When preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, it’s crucial to practice a variety of topics. One common theme that often appears is describing unexpected good news. This topic allows you to showcase your ability to narrate a personal experience while demonstrating your vocabulary and fluency. Let’s explore how to effectively tackle this subject in your IELTS Speaking exam.

Excited person receiving unexpected good news

Understanding the IELTS Speaking Test Structure

Before we dive into the specific topic, it’s essential to understand the structure of the IELTS Speaking test:

1. Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)
2. Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 minutes)
3. Part 3: Two-way Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Let’s explore how the theme of unexpected good news might be addressed in each part.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner might ask general questions about good news or unexpected events. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

1. Do you like receiving good news?
2. How do you usually share good news with others?
3. Can you remember a time when you received unexpected news?

Let’s focus on the third question as it’s most relevant to our topic:

Sample Answer (Band 7-8):

“Absolutely! I vividly recall a time when I received an unexpected email from a prestigious university. I had applied for a scholarship months earlier and had almost forgotten about it. To my astonishment, the email informed me that I had been awarded a full scholarship for my master’s degree. It was completely out of the blue and left me speechless for a few moments.”

Key vocabulary: unexpected email, to my astonishment, out of the blue, speechless

Part 2: Long Turn

In this section, you’ll be given a cue card with a topic and some prompts. Here’s a sample cue card related to our theme:

Describe a time when you received unexpected good news.

You should say:

• What the news was
• When and how you received it
• Who gave you the news
• And explain why the news was unexpected and how you felt about it

You’ll have one minute to prepare and then speak for 1-2 minutes. Here’s a sample response:

Sample Answer (Band 7-8):

“I’d like to share an experience when I received some truly unexpected good news. It was about two years ago when I was working as a junior marketing executive at a small startup.

The news I received was about a substantial promotion. I was informed that I was being promoted to the position of Marketing Manager, which was quite a leap from my current role.

I received this news on a regular Tuesday afternoon. Our CEO, Sarah, called me into her office, which was unusual and made me a bit nervous at first. She was the one who delivered this incredible news to me.

The reason this news was so unexpected was that I had only been with the company for about eight months. Typically, such a significant promotion would require years of experience. Moreover, I hadn’t even considered applying for a higher position as I was still learning the ropes in my current role.

When Sarah told me about the promotion, I was absolutely stunned. At first, I thought she might be joking, but when I realized she was serious, I felt a rush of emotions – excitement, disbelief, and a touch of anxiety about the new responsibilities. I remember feeling incredibly grateful for the opportunity and also motivated to prove that their faith in me was well-placed.

This unexpected good news was a turning point in my career. It boosted my confidence and opened up new avenues for professional growth that I hadn’t anticipated so early in my career.”

Key phrases: truly unexpected good news, substantial promotion, quite a leap, unusual, nervous, absolutely stunned, rush of emotions, incredibly grateful, motivated, turning point

Follow-up Questions

The examiner might ask additional questions after your long turn. Here are some possibilities:

1. Do you think unexpected news is usually good or bad?
2. How do people in your country typically react to good news?
3. Is it common for people to share their good news on social media?

Sample Answer (Band 8-9) for Question 1:

“In my experience, unexpected news can be either positive or negative, but I believe our perception plays a crucial role in how we interpret it. Even seemingly bad news can sometimes lead to unforeseen positive outcomes. For instance, losing a job unexpectedly might lead to discovering a more fulfilling career path. However, I’d say that truly unexpected news often tends to be positive because we’re generally more prepared for potential negative outcomes in our daily lives. The element of surprise in good news makes it stand out more in our memories, creating a bias towards positive unexpected events.”

Key phrases: either positive or negative, unforeseen positive outcomes, bias towards positive unexpected events

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

1. How has technology changed the way we receive and share news?
2. Do you think people appreciate good news more when it’s unexpected?
3. In what ways can unexpected good news impact a person’s life?

Let’s focus on the third question:

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“Unexpected good news can have a profound impact on a person’s life in multiple ways. Firstly, it can serve as a significant morale booster, instantly elevating one’s mood and outlook on life. This psychological uplift can lead to increased productivity and creativity in various aspects of life.

Secondly, unexpected good news often brings new opportunities that weren’t previously on the horizon. For example, winning an unanticipated scholarship could open doors to educational experiences that reshape one’s career trajectory.

Moreover, such news can foster a sense of optimism and make individuals more open to taking calculated risks in the future. This newfound confidence can lead to a positive spiral of personal and professional growth.

Lastly, unexpected good news can strengthen relationships. Sharing such news often brings people closer together, creating shared moments of joy and celebration. This can reinforce social bonds and create a support network that becomes valuable in both good times and challenging periods.

However, it’s worth noting that the impact largely depends on the nature of the news and how the individual chooses to act upon it. The key lies in leveraging the positive momentum created by unexpected good news to drive lasting positive changes in one’s life.”

Key phrases: profound impact, significant morale booster, reshape one’s career trajectory, foster a sense of optimism, positive spiral, reinforce social bonds, leveraging the positive momentum

Essential Vocabulary and Phrases

To elevate your Speaking performance, incorporate these advanced vocabulary items and phrases:

1. Out of the blue (idiom) – Completely unexpected
   Example: The job offer came out of the blue, as I hadn’t even applied for the position.

2. To be over the moon (idiom) – Extremely happy or delighted
   Example: I was over the moon when I heard I had won the competition.

3. A bolt from the blue (idiom) – A complete surprise
   Example: The news of her promotion was a bolt from the blue for everyone in the office.

4. To take aback (phrasal verb) – To surprise or shock someone
   Example: I was taken aback by the generosity of the scholarship offer.

5. Serendipitous (adjective) – Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way
   Example: The serendipitous encounter with my old professor led to an exciting research opportunity.

6. To be on cloud nine (idiom) – To be extremely happy
   Example: After receiving the unexpected good news, I was on cloud nine for days.

Examiner’s Advice

To excel in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing unexpected good news:

1. Use a variety of descriptive language to vividly convey your emotions and the impact of the news.

2. Practice narrating personal experiences to improve your fluency and coherence.

3. Incorporate idiomatic expressions naturally to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency.

4. Provide specific details and examples to make your answers more engaging and authentic.

5. Develop your ideas fully, especially in Parts 2 and 3, to showcase your ability to speak at length on a topic.

6. Listen carefully to the questions and ensure your answers are relevant and on-topic.

By following these tips and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-prepared to discuss unexpected good news and other topics in your IELTS Speaking test.

Remember, the key to success lies in combining strong language skills with personal experiences and thoughtful insights. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!