[Band 8] Describe something that surprised you and made you happy IELTS Cue-Card

In Describe something that surprised you and made you happy Cue Card, you should say:

1. What the thing was?

2. Who did this?

3. How you found out about it?

4. Explain why it surprised you and made you happy?

Here’s the Describe something that surprised you and made you happy IELTS Speaking Cue Card Sample Answer:

Introduction

The whole idea of surprises is that you can be caught off guard by them. You may be anticipating an ordinary and boring weekend and suddenly something unusual will occur that day. So I would love to talk about a wonderful thing that surprised me and made me happy. I’ll describe what it was, who did this, and how I found out about the surprise, and then I’ll explain why it surprised me and made me smile.

What the thing was? & How you found out about it?

The surprise came in the form of a card delivered to my mailbox by the post office. I would need to go pick it up from the postal depot because the card stated that they had attempted to deliver a package to me but were unable to do so because I was away when they called. Therefore, I was curious.

It wasn’t my birthday, I hadn’t made any online purchases, and I wasn’t hoping for anything particularly exciting to arrive in the mail. So, I picked up the package the following morning from the post office. It was a box the size of a shoebox that was packaged in dark grey plastic.

I opened it as soon as I got back home. This box had a complete package of Sherlock Holmes novels, a notepad, and an incredibly thin pen that could fit inside a diary or notebook.

Besides this, the box also had a typed letter that said, “With Love, Your Uncle!”

Who did this?

My Uncle who has been a British citizen visited us last year. So he knew I was looking for literature about Sherlock Holmes. However, it was an entirely unexpected gift that was given to cheer me up by my Uncle.

Explain why it surprised you and made you happy?

I was filled with excitement because I am a die-hard fan of Sherlock Holmes. Knowing that someone was thinking of me was incredibly heartwarming, as well as being a surprise, and it made me very pleased.

Concluding the Cue Card

Of course, it was great to receive a present from someone; I felt that the contents weren’t important; as the English proverb goes, “It’s the thought that counts“.

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MODEL ANSWER 2

I appreciate you presenting this interesting cue card topic. I’d be happy to tell you about a time when I was genuinely surprised and overjoyed.

Without a car, it’s really challenging to live a dignified life. Having a car to commemorate my graduation from college is a blessing from my parents. Actually, I was taken aback by it. They had already made this suggestion to me. This unexpected gift has made me ecstatic.

The surprise was a Mahindra Scorpio car. It is an off-road vehicle and has some distinctive features. While I was driving the car, I had a peculiar experience. Its ride ability is what I value most, but it also has excellent force. This car is unique, in my opinion, and cannot be compared to other 4WD vehicles.

In December of last year, I graduated from the University of Delhi. I majored in economics, and I had the highest GPA on the graduating exam. So, my parents and the rest of my family were overjoyed. Before taking the test, Dad instructed me to study hard in the classroom.

He also gave me the advice to get the best grade possible because he wanted me to manage his business. He also made a hint about a surprise. I worked really hard in my studies, but I wasn’t sure what the surprise would be. I eventually succeeded after studying for about 8 to 10 hours per day. On the day when the results were announced, I was informed of my success. One of my buddies informed me of the score as I was on my way to the best university. My dad was informed of the circumstance. He wanted to savour the surprise, so he asked for a quick return home.

I finally got home around 5.30 p.m. The brand-new vehicle was waiting for its youngest passenger as my father was standing on the porch. Dad gave me the car’s keys and explained that it was a surprise. My mother was cheering for me as she stood to the side, her face beaming. Dad was also joyful.

The surprise made me happy for a variety of reasons. Using public transportation to get to different sites was incredibly difficult for me. It was also difficult for me to save up enough money for a new car, despite the fact that I was doing it. I consequently asked dad to support my decision to buy an automobile.

That is all there to know about a Mahindra Scorpio that surprised me and made me happy!

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FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

Following are the probable set of IELTS Speaking Part-3 follow-up questions for Describe something that surprised you and made you happy cue card:

1) How do people express happiness in your culture?

It is generally said that a smile is the universal facial expression to express joy. However, Indian culture is an interesting test case for happiness. People here in India express it by celebrating their happy moments by thanking God, eating food, and dancing to music.

You know what, Indians are masters at organising celebrations!

2) Do you think happiness has any effect on people? How?

Not only does happiness help us feel better, but it also benefits our health. It encourages us to eat better, exercises more, and get more rest. Moreover, Happiness lowers the risk of high blood pressure, extra body fat, stroke, and cardiovascular disease because it promotes healthy behaviours.

3) How can people be happy?

Happiness can feel impossible at times but it’s always within reach.

People can feel happy by doing something as simple as watching sports with a friend, taking a bath, or meeting up with friends for coffee. In addition to this, doing cooking, dancing, or something you’re good at, is a great way to have fun and feel accomplished.

4) Is it good for people to be unhappy? Why?

No, being unhappy is not healthy at all. Our wellness greatly depends on our mental health, and despair and anxiety can result from being dissatisfied. When it becomes difficult to maintain a happy attitude, deep breathing and meditation can help us calm our minds and drive away the blues.

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I hope it gives you some realistic idea on how to carry a conversation around Describe something that surprised you and made you happy IELTS Cue card topic. However, it is strongly advised not to reproduce the same answer during the exam. You should rather reformulate and personalise your answer.

If you still need any help, don’t be shy to comment below.

ALL THE BEST!

Rajit