Part 2medium

Describe an important goal that you achieved.

IELTS Speaking Practice — AI-Powered Feedback

Quick answer

Describe an important goal that you achieved: say what the goal was, when you set it, how you worked towards it and how long it took, then explain how you felt when you achieved this goal.

You get 60 seconds to make notes and then speak alone for 1–2 minutes. Spend about 15 seconds naming your choice, a minute on the bullet points, and the last 30–45 seconds on the explanation, where the marks are.

The trap: stopping after 45 seconds. Keep going until the examiner interrupts you — a short long turn is the most common way marks are lost here.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 guide More experiences & memories cue cards Newest cue cards

Cue card

Describe an important goal that you achieved.

You should say:

what the goal was
when you set it
how you worked towards it
how long it took

and explain how you felt when you achieved this goal.

Rounding-off questions

Do you think it is important to set goals in life?
Do you prefer short-term or long-term goals?

Preparation

You have 1:00 to prepare. Make notes below, then start speaking.

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Model answer (Band 8-9)

Part 2

Original model answer written by our team for practice — not an official IELTS answer.

One important goal I achieved was passing the IELTS exam with an overall band score of 8 so I could apply for a master’s programme overseas. I’d always dreamed of studying abroad, but I knew that without a high score, that door would basically stay shut.

I set this goal about a year before the exam date, when I was in my final year at university. I remember looking at the university requirements and realising that 6.5 or 7 wouldn’t cut it; I needed at least an 8 to be competitive. That’s when I decided, quite firmly, that I’d give it everything I had.

To work towards it, I designed a pretty strict study schedule. I joined a weekend preparation course, but I didn’t just rely on that. Every evening I’d spend an hour on practice tests, then record myself answering speaking questions and listen back to catch mistakes. I also read English articles and listened to podcasts on a wide range of topics so I could build up my vocabulary and ideas. Whenever I felt tired or demotivated, I reminded myself of the bigger picture: this wasn’t just an exam, it was a stepping stone to a different future.

In total, it took around nine months of consistent effort. There were moments when I honestly doubted I’d reach that level, especially in speaking, but I kept tweaking my strategies instead of giving up.

When I finally saw the result, I felt a mixture of disbelief, relief, and pride. It was incredibly satisfying to realise that my hard work had paid off. More than the score itself, it gave me a real sense of confidence that I can set ambitious goals and actually follow through on them.