Describe a Piece Of Good News That You Heard About Someone You Know Well

IELTS^TM CUE CARD

Describe a Piece of Good News That You Heard About Someone You Know Well

Updated on Sep 29, 2024, 15:36

Overview

The IELTS cue card topic, Describe a Piece of Good News That You Heard About Someone You Know Well, asks you to share a positive experience involving someone close to you. Focus on the nature of the news, how it was shared, and why it was significant to both of you.

Practising this topic improves your storytelling abilities, helping you organise thoughts clearly while discussing emotions and events. It also enhances fluency and vocabulary, which are key to excelling in the IELTS Speaking Test.

Cue Card/Topic:Describe a Piece of Good News That You Heard About Someone You Know Well.

You should say

What it was?
When did you hear it?
How did you know it?
How did you feel about it?

Sample Answers

How to answer

Sample Answer 1

Introduction (What it was?)

A few months ago, I heard that my best friend had been accepted into a prestigious university abroad.
She had been working incredibly hard to get into a top-tier institution for her postgraduate studies.
When she shared the news, I knew it was a huge milestone in her academic career and something we had both hoped for.

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (When did you hear it?)

I first heard the news when she called me one evening after she received her acceptance letter.
It was during the exam season, so we were both busy, but she couldn’t wait to share the exciting news with me.
The timing was perfect. She had been waiting anxiously for weeks, and it was a relief to finally know.

Key Highlights (How did you know it?)

My friend called me directly, and her voice was filled with joy and excitement.
She explained how she received an email from the university congratulating her on being selected for the programme.
She shared how she couldn't believe it initially and had to read the email twice to ensure it was real.

Conclusion (How did you feel about it?)

I was over the moon for her! Hearing her achieve such a significant goal made me feel proud and happy.
It was one of those moments when you genuinely feel happy for someone else’s success.
The news reminded me how perseverance and hard work can pay off, inspiring me to stay focused on my goals.

Sample Answer 2

Introduction (What it was?)

A great news I heard recently was that my sister was promoted to her job.
She works as a project manager and has been aiming for a senior position for a few years.
I was thrilled when she told me about the promotion because I knew how much it meant to her.

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (When did you hear it?)

I heard the news about a month ago during a family dinner.
My sister came home with a huge smile and casually mentioned it while talking.
She had only just found out earlier that day and wanted to share the moment with us.

Key Highlights (How did you know it?)

My sister explained that her manager called her to a meeting to give her the news.
She told us how surprised and excited she felt because she hadn’t expected to hear about it so soon.
We could see her pride, especially since she had worked hard to prove herself in the company.

Conclusion (How did you feel about it?)

I felt incredibly proud of her achievement. Watching her dedication pay off was inspiring.
It motivated me to work harder in my career, as I now know that persistence and effort truly lead to success.
Overall, seeing someone I love reach such an important milestone in their life was heart-warming.

Sample Answer 3

Introduction (What it was)

A piece of good news I recently heard was that my cousin, who had been struggling with her health for years, was finally declared cancer-free.
She had been undergoing treatment for nearly two years, and this news came as a huge relief to our entire family.
It was a significant moment because we had all been through the journey with her, hoping for this outcome.

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (When did you hear it?)

I heard this news just a few weeks ago when I visited her home.
We casually talked when she suddenly mentioned that her latest test results were clear.
I was surprised, as I wasn’t expecting to hear such positive news that day, and it left me overjoyed.

Key Highlights (How did you know it?)

She shared the news with me, and I could tell by her smile that it was life-changing.
She explained how her doctor had confirmed the results after months of waiting and cautious optimism.
Hearing it directly from her, knowing how long she’d fought this battle, made the moment even more special and emotional.

Conclusion (How did you feel about it?)

I was incredibly relieved and happy for her; the news felt like a huge weight had been lifted off our family’s shoulders.
It gave her hope and renewed energy for her uncertain future.
This news reminded me of how resilient she is and how good news can completely transform someone’s outlook on life.

When the cue card section starts in the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner will give you a topic and a card with details on what to include in your answer. You'll have one minute to prepare, and then you will need to speak for up to 2 minutes on the topic. This part of the test checks your fluency, vocabulary, and ability to structure a response.

To answer the cue card, it’s best to break your response into clear sections: introduction, description, key highlights, and conclusion. This will help you stay organised and focused.

Introduction (What it was?)

Start by introducing the piece of good news.
Mention the person the news was about, and briefly explain the nature of the news.
Make sure to grab the listener’s attention by stating why it is significant.

Describing your experience/opinion/interest (When did you hear it?)

Explain when you heard the news.
Share where you were when you received it and how the timing affected you.
You could also mention whether it was expected or came as a surprise.

Key highlights (How did you know it?)

Talk about how the news was shared with you—whether through a conversation, a phone call, or social media.
Highlight who shared the news and any emotions or reactions at the moment.
Include details about how the person felt when sharing the news.

Conclusion (How did you feel about it?)

End by expressing how you felt after hearing the news.
Share whether it impacted your relationship with the person or made you feel proud or happy.
Wrap up with a reflection on how good news can positively affect others.

By breaking your answer into these sections, you’ll ensure your response is well-structured and engaging, helping you deliver a more effective answer during the test.

Follow-Up Questions

After the cue card round in the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner will ask follow-up questions/two-way discussion about the topic. This is an opportunity to extend the discussion and demonstrate your fluency, vocabulary, and ability to think on your feet.

The questions will often explore broader themes connected to the topic, and you are expected to give thoughtful, structured answers. These follow-up questions usually delve deeper into the subject and may involve comparisons, opinions, or hypothetical situations.

Q1. How do you usually react to good news?

Answer 1: I feel a rush of happiness and relief when I hear good news, especially about someone close to me. I tend to call or meet the person to share in their excitement. I believe it’s important to celebrate achievements, no matter how small because they bring positive energy to life.

Answer 2: My first reaction is often joyful and curious. I like to ask questions to understand the full story. If the news is significant, I tend to offer my congratulations in person, as I think face-to-face celebrations feel more genuine and meaningful.

Q2. Do you think sharing good news is important? Why?

Answer 1: Sharing good news is very important because it strengthens relationships. When we share positive experiences, we create a deeper bond with friends and family. It also spreads happiness, and celebrating each other’s successes can inspire others.

Answer 2: Absolutely. Sharing good news makes the moment more meaningful, as joy multiplies when it’s shared. It’s also a way of including people in your life, keeping them informed and engaged. I think it fosters a sense of community and closeness.

Q3. How do people in your country usually celebrate good news?

Answer 1: In my country, people often celebrate good news by gathering with family and friends. Depending on the occasion, they may throw a party, cook a special meal, or simply meet up for coffee. For big news, like weddings or promotions, it’s common to have larger gatherings or ceremonies.

Answer 2: Celebrating good news in my country often involves sharing a meal or getting together with loved ones. Sometimes, even small pieces of good news lead to family gatherings, especially on weekends. In more formal situations, people might send gifts or flowers to congratulate others.

Q4. How do you think receiving good news affects a person’s outlook on life?

Answer 1: Receiving good news can boost a person’s morale and give them a more positive outlook. It can serve as a reminder that hard work pays off or challenges can be overcome. Good news often brings a sense of hope and motivation to pursue further goals.

Answer 2: Good news can shift someone’s mindset. It often makes people feel more optimistic and energised. When something good happens, it encourages people to keep moving forward, especially if facing challenges. It can create a sense of progress and achievement.

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FAQs

Q. How long should I speak for in the cue card section?

Ans. You should aim to speak in the cue card section for about 1-2 minutes. The examiner will give you one minute to prepare before you start. Try to develop each part of your answer with enough detail to cover the time, but avoid speaking too briefly or repeating yourself. Practice helps you manage your time efficiently.

Q. How can I extend my answer if I don’t have enough to say?

Ans. If you feel stuck, try to include more details or examples. For instance, you can talk about your emotional reaction to the news, why it was significant to the person, and how they might celebrate it. Expanding on the context or describing similar events can add depth to your response without going off-topic.

Q. Is using complex vocabulary when describing a cue card topic important?

Ans. Using a varied vocabulary is helpful, but focusing on clarity and fluency is more important. Choose words that accurately describe your thoughts, and don’t force complex vocabulary if you aren’t confident in its usage. Precision and natural flow matter more than overly complicated language in achieving a high score.

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