IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Experiences
Describe a time you felt proud of an achievement
Describe a time you felt proud of an achievement
You should say:
- what the achievement was
- when it happened
- who supported you
and explain why you felt so proud of this achievement.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
what the achievement was
Achievement: Organized a 5K charity run to raise funds for a local shelter.
- 2
when it happened
When: Happened about two years ago during my final semester at university.
- 3
who supported you
Support: My university mentor and close friends helped manage the logistics.
- 4
and explain why you felt so proud of this achievement.
Why proud: Felt proud because we exceeded our target despite initial setbacks.
Sample answer
about 242 words · 2 minutesI would like to talk about an achievement that really stands out in my mind, which was successfully organizing a charity run in my hometown. This happened about two years ago, right in the middle of my final semester at university. At the time, a local community shelter was struggling with funding, so a few of us decided to step up and arrange a fundraising event to support them. Putting everything together was quite overwhelming, but I was not doing it alone. I had an incredible amount of support, particularly from my university mentor, who guided me through getting the necessary permits and securing sponsorships. My close friends also pitched in, helping to promote the event on social media and manage registration on the actual day. The main reason I felt so incredibly proud of this achievement was that we managed to overcome so many unexpected hurdles. A week before the run, bad weather threatened to cancel it, and our primary sponsor backed out at the last minute. However, we pulled together, found alternative supporters, and carried on. On the day of the event, over two hundred participants showed up, and we ended up raising double our initial financial target. Seeing all that hard work pay off and knowing the funds directly helped families in need gave me an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. It proved to me that with determination and proper teamwork, I could handle major responsibilities even under heavy pressure.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
stands out in my mind
That graduation day still stands out in my mind as a major highlight.
step up and arrange
She decided to step up and arrange the workshop when the leader left.
pitched in
Everyone pitched in to clear the hall after the event ended.
unexpected hurdles
We encountered several unexpected hurdles during the first phase of construction.
pay off
All those months of practice finally paid off when they won the match.
Common mistakes
I am very proud about my score.
I am very proud of my score.
Use the correct preposition 'of' after the adjective 'proud'.
It happened in two years ago.
It happened two years ago.
Do not place 'in' before time expressions ending with 'ago'.
I felt proud because I win the prize.
I felt proud because I won the prize.
Maintain consistent past tense when describing a past achievement.
Tips for a higher band
- Maintain consistent past tenses throughout your story to avoid distracting grammar slips.
- Incorporate emotive vocabulary such as 'rewarding', 'overwhelmed', or 'accomplishment' to explain your feelings.
- Use natural transitions like 'looking back' or 'at the time' to organize your timeline logically.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- Do you think society places too much emphasis on individual achievements nowadays?
- How do people in your country usually celebrate significant personal accomplishments?
- Should parents reward children financially when they achieve good grades at school?
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.