Describe a decision that took you a long time to make.
A strong long turn names the subject in the first sentence, spends most of the two minutes on the last bullet — the why — and arrives at a prepared final line rather than trailing off.
The question, as the examiner gives it
Describe a decision that took you a long time to make.
You should say
- what the decision was
- why it was difficult
- how you decided
- and explain whether it was the right one
60 seconds to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak
A band 7 to 8 answer
About 192 words at a natural pace — roughly what 120 seconds holds.
Answer it yourself first
Record your own answer first. A model you have read three times comes out with a flattened rhythm, and examiners are trained to hear exactly that. Read it afterwards for the vocabulary and the shape, not to memorise the sentences.Four years ago I was offered a job in another city with considerably better pay, and I took about seven weeks to say no, which is an absurd length of time for a decision that size. It was difficult because the two sides were not comparable. On one side was money and a title, which are easy to measure, and on the other was every relationship I have, which is not. Anything measurable wins an argument by default, and I could feel that happening. How I decided, in the end, was by a fairly crude method. I wrote down what a normal Wednesday would look like in each version, in detail, and the new one was better in every respect except that I did not know anybody. Whether it was right is genuinely uncertain and I have stopped pretending otherwise. Two friends took similar offers and are happy. What I know is that I would have spent two years finding out, and I was not willing to pay that. What I do regret is the seven weeks, because most of that time was not thinking, it was avoiding the moment of deciding.
The words that earn marks
Each one links to how it is pronounced.
- comparable
stress on the first syllable, which learners often miss
- measure
the verb at the centre of the difficulty
- default
used in the phrase by default, precisely
- crude
a self-aware adjective about the method
- respect
used in the phrase in every respect
- uncertain
three syllables with the stress on the second
- willing
the right adjective for accepting a cost
How a strong answer is built
- 1Name the decision and how long it took.
- 2Explain why it was hard, in terms of the trade-off.
- 3Describe the method that broke the deadlock.
- 4Answer the last bullet honestly, without claiming certainty.
Sounds to watch
The ones this answer leans on most.
Straight answers
How long should my answer to “Describe a decision that took you a long time to make.” be?
You get 60 seconds to make notes and then speak for up to two minutes without interruption. Aim to still be talking at ninety seconds: finishing at forty is the commonest way to lose marks on this part.
Should I memorise the model answer?
No. Record your own version first, then read the model for the shape and the vocabulary. A memorised answer changes rhythm and pace noticeably, and examiners are trained to hear it — it usually costs more than the better wording gains.
Does sayit score this answer?
It scores what a microphone can observe: an estimate from fluency and pronunciation only — not an official band, and not a mark for vocabulary or grammar.
What the band on your result means
An estimate from fluency and pronunciation only — not an official band, and not a mark for vocabulary or grammar.One question a day until your test
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