Describe a challenge you faced that you thought was rather difficult
Suggested ideas for each part
- What it was: 📝 Preparing for an important exam / 🎤 Giving a speech in English / 🏃 Running a marathon
- When and where you faced it: 🏫 During high school/university / 🏆 At a competition / 💼 At work
- Why it was difficult: 😰 Lack of experience / ⏳ Limited time / 😓 High pressure
- How you felt at the time: 😞 Nervous and stressed / 💪 Determined to succeed / 😃 Proud after overcoming it
Useful grammar structures
- Past simple: Last year, I took on a huge challenge that changed my life.
- Past perfect: Before the event, I had never experienced such pressure.
- Past continuous: While I was preparing, I felt overwhelmed with stress.
- Conditional sentence (Type 3): If I hadn’t pushed myself, I would have regretted it.
- Emphatic structures: What really made this challenge difficult was the lack of time.
Collocations
- Push oneself to the limit 🏋️♂️ (thúc đẩy bản thân đến giới hạn)
- Step out of my comfort zone 🚀 (bước ra khỏi vùng an toàn)
- Overcome obstacles 🧗 (vượt qua trở ngại)
- Experience a sense of accomplishment 🎉 (cảm giác thành tựu)
- Struggle with self-doubt 🤯 (đấu tranh với sự nghi ngờ bản thân)
- Learn from failures 📖 (học hỏi từ thất bại)
- Build resilience 💪 (xây dựng khả năng chịu đựng)
Full spoken sample (about 2 minutes)
One of the biggest challenges I have ever faced was giving a public speech in English 🎤. This happened when I was in university, and I had to present my graduation project in front of a panel of professors and fellow students. As someone who used to be shy and uncomfortable speaking in front of a crowd, this challenge really pushed me to the limit 🏋️♂️.
Before the presentation, I had never spoken in English for such a long time in front of an audience. I remember feeling extremely nervous, and I even struggled with self-doubt 🤯. I kept thinking, “What if I forget my words? What if I make a mistake?” These thoughts made me even more anxious. However, I knew that this was a great opportunity to step out of my comfort zone 🚀 and improve my confidence.
To prepare for it, I practiced every single day. I recorded myself speaking, corrected my mistakes, and even asked my friends to listen and give feedback. I also tried breathing exercises to calm my nerves. The day of the presentation finally arrived, and although I was still nervous, I reminded myself to stay calm and take it one step at a time.
Surprisingly, everything went better than I expected! My voice was steady, and I delivered my speech smoothly. In the end, the professors gave me positive feedback, and I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment 🎉. Looking back, I realize that if I hadn’t faced this challenge, I would have missed the chance to grow and become more confident.
Overall, this experience taught me that sometimes, we just need to believe in ourselves and overcome obstacles 🧗 to reach our full potential. Since then, I have become much more comfortable with public speaking, and I now see challenges as opportunities rather than problems.
Part 3: Discussion Questions
1. What do children often do when they face a challenge?
Ideas
- 😢 Some cry or get frustrated
- 💡 Some ask parents or teachers for help
- 🛑 Some give up easily, while others keep trying
Collocations
- Seek guidance from adults 👩🏫 (tìm kiếm sự hướng dẫn từ người lớn)
- Develop problem-solving skills 🧠 (phát triển kỹ năng giải quyết vấn đề)
- Show perseverance 💪 (thể hiện sự kiên trì)
Sample answer
When children face a challenge, their reactions vary. Some might seek guidance from adults 👩🏫, such as parents or teachers, when they don’t know how to solve a problem. Others might try to handle the situation themselves and develop problem-solving skills 🧠. However, some children get frustrated and give up easily, while others show perseverance 💪 and keep trying until they succeed. It really depends on their personality and upbringing.
2. Is it easy for children to overcome a challenge?
Ideas
- ✅ Some find it easy if they have support
- ❌ Some struggle due to lack of experience
- 💪 It depends on their resilience and mindset
Collocations
- Face obstacles with determination 🔥 (đối mặt với thử thách bằng sự quyết tâm)
- Rely on encouragement from others 🤝 (dựa vào sự khuyến khích từ người khác)
- Build self-confidence 💪 (xây dựng sự tự tin)
Sample answer
It depends on the child’s personality and environment. Some children can face obstacles with determination 🔥, while others find it overwhelming. If they rely on encouragement from others 🤝, such as supportive parents and teachers, they are more likely to succeed. However, overcoming challenges can also help children build self-confidence 💪, which is an essential skill for their future.
3. Do most people choose to face a challenge alone or with others?
Ideas
- 🏋️♂️ Some prefer facing challenges alone to prove their strength
- 👥 Others seek teamwork and support
- 🔑 The type of challenge determines the approach
Collocations
- Rely on teamwork and collaboration 🤝 (dựa vào làm việc nhóm và hợp tác)
- Demonstrate independence 💡 (thể hiện sự độc lập)
- Seek emotional support ❤️ (tìm kiếm sự hỗ trợ tinh thần)
Sample answer
This depends on the individual and the type of challenge. Some people prefer to demonstrate independence 💡 by solving problems alone because they want to prove their abilities. Others rely on teamwork and collaboration 🤝, especially when the challenge requires different skills. In many cases, people also seek emotional support ❤️ from friends and family to stay motivated. Personally, I believe that working with others can often make challenges easier and more enjoyable to overcome.
4. How do challenges help people grow?
Ideas
- 🌱 Challenges teach resilience and patience
- 🧠 They improve problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- 💪 Overcoming difficulties builds confidence and independence
Collocations
- Strengthen mental toughness 🏋️♂️ (tăng cường sức mạnh tinh thần)
- Develop a growth mindset 🌱 (phát triển tư duy phát triển)
- Turn failures into learning opportunities 📚 (biến thất bại thành cơ hội học tập)
- Gain valuable life experience 🎓 (có được kinh nghiệm sống quý giá)
Sample answer
Challenges play a crucial role in personal growth because they push people to step out of their comfort zones. When people face difficulties, they have to develop a growth mindset 🌱 and find ways to solve problems. This process strengthens mental toughness 🏋️♂️ and helps them become more independent.
Moreover, challenges allow people to turn failures into learning opportunities 📚. For example, if someone fails an exam, they will learn the importance of preparation and time management. Over time, these experiences help them gain valuable life experience 🎓 and become more resilient. In my opinion, facing challenges is essential for both personal and professional development.