December 29, 2025 - IELTS BAND7

CUE CARD – Describe something that surprised you and made you happy.

December 29, 2025 IELTS Research

Speaking -Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe something that surprised you and made you happy.

You should say:

What is it?

How did you find out about it?

What did you do?

And explain whether it made you happy?

Sample Answer

Surprises can be a source of great joy and excitement, and I have been fortunate enough to experience many wonderful surprises from my loved ones. One of the most memorable surprises that filled me with astonishment was when I applied to one of the top leading universities in my state. After finishing my schooling, I was excited to apply and had high hopes for being accepted, although I was aware that only a handful of students are selected each year.One day, as I was lying in bed reading my favourite novel, an email popped up on my phone. It was from the university and I could only notice the university’s name. I felt a rush of excitement and trembling in my nerves. My heart was pounding with excitement and fear. as I opened the email. Despite my fear, I gathered the courage to open it and was met with the words “Congratulations, you are selected”. I couldn’t believe it at first and had to read the email multiple times to confirm the truth. I was overwhelmed with emotion and burst out in tears. My mother and I were both crying, and my friends congratulated me and wished me luck. I was so excited to experience a new life and meet new people. It was one of the best surprises I have ever received, and I will cherish it forever.

STRONG WORDS

Word	Meaning	Sentence
Pounding	beating	My heart was pounding with excitement.
Astonishment	surprise	The garden’s beauty filled me with astonishment.

Speaking -Part 3 (Follow up questions)
Here are some examples of follow up questions that examiner may ask during your speaking (part 3) related to cue card ‘Describe something that surprised you and made you happy’.

Q1. How do people express happiness in your culture?

Well, Indian people are quite expressive and use various ways to convey their happiness. If it’s a huge occasion, people celebrated by organising parties and get-together. The majority of people share confectionaries and gifts on special occasions which is also a gesture of expressing happiness in my culture.

Q2. Do you think happiness has any effect on people?

Certainly, happiness can help people to improve their mental and physical health . I guess staying happy promotes stability and increase energy in one’s life. Happy people have a positive outlook towards every situation in life which helps them to achieve greater creativity and ultimately success.

Q3. Do you think happiness has any effect on people?

People can find happiness in little things like completing their daily tasks and spending time with family. Apart from this practising gratitude and focusing more on what people have instead of what they lack. If people quit comparing themselves to others it would definitely help them to stay happy.