A IELTS Cue Card for the question “Describe something that surprised you” can be found in this IELTS speaking blog. The three sections of the IELTS Speaking test are the introduction, the IELTS Cue Card round, and the follow-up discussion round. You will have 11 to 15 minutes to present your ideas and communication abilities to the examiner.
We have included three model responses for this IELTS Speaking Cue Card in this IELTS speaking blog, along with follow-up questions, to help you improve your skills and come up with ideas for your own answers.
For IELTS Speaking Task 2 (Part 2), you must prepare a IELTS Cue Card that will be provided by your examiner. You will get one minute to prepare your answer and then you must speak for 1–2 minutes. Your topic will be written on the IELTS Cue Card — in this case, “Describe something that surprised you.”
The examiner will listen while you speak and may stop you once you have covered all the given questions. Part 3 will then continue as a discussion related to your cue card.
IELTS Cue Card – Describe something that surprised you
You should say:
- What it was
- When it happened
- How you found out about it
- And explain why it surprised you
Describe something that surprised you – IELTS Cue Card Model Answer 1
Introduction
Although I have encountered numerous unexpected moments in my life, one occasion in particular has remained truly surprising.
What it was & When it happened
Last year, my nearest friends surprised me with a birthday party on the day of my birthday. I had no inkling they were arranging anything, and I assumed the day would be a quiet family affair.
How you found out about it
Walking in the front door after work, I found the house dark, and my friends shouted “Happy Birthday!” the very moment I opened the door. Walls upon walls of balloons lined the room, and festooning them all was an ice-cream cake fashioned to my very favorite flavor.
Why it surprised you
Reading their words and seeing their excitement overwhelmed me profoundly, for I had never imagined they’d go to so much effort for me. That moment made me understand how deeply I matter to my friends, and it forged one of the happiest memories of my life.
Conclusion
That birthday surprise will forever remain a treasure special to my heart, for it was at once emotional and filled with joy.
Describe something that surprised you – IELTS Cue Card Model Answer 2
Introduction
Though I seldom find myself surprised, a single event during my college years left me completely speechless.
What it was & When it happened.
That was the moment I unpredictably became the champion of a debating contest I had entered right at the last minute.
How you found out about it
Having completed my speech, I had no confidence that I had done a good job. Yet when the award ceremony began, I heard my name called as the victor. I was stunned at first.
Why it surprised you
I was taken aback, for I had done almost no preparation and had hoped I had no chance against such formidable competitors. That win imbued me with renewed confidence and inspired me to enter additional competitions.
Conclusion
The event demonstrated that a surprising outcome can often summon the best within us.
Describe something that surprised you – IELTS Cue Card Model Answer 3
Introduction
Apart from the countless other surprises life has thrown at me, the one that took me utterly by surprise concerned my academic performance.
What it was & When it happened..
I reacted with astonishment when I discovered that I had attained the top score on the mathematics exam in high school.
How you found out about it
As the teacher read out the results, my nerves surfaced, since mathematics had never been my strongest subject. I was gobsmacked to hear that I’d earned the best score in the class.
Why it surprised you
I was completely taken aback, as I had worked hard—yet the remarkable outcome still came as a massive surprise to me. I realized then that diligence does yield results, even in subjects that challenge us.
Conclusion
The news elevated my confidence and spurred me to give steady effort in every class.
IELTS Speaking Cue Card Part 3 – Follow-Up Questions
Follow-up IELTS Speaking Cue Card questions for “Describe something that surprised you” are given below in the IELTS speaking blog. In the actual exam, this session lasts 4–5 minutes, where you’ll be asked more general questions related to the topic.
Do surprises appeal to you?
Yes, I relish surprises because they flush me with unforeseen happiness. Yet I tend to favor pleasant surprises above the shocking kind.
Do you believe that most people like surprises better than when gifts are announced ahead of time?
In my opinion, a majority of people like surprises because they seem more personal and exciting than knowing what’s going to happen ahead of time.
In what ways do small and big surprises differ?
Tiny surprises can lift our daily routines—a handwritten note, for example—whereas major surprises typically occur only on special occasions, such as birthdays, promotions, or weddings.
Do you believe that children like surprises more than adults do?
Yes, definitely. It is clear that kids become much more energetic and wear their delight openly. Adults do like surprises as well, yet their responses are generally a little more composed.
Can surprises at times turn out negative?
Indeed, not every surprise is a pleasant one. Likewise, unpleasant news that arrives without warning can be surprising, though this time in an unpleasant manner.
Vocabulary for IELTS Cue Card Topic “Describe something that surprised you”
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Caught off guard | Taken by surprise; unexpected | I was caught off guard when my friends threw me a surprise party. |
| Speechless | Unable to speak due to shock or amazement | The news left me completely speechless. |
| Overwhelmed | Strongly affected by emotion | I was overwhelmed with joy when I won the award. |
| Unexpected | Not anticipated or predicted | The results were totally unexpected. |
| Moved | Deeply touched emotionally | I was moved by their kind gesture. |
| Memorable | Worth remembering; unforgettable | That was a memorable day in my life. |
| Shocked | Strongly surprised, often negatively | I was shocked when I heard the sudden announcement. |
| Pleasant surprise | Something nice you did not expect | Finding money in my old jacket was a pleasant surprise. |
Conclusion
In the IELTS speaking blog, The IELTS Cue Card “Describe something that surprised you” gives you the opportunity to tell a personal anecdote and to demonstrate fluency, vocabulary, and overall coherence. Ensure that your answer is clear through a structure of introduction, details, and conclusion, and make it engaging along the way. By rehearsing, these prompts can equip you to achieve higher marks in your speaking exam.
Related IELTS Cue Card Topics
Below are links to related IELTS speaking blog articles on other IELTS Cue Card topics:
- Describe a sportsperson that you admire
- Describe a long car journey you went on
- Describe a place where you would like to go to relax
- Describe an area in your home where you feel relaxed
- Describe a long walk you ever had
- Describe a daily routine that you enjoy
- Describe a piece of good advice that you gave to someone
FAQs
You can describe surprised as feeling astonished or shocked by something unexpected.
Unexpected events, good news, or sudden changes often make people feel surprised.
You can say “I was shocked,” “It caught me off guard,” or “I didn’t expect that.”
A IELTS Cue Card is a short prompt with questions given in the IELTS speaking test to guide your answer.
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