In the IELTS Speaking section, you will be evaluated on various factors including fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range, and accuracy. One common topic that might appear in the IELTS Speaking test is describing a time when you received bad news. Understanding how to effectively tackle this topic can help you score higher. In this article, we’ll explore some possible questions, provide model answers, and give you useful vocabulary and phrases to use.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1 of the Speaking test, the examiner asks general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics.
Common Examiner Questions and Suggested Answer
Question: Have you ever received bad news before? What was it?
Suggested Answer: Yes, I have received bad news before. Just last year, I found out that I had failed an important chemistry exam. It was particularly disheartening because I had spent a considerable amount of time studying and was hoping for a good grade.
Part 2: Long Turn
In Part 2, you will be given a cue card with prompts and will have to speak for 1-2 minutes on the topic.
Cue Card
Describe a time when you received bad news. You should say:
- What the news was
- When you received the news
- How you received the news
- And explain how you felt about it
Suggested Answer
One particular instance of receiving bad news that stands out in my memory is when I learned that my grandmother had passed away. This was about two years ago, and it happened quite unexpectedly. My mother called me early in the morning to inform me of the tragic news. She had been in poor health for some time, but none of us anticipated that she would leave us so soon.
The moment I heard my mother’s trembling voice on the phone, I knew something terrible had happened. The initial shock was overwhelming, and I felt a mixture of disbelief and sorrow. My grandmother and I were very close, and I always looked up to her as a source of wisdom and comfort. Losing her was like losing a part of myself.
In the days that followed, I found it difficult to concentrate on anything. I kept reminiscing about the fond memories we had shared, from our weekend baking sessions to the long walks in the park discussing life. Despite the sadness, this experience taught me the importance of cherishing every moment with our loved ones. It reinforced the idea that life is fragile and that we should always be prepared for the unexpected.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic discussed in Part 2.
Possible Examiner Questions and Suggested Answers
Examiner: How do people generally respond to bad news?
Suggested Answer: People have various reactions to bad news depending on the nature of the news and their personal resilience. Some may react with immediate shock and disbelief, while others may become emotional and break down in tears. I believe it is also common for people to feel a sense of denial initially before they eventually come to terms with the reality of the situation.
Useful Vocabulary and Phrases
Key Vocabulary
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Disheartening /dɪsˈhɑːtn̩ɪŋ/ (adjective): causing someone to lose confidence or hope.
- Example: Failing the exam was a disheartening experience.
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Trembling /ˈtrɛmbəlɪŋ/ (adjective): shaking involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty.
- Example: Her hands were trembling when she received the news.
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Resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/ (noun): the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
- Example: Her resilience helped her overcome the grief of losing her grandmother.
Useful Expressions
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Come to terms with: To accept and deal with something unpleasant.
- Example: It took a while for me to come to terms with the loss.
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Cherish every moment: To appreciate every moment and make the most of it.
- Example: The experience taught me to cherish every moment with my loved ones.
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Life is fragile: Acknowledging that life can end unexpectedly.
- Example: The situation reminded me that life is fragile and uncertain.
Examiner’s Advice
To excel in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing emotionally charged topics like receiving bad news, it’s essential to:
- Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with a wide range of topics and practice speaking about them fluently.
- Use complex sentences: Incorporate varied sentence structures to demonstrate your grammatical range.
- Expand your vocabulary: Learn and use new words and expressions accurately.
- Stay calm and focused: Even if the topic is challenging, try to stay composed and think clearly.
- Engage with the examiner: Make eye contact, listen carefully to the questions, and respond thoughtfully.
By adhering to these tips and practicing with the sample answers provided, you’ll be better equipped to tackle the Speaking section and achieve a high score.