IELTS is an internationally accepted language test that determines the English skills of the test taker. It is an acronym of International English Language Testing System. This exam is taken by non-native speakers who are willing to migrate to an English-speaking nation. There are four sections in this language proficiency test. These include Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The IELTS speaking section has three tasks, where the second part is the cue card round. In the second task, you will be given a prompt which you have to answer as per the questions mentioned.
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This section of the IELTS exam analyzes the candidate's speaking abilities. The examiner will notice the ways in which you express your opinion. Also, your thought structure will be taken into consideration. The IELTS speaking Part 2 lasts 3-4 minutes and is interactive in nature. The IELTS cue cards are given in the form of prompts. These contain a main question and 4 additional pointers.
Let us have a glance into the assessment criteria of the speaking section of the IELTS exam. The band score of the IELTS speaking section depends on 4 criteria. These are as follows:
Each of them contributes 25% of the total band score of the section. Here, in this blog, you will find the sample answer to the cue card topic "Describe an Achievement/Success You Are Proud of," along with lexical resources and tips to excel in IELTS speaking part 2.
Before moving forward to this section, the test taker must know the idioms and vocabulary for IELTS. Using idioms and wide range of vocabulary will leave a long lasting impact on the examiner and help you achieve the desired band score.
As soon as the IELTS speaking part 2 begins, you will be shown a prompt with the topic that you need to answer. Here is a list of questions that can be answered in the cue card with the topic "Describe an Achievement/Success You Are Proud of ".
Let us have a visual representation of your potential cue card on "Describe an Achievement/Success You Are Proud of ". Refer to the image below.
Now, let us read various answers that you can give in your speaking section to ace the IELTS exam on the first attempt.
Here, you will find the first sample answer on the cue card “Describe an Achievement/Success You Are Proud of ”.
Have you ever thought of being a successful students? Being a back bencher, I never did.
One of the successful event of my life is completing my undergraduate degree with 96.4%. However, I am a mischievous person who is always in the mood for fun. Every semester is completed with flying colours.
My degree started in 2019 and ended in 2022. I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. Despite being a mischievous kid, I was interested in the types of subjects we were learning. It ranged from print journalism to radio to television production.
Although, even with 96.4%, I bagged a bronze medal. This saddened me. But the best part is that I was a graduate ready to explore the Indian media.
I learnt many things during the studies. Also, all the acquired skills and of course 97% was the achievement for me.
So, being industry ready to raise the voice for the local people was a dream come true. Hence, an achievement.
Here is a sample answer that describes learning crochet and becoming successful.
There are lot of things that I have tried and I failed. Then, I stood up and tried to become successful.
One of the recent things that stands out above all was crocheting. For a long time, I wanted to learn this knitting skills. But I couldn’t due to lack of equipment. In this case, it will be a needle and a wool matching the needle size. While cleaning our home, I found a disguised treasure in a corner. Then, I asked my mom to teach me this skill.
Recently, she started teaching me about the important rules that we have to follow. It includes tying a knot on the wool along with the movements of our finger in the right direction. On the first day, I eventually failed because I was not able to sync the finger movement with the thread. So, I thought to give up. But, on a random day, I tried again. The good part is the success. I was able to sync my fingers with the thread.
I feel very good about it because I am one step closer to explore a traditional art. In the days of modernity, these valuable things are vanishing. Moreover, protecting these is crucial to preserve the tradition.
I have always seen my grandmother and great-grandmother doing it. When I was young, I wanted to learn because the colourful yarns attracted me always.
Learning what you wanted since childhood was a dream come true, and I am proud of this success.
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Here is a sample answer that describes overcoming glossophobia.
Whenever anyone achieves anything, he or she is very proud of it. What may be a simple thing for one person may be an achievement for another.
For me overcoming my glossophobia was a very difficult thing. I used to be very stage-shy and could never speak in front of an audience.
It so happened that once, I participated in an environment fair held in my hometown. We were a team of four students – Mohit, Rohan, Ravi, and I. We had to make a model of pollution. It was very difficult to collect ideas for the model, but our teacher, Mrs Promilla, helped us. We collected all data from different sources, such as the internet, libraries, magazines, and so on. We presented all three types of pollution – air, water, and noise pollution - on thermocol.
In this project, we showed the causes and effects of pollution and the ways to control it. We had to speak turn-wise about our model. I remember I was very afraid to speak. But my other friends gave me the confidence. I felt very good that I was part of that team. I spoke very well at that time.
Getting over my glossophobia was an accomplishment for me. I felt very good after that. We won the first prize in this competition. The judges especially mentioned that the first prize was mainly because of the verbal explanation of the model.
This fair was covered by the local cable TV, and so many people in the neighbourhood congratulated me the next day. Our photograph was also there in the local newspaper Jag Baani.
Our school principal also appreciated us. I cannot forget that day. All four of us were on cloud nine on that day. So, this was an achievement I was proud of.
Lexical resources are words that a test taker uses in the IELTS exam. Here is the list of lexical resources that were used in the sample answers above. Let us peek into it.
|
Lexical Resources |
Meaning |
|
successful |
Having achieved what you wanted; become popular, rich, etc |
|
mischievous |
(usually used about children) liking to behave badly and embarrassing or annoying people |
|
flying colours |
With an overwhelming victory, triumph, or success |
|
saddened |
To make someone sad |
|
equipment |
The things that are needed to do a particular activity |
|
achievement |
Something that you have done successfully, especially through hard work or skill |
|
glossophobia |
Fear of public speaking |
|
modernity |
The condition of being new and modern |
|
accomplishment |
The act of completing something successfully |
|
traditional art |
Art that is a part of the culture of a group of people, skills, and knowledge of which are passed down through generations from master craftsmen to apprentices |
|
sync |
Short for "synchronize," is a verb for making things work together. |
|
pollution |
The introduction of harmful materials into the environment. |
|
neighbourhood |
A particular part of a town and the people who live there |
|
congratulated |
To tell somebody that you are pleased about something he/she has done; to praise somebody |
|
newspaper |
A paper that is printed and distributed usually daily or weekly and that contains news, articles of opinion, features, and advertising |
|
competition |
An organized event in which people try to win something |
|
overcoming |
To manage to control or defeat somebody/something |
This is the list of lexical resources and their meaning. All these words were used in the sample answers mentioned in the above section. Also, they will contribute to enhancing your vocabulary and of course the high band scores.
This section has three follow-up questions that your examiner can ask but it will the part of the third task of speaking section of the IELTS exam.
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You should keep the following things in mind while preparing for the IELTS speaking section. In this part of the blog, there are some expert tips. Following these tips will help you ace the speaking section in the first attempt.
Following these tips will be helpful in acing the speaking section of the language test in the first attempt. Moreover, this blog has 3 sample answers. As a test taker, you can refer the tone, nature, and structure. Also signing up for the IELTS mock test will help you furbish your skills. The instant feedback report will make you aware of the areas to improve.
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