IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved

Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved

You should say:

• What it is
• Why you haven’t achieved it
• What you did
• And explain how you felt about it

Follow-up (Part 3):

1. What ambitions do children usually have?
2. Why do some people care a lot about being ambitious in their work?
3. Why don’t some people have dreams?
4. How do people balance work and life?

 

Part 2: Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved

Suggested ideas for each part

• What it is: 🎓 Studying abroad / 📖 Writing a book / 🏆 Starting a business
• Why you haven’t achieved it: 💰 Lack of money / ⏳ No time / 📚 Lack of skills or knowledge
• What you did: 🏋️‍♀️ Took courses / 💼 Saved money / 🤝 Asked for advice
• How you felt about it: 😞 Frustrated / 💪 Motivated to keep trying / 🤔 Realistic about challenges

Useful grammar structures

1. Present perfect: I have always wanted to study abroad, but I haven’t been able to achieve it yet.
2. Third conditional: If I had saved enough money earlier, I would have studied in the UK by now.
3. Passive voice: Many scholarships are given to students, but I wasn’t selected for one.
4. Past perfect: I had planned to apply last year, but unexpected events changed my plans.
5. Comparisons: It is much harder than I thought to achieve this ambition.

Collocations

1. Lifelong ambition 🎯 (tham vọng cả đời)
2. Personal growth 📈 (sự phát triển bản thân)
3. Overcome obstacles 🚧 (vượt qua trở ngại)
4. Financial constraints 💰 (hạn chế tài chính)
5. Pursue a dream 🌟 (theo đuổi ước mơ)
6. Long-term goal 📆 (mục tiêu dài hạn)
7. Frustrating experience 😩 (trải nghiệm khó chịu)

Full spoken sample

One ambition that I haven’t achieved yet is studying abroad 🎓. Ever since I was in high school, I have dreamed of pursuing a degree in an English-speaking country like the UK or Australia 🇬🇧🇦🇺. I believe that this experience would not only help me gain academic knowledge but also contribute to my personal growth 📈 by exposing me to different cultures and perspectives.

However, I haven’t been able to achieve this goal due to financial constraints 💰. Studying abroad is extremely expensive, and although I have applied for some scholarships, I wasn’t selected 😞. Moreover, my family’s financial situation hasn’t allowed me to afford the high tuition fees and living expenses.

To work towards this ambition, I have taken several steps. I have been saving money 💼 by working part-time and cutting unnecessary expenses. I have also been improving my English skills 📝 to increase my chances of getting a scholarship in the future. Additionally, I have sought advice from people who have successfully studied abroad, hoping to learn from their experiences 🤝.

Although I sometimes feel frustrated 😩, I still believe that I can achieve this ambition one day. I have learned that some dreams take longer to come true, and I am willing to overcome obstacles 🚧 and pursue my dream 🌟 no matter how difficult it is.

Part 3: Discussion Questions

1. What ambitions do children usually have?

Ideas

• 🎭 Becoming famous (singer, actor, YouTuber)
• 🚀 Dream jobs (doctor, astronaut, pilot)
• 🏆 Winning competitions (sports, academic awards)

Grammar structures

• Past habits: When I was a child, I used to dream of becoming a doctor.
• Future possibilities: If children are encouraged, they can achieve great things.

Collocations

1. Childhood dreams 🌈 (ước mơ thời thơ ấu)
2. Aspire to be 🎭 (khao khát trở thành)
3. Role models 🌟 (hình mẫu lý tưởng)

Sample answer

Children often have big dreams 🌈, and their ambitions are usually influenced by their role models 🌟. Some children aspire to be singers, actors, or YouTubers 🎭 because they see famous people on TV and social media. Others want to become doctors, astronauts, or pilots 🚀 because they admire people in those professions. Additionally, some children dream of winning competitions 🏆, whether in sports or academics.

2. Why do some people care a lot about being ambitious in their work?

Ideas

• 💰 Desire for financial success
• 🏆 Passion for achievement
• 📈 Career growth and promotion

Collocations

1. Climb the career ladder 📊 (thăng tiến trong sự nghiệp)
2. Financial stability 💵 (sự ổn định tài chính)
3. Professional success 🏆 (thành công trong công việc)

Sample answer

Many people are highly ambitious at work because they want to climb the career ladder 📊 and achieve financial stability 💵. In today’s competitive world, professional success is often linked to job promotions and higher salaries. Moreover, some people are naturally driven to succeed because they are passionate about their work 🏆 and want to make a meaningful impact.

3. Why don’t some people have dreams?

Ideas

• 😔 Lack of motivation or opportunities
• 🚫 Fear of failure
• 💼 Practical mindset (focus on survival instead of ambition)

Collocations

1. Limited opportunities 🚪 (cơ hội hạn chế)
2. Fear of failure 😨 (nỗi sợ thất bại)
3. Practical mindset 💼 (tư duy thực tế)

Sample answer

Some people don’t have dreams because they face limited opportunities 🚪 and feel that success is out of reach. Others avoid setting big goals due to their fear of failure 😨. Additionally, some individuals have a practical mindset 💼, focusing more on daily survival rather than long-term ambition.

4. How do people balance work and life?

Ideas

• ⏰ Time management (setting work-life boundaries)
• 🏃‍♂️ Healthy lifestyle (exercise, hobbies, vacations)
• ❤️ Spending quality time with family and friends

Collocations

1. Work-life balance ⚖ (cân bằng giữa công việc và cuộc sống)
2. Stress management 🧘 (quản lý căng thẳng)
3. Quality time with family 👨‍👩‍👧 (thời gian chất lượng với gia đình)

Sample answer

Maintaining a good work-life balance ⚖ is essential for overall well-being. People often achieve this by practicing time management ⏰, setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Additionally, engaging in hobbies, exercise 🏃‍♂️, and vacations can help with stress management 🧘. Lastly, prioritizing quality time with family 👨‍👩‍👧 strengthens relationships and brings happiness.