Describe a book or movie that has influenced you: IELTS cue card with sample answer

A book that genuinely shifted my worldview is 'Man’s Search for Meaning' by Viktor Frankl. It is a profound memoir detailing his harrowing experiences in Nazi concentration camps, juxtaposed with his psychological theories on logotherapy. I first stumbled upon this slim volume in a dusty, independent bookshop in Edinburgh during my second year of university. I had been feeling quite overwhelmed by the pressures of academic life, and the stark, black-and-white cover caught my eye on a lonely afternoon. The aspect that influenced me most was Frankl’s unflinching observation that while we cannot always control our external circumstances, we retain the ultimate freedom to choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances. Reading his descriptions of the freezing, brutal conditions contrasted with the internal dignity he maintained was incredibly humbling. It stripped away my petty grievances and forced me to confront the reality of human resilience. This book fundamentally changed my perspective on personal hardship. Before encountering it, I often viewed challenges as interruptions to my happiness, but Frankl taught me that suffering is an inevitable part of the human condition. Instead of asking what I want from life, I started asking what life expects from me. It encouraged me to find purpose in small, daily responsibilities rather than waiting for grand achievements. This shift in mindset has made me far more pragmatic and patient when I face setbacks, as I now recognise that finding meaning in adversity is the most powerful tool one can possess to endure even the most difficult chapters of life.