IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe an important piece of news that you received via text message.
You should say:
- who shared the message with you
- what the news was about
- when you received it
and explain why the news was important to you.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
I have never really been much of a fan of reading text messages on my mobile phone, mainly because more than 80% of the text messages seem to be delivered to my mobile for advertising purposes. They sometimes even contain scam messages. But today, I would like to talk about an important text message, which I received about a couple of years ago when I was away from my home.
As I have just mentioned above, when I received the message, I was away from home, enjoying my vacation in a different city. So, I wasn’t expecting any message from my work, at least. In fact, I wasn’t expecting any kind of messages from anybody, whether they were important or not. But, when I got the message from my boss – I mean my Managing Director – I wasn’t exactly very thrilled about it, to say the least. But, after all, that was a message from my boss, and I just couldn’t ignore it, no matter how much I disliked it.
So, I decided to read the message. But, after reading it, I couldn’t really make much of the message since all it said was “a surprise is waiting for you”. So, I decided to call my boss and seek some clarification about the text message. In response, my boss sounded very happy on the other end and told me that I was getting transferred to another department after getting a promotion.
Initially, after hearing the news, I thought that my boss was joking with me since he had a habit of cracking jokes at his subordinates from time to time, but that time, he made it clear that he wasn’t making any jokes.
Anyway, the message was really important for me because the promotion was long overdue. In fact, I was even thinking about quitting the company if I didn’t get the promotion after working at the same company really hard for more than 6 years. Besides, the message was important to me also because it showed that my boss indeed cared for my career future by transferring me to a department where I had always wanted to be.
Sample Answer 2:
For this nice topic, I’d like to share a moment when a significant piece of news reached me through a text message, forever altering the course of my day. My sister’s husband sent me this text message, and the news was about the arrival of a new member into our family! I guess you understand how exciting that news was to me.
My brother-in-law, the husband of my younger sister, sent me a text message. His name flashed on my phone screen as I stepped out of a crucial meeting at my workplace. His repeated attempts to contact me had been unsuccessful as my phone was inadvertently set to silent during the meeting.
The text conveyed the joyous news that my younger sister, who had tied the knot a couple of years ago, had given birth to a healthy baby boy. The text was succinct but brimming with excitement, encapsulating the joyous essence of a new life entering our family.
Despite the brevity imposed by the constraints of a text message, the words exuded happiness and conveyed the sense of a new beginning. The text was a delightful blend of formality and familial warmth, with a simple “Hello, I hope you’re doing well. We have wonderful news to share. Your sister and the baby are healthy and doing great. It’s a boy!”
This news held immense significance for me as it not only announced the birth of my nephew but also symbolized the expansion and continuity of our family. The arrival of a new member is always a momentous occasion, and receiving this news via text message added a modern touch to the age-old tradition of sharing the joy of a newborn.
I received the message a year ago. As I read and re-read the message, I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of becoming an uncle. It was a moment that underscored the beauty of family bonds and the capacity of technology to bridge distances and promptly deliver moments of profound joy. The news made my day and created a lasting memory, reminding me of the power of simple messages to convey the most extraordinary events in life.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
Thank you so much for this interesting topic, and I’m really glad I got the chance to talk about it. I’d like to describe an important piece of news I received through a text message, and it’s something I still remember very clearly.
Who shared the message with you:
The message came from one of my closest friends. We usually stay in touch through messaging apps, and we often share updates about studies and work.
What the news was about:
The news was about a job opportunity that I had applied for earlier. I had gone through a couple of interview rounds, but I hadn’t received any official confirmation yet. So, when my friend texted me saying that he had seen my name on the shortlisted candidates’ list, I was honestly surprised and excited at the same time.
When you received it:
It would be around six months ago. I received the message in the evening, after a long and tiring day. I was just relaxing at home, and I almost ignored the notification at first. But when I opened it and read the message properly, my mood changed instantly.
And explain why the news was important to you:
This news was extremely important to me because I had put a lot of effort into preparing for that opportunity. I had spent weeks improving my skills, practising interview questions, and working on my confidence. So, getting that message felt like my hard work had finally paid off. Also, it gave me a huge boost in motivation and self-belief. Even before receiving the official confirmation, that message made me feel proud and hopeful about my future. It was one of those moments where a simple text message carried so much meaning and emotion.
Idea Generation for this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card Topic:
This topic asks you to describe an important piece of news that you received via text message. You should explain who sent you the message, what the news was about, when you received it, and why it was important to you. To make your answer better, include your emotional reaction, what was in the message, how quickly you responded, and what happened afterwards. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response for this topic:
1. Job selection confirmation:
The important news I received was a message confirming that I had been selected for a job I had applied for. The message was sent by the company’s HR manager through a text message, and I received it in the afternoon while I was at home. It was about my appointment and joining date, which I had been waiting for anxiously. This news was very important to me because it marked the beginning of my career and made me feel proud and relieved at the same time.
2. Exam result notification:
The important news I received was about my exam results, and it was sent by a close friend who had already checked the results online. I received the message early in the morning, before I even had the courage to check it myself. The message informed me that I had passed with good marks. It was important because it confirmed my hard work had paid off and gave me confidence for my future studies.
3. Scholarship approval:
The news I received was a message from my university informing me that I had been awarded a scholarship. I received it late at night, and it immediately caught my attention. The message explained that my application had been successful and included further instructions. This news was important because it reduced my financial burden and allowed me to continue my education with less stress.
4. Family member’s recovery:
The important message I received was from a family member informing me that a relative had recovered from a serious illness. I received it in the evening while I was feeling quite worried about their condition. The message was short but very reassuring. It was important because it brought me relief and happiness after days of concern and anxiety.
5. Invitation to an important event:
The news I received was an invitation message from a close friend for a wedding ceremony. I received it a few weeks before the event, and it included all the details. The message was important because it meant I was part of a special moment in my friend’s life. I felt honoured and excited to attend the event.
6. Acceptance into a course or program:
The important news I received was a text message confirming my acceptance into a training program. It was sent by the institution, and I received it during the afternoon while checking my phone casually. The message included instructions for the next steps. It was important because it opened up new learning opportunities and helped me move closer to my goals.
7. A friend moving abroad:
The news I received was a message from a close friend telling me that they were moving abroad for studies. I received it late at night a couple of months ago, and it came as a surprise. The message explained their plans and timeline. It was important because it meant a big change in our friendship, and I felt both happy for them and a bit emotional.
8. A sudden change in plans:
The important news I received was a message informing me that an important meeting or event had been postponed. It was sent by my manager, and I received it just before leaving home. The message helped me avoid unnecessary travel and saved time. It was important because it affected my schedule and allowed me to reorganise my day.
9. Winning a competition or prize:
The news I received was a message saying that I had won a small competition. It was sent by the organisers, and I received it in the afternoon. The message included details about the prize and how to claim it. It was important because it boosted my confidence and made me feel appreciated for my efforts.
10. A travel confirmation message:
The important message I received was a confirmation for a flight booking sent by the airline. I received it shortly after making the payment. The message included all the travel details and ticket information. It was important because it confirmed my travel plan and made me feel excited about the upcoming trip.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing news received via text message, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the brevity of the medium, the surprise of the moment, and the significance of the information. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Notification: A message that appears on a screen to inform the user of an event or update.
Example: I was in the middle of a meeting when a notification popped up on my phone screen.
Succinct: Briefly and clearly expressed (especially something written or spoken).
Example: The text was very succinct, but it contained all the essential details I needed.
Out of the blue: Without warning; unexpectedly.
Example: The message came completely out of the blue, and I had to read it twice to believe it.
Pivotal: Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something.
Example: Receiving that text was a pivotal moment in my career path.
Startled: Feeling or showing sudden shock or alarm.
Example: I was a bit startled when my phone vibrated late at night, but the news was wonderful.
Overjoyed: Extremely happy.
Example: I was absolutely overjoyed when I read that I had passed the final exam.
Life-changing: Having a total and permanent effect on someone’s life.
Example: It might have been just a short message, but for me, it was life-changing news.
Informed: Having or showing knowledge of a particular subject or situation.
Example: My sister kept me informed about our grandmother’s health through regular updates.
Vibrate: To move continuously and rapidly to and fro (how phones signal a message).
Example: I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and instinctively knew it was the news I was waiting for.
Cryptic: Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure.
Example: At first, the message seemed a bit cryptic, and I had to call him to get the full story.
Glance: Take a brief or hurried look.
Example: I took a quick glance at my phone and realized the results had finally been released.
Digital era: The current period of history characterized by the shift from traditional industry to an economy based on information computerization.
Example: In this digital era, most of our important announcements come through a screen.
Awaited: (Of an event or thing) waited for with expectation or anxiety.
Example: It was the long-awaited confirmation that my visa application had been approved.
Brief: Of short duration; not lasting for long.
Example: It was a brief message, but its impact lasted for several weeks.
Instinctively: Without conscious thought; by natural instinct.
Example: I instinctively smiled as soon as I saw the sender’s name on the notification.
Disseminate: Spread (something, especially information) widely.
Example: Text messages are the fastest way to disseminate urgent information to a group of people.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe an important piece of news that you received via text message”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an important message that you have recently received.
2) Describe a piece of good news you heard.
3) Describe an important email or letter that you were excited to receive.
4) Describe a news item that surprised you.
5) Describe a time when you were surprised to hear something.