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Describe something that surprised you and made you happy: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What it was?
  • Who did this?
  • How you found out about it and what you did?
  • And explain why it surprised you and made you happy.
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4 unique answers with expert feedback

Band 6-7

00:00

/

00:00

it was my birthday surprise my friend gave me that surprise to me last year March 25th at 12 o'clock he gave me a surprise like all the brothers and sisters gather one gather in one house and they are waiting for me and when I when I go there they will give me a surprise like wishing me as a birthday party then I I will feel very happy because I never had that type of surprise in my birthday it will make me very happy and very surprised

Follow up questions


How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
I usually celebrate my birthday with a small gathering of close friends and family. We often have a cake, some games, and enjoy each other's company. Sometimes, we go out for dinner or have a picnic if the weather is nice.

What other surprises have you received in your life?
I've received a few surprises, like surprise parties for my achievements or unexpected gifts from friends. One memorable surprise was when my family planned a trip for me without telling me. It was a wonderful experience that I will always cherish.

Why do you think surprises are important in friendships?
Surprises can strengthen friendships by showing that you care and pay attention to each other. They create joyful memories and can make someone feel special and appreciated. It's a way to express love and thoughtfulness in a relationship.

Band 6

00:00

/

00:00

The thing that truly surprised me in the past was my brother's marriage. It was quite surprising for me because I never thought that he would get married and that too a girl like my sister-in-law. His marriage news was quite surprising for me because seeing my brother getting married or getting hitched was very overwhelming as it was the very first marriage in my generation and another addition to the family was very sentimental.

Follow up questions


How did you feel when you first heard about your brother's marriage?
When I first heard about my brother's marriage, I was filled with a mix of emotions. I felt surprised, happy, and a bit nostalgic. It was a significant moment for our family, and I couldn't believe that my brother was taking such a big step in his life.

What was the most memorable moment from the wedding?
The most memorable moment from the wedding was when my brother and sister-in-law exchanged their vows. It was a beautiful ceremony, and seeing my brother so happy made me emotional. The joy on everyone's faces was unforgettable, and it felt like a dream come true.

How has your relationship with your brother changed since his marriage?
Since my brother's marriage, our relationship has evolved. We've become closer as he shares his new experiences and responsibilities. I also appreciate the bond I have with my sister-in-law, which adds a new dynamic to our family. It's nice to see him so happy and settled.

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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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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 6

00:00

/

00:00

Hello, I remember the day when I get my job. It is the day of 14th of April, 2014, the day I get my first job and the job was very reputed. I was joining Integrity University Lucknow as an assistant professor. From there I started my journey in very reputed university as an assistant professor as well as research scholar. So, after that I completed my post graduation from there and started my career from there as well as I started my consultancy from there. I get money, I get reputed job, I get recognition and the most important thing is that I want to live in Lucknow. So, I find a place to live there and that was my very great time and which I spent there. So, when I get a call from university after the interview, I am very surprised that they call me that I have been selected and come and join your job and you are welcome to the team.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you think helped you get the job?
I believe my strong academic background and my passion for teaching played a significant role. Additionally, my research experience and ability to communicate effectively during the interview helped me stand out among other candidates.

How did you feel on your first day at the university?
On my first day, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. I was eager to meet my colleagues and students, but I also wanted to make a good impression. The warm welcome from my team helped ease my nerves and made me feel at home.

What challenges did you face in your new job?
Initially, adapting to the teaching style and managing my time between teaching and research was challenging. I also had to learn how to engage students effectively and balance my consultancy work with my responsibilities at the university.

Band 5-6

00:00

/

00:00

In my life I have got many surprises from my known persons but I still remember whenever I was child my mother and father was surprised on my birthday so here I shed some light on my birthday party. There is a heavy of my birthday and this is like a normal day I sleeping and when 12pm are coming after that my mother and father come and wish me and get a surprise me with a iPhone. I am very happy about that how my mother and father care about me after that I feel it was very happy to have mother and father like they are. I decided that with the help of this mobile I want to pursue my communication skills.

Follow up questions


How did you feel when you received the iPhone from your parents?
I felt incredibly happy and grateful. It was not just about the gift, but also the thoughtfulness behind it. It made me realize how much my parents care for me, and it strengthened my bond with them.

What other surprises have you received from your family or friends?
I've received several surprises over the years, like surprise parties and thoughtful gifts. Each one has made me feel loved and appreciated, but my birthday surprise stands out the most because it was so unexpected and meaningful.

How do you think surprises affect relationships?
Surprises can strengthen relationships by showing that you care and pay attention to others' preferences. They create joyful memories and can deepen emotional connections, making people feel valued and loved.
Show all 4 answers

Cue 1:What it was?

  • Begin by clearly stating what the surprising event was.
  • Provide some context about the event to engage the listener.

Example

The surprise that made me incredibly happy was when I received a scholarship for my master's degree. I had applied for it months ago and had almost forgotten about it.


Cue 2:Who did this?

  • Mention the organization or person responsible for the surprise.
  • Explain their significance in your life or studies.

Example

The scholarship was awarded by a well-known educational foundation in India that supports students pursuing higher education. This foundation has helped many students like me, and being chosen felt like a huge honor.


Cue 3:How you found out about it and what you did?

  • Describe how you learned about the scholarship award.
  • Share your immediate reaction and any actions you took afterward.

Example

I found out about the scholarship through an email notification while I was studying at home. When I read the subject line, my heart raced, and I quickly opened it. I was overjoyed and immediately called my family to share the good news.


Cue 4:And explain why it surprised you and made you happy.

  • Reflect on your feelings of surprise and happiness.
  • Connect the event to your future aspirations or goals.

Example

It surprised me because I didn’t expect to receive such a prestigious scholarship, given the number of applicants. It made me happy because it not only eased my financial burden but also motivated me to work harder in my studies, knowing that someone believed in my potential.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, receiving the scholarship was a life-changing moment for me. It reminded me of the importance of perseverance and the joy that comes from unexpected good news.


    Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.


    Tips to answer this Cue Card

    1: Being Vague About the Surprise

    Candidates often give unclear descriptions of what surprised them. This can make it hard for the examiner to understand the significance of the event.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Be specific about the event. Use clear details to explain what happened and why it was surprising.


    2: Neglecting Emotional Impact

    Some candidates forget to express their feelings about the surprise. This can make their response less engaging and personal.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Share your emotions. Explain how the surprise made you feel happy and why it was meaningful to you.


    Rushing Through the Explanation

    Candidates often rush their answers, skipping important details. This can lead to a disorganized response that lacks depth.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Take your time. Structure your answer by addressing each cue clearly and thoroughly to create a complete picture.


    calendar icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7.5

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 8

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 6.5

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7

    location icon

    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
    anonymous person icon

    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7.5

    location icon

    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.

    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 6-7

    00:00

    /

    00:00

    it was my birthday surprise my friend gave me that surprise to me last year March 25th at 12 o'clock he gave me a surprise like all the brothers and sisters gather one gather in one house and they are waiting for me and when I when I go there they will give me a surprise like wishing me as a birthday party then I I will feel very happy because I never had that type of surprise in my birthday it will make me very happy and very surprised

    Band 6

    00:00

    /

    00:00

    Hello, I remember the day when I get my job. It is the day of 14th of April, 2014, the day I get my first job and the job was very reputed. I was joining Integrity University Lucknow as an assistant professor. From there I started my journey in very reputed university as an assistant professor as well as research scholar. So, after that I completed my post graduation from there and started my career from there as well as I started my consultancy from there. I get money, I get reputed job, I get recognition and the most important thing is that I want to live in Lucknow. So, I find a place to live there and that was my very great time and which I spent there. So, when I get a call from university after the interview, I am very surprised that they call me that I have been selected and come and join your job and you are welcome to the team.

    Band 6

    00:00

    /

    00:00

    The thing that truly surprised me in the past was my brother's marriage. It was quite surprising for me because I never thought that he would get married and that too a girl like my sister-in-law. His marriage news was quite surprising for me because seeing my brother getting married or getting hitched was very overwhelming as it was the very first marriage in my generation and another addition to the family was very sentimental.

    Band 5-6

    00:00

    /

    00:00

    In my life I have got many surprises from my known persons but I still remember whenever I was child my mother and father was surprised on my birthday so here I shed some light on my birthday party. There is a heavy of my birthday and this is like a normal day I sleeping and when 12pm are coming after that my mother and father come and wish me and get a surprise me with a iPhone. I am very happy about that how my mother and father care about me after that I feel it was very happy to have mother and father like they are. I decided that with the help of this mobile I want to pursue my communication skills.
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