Many IELTS candidates consider the Cue Card Section, also known as the IELTS Speaking Part 2, to be one of the most challenging parts of the IELTS exam.
Why? It is because you are assigned a topic which you may not be well-versed with, and you have no choice but to address it.
To complicate matters further, you have less time to prepare and must talk for a longer period without interruption or questions from the examiner. But there is no need to be concerned!
This article contains sample replies to the cue card topic ‘Describe a time when you felt lucky.’ Continue reading to find out more.
What is the IELTS Cue Card Question?
The examiner will hand you a task card, also known as a cue card, with three to four questions and points on what to cover in the topic in the IELTS Speaking Task 2.
Personal experiences will be used to provide the information.
After being given the topic, you have one minute to prepare before speaking for approximately 1-2 minutes, after which the examiner will order you to stop.
If you want, a piece of paper and a pencil will be provided for you to jot down your views.
While you are speaking, the examiner will not interrupt you. Instead, they will simply nod in agreement.
The examiner will stop you shortly after the two minutes are up and ask you a few questions about what you said, to which you must respond briefly.
How to Answer this Specific Cue Card Question: “Describe a Time When You Felt Lucky”
Topic/Question
Describe a Time When You Felt Lucky
Guidelines to answer this question
You should say:
- What happened
- When it happened
- Where it happened
and explain why you felt fortunate at the time.
- Recall a time when you felt lucky. It could be sometime recent or something that happened a long time ago. Since this specific question requires you to recall something that happened in the past, you need to make sure that you vividly recall it.
- When you have a specific topic to discuss, write down notes right away. Remember that you are given only 60 seconds to prepare.
- Begin taking notes. State when, where, and how it happened. Discuss why you were there, do not forget to explain why you felt lucky. Explain how you feel that day as well.
- Do not compose sentences. Because you want to make the most of your time, simply write keywords and phrases.
- Use a diverse vocabulary and complicated grammatical structures. Remember that these two factors account for 50% of your total score, and doing so will help you earn excellent scores in this section of the exam.
- Take brief notes, but make sure your handwriting is legible to you. The examiner will not mind what or how you wrote on your notes.What is more important is the content of your speech and how you deliver it.
- Take a look at the notes you have made from time to time. It is allowed. The examiner will not prevent you from doing so. That is the main reason you are given a pen and a piece of paper.
Sample Responses: “Describe a Time When You Felt Lucky”
Sample Response 1:
“This is such a fascinating and interesting topic. I’ve been lucky a few times but today, I’m going to share with you one of the luckiest days of my life. It was the time when I was given a scholarship to my dream university.
I was once a high school dropout looking for ways to get a university education. Being from a low-income family, my only hope for university education is to get a scholarship that will cover the expense of my education. I was introduced to the Hope Tertiary Education Foundation one day. The foundation provides scholarships to deserving students who get a score of 3 or higher on a five-point scale.
I took the exam and waited patiently for the results, which were to be disclosed in two months. On the specified date, I received a telegram from the foundation informing me that I had received a 4.5 and had been offered a full scholarship to study at my favorite university. I had never felt so fortunate in my life as I did that day. There were more than twenty hopefuls who took the exam and only eight of us made it. I’m really grateful I made the cut, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Follow-up Question 1:
Do you believe in luck?
Response:
“To be honest, yes, I do believe in luck. There are really those instances where you feel lucky, and the universe is conniving with you. Take for example those people who missed being hit by a vehicle in a split second, isn’t that luck? I think it is.”
Follow-up Question 2?
So, do you think that it’s luck that helped you get the scholarship?
Response:
“Well, in a way yes. I mean, I believe that I got the scholarship because of my hard work and perseverance. But I think it was luck that I got the chance to know the Hope Tertiary Education Foundation at a time when I really needed a scholarship. So, yes, I believe in luck.”
Sample Response 2:
“I’ve had many fortunate times in my life, but I’d like to write about one of those days I felt I was extremely lucky. It was on my 19th birthday when my parents surprised me with a party and a laptop. I recall distinctly waking up on August 16th, feeling really eager and happy that everyone in the house would wish me, but no one did. I was disappointed, but I got dressed and went to school.
When I returned home at 3 p.m., I was surprised to see that there were many relatives present, and the entire house was decked with balloons and bunting. My parents and other relatives greeted me with hugs and well-wishes. This party had been prepared for me by my parents. Then I dressed up and went outside to join the celebration.
On the table, I noticed a package with ribbons. It was a laptop, for which I had been nagging my folks for quite some time. This was another surprise that occurred during the day. These two events combined to make that day the best of my life. Since then, I’ve used the laptop every day. I completed all of my assignments on it. I also gave a few presentations.
Not only was I delighted and overjoyed that day, but I also felt really lucky to have such loving and caring parents. I love them so much and I really feel lucky to be their daughter.”
Follow-up Question 1:
What do you usually do on your birthday?
Response:
“Well, I consider my birthday as one of the most special occasions in my life, and as much as possible, I celebrate with the people who are also special to me. These people are my family, friends, and relatives. I don’t like big parties where most of the people present are strangers to me.”
Follow-up Question 2:
Do you expect presents on your birthday?
Response:
“Well, it’s always nice to have presents. And yes, I love them too. I do hope to receive presents on my birthday, but I don’t expect to. If I receive them, I’m glad, if not, it’s also okay. I believe that what’s more important is the gift of life and that I get to live another year.”
Vocabulary List for Answering the Question: “Describe a Time When You Felt Lucky”
Below are some terms from the sample responses for the cue card topic ‘Describe a time when you felt lucky.’ with their definitions and example sentences for your reference.
| Word | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Usage of the Word in a Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| connive | verb | To allow anything to happen in secret | “He will not be the first lawmaker to connive in a questionable commercial transaction.” |
| deck | verb | To brightly or festively embellish or adorn | “We need to start decking the halls for the holidays.” |
| delighted | adjective | Feeling or displaying a lot of pleasure | “Everyone was delighted by the circus show.” |
| deserving | adjective | Worthy of being treated in a specific manner, typically of receiving assistance | “Everyone is equal and deserving of the same privileges as everyone else.” |
| disclose | verb | To make a secret or fresh piece of information public | “She failed to disclose to the cops about her friend’s whereabouts.” |
| dropout | noun | A person who has left a course of study or has rejected traditional society in order to pursue another way of life | “He’s a dropout who would never be able to find work.” |
| eager | adjective | A person who has a strong desire to do or have something | “The country is eager to attract international investment.” |
| fascinating | adjective | Incredibly exciting | “The museum is home to a fascinating collection of maritime antiquities.” |
| fortunate | adjective | Benefited by or having good fortune or luck; fortunate | “The rain had ceased, which was fortunate for us.” |
| foundation | noun | An endowment-supported institution, such as a college or a body dedicated to funding research or charity | “An arts foundation may be able to assist you.” |
| nag | verb | To upset or irritate someone by continual fault-finding or constant pressuring | “Some children say that their parents are always nagging them.” |
| patiently | adverb | In a manner that demonstrates tolerance for delays, hardships, or discomfort without becoming irritated or upset | “The doctor patiently discussed the treatment plan.” |
| perseverance | noun | Persistence in undertaking something in the face of hardship or delay in reaching accomplishment | “His perseverance to the new method paid off.” |
| scholarship | noun | A gift or payment granted to fund a student’s education, based on educational or other achievements | “That scholarship is intended for international students.” |
| telegram | noun | A telegraph message that is then conveyed in printed or written form | “This morning, the telegram was delivered.” |
Additional Reading — IELTS Speaking Cue Card Questions
- Describe a Person You Admire
- Describe Your Best Friend
- Describe Someone Famous that You Want to Meet
- Describe a Person Who You Think is a Good Leader
- Describe a Neighbor You Like
- Describe a Place You Want to Travel Next
- Describe a Historical Place that You Have Been to
- Describe a Place You and Your Friend Went to Recently
- Describe a Place Where You Spend Most of Your Free Time
- Describe a Country that You Want to Visit
- Describe a Gift that You Have Received Recently
- Describe an Item of Clothing that You Bought for Someone
- Describe a Piece of Art that You Want to Buy
- Describe Something that You Recently Lost
- Describe a Vehicle that You Want to Buy
- Describe an Activity that You Find Enjoyable
- Describe a Place Where You Love to Shop
- Describe an Event that You Recently Attended
- Describe One of the Busiest Days of Your Life
- Describe a Hobby that You Do with Your Family
- Describe a Difficult Decision that You Made
- Describe the First Time You Had a Mobile Phone
- Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger
- Describe a Time When You Tried to Do Something but Weren’t Successful
- Describe Your Favorite Teacher
- Describe Your Favorite Subject in School
- Describe a Situation that Made You Upset
- Describe a Time When You Had an Argument with Someone
- Describe One of the Happiest Travels You Ever Had
- Describe an Incident When You Got Scared
- Describe a Time When You Felt Relieved
- Describe a Workaholic Person You Know
- Describe an Interesting Course You Took
- Describe a Time When Someone at Work Gave You a Compliment
- Describe a Quiet Place at School Where You Like Spending Your Free Time
- Describe a Time When Something Unfortunate Happened at Work
