep an open mind
- I stand corrected
- to see things differently
- it won me over
Why this answer works: it covers every bullet point, tells a short story with specific details (names, places, numbers), uses a range of tenses, and finishes with the "explain" point, which is where you show your best vocabulary.
Follow-up and Part 3 questions
Examiner's follow-up (Part 2): Do you often change your mind?
Part 3 discussion questions:
- Why do people sometimes refuse to change their opinions?
- Is changing your mind a sign of weakness or strength?
- How do advertisements try to change people's minds?
- Should politicians change their minds when public opinion changes?
Answer Part 3 questions in 3–4 sentences: your view, a reason, an example, and the other side.
More cue cards
Frequently asked questions
How long should my answer to 'Describe a time when you changed your mind' be?
Speak for up to 2 minutes; the examiner will stop you. That's roughly 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The sample answer on this page is about 255 words.
Can I memorise this sample answer?
No. Examiners are trained to recognise memorised answers, and it can lower your score. Use the sample to see the structure and borrow a few phrases, then talk about your own experience.