Describe an exciting experience in your life
Describe an exciting experience in your life.
You should say:
- when the experience took place
- where the experience took place
- what happened exactly
And explain why the experience was so exciting.
Practise this cue card with a timer Use it in a full mock
One-minute preparation plan
Move clearly through time: before, during and after. Narrative tenses are an easy way to show grammatical range.
| Cue card point | What to note (keywords only) |
|---|---|
| When the experience took place | 1–2 specific details: a name, a place, a time, or an example |
| Where the experience took place | 1–2 specific details: a name, a place, a time, or an example |
| What happened exactly | 1–2 specific details: a name, a place, a time, or an example |
| And explain why the experience was so exciting. | Your main reason plus how it affected you—save 30 seconds for this |
Sample answer
One of the most exciting experiences I've had was going paragliding for the first time, which happened about three years ago during a holiday in the mountains with two friends.
It took place on a hillside above a lake. We'd seen paragliders from our hotel window every morning, and on the last day we finally booked a tandem flight, which means you fly attached to an experienced instructor.
What happened exactly was this: after a short safety briefing, we put on the harnesses, and the instructor told me to run towards the edge of the slope. For a second I thought I would simply fall, but then the wind caught the wing and we lifted off. We spent about twenty minutes circling above the valley; I could see the lake, the villages and even our hotel. Near the end, the instructor let me steer for a while, which was both terrifying and amazing.
It was so exciting because it combined real fear with complete freedom. I'm not naturally adventurous, so pushing myself to do it gave me a huge sense of achievement that I still think about.
About 187 words, roughly two minutes at a natural pace. This is an original example written for SpeakingIELTS to show structure and vocabulary—use it for ideas, not as a script to memorise. Real test cards are worded differently, and examiners notice rehearsed answers.
Useful words and phrases
- what happened exactly was this
- the wind caught the wing
- lifted off
- both terrifying and amazing
- pushing myself
- a huge sense of achievement
Try using three of these in your own answer. For more topic vocabulary, see the vocabulary helper.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After this cue card, the examiner moves to a Part 3 discussion on the same theme. Give an opinion, a reason and an example for each.
- In what ways is life becoming safer, and in what ways is it becoming more dangerous?
- Should people always avoid danger, or is it a good idea sometimes to take risks?
- What risks should people try to avoid?
- Do you think people take fewer risks as they grow older?
- Why?
- How important is it to have adventure in our lives?
- What do people learn about themselves from having adventures?
Practise these Part 3 questions
Check your own answer
Record yourself, then listen once and ask: did I cover every point, keep talking for close to two minutes, link ideas clearly, and explain my reasons at the end? The self-evaluation checklist covers all four speaking criteria.