As an IELTS examiner, I’ve noticed that questions about pleasant surprises frequently appear in the Speaking test. This topic allows candidates to showcase their ability to narrate personal experiences and express emotions effectively. In this guide, I’ll provide you with valuable insights and strategies to excel when describing a time you were pleasantly surprised in your IELTS Speaking exam.
Understanding the Topic
A pleasant surprise is an unexpected event or experience that brings joy, happiness, or excitement. It’s crucial to have a clear understanding of what constitutes a pleasant surprise and be prepared to discuss various scenarios.
Pleasant surprise reaction
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, you may encounter questions related to surprises. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:
Q: Do you like surprises?
A: Absolutely, I’m quite fond of surprises. There’s something exhilarating about the unexpected, especially when it’s positive. I think surprises add a bit of excitement and spontaneity to life, which I find refreshing.
Q: What kind of surprises do you enjoy?
A: I particularly enjoy thoughtful surprises that show someone has paid attention to my interests or needs. For instance, a surprise weekend getaway planned by a friend or an unexpected visit from a family member I haven’t seen in a while. These kinds of surprises are especially meaningful to me.
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Here’s a sample cue card related to pleasant surprises:
Describe a time when you were pleasantly surprised. You should say:
- What the surprise was
- Who surprised you
- Where it happened
- And explain why you were pleasantly surprised
Sample Answer:
I’d like to talk about a time when I was pleasantly surprised by my colleagues at work. It was my 30th birthday, and I had no special plans for the day. I arrived at the office as usual, not expecting anything out of the ordinary.
As I walked into our department, I was greeted by an explosion of color and excitement. My desk was decorated with balloons and streamers, and there was a beautifully decorated cake in the center of the room. All my colleagues were gathered around, wearing party hats and grinning from ear to ear.
What made this surprise particularly special was the thoughtfulness behind it. My team had remembered that I had mentioned wanting to learn photography a few months earlier. Along with the cake and decorations, they had pooled their resources to buy me a high-quality DSLR camera as a birthday gift.
I was truly touched by their generosity and attentiveness. It wasn’t just about the material gift, but the fact that they had listened to and remembered my interests. This surprise demonstrated the strong bond we had developed as a team and made me feel incredibly valued.
The whole experience was overwhelmingly positive. It boosted my morale and made me feel even more committed to my work and my colleagues. This pleasant surprise is something I’ll cherish for years to come, not just for the gift itself, but for the warmth and camaraderie it represented.
Follow-up Questions:
- How did you react to the surprise?
- Do you think it’s important to surprise others? Why or why not?
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: Let’s talk more about surprises in general. Do you think people nowadays are less easily surprised than in the past?
Candidate: That’s an intriguing question. I believe that in many ways, people today might be less easily surprised than in the past, and there are several factors contributing to this.
Firstly, we live in an age of information overload. With the internet and social media, we’re constantly exposed to new ideas, experiences, and information. This constant stream of novelty might make it harder for things to truly surprise us.
Secondly, our expectations have risen significantly. We’ve become accustomed to rapid technological advancements and innovations, which means it takes something truly extraordinary to catch us off guard.
However, I don’t think this means surprises are less valuable or impactful. In fact, I’d argue that genuine surprises are even more precious in our current context. When something does manage to surprise us, it often has a more profound effect because it’s broken through our heightened threshold for the unexpected.
Moreover, while we might be less surprised by external events or technological marvels, I believe we can still be deeply surprised by human actions – acts of kindness, creativity, or personal achievement. These types of surprises are timeless and aren’t diminished by our information-rich environment.
In conclusion, while it might be harder to surprise people today, the value and impact of a true surprise remain significant, perhaps even more so than in the past.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
Exhilarating /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ/ (adj): Causing strong feelings of excitement and happiness.
Example: The surprise party was an exhilarating experience.Spontaneity /ˌspɒntəˈneɪəti/ (n): The quality of being natural and uninhibited.
Example: I appreciate the spontaneity of unexpected gestures.Overwhelmingly /ˌəʊvəˈwelmɪŋli/ (adv): To a very great degree or intensity.
Example: The surprise was overwhelmingly positive.Cherish /ˈtʃerɪʃ/ (v): To hold dear, to keep or cultivate with care and affection.
Example: I’ll cherish the memory of that surprise for years to come.Intriguing /ɪnˈtriːɡɪŋ/ (adj): Very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious.
Example: The concept of surprise parties is intriguing to me.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when describing a pleasant surprise:
- Use a variety of vocabulary: Incorporate advanced words and phrases related to surprises and emotions.
- Provide specific details: Make your description vivid and engaging by including concrete details.
- Show reflection: Discuss how the surprise affected you and why it was meaningful.
- Use appropriate tenses: Ensure you use past tenses correctly when narrating the event.
- Practice fluency: Aim for smooth delivery without long pauses or hesitations.
- Demonstrate range: In Part 3, show your ability to discuss abstract ideas related to the topic.
Remember, the key to success is not just in knowing what to say, but in how you express it. Practice regularly, record yourself, and listen to native speakers discussing similar topics to improve your fluency and natural expression.
By following these guidelines and incorporating the suggested vocabulary and phrases, you’ll be well-prepared to impress the examiner with your description of a pleasant surprise in your IELTS Speaking test.