Describe Something that Surprised You and Made You Happy - IELTS Cue Card

Introduction to IELTS Cue Cards

To begin with, the IELTS cue cards, officially known as “individual long turn,” are the IELTS speaking part 2. In this part, the examinee must discuss a subject in detail. In simple terms, the “cue cards” are brief cards given by the examiner, providing the subject you need to discuss, along with several points to help you in shaping your answer.

Besides this, you will receive a total of 2-3 minutes to finish the entire task, which includes 1 minute for preparation.

When discussing a subject such as “Describe Something That Surprised You and Made You Happy,” it is important to select an item that you can easily explain in depth and convey your emotions genuinely.

How to Answer the Cue Card?

When answering the cue card “Describe Something that Surprised You and Made You Happy,” it is vital to ensure your ideas are expressed naturally, as would be the case when practising an IELTS speaking mock test. Your answer should be well-structured and read like a story, not a list of points.

• First, it is imperative to explain what the surprise was. It could be a surprise gift, surprise news, or a surprise action.
• After this, it is essential to explain when and where the surprise occurred.
• At last, you should explain who was involved and what made the surprise surprising.

Adding these details would make your answer very interesting, and it will eventually become easy to score well in the IELTS speaking section. Thereafter, you must have a hold of your feelings and recite them one by one. It is to address what made you happy and how you reacted at that moment. Finally, just conclude your answer by highlighting why the surprise remains significant to you.

Precisely, cover the following topics:

• What was the surprise?
• When did it happen?
• How did you find out about it?
• How did you feel about it?

Below is the image of the cue card “ Describe Something that Surprised You and Made You Happy”, which you will receive during the IELTS exam.

ON A SIDE NOTE: While practising mock test and analysing your marks, you can use our top-notch resource, “IELTS band score calculator, which will help you track your progress and identify the areas of improvement.

Describe Something that Surprised You and Made You Happy - Sample 1

Here is the first sample answer of the “Describe Something that Surprised You and Made You Happy”, where you just need to answer the above-mentioned questions.

Introduction

As a powerful emotion, “surprise” often accompanies a bright smile or sudden tears. Usually, this emotion comes from anywhere from our people, creating long-lasting memories. Likewise, something happened to me which made me feel overwhelmingly happy.

What was the surprise?

My life reached its most memorable point when my family members surprised me with an unscheduled visit to my home. Their uninformed visit brought unexpected joy because I was studying at a distance from my real home. They stayed with me for about 20 days, which created a period of joyful bonding between us.

When did it happen?

It happened during my third academic year when I began my internship. The time period was extremely busy for me because I dedicated all my energy to my professional commitments.

How did you find out about it?

My family contacted me at work to request that I drive to the airport to pick them up. The news initially left me in a state of disbelief until I confirmed their arrival. The moment I saw them at the airport created a powerful mix of emotional and thrilling feelings.

How did you feel about it?

I was full of contentment at that time and emotionally overwhelmed. As staying with your own family is difficult, such surprises pay off. It was a moment I will always cherish.

Conclusion

The experience of living in distant locations from our family members teaches us to recognise their value. This surprise demonstrated how my parents and siblings have a strong emotional connection with me. The experience remains one of my most valued life experiences from the past.

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Describe Something that Surprised You and Made You Happy - Sample 2

The following is the second sample, which will help you refine your response for the IELTS speaking part 2 and score really well.

Introduction

Surprises are a neurological jackpot that brings unforeseen joyfulness. The same has happened for my last birthday celebration, which was one of those memories that I will treasure for a lifetime. It made me feel so special and seen. It was as delightful as it could be.

What was the surprise?

This surprise was thrown by my friends and sister. It became an amazing experience because I had no idea of the celebration. The team created an amazing setting as they made no errors and everything was just perfect, aligning with my likes and dislikes. The food was the best part of it, which included all types of cuisines I prefer.

When did it happen?

It had happened on the day I returned home after my convocation ceremony. Interestingly, the day turned into an unexpected event which altered all of my scheduled activities.

How did you find out about it?

As soon as I entered my house, the lights were turned on with people whooping, "Happy Birthday!" My body literally experienced shock, which left me speechless for the moment. After that, I started giggling while experiencing a weeping episode.

How did you feel about it?

Their dedication made me feel overjoyed, and everything just touched my heart. That special moment became valuable. The surprise made me feel deep affection because people demonstrated their love through the surprise. The entire evening brought continuous laughter and elation.

Conclusion

In short, the surprise was not just the party but the love and efforts hidden behind it. I felt that I have such lovely people around me who care more than I care for myself.

Describe Something that Surprised You and Made You Happy - Sample 3

This last sample will help you understand how you can answer the same question asked. So, let’s read on!

Introduction

Surprises boost our relations and make us feel like we are on cloud nine. I experienced this when my younger sister had achieved really exceptional scores in academics, and my eyes were filled with happy tears.

What was the surprise?

There was a time when my sister was struggling with her studies and was really demotivated. However, her dedication and constant preparation made her top her recent exams. It was really a remarkable feat that none of our family members had thought of.

When did it happen?

A few weeks ago, on one of the casual Saturday mornings, her semester results were declared. When she checked, it made her overwhelmed, and then I received this news through a phone call.

How did you find out about it?

Unfortunately, I was out due to some work, but she was extremely happy while delivering this news to me. Then, my mother took over the call and started praising her for 5 minutes straight. The excitement in my mother’s voice made me more eager.

How did you feel about it?

I felt an irresistible sense of happiness and pride. It was quite inspiring to see my sister succeed after having worked so hard. The sense of relief and fulfilment felt by my family because of her success, and the motivation to support her even more in the future, were some of the positive impacts of her success on me.

Conclusion

In the end, I just have to say that this surprise not just brought me happiness but also helped me to accept the value of hard work and consistency. It remains a proud and cherished moment for us.

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Lexical Resources

We have included a list of all the vocabulary for IELTS we used in the example, along with their definitions below, to assist you in understanding the types of words you can use in your IELTS speaking section to improve your marks.

Follow-Up Questions

Once you have finished your IELTS speaking part 2, here comes the third part, where you will be asked some questions related to your previous answer. This part takes nearly 3 to 4 minutes, so go through as many speaking cue card practice questions as possible, which will help you answer this effectively.

For the topic “Describe Something that Surprised You and Made You Happy," you may get the following questions that we have provided with sample answers.

1. Why do you think surprises make people happy?

Ans. Surprises make people happy as they provide unexpected joy and excitement. Surprises are not planned; hence, this increases their value and the happiness that people derive from them.

2. Do you think people like giving surprises or receiving them more?

Ans. I think people enjoy both surprises and presents, but giving surprises might be more enjoyable at times. There is a feeling of satisfaction when you see someone smile and be happy because of you.

3. Are surprises always positive?

Ans. Not all surprises are happy ones. Some might be unpleasant, that provide bad news or unexpected troubles. However, most people usually relate surprises to happy moments.

4. How can small achievements impact a person’s confidence?

Ans. Small achievements can play a significant role in boosting a person’s confidence level. Surprises motivate people to keep trying and make them believe in themselves, which might lead to more success in the future.

5. Do you think academic success is important for everyone?

Ans. Academic success is a significant aspect in life; however, it is not the only aspect that might determine success in life.

Tips to Excel in IELTS Cue Card

1. Understanding the Cue Card Clearly - While answering IELTS speaking part 2 questions, one needs to read the cue card clearly and understand all the aspects of the question that need to be answered.

2. Use Preparation Time Wisely - One needs to use the one-minute preparation time wisely by thinking of ideas and arranging them in a logical order.

3. Jot Down Key Points - One needs to jot down key points to recall key points and speak fluently.

4. Focus on Pronunciation - One needs to focus on pronunciation while answering IELTS speaking part 2 questions to score well.

5. Use a Wide Range of Vocabulary - One needs to use a wide range of vocabulary to express oneself well in the IELTS speaking part 2 questions.

6. Maintain a Clear Structure - One needs to arrange the answer in a logical order, i.e., introduction, main points, and conclusion, to speak fluently and clearly.

7. Practice Regularly - Regular practice will help one speak fluently in the IELTS speaking section

Final Thoughts

In a concluding note, it can be said that in order to master the cue card “Describe Something that Surprised You and Made You Happy,” practice, structure, and expressing emotions are necessary. One can improve their fluency using the questions and tips provided in the form of sample answers.

Apart from this, if you think that studying for the IELTS exam is a bit challenging, you can take our online IELTS classes that will provide you with the necessary tools to get the band score you need.