IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Time You Received Good News

Now, I'm going to give you a topic to talk about.

Please describe a time when you received some good news.

You have one minute to prepare. Here's some paper.

Thank you. I have the perfect story for this.

All right, your time is up. Please start now.

I'd like to talk about a phone call I got last July.

I was on a crowded bus, on my way to work.

Suddenly, my mum called, which was unusual for a Tuesday morning.

My first thought was that something was wrong.

Instead, she screamed that my sister had got into medical school!

I jumped up and shouted 'Yes!' right there on the bus!

An old lady next to me nearly dropped her shopping!

Then, the whole bus started clapping. It was wonderful.

You see, my sister had failed the entrance exam the year before.

So, for twelve months, I'd helped her study every evening.

She worked harder than anyone I've ever known.

That's why her news felt like my own success.

That night, the whole family came round for dinner!

My dad made a speech and cried twice.

My sister just kept smiling and reading the letter again and again.

She's now in her second year, and she loves it.

I think good news means more when you've waited for it.

Sharing it with a bus full of strangers made it unforgettable!

Do you usually share good news straight away?

Yes, I'm terrible at keeping secrets, good or bad!

Do people prefer to hear good news by phone or in person?

In person, ideally, but a phone call works when you're far apart.

Thank you. That's the end of Part Two.