Band 9 Sample for IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Topic: Impressive Story You Heard

Describe an impressive story you heard from other people

You should say:

What was this story?

When did you hear about it?

Who told you this story?

And explain why you were impressed by it

I’m going to talk about an inspirational love story, which is based on a specific case in real
life. Because it seemed unrealistic at first, I assumed that someone had made it up. Yet the
story turned into an enormous motivation for me when I figured out it was the truth.

(When did you hear that story? Who told you this story?)

The story was first shared on Facebook via a confession page so, you know, the author is
obviously unknown. I don’t usually believe in such confessions since there’s always someone

who tries to make it more dramatic, or maybe it’s some made-up stories by the admins to
draw people’s attention. Actually, I just read it to chill out after a solid day’s work. Only
when one of my friends confirmed that it was the real story of her cousin did I believe that
such miracles still existed somewhere else in this world.

(What was that story?)

Well, I don’t remember the exact details, but it was mainly about the love between a very
successful girl and a poor guy whose job was a sous-chef for a small restaurant. As the girl
mentioned in the story came from an affluent family and performed excellently in her work,
her parents thought that she should marry someone with a similar background. However,
since she dismissed traditional ideas about marriage and fell head over heels in love with
the sous-chef, she strongly disagreed with her family on this matter. They then decided to tie
the knot, despite her parents’ disapproval. Fortunately, after all the ups and downs, all their
efforts worked miracles for them. The guy telling the story on Facebook became the
executive chef of the restaurant with a reasonable salary, and they finally got support from
the girl’s family. Frankly, it sounds really like an old fairy tale in modern life.

(Explain why you were impressed by it)

Their story has made a strong impression on me. In real life, such a girl who can overcome
her reluctance and raise her voice against some outdated customs of her family is always
admirable to me, especially on marriage. Aside from that, I highly appreciate her concerted
efforts in attaining the parents’ permission and building her own family, though she had to
face up to such challenges. I’m fairly sure that for many other girls she would become an
inspirational role model to empower women to decide their own futures.

Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking 

Traditional vs Modern

to dismiss traditional ideas

Meaning: to decide that traditional ideas are not important and not worth considering
anymore.

Example: Although the views of older people may sometimes seem unhelpful in today’s
world, we should not dismiss all traditional ideas as irrelevant.

outdated customs

Meaning: old fashioned customs, and therefore not as good or as fashionable as modern
customs

Gender

to empower women

Meaning: to give women the freedom to do something

Example: The end of gender discrimination in universities has empowered women to enter
the professions of their choice.

Other vocab 

To make something up [phrasal verb]

Meaning: to invent a story, especially to trick or entertain someone

Example: That cannot be the true! You must have made that up!

Sous-chef [noun]

Meaning: a person who is the second most senior cook in a restaurant

Example: He went from being the sous-chef to the executive chef in just two years, which is

hardly believable.

Head over heels in love [expression]

Meaning: loving someone very much

Example: He’s fallen head over heels in love with his boss, although she’s twice his age.

To tie the knot [expression]

Meaning: to get married

Example: They’ve just tied the knot, and I took some photos at the wedding.

Meaning: the mixture of good and bad things in life:

Example: Every business has its ups and downs.

To work/ perform miracles [expression]

Meaning: to achieve very good results:

Example: Her exercise program has worked miracles for her.

Concerted [adjective]

Meaning: done in a planned and determined way

Example: She has begun to make a concerted effort to find a job.

Role model [compound noun]

Meaning: a person that you admire and try to copy

Example: Parents are a child’s primary role models.