Scorify.uz
IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a piece of news you read recently: IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample answer

Describe a news story that you read or heard about recently.

The cue card

Describe a news story that you read or heard about recently.

You should say:

  • what the news was about
  • where you read or heard it
  • why you paid attention to it
  • and explain how you felt about it

Band 7 sample answer

I would like to talk about a story I read last month about a group of students who built a solar-powered water pump for a farming village. I saw it on a news website while I was waiting for a bus, and I ended up reading the whole article.

According to the report, the students were from a technical university, and they designed the pump using cheap parts so that farmers could repair it themselves. Before that, the villagers had to carry water from a well a few kilometres away, which took hours every day. After the pump was installed, they could irrigate their small fields and even plant vegetables twice a year.

I paid attention because the topic is close to home. In many rural areas of Central Asia, water is a serious issue, especially in dry summers, and I like to follow stories about practical solutions. I felt inspired and a little embarrassed, because the students were about my age and had already done something useful for others. I shared the link with a few friends, and we talked about whether we could start a small volunteer project at our own university. It reminded me that good news exists too, even though headlines are usually negative.

I should add that I try to be careful about what I read. Before sharing the story, I checked that it appeared on two other reputable websites, because I have seen how quickly false information spreads in group chats. Ever since, I follow a few trusted sources instead of scrolling randomly.

About 259 words, roughly 2 minutes of natural speech.

Key vocabulary

  • a headline — the title of a news article
  • breaking news — very recent important news
  • reliable source — a trustworthy provider of information
  • come across — find by chance
  • heartwarming — making you feel happy and touched
  • keep up with — stay informed about
  • irrigate — supply land with water

Tips for this cue card

  • Describe the story simply: who, what, where, result.
  • Say why it mattered to you personally.
  • Avoid sensitive political details; choose science, local or community news.

Part 3 follow-up questions

Why do people prefer bad news to good news?

Idea: Negative events feel urgent and dramatic, so media gives them more attention and readers click on them.

Is social media a good source of news?

Idea: It is fast, but rumours spread easily, so people should check official or established sources.

Should children be encouraged to follow the news?

Idea: Age-appropriate news builds awareness, but parents should limit upsetting content.

More discussion questions with full answers: IELTS Speaking Part 3 topics.

Study guides

More cue cards