Similar to [describe a time when you received good news from someone], this topic frequently appears in IELTS Speaking tests. Let’s explore effective ways to answer questions about happy news with sample responses for different band scores.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Common questions include:
- Do you prefer reading good news or bad news?
- How do you usually share good news with others?
- What kind of news makes people happy?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I definitely prefer reading uplifting news as it helps maintain a positive outlook on life. When sharing good news, I typically make it a point to tell my family in person because their reactions make the moment even more special. I believe news about personal achievements, medical breakthroughs, and acts of kindness tend to bring joy to people’s hearts.”
Part 2: Cue Card
Describe a piece of news that made you feel happy
You should say:
- What the news was about
- When you heard it
- Who told you the news
- And explain why it made you feel happy
Student celebrating after receiving university acceptance letter
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to share about the extraordinarily uplifting news I received last year regarding my younger sister’s academic achievement. She had earned a full scholarship to pursue her Master’s degree at Oxford University.
The news came on a regular Tuesday evening when my sister burst into my room with tears of joy streaming down her face. She had just received the email confirmation, and her overwhelming excitement was absolutely contagious.
This news particularly resonated with me because our family had always emphasized the value of education, but financial constraints had often been a concern. The scholarship represented not just academic excellence but also opened doors to opportunities we had only dreamed of.
What made this news especially heartwarming was seeing how my sister’s dedication and perseverance had paid off. It was a testament to the fact that hard work and determination can overcome financial barriers.”
For those interested in [describe a situation where you felt very emotional], this experience perfectly exemplifies such a moment.
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
“I want to talk about some good news I got last year about my sister. She got accepted into a good university with a scholarship.
I heard about it one evening when she came to tell me. She was very happy and excited when she told me.
I felt happy because it was important for our family. We always wanted her to get good education but worried about money. The scholarship helped solve this problem.
It made me feel proud of my sister because she worked hard for this.”
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Q: Why do people tend to remember happy news more than sad news?
Similar to [describe an occasion when you received surprising news], our emotional response plays a crucial role in memory retention.
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I believe people tend to gravitate towards positive memories because they serve as emotional anchors in our lives. Happy news typically triggers the release of feel-good hormones, which strengthens neural connections associated with these memories. Moreover, humans have an innate psychological mechanism that helps us maintain optimism and resilience by focusing on positive experiences.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases
- Momentous occasion /məˈmentəs əˈkeɪʒən/ (adj + n): A very important or significant event
- Over the moon (idiom): Extremely happy
- Life-changing news (compound adj): News that significantly alters one’s life path
- Breakthrough /ˈbreɪkθruː/ (n): An important discovery or achievement
This topic connects well with [describe a piece of good news you heard about someone you know well], as both require expressing genuine emotions and detailed storytelling.
Tips for High Scores:
- Use varied vocabulary to describe emotions
- Provide specific details and examples
- Maintain a natural speaking pace
- Include personal reflections and reactions
- Structure your response logically
Remember to practice these responses while maintaining natural speech patterns and authentic emotional expression.
