Describe Something That Surprised You: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was the surprise?
When did it happen?
How you found about it?
How did you feel about it?

3 unique answers with expert feedback

How did you feel when you first found out about the twins?

When I first found out about the twins, I was overwhelmed with joy and disbelief. It was such a surprise, especially since we didn't expect it. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about having two babies at once, but ultimately, it was one of the happiest moments of my life.

What challenges have you faced with raising twins?

Raising twins has its challenges, such as managing their different needs and schedules. Sometimes they both cry at the same time, which can be overwhelming. However, it also brings a lot of joy and laughter, and we have learned to work as a team to handle everything together.

How has your life changed since the twins were born?

Since the twins were born, our life has become much busier but also more fulfilling. We have to plan our days around their routines, but seeing them grow and develop is incredibly rewarding. Our family bond has strengthened, and we cherish every moment with our children.

Band 6

00:00

The thing I surprised was last year, my father went on a Dubai trip which was conducted by his office and I asked him for a smartphone which is very expensive, it is around 1 lakh and I sent him some photos about the phone and I was not expecting the phone because it was very expensive and he sent some photos of the phone at some time but after that there is no information about it and we cannot contact him and after returning I checked his bag but there is no phone and there are only chocolates and other clothings. After some time he showed me the phone, he told me that I hidden that phone. I felt very thankful and good after seeing the phone.

Follow up questions

How did you feel when you first realized your father had hidden the phone?

I felt a mix of surprise and joy. Initially, I was confused because I thought he didn't bring it back. But when he revealed that he had hidden it, I felt relieved and grateful. It was a thoughtful gesture from him, and it made me appreciate the surprise even more.

What do you think makes surprises like this special?

Surprises like this are special because they show thoughtfulness and love. They create memorable moments and strengthen bonds between people. The anticipation and the eventual reveal add to the excitement, making the experience unforgettable.

Have you ever planned a surprise for someone else? How did it go?

Yes, I once planned a surprise birthday party for my friend. I coordinated with others to keep it a secret. When she arrived and saw everyone, her reaction was priceless. It was a lot of work, but seeing her happy made it all worth it.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

Band 5-6

00:00

There are I think surprises is the crucial part of life and I am the person who loves surprises and today I would like to shed some light upon a time when I was totally surprised and it was a time when I was in my school and I always I always wanted a mobile phone when I was in my 12th standard I always I always phoned off a high phone and I I always asked my father to get get that phone and because I love that phone love that phone I also admire the features of the phone and at the same time my all the friends having the same mobile phone but my father told me uh every day my father told me that you do you do I do not give you that mobile because it is very expensive and at the same time that is not your age but I remember it was my birthday and on my birthday there was uh there was a little ceremony and all the guests and relatives and my friends are invited and at that time I the cake ceremony is going on and after the cake ceremony my father came to me and gave me a gift box and I have never I have never think that in the this box there is a mobile phone and when I open the box I thought there is something else when I open the box and I feel very surprised and and I was over the moon and I feel very proud of that moment that whatever I want my father always give me that thing and at the same time I get a lesson

Follow up questions

How do you feel about surprises in general?

I believe surprises can bring joy and excitement to life. They can create memorable moments and strengthen relationships. However, not all surprises are positive; sometimes they can be overwhelming or stressful. Overall, I appreciate the thrill that a good surprise can bring.

Can you describe another surprise you experienced?

Another surprise I experienced was when my friends organized a surprise party for me. I had no idea they were planning it, and when I walked into the room filled with decorations and my friends, I was completely taken aback. It made me feel loved and appreciated.

Do you think surprises are important in relationships?

Yes, I think surprises play a significant role in relationships. They can keep the spark alive and show that you care. Small surprises, like leaving a sweet note or planning a spontaneous outing, can strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.

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