The IELTS Speaking test is a crucial part of your IELTS exam and requires a broad range of speaking skills. An IELTS Speaking Examiner will be looking at your ability to communicate effectively in English through a variety of criteria such as fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Among frequently asked questions, you might encounter prompts like “Describe A Time When You Were Scared.” These types of questions are common across various exams and gauging your response can significantly impact your band score.
In this article, we will dive into practical examples, tips, and detailed analyses to help you effectively tackle questions about frightening experiences in the IELTS Speaking test.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
During this part, the examiner will ask you about familiar topics such as your home, family, work, studies, and interests. Here are some example questions you might face:
- “Do you like scary movies?”
- “Have you ever been in a dangerous situation?”
- “What do you usually do when you feel scared?”
Example Question and Suggested Answer:
Question: “Do you like scary movies?”
Answer:
“No, I don’t particularly enjoy scary movies. I find them quite unsettling and they often leave me feeling anxious. For instance, the last time I watched a horror film, I couldn’t sleep properly for several nights. Instead, I prefer watching comedy or adventure films that are more light-hearted and entertaining.”
Part 2: Cue Card
In Part 2, you will be given a cue card with a topic. You will have one minute to prepare and can make notes if you want. You will then need to speak for two minutes on the topic.
Cue Card Example:
“Describe a time when you were scared. You should say:
- When it happened
- Where you were
- Who you were with
- And explain why you were scared.”
Suggested Answer:
“One particular time when I was genuinely scared was about two years ago when I was hiking with friends in a dense forest. It was in a national park about three hours from my home. There were five of us, and we were all experienced hikers, so we felt confident about the trek.
However, about midway through our hike, we realized that we hadn’t seen a trail marker in quite a while and were completely off our planned route. The forest was very thick, and it started to get dark, which made it even more terrifying. To make matters worse, our GPS devices were not getting a signal, and we had no way of knowing which direction to go.
I felt a sense of sheer panic as I imagined what could go wrong: getting lost overnight, encountering wild animals, or running out of supplies. Luckily, we decided to stay put and radio for help. About two hours later, the park rangers found us and led us safely back to the main trail. This experience made me realize how quickly a fun adventure can turn into a dangerous situation if you’re not well-prepared.”
lost in the forest
Follow-up Questions:
Question: “How did you feel after the incident?”
Answer:
“I was tremendously relieved once we were found, but it also made me far more cautious about planning future trips. We all learned the importance of sticking to the trail and making sure that all our devices were fully functional before setting out.”
Question: “Would you say that being scared is always a bad experience?”
Answer:
“Not necessarily. While fear is uncomfortable, it can also be a powerful teacher that prompts us to act more carefully in the future. It can make us appreciate safety measures and can even foster a deeper connection among those who experience it together.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
This part follows up on the topics introduced in Part 2 and requires you to discuss them in more depth. You might need to discuss more abstract ideas and issues.
Example Discussion:
Examiner: “Do you think children should be exposed to experiences that might scare them, in order to prepare them for the future?”
Answer:
“Absolutely. I believe that exposing children to minor scary experiences in a controlled manner can be beneficial. It helps them develop coping mechanisms and become resilient. For instance, talking about potential dangers and how to react can be a good way to prepare them for real-life situations without exposing them to actual harm.”
Examiner: “Why do some people enjoy activities that are designed to frighten them, like haunted houses or extreme sports?”
Answer:
“People often enjoy these activities because they provide a thrill and a rush of adrenaline. For some, it’s a way to break away from the monotony of everyday life. The sense of accomplishment once they manage to overcome their fear also adds to the allure. Plus, these activities are usually carried out in safe environments, where the perceived danger is high, but the actual risk is minimal.”
Essential Vocabulary and Structures
Using advanced vocabulary and structures can help you achieve a higher band score. Here are some words and phrases that can enhance your response:
-
Unsettling (adj): making someone feel uneasy or anxious.
- “The eerie silence was quite unsettling.”
-
Sheer panic (noun): pure and intense fear.
- “I was overcome with sheer panic when I realized I was lost.”
-
Monotony (noun): lack of variety and interest.
- “People often seek thrills to break away from the monotony of everyday life.”
-
Resilience (noun): the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
- “Experiencing controlled fears can help build resilience in children.”
Example Sentences:
- “The entire experience was deeply unsettling and left me feeling anxious for days.”
- “In sheer panic, we tried to retrace our steps back to the trail.”
- “Engaging in thrilling activities helps break the monotony of daily routines.”
- “These small frightening experiences are crucial for building resilience and coping mechanisms.”
Tips for High Scores
- Practice regularly: Regularly practice speaking on different topics, record yourself and analyze your performance.
- Expand your vocabulary: Learn new words regularly and try to use them in your speech.
- Structure your responses: Use clear and coherent structures to organize your answers.
- Stay calm and composed: Try to stay relaxed during your speaking test to ensure a clear and fluent delivery.
By incorporating these strategies and practicing with scenario-based questions, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking Test.
Internal Links
If you are interested in exploring similar topics, you can check out these articles:
Regular practice and the right strategies can help you tackle any IELTS Speaking topic confidently and effectively.
