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.
Describe a time when someone gave you something you really wanted /a gift you received.
You should say:
Who gave it to you?
What was the thing?
When did you receive it?
Why needed it?
Sample Answer
We all receive gifts, and we all give gifts. Nowadays, giving gifts is common everywhere and in every relationship. Usually, I receive gifts on my birthday, but the gift that I will mention today was not given on my birthday. I am a bibliophile, so books are my best companion. I prefer reading books to any other activity. I wanted a book for a very long time and had searched for it in all possible stores, both online and offline, but was brought down as it was out of stock. One day I came across a site that had that book but was charging a high payment to deliver it, and at that time I couldn’t afford it. I had lost the desire to get it on paper, so I started reading online. Although I could read through the online method, it wasn’t as captivating as it would be if I had it in paperback. After a few days, I received a parcel at my doorstep from one of my cousins who lives in a different state. I picked up the parcel and took it to my room. On the cover, he had written “Your search ends today,” which made me curious to open it. I was completely blown away by the object that was inside the box. It was the same book that I wanted to have; I exclaimed with joy and immediately called him to appreciate the efforts she made for me. I remember telling her about my state when I couldn’t get the book but having no clue that she would do the same for me. I was in seventh heaven after getting the book and completed it within a week.
STRONG WORDS
Word
Meaning
Sentence
Bibliophile
One who likes to read books or is fond of reading books
As a child, he was an intense bibliophile and an avid collector of old books.
Blown away
Completely Impressed
The teacher was blown away by the results of her fellow students.
SEVENTH heaven
A state of extreme joy
When I told her she was going to be a grandmother, she was in seventh heaven.
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 a time when someone gave you something you really wanted or a gift you received.’
Q1.What is the relationship between shopping and the economy of the country?
Shopping and the economy of a country are directly related to each other. Whatever a person buys is counted as consumption, and it directly adds to the GDP of a country.
Q2.What are the things that young people like to buy?
Young people prefer to buy the latest technological gadgets, for example, smart watches or the newest cell phones. Apart from technology, young people also like to keep up with the fashion trend.
Q3. How do your friends influence your shopping choices?
Most of the time I go shopping with my friends, and at that time I usually take their suggestions into account when choosing the product; however, I don’t always keep up with the suggestions, and multiple times I end up choosing the product I like despite the rejection of my friend.
Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone you did not know.
You should say:
Who the person was?
Where the conversation took place?
What you talked about?
and explain why you found the conversation interesting.
(Download CUE Card)
SAMPLE ANSWER-
Last month during my flight from Dehradun to Delhi, I met a lady by coincidence and the conversation I had with her during the journey was unforgettable. As I was the last passenger to board the flight, the flight attendant requested me to settle down quickly on any vacant seat within reach. After the plane took off, I noticed a lady who was seating adjacent to me seemed anxious about something. By courtesy, I asked her if she needed help with something. She requested to make a call from my phone as she lost her cell phone at the airport.
We were already away from the cellular network zone and it wasn’t possible to make any call till the time we landed. She then narrated the actual incident of how she didn’t lose her phone but her fiancé smashed her phone after he came to know that she was moving to Delhi to pursue her dreams. She then told how he started humiliating and insulting her in front of his family members.
I tried to convince her that she wasn’t at fault and shouldn’t feel guilty for the step she took. Having this conversation made me realize that life is full of struggles. The lady even told me about how her in-laws were against her dream to become an IAS officer and serve the country.
I hardly realized when we reached our destination and it was time to bid goodbye. This conversation was interesting as I learned about the cruelty that prevails in the male-dominated community and how women today are taking their stand and fighting independently to succeed. It motivated me to never let anyone dominate or command your thoughts and actions.
(283 words)
Another Similar Cue Card
Describe a long walk you ever had.
When did you take this walk and from where to where?
Why did you take this walk?
Who was with you for that walk and what were you doing all the way?
And how did you feel after that?
(Download CUE Card)
SAMPLE ANSWER TWO-
I usually prefer to take brisk walks in the mornings and after dinner. Generally, I walk for 30-40 minutes at a stretch. But one fine evening in last autumn, I walked for nearly two hours. I used to take coaching classes for my IELTS exam at GMS Road in Dehradun. I used to come and go by scooter only as my home was nearly 10 kms away from the institute, near deer park. One day, it happened like my father had to take the scooter for some urgent work. As I could not afford to miss my class, so I decided to take up the auto. To my surprise, there was not any auto that could have fared me up till my institute, in a single go. I had to change 4 autos till there, which was very cumbersome.
Therefore, after my classes were over, I decided to walk instead. I knew that it was a long walk but I didn’t want to face that hassle of waiting and changing autos in a row, either. Moreover, I was free of any heavy belongings so I started treading my path.
As such, there was no one who joined me from the beginning. I was pondering over the technicalities discussed by my teacher in the class. I was also focusing on the tips, which were provided by my teacher to improve spoken English score. I was walking on the pedestrian pathway, amid the usual huzzbuzz of the city. Just then, I happened to see one of my previous classmates. His name is Dilip. We exchanged our greetings first and then, he informed me that he had to go to his uncle’s place unexpectedly, for a party, which is near deer park only. When I informed him about our common destination and my resolve to walk the entire distance, he volunteered to join me. So, in this way, I found my partner for the way. We then, started discussing our present careers and the vision for future. He was preparing for medical entrance and he too used to come to an institute close to mine.
To my surprise, we were so busy conversing with each other after a long time, that we paid no heed to the distance or the time taken in our walk. Later, I said good bye to him and reached my place. Although I was not used to such a long walk, but it had no strenuous effect. Rather, I felt so refreshing as if every pore in my body has opened for receiving the environment. It felt like the familiar adrenalin rush and I felt extremely happy.
STRONG WORDS
Word
Meaning
Cumbersome
inconvenient: selecting the best cricket team out of so many good Players is a cumbersome task.
Strenuous
tiring: one needs to put up the strenuous efforts in a game to excel in it.
Follow-up Questions
Q. 1 Do you consider walking as good for health? Why?
Sample answer: It is a proven fact that physical exercises are good for the health. On the same line, walking is also beneficiary for our overall health. It involves movement of almost all parts of the body. This locomotion helps the proper flow of blood and adequate oxygen supply in our body. This, in turn, helps in better metabolism and functioning of all the body organs.
Q. 2 Should youngsters get involved in walking as exercise?
Sample answer: As mentioned, walking is indeed a good exercise. But, for youngsters, I would suggest that they should take up more enervating exercises like running, as they have more energies than the older people. When a person grows old and becomes inefficient to run properly, then walking can act as a good substitute.
Q. 3 Do you prefer walking alone or with someone? What about exercises?
Sample answer: I am a young fellow and as such walking taken up my me occasionally doesn’t come under the category of strict exercises. Nor do I prefer to walk extra fast like some people do. Therefore, for me, walking is a kind of leisure exercise and hence I enjoy the others’ company, if I could get that. As far as the pure strict exercises are concerned, I don’t prefer anyone else to give me company, as, then it becomes a task of focus and attentiveness.
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