Describe a prize you received Cue Card | September to December 2024 Cue Card
what it was
when you received it
what you did to receive it
and how you felt about it
Vocab and Idioms
1 Hard work is the key to success: Persistent effort
2 Burn the midnight oil: Work late
3 Leave no stone unturned: to make every possible effort
4 Fabulous: Extremely good
5 Extremely: Very much
6 Down in the dumps: Very sad
7 Joy knew no bounds: Extremely happy
There is no doubt, hard work is the key to success. In this fast-paced life, everyone wants to attain something in their life that’s why they burn the midnight oil to become successful. Here, I would like to talk about a prize I received when I got the first position in a state-level science competition.
It was almost a year ago when I received this award. To win the competition, I made a handmade project and left no stone unturned in the preparation. I gathered several items like a pan, a small quantity of rice, some spices, water, a cardboard box, and a glass sheet.
First of all, I made a box with the glass sheet, covering it from all sides except the top, so the rays of the sun could pass through. Inside the box, I placed a pan with rice, added water, and the required spices. It was a natural cooking process where the sharp rays of the sun cooked the rice in just 15 minutes.
It was a fabulous project. When the teachers saw my project, they felt extremely happy, but the final decision was in the hands of the chief guest. He inspected my project quite closely without saying anything and then walked away.
At that moment, I felt down in the dumps and had given up hope of winning a prize. However, when the results were announced, I was overjoyed to hear that I had won first prize. My joy knew no bounds; I felt over the moon.
Ultimately, the reason for my joy was not only the result but also the realization that hard work had brought me success. Additionally, seeing the joy and pride on my parents’ faces because of my achievement made me feel really proud.
Follow-ups
1. Why do some companies encourage employees to compete with each other?
According to my perception, competition plays a crucial role in pushing anyone towards success. Due to this, most firms create a competitive environment in their workplaces among the workforce to encourage employees to work hard, accept the ups and downs, and become strong.
2. Why do so many companies offer prizes to their customers?
Well, offering extra prizes to customers has numerous benefits. Firstly, it encourages customers to buy more products from that particular company. Also, people are more attracted to incentives as they get extra commodities over necessary ones.
3. What criteria should be set for students to win a particular prize?
To win a particular prize, students should meet criteria such as academic excellence, consistent effort, creativity, teamwork, and leadership skills. The criteria should be transparent and well-defined to ensure fairness and motivate students to strive for their best.
4. What prizes should schools set for students to win?
Schools should set a variety of prizes, including certificates, medals, scholarships, and educational trips. Additionally, prizes like books, gadgets, and opportunities for further training or mentorship can be highly motivating and beneficial for students.
5. Why should we set prizes for competitions?
Setting prizes for competitions encourages participation, fosters a sense of achievement, and motivates students to put in their best effort. It also helps to recognize and reward talent and hard work, promoting a healthy competitive spirit among students.
6. Do you think competitions are all about the prize?
No, competitions are not all about the prize. They provide opportunities for personal growth, learning, and skill development. The experience of participating, overcoming challenges, and interacting with peers is equally valuable, contributing to overall development and confidence-building.
