IELTS Speaking Part 2: something that made you angry

Describe a situation that made you angry. You should say

- when it happened
- what happened
- how you felt

Here are some ideas. Notice that I answer by telling a story, and that my ideas are not 'academic' or 'formal' because it isn't an academic topic. Study my answer carefully - it's full of good words and phrases.

Band 9 answer:

A recent situation that made me angry was getting stuck in a traffic jam on the way to meet some friends. It was last Sunday lunchtime, and I didn’t expect there to be much traffic; people don’t work on Sundays, so the roads aren’t usually very busy.

Everything was going well until suddenly I saw a queue of cars on the road in front of me. I had no choice but to join the queue and wait to get past whatever was causing the delay. It turned out that it was caused by some roadworks, and it took me an extra 30 minutes to get past them.

Getting stuck in traffic congestion doesn’t usually make me angry, but this time it did, mainly because I wasn’t expecting it and I knew that my friends were waiting to meet me for lunch. I felt frustrated and powerless because there was nothing I could do to change the situation, and I had no idea how long I would be sitting there waiting. When I finally saw the reason for the congestion, I was relieved that I was close to getting past the roadworks, but I still felt a bit stressed knowing that I was half an hour late.

Comments

[hisham]

simon is that speaking part 2 for general ?

[Simon]

Hi Hisham,

The speaking test is the same for general and academic candidates.

[Mh]

HI Simon

Would you please record it as an MP3 so that we can listen to master of this topic

Many thanks

[Kat]

thanks simon.i looked at the pdf files you recommended.it's quite useful.

i asked you because i got 7.5 in the last test. how can i improve in writing and speaking? (i got 8 in writing last time)

thx simon

[nav]

Hi simon! I gave my exam today and i got the same topic in speaking ! Reading comprehension was really confusing ...something to do with a detergent powder company.. In writing , i got a recycle paper manufacturing diagram and effects of violent movies and videogames on people.. Speaking last section had some difficult questions like... Do you think its important to be sensitive to others needs..., second was positive and negative effects of modern lifestyle on people..., then was,ways to improve these negative effects. It was quite difficult to think of something on the spot ...though i managed to add some points ...well, i hope i get a 7 :( ...by the way , the exam was in auckland. Hope u can post some answers relaited to the speaking topic. Bye

[Simon]

Hi Mh,

I'll try to record it as an MP3 when I get the chance. I often recommend to students that they record themselves too - maybe you could record yourself using the ideas in the lesson.

...

Hi Kat,

To improve above band 7.5 you just need to become a bit more accurate (fewer grammar mistakes) and use a slightly wider range of vocabulary (words, collocations, phrases). Keep working and you'll get there!

...

Hi Nav,

Thanks for sharing your questions. Best of luck with your result!

[Ahmed Montaser]

Hello Simon,
Thank you so much for your help. This is my second time to take the IELTS, and this time I studied both the examples mentioned here on the website along with your e-book. They are really very useful, and they gave me a lot of confidence during both writing and speaking. But, unfortunately, I didn't prepare for the question I got in 2nd part of speaking. The examiner asked me to talk about a street in my town, what buildings are there, and why like it. Unluckily it was not among the so many topics I prepared for the test:( I tried to do my best to answer that question today, but I think I was not that perfect. I wish I got a topic that I already prepared in advance. On the other hand, I think I did very well on both 1st and 3rd parts. I hope that I will achieve my goal of 7.5 speaking score..I am hoping for the best, yet preparing for the worst ;)

[Nihad]

Hi Simon.I have a question.suppose, in speaking exam ,my speaking about a topic is the same as which is posted in a website by somebody,will it effect my result,if examiner knows that.

[Simon]

Hi Ahmed,

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get a topic you had prepared - it's always possible that that could happen. Anyway, best of luck with your result!

...

Hi Nihad,

No, it won't affect your score at all. Everyone is entitled to use books and websites for preparation.

[Jobs]

I have joined in an ielts coaching centre from this monday.my examiner has told me that i made many mistakes (grammar).is it really afect the speaking score.he mentioned that i spoke naturally..the mistakes were mainly sub verb agree,..,passive active confusions and some inappropriate word.. I need to get a 7 band in speaking..there were about 15 mistakes like this..is it really a big problem..i have got only 17 days in my hand..pls help me..

[Anahit]

Hi Simon I am so sorry to trouble but would you give me some ideas about these questions?
What is the relationship between leisure and economy?
- How does economy benefit from people’s leisure activities?
- Do men and women enjoy the same type of leisure activities?

Thank you in advance so much.

[Simon]

Hi Jobs,

Grammar is 25% of your score, and vocabulary is another 25% - inappropriate words are considered to be a vocabulary problem, so the mistakes you made could be important. Maybe you need to slow down a bit, take your time, and try to answer in a more direct (less complicated) way.

...

Hi Anahit,

Good questions. I'll use them in a lesson next week.

[Anahit]

Thank you very much

[Jobs]

Thank u simon.

[Moka]

In part 1 there was a question about a place you most like to visit,how often,why ,is it popular?
Could I answer the cafe of my local M&S,talking about the food,the staff ,etc
When I talk about the staff should I say staff is friendly?
Thanks a lot

[Ben]

Hi sir,
Do you have a speaking test about "Describe a camera" my teacher and I need to practice about this topic, thank you sir so much!

[Simon]

Hi Moka,

Yes, that's fine, and you can say the staff are friendly.

...

Hi Ben,

You won't get a question that asks you to describe a camera - that's too technical. Maybe the question could be "describe a photograph you took". For this question, choose something like a holiday photograph - then you can describe the holiday, the place, what you were doing etc.

[cj]

hi simone, what are the Band 7 words you are referring to? please help me, I need to get 7 in all areas of IELTS for my application. Thanks

[Simon]

Hi cj,

I'm afraid there is no specific list of 'band 7 words or phrases'. If you look through my speaking and writing lessons, you'll see vocabulary that I consider to be band 7 or higher, but it's difficult for me to explain why - usually they are words and phrases that native speakers use but most English learners don't.

[gwapo]

Describe a situation that made you angry. You should say

- when it happened
- what happened
- how you felt

When

A recent situation that made me angry when I was playing basketball with my friends and other people that we don't know. We just
met our playmates in the recreational center.

While we were playing 5 on 5 basketball game, there was one guy in the other team who was taking the game seriously even though it was not necessary and we would not get anything but just a free exercise. He was getting too physical by hitting hard our hands when one of us had the ball and about to shoot.Also, whenever I stood too close to him he nudged me with his elbow and pushed me back. Normally, in a friendly game, you don't play violently. when you hurt somebody whether it is intentionally or not, you would say sorry. But in his part, I never heard him apologized which was really unusual to see for a friendly game.

Typically, I don't play basketball aggressively but I was so upset with him and it ruined my game to the point I was hitting hard his hand.every time he got the ball.And I didn't say sorry too after I hurt him. Although we lost the game, I didn't say thank you to him at the end of the game for playing sports with us. Instead, I just ignored him but I shook hands with his teammates and said thank you for giving us a great game. Next time, I definitely would not play basketball with this guy to avoid confrontation with him that could likely trigger a fight.

[gwapo]

Simon, do you think that's a band 9 answer for speaking part 2.

[Simon]

Hi Gwapo,

Your ideas look excellent. I don't want to start giving scores, but you've definitely got the right idea.

[murali krishna]

hai sir
i am murali krishna.....basically am from telugu medium student.....how i prepare ielts eaxm...plz help me sir...tel me some tips in reading...because so tough to me...

[Simon]

Hi Murali,

The main thing you need to do is practise! There are some tips on the page linked below, but keep doing the practice exercises, and use the Cambridge IELTS books for test practice.

Tips:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/12/ielts-reading-advice.html

[harminder kaur]

i wants to improve my communication skills

[Simon]

Hi Harminder,

You just need to practise and find people to talk to.

[PUNEET SHARMA]

Hi
ma exam is on 18 feb 2012.what should i do for 6 bands.i am very weak in speaking and reading..

[Simon]

Hi Puneet,

You just need to keep practising and working hard. Try to follow the daily lessons on this site, use the Cambridge IELTS books for test practice, and try to find a teacher or native speaker who can check your work, correct your mistakes, and help you to improve.

[usman]

I want Ielts tests Notes....Recently