Describe Something That Surprised You: How to Answer?
When the cue card section starts, the examiner will hand you a card with a topic and some guiding points. You’ll have one minute to prepare your response and then speak for up to two minutes.
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The best way to answer a cue card is to break it down into smaller pieces: introduction, describing your experience, key highlights, and conclusion. Here’s how you can approach the topic "Describe Something That Surprised You”:
Introduction:
- Briefly introduce the surprising event.
- Mention why it stands out in your memory.
- Set the scene to give context to your surprise.
Describing Your Experience:
- Explain the situation in detail.
- Describe your initial thoughts and feelings.
- Provide any relevant background information.
Key Highlights:
- Highlight the most surprising aspects.
- Discuss any unexpected outcomes.
- Mention any significant reactions from others involved.
Conclusion:
- Summarise how the event affected you.
- Reflect on what you learned from the surprise.
- End with a final thought on why this event remains memorable.
By following this structure, you can ensure your response is clear, organised, and within the two-minute limit.
Also read: IELTS Speaking Questions with Answers 2024
Describe Something That Surprised You: Sample Answers
Now that you know how to answer the topic, we have provided sample answers for your reference. You should also note that you should curate answers to these questions wisely under these 4 categories mentioned above.
Introduction ( Covers: What surprised you?)
- One event that genuinely surprised me was my best friend's surprise birthday party. I never expected such a grand celebration.
- It stands out in my memory because it was completely unexpected and wonderfully executed.
- I want to share this experience because it made me feel exceptionally valued and loved by my friends.
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest ( Covers: When did it happen?)
- On the day of my birthday, I thought I was going for a casual dinner with just one friend. Little did I know, something extraordinary was planned.
- As we arrived at the venue, I was blindfolded, which piqued my curiosity and excitement. When the blindfold was removed, I found myself surrounded by all my close friends and family.
- I felt a rush of emotions – surprise, joy, and a bit of disbelief. It was hard to believe they had managed to keep it a secret.
Key Highlights ( Covers: How you found about it?)
- The venue was beautifully decorated with balloons, banners, and my favourite flowers. It was clear a lot of thought had gone into the preparations.
- One of the most surprising moments was a video montage of birthday messages from friends who couldn't attend. It was incredibly touching.
- Another highlight was the cake, which was custom-made to reflect my hobbies and interests. It showed how well my friends knew me and cared about my happiness.
Conclusion (Covers: How did you feel about it?)
- This surprise party profoundly impacted me, reinforcing the strong bonds that I share with my friends and family.
- I learnt that people often appreciate and value you more than you realise, and such surprises can strengthen relationships.
- This event remains one of my most cherished memories, reminding me of the love and friendship I am fortunate to have.
Describe Something That Surprised You: Follow-Up Questions
In the IELTS Speaking Test, after you finish speaking about your cue card topic, the examiner will ask follow-up questions. This part of the test helps the examiner assess your ability to discuss the topic in more depth, providing detailed answers and expanding on your initial response.
You should expect to answer questions related to your personal experiences, opinions, or general ideas about the topic.
