Describe A Speech You Gave

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card

Describe a speech you gave.

OR

Describe a talk you gave to a group of people.

You should say:

When and to whom you gave the speech?
What was the speech about?
Why you gave the speech?
How did you feel about it?

Note: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.

Model Answer 1:

Introduction:
Well, public speaking can be nerve-wracking for many people, but there are times when it becomes necessary to step up and share our thoughts and ideas with others.

When and to whom you gave the speech?
Here, I would like to talk about a speech I gave at a business conference last year.

It was a relatively small conference, with about 50 people in attendance, but they were all high-level executives in the industry.

What was the speech about? and Why you gave the speech?
I was invited to speak about a new project our company was working on, an innovative software solution for optimizing business operations.

Preparing for the speech was a lot of work. I spent weeks researching and gathering data to support my claims, practicing my delivery, and creating visuals to accompany my presentation.

I was nervous, but I knew I had to do my best to impress these potential clients and partners.

How did you feel about it?
When the day of the conference finally arrived, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. I made my way to the podium and started my speech. The first few minutes were nerve-wracking, but I became more confident as I got into the flow.

I presented the data and benefits of our software, and I could see that the audience was engaged and interested. I answered questions and provided more information, and by the end of my speech, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

After the conference, several people came up to me and expressed their interest in our software solution. Some even asked for my business card and wanted to schedule follow-up meetings. It was a successful speech, and I felt proud of myself for delivering it.

Conclusion:
Finally, I realize that public speaking is not as scary as it seems. Anyone can give a great speech with preparation, practice, and confidence. And the feeling of accomplishment that comes with it is truly rewarding.


Modal Answer 2:

Introduction:

When and to whom you gave the speech? and Why you gave the speech?

  • There was an environmental fair organized by a local NGO in my hometown.
  • Our school principal selected two students from our school to participate in a declamation contest.
  • I was chosen from the 9th class, and we had only two days to prepare.
  • Despite feeling nervous, our teacher helped us prepare on the topic of global warming, a pressing issue of today.

What was the speech about?

  • During the speech, I discussed how global warming affects the entire planet and emphasized that humans are both the cause and the solution to this problem.
  • I highlighted the pollution caused by deforestation, increased industrialization, and the use of cars and luxuries.
  • Furthermore, I explained the effects of global warming, such as rising sea levels, changing climates, and the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue.
  • To address this issue, I proposed simple measures like preserving trees, planting more trees, using recycled materials, and avoiding plastic bags.

How did you feel about it?

  • Although I used to be stage shy, I delivered the speech confidently during the fair, and it was well-received by everyone.
  • Winning the first prize not only boosted my confidence but also made me realize my oratorical skills.
  • That day holds a special place in my memory, and I will never forget the sense of accomplishment and joy I felt.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 : Follow up Questions

Here some examples of follow up questions that you may asked during your speaking part 3 by examiner related to cue card “describe a speech you gave or describe a talk you gave to a group of people”.

1. Why do people get nervous when they speak in public?
I think public speaking is the most common fear among people. There are many reasons why people feel nervous when speaking in public. It may be due to a lack of confidence, lack of knowledge about the subject or the topic, hesitation due to the feeling that they are being judged or it maybe because of shyness or an introvert nature.

2. How can they improve their public speaking skills?
Public speaking can be improved by gaining more knowledge about the topic or the subject. This will build up confidence. It can be practiced with friends and family, who can help improve the speaking skills by giving feedback. We can also make use of technology by recording our speech and replaying it. And getting a lot of practice before the actual event helps improve the confidence to speak in front of public.

3. What different kinds of speeches or lectures have you attended in your life?
I have attended many kinds of speeches and lectures that in my life. During my school and college years, I have attended various lectures delivered by my teachers or guest speakers, about various topics and subjects. I have attended some motivational speeches about things like time management, positive thinking, etc. There are many religious speeches that I have heard at the Gurudwara/temple/church/mosque. I have also heard speeches from/by political leaders, usually right before elections. I have attended speeches and lectures about social issues also, like drug addiction, female feticide, dowry issue and many more.

4. What qualities (attributes) should these visiting speakers have?
There are many qualities/attributes required to be a good speaker, like confidence, in-depth knowledge about the topic, good memory, ability to keep the audience engaged, which can be achieved through an interactive session, where everyone in the audience is involved or maybe by adding a touch of humor. A good command on the language is also a must and the person should speak clearly and confidently.

5. Why do you many people find it hard to give a talk to young children?
I think it is hard to give a talk to young children because they usually have a very short attention span. They get distracted easily and it is important to keep them constantly involved and engaged during the speech. They are not mature enough to know the facts and there are different strategies used to explain the subject or the topic to them, for example, by telling a story that they can relate to and understand.

6. Why do you think many people are nervous before they give a speech? 
(Same answer as for question 1)

7. Why do people give speech to children?
The main reason for giving a lecture or a speech to children is to teach them moral or social values or to give knowledge about a particular topic or subject. It could also be used to motivate children to perform better or maybe to become more organized.

8. Who makes people do so?
It could be the parents, the school/college management, local NGOs, government authorities, like the traffic police, etc.

9. How media relates to the speech to children in school?
Media plays a very important role in everyone’s life these days. The speeches given to children in schools can be published in newspapers or broadcast on TV, which further helps spread the message or awareness among other schools/educational institutions and the children.


Important Vocabularies:

1. Nervous

feeling anxious or worried about something.

Example:
I was nervous before my speech because I had never spoken in front of such a large audience before.


2. Nerve-wracking

causing a lot of stress and anxiety.

Example:
Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, especially when speaking to a large audience.


3. Executives

top-level managers or decision-makers in a company or organization.

Example:
The conference was attended by high-level executives from various companies.


4. Innovative

introducing new ideas or methods; advanced and original.

Example:
Our company is known for its innovative approach to software development.


5. Potential

possible; capable of being or becoming.

Example:
The conference was a great opportunity to showcase our software solution to potential clients.


6. Engagement

the level of interest and involvement in something.

Example:
The audience’s engagement during my speech gave me the confidence to continue.


7. Accomplishment

a sense of satisfaction and pride in achieving something.

Example:
After the successful speech, I felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride in myself.


8. Memorable

worth remembering or easily remembered; notable.

Example:
The trip to Europe was a memorable experience.


9. Environmental

relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition.

Example:
The company has implemented several environmental initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint.


10. Declamation

the act of reciting a speech or piece of writing in a dramatic and expressive way.

Example:
The students participated in a declamation contest, reciting famous speeches from history.


11. Pressing

requiring immediate attention or action; urgent.

Example:
The pressing issue of climate change requires immediate action from governments and individuals.


12. Deforestation

the clearing of trees or forests, often for agricultural or commercial purposes.

Example:
Deforestation is a major contributor to climate change and habitat loss.


13. Industrialization

the development of industries in a country or region on a wide scale.

Example:
The industrialization of the country led to economic growth and job creation.


14. Luxuries

things that are not necessary for survival but are considered desirable and enjoyable.

Example:
The hotel offered many luxuries, such as a spa and gourmet restaurant.


15. Recycled

converted (waste) into reusable material; processed for reuse.

Example:
The company uses recycled materials in its products to reduce waste.


16. Oratorical

relating to the art or practice of public speaking; skilled in public speaking.

Example:
The politician was known for his oratorical skills and gave many inspiring speeches.


Credits:

Photo by Miguel Henriques on Unsplash

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