The IELTS Speaking test is your chance to shine, to showcase your fluency and vocabulary. One common topic that often arises is emotions, particularly happiness and sadness. Being prepared to discuss “what makes you happy sad” in a nuanced and engaging way can significantly boost your score.
This article will equip you with the strategies and insights you need to confidently tackle this topic, drawing from my 20+ years of experience helping students excel in the IELTS Speaking exam.
Understanding the “What Makes You Happy Sad” IELTS Speaking Topic
The examiner isn’t simply looking for a list of things that make you happy or sad. They want to assess your ability to:
- Express abstract ideas: Happiness and sadness are complex emotions. You need to articulate what these feelings mean to you personally.
- Provide reasons and examples: Don’t just state what makes you happy or sad. Explain why these things elicit these emotions and illustrate your points with specific examples.
- Use a range of vocabulary: Demonstrate your command of English by employing a variety of words and phrases related to emotions, experiences, and perspectives.
Strategies for Success
1. Brainstorm Personal Examples
Before you even step into the exam room, take some time to reflect on your own experiences. Think about:
- Moments of genuine joy: What activities, events, or accomplishments have brought you happiness?
- Things that evoke sadness: What situations, memories, or challenges have made you feel sad?
- The reasons behind these emotions: Analyze why these particular things trigger these feelings in you.
Jot down keywords and phrases that come to mind.
2. Expand Your Emotional Vocabulary
To speak about happiness and sadness effectively, you’ll need to go beyond basic terms like “happy” and “sad.” Consider using:
- Synonyms: Elated, delighted, cheerful, joyful, miserable, gloomy, sorrowful, heartbroken.
- Phrases: Filled with joy, a sense of contentment, deep sorrow, overcome with sadness.
- Idioms: On cloud nine, down in the dumps, a rollercoaster of emotions.
Using a variety of vocabulary demonstrates your language proficiency.
3. Structure Your Response Cohesively
A well-structured response is key to a high speaking score. Follow this framework:
- Introduction: Briefly state your overall perspective on happiness and sadness.
- Example: “I think happiness and sadness are two sides of the same coin – we can’t experience one without the other.”
- Happiness: Discuss two to three things that bring you joy, providing reasons and examples.
- Example: “Spending time with loved ones always lifts my spirits. For instance, last weekend, I went hiking with my family, and it was such a joyful and memorable experience.”
- Sadness: Similarly, talk about two to three things that evoke sadness, explaining why.
- Example: “Witnessing injustice or suffering in the world deeply saddens me. I recently watched a documentary about poverty, and it left me feeling quite disheartened.”
- Conclusion: Summarize your thoughts and perhaps offer a concluding remark.
- Example: “Ultimately, I believe it’s important to embrace both the highs and lows of life, as they shape who we are.”
4. Practice Makes Perfect
The more you practice, the more confident and fluent you will become in discussing this topic. Find a speaking partner or record yourself to identify areas for improvement.
Example IELTS Speaking Questions
Here are some questions you might encounter:
- What makes you happy?
- What brings you the most joy in life?
- What are some things that make you feel sad?
- How do you typically deal with sadness?
- Do you think people are generally happy or sad these days? Why?
Conclusion
Mastering the “what makes you happy sad” topic in the IELTS Speaking test is entirely achievable with the right preparation. By brainstorming personal examples, expanding your vocabulary, structuring your response cohesively, and practicing regularly, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your desired score. Remember, the key is to be genuine, expressive, and demonstrate your command of the English language. Good luck!