IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Events
Describe a time when you experienced a pleasant surprise
Describe a time when you experienced a pleasant surprise
You should say:
- what the surprise event was
- when and where it happened
- who was involved in planning it
and explain how you felt when you realized what was happening.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
what the surprise event was
A surprise graduation reunion party organized by my close friends.
- 2
when and where it happened
Last summer at a cozy downtown local cafe in my hometown.
- 3
who was involved in planning it
My best friend coordinated secretly with my brother and former high school classmates.
- 4
and explain how you felt when you realized what was happening.
Felt utterly stunned at first, then overwhelmed with warmth, gratitude, and joy.
Sample answer
about 253 words · 2 minutesI'd like to talk about a memorable surprise party that my close friends threw for me last summer. It happened right after I completed my master's degree, when I returned to my hometown for a short break. I was under the impression that I was just meeting my best friend for a quiet coffee at a local cafe downtown, so I wasn't expecting anything unusual at all. When I walked into the venue, I was completely caught off guard. Instead of just my friend sitting at a table, the whole back section was decorated with balloons and banners, and about a dozen of my old high school classmates stepped out to shout 'Congratulations!' It turns out that my best friend had been plotting this behind my back for over a month. She had secretly gotten in touch with my brother to coordinate everyone's schedules and keep the entire plan hush-hush from me. When I finally realized what was happening, I was honestly speechlessly stunned. At first, my mind went totally blank because I was trying to process how they managed to gather everyone in one place without me suspecting a thing. After the initial shock wore off, a wave of warmth and immense joy washed over me. I felt deeply touched that so many people had taken time out of their busy lives just to celebrate my achievement. It made me realize how fortunate I am to have such thoughtful friends. It was genuinely one of the most delightful moments of my life.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
under the impression
I was under the impression that our meeting was postponed until next week.
caught off guard
The unexpected question from the interviewer caught him completely off guard.
behind my back
They secretly organized a farewell dinner behind my back.
keep the entire plan hush-hush
We had to keep the entire plan hush-hush until the official announcement.
a wave of warmth
A wave of warmth swept over her when she saw her old family photos.
Common mistakes
I was very surprised when I opened the door and see everyone.
I was very surprised when I opened the door and saw everyone.
Maintain past tense consistency when recounting a completed past event.
It was a very surprised experience for me.
It was a very surprising experience for me.
Use '-ing' adjectives for things causing feelings and '-ed' for person feeling them.
My friend explained me why she kept it secret.
My friend explained to me why she kept it secret.
The verb 'explain' requires the preposition 'to' before the indirect object.
Tips for a higher band
- Use a variety of emotional adjectives and idiomatic expressions to express surprise effectively.
- Maintain consistent past tenses and use past perfect to sequence prior background actions clearly.
- Vary your intonation and use natural pauses to convey genuine emotion and excitement.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- Do you think people nowadays enjoy surprises as much as they did in the past?
- Why do some individuals dislike unexpected events or sudden changes to their routines?
- In what ways can unexpected corporate rewards or surprises motivate employees in the workplace?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.