Describe a piece of work you did quickly | Speaking for IELTS PDF Download

You should say:

• what work it was
• why you did it quickly
• how easy or difficult it was
• and explain what the result was.

Sample Answer:

• During the course of both student and professional life, we often face situations where we need to invest a huge chunk of our time and effort to get the task done. Such circumstances test our attributes like time management, productivity and stress management. These situations often arise during the final stages of a project or assignment. One such situation where I completed a piece of work quickly was when I had to complete my research project on time.
• This work had to be completed quickly since we had to meet a deadline. Furthermore, since this project was the final assignment of our Bachelor’s degree, it required thorough and multiple levels of quality checking and approval. I finished the majority of the research project, which included research on my topic and on different headings, conducting surveys and analysis of the data, and other tasks in a satisfactory amount of time. However, since the final component of the research project required drawing inferences from our findings, more time and effort were required to complete it. Therefore I had to put in my best effort to finish this segment on time.
• Drawing inferences was considerably tough and time-consuming since it required careful data analysis and trends. However, once I understood the methodology of analysing and drawing conclusions, I finished the work under the given deadline.
• The final draft of my research project was decent and satisfactory to the examiners. I was one of the few students in my batch who completed the research project within the stipulated time. As a result, I was awarded a high score for my project, and I also performed well in the viva portion of the research project.

Follow-ups
Q1: Why do you think some people are able to complete tasks quickly while others take longer?
Ans: I think some people can complete tasks quickly because they are well-organized, focused, and have good time management skills. They may also have experience with similar tasks, allowing them to work more efficiently. On the other hand, people who take longer may need more time to understand the task or may be more meticulous about their work.

Q2: Do you think completing a task quickly always leads to better results?
Ans: Not necessarily. While completing tasks quickly can be important, it's also important to ensure the quality of the work. Rushing through tasks can sometimes result in mistakes. It’s about finding a balance between speed and quality, and understanding when it’s necessary to take more time to ensure the best outcome.

Q3: How do you manage your time to complete tasks quickly?
Ans: To complete tasks quickly, I prioritize what’s most important, break down tasks into smaller, manageable parts, and stay focused without distractions. I also try to stick to a schedule and set specific time limits for each task. Regular breaks can also help maintain energy levels and productivity.

Q4: What kind of work do you prefer to do quickly and what type of work do you take more time to do?
Ans: I prefer to do tasks like replying to emails or organizing documents quickly because they don't require much mental effort. However, I take more time with tasks that require creative thinking, problem-solving, or detailed planning, such as writing essays or preparing presentations, because I want to ensure the quality of the work.