IELTS Speaking Part 2 Describe an Experience: Storytelling Guide

Quick Answer: To describe an experience in IELTS Speaking Part 2 successfully, use a clear story structure (beginning, middle, end), include sensory details, and highlight your emotional reaction. Focus on fluency, not perfection, and use at least 2-3 topic-specific collocations to boost your vocabulary score. Practice timing yourself (1-2 minutes) and record your answers.

Table of Contents

Why Storytelling Matters in IELTS Speaking Part 2

The 3-Part Story Structure

Essential Vocabulary & Collocations for Describing Experiences

Band Score Comparison Table

Why Storytelling Matters in IELTS Speaking Part 2

IELTS Speaking Part 2 asks you to talk about a personal experience for 1-2 minutes. The examiner listens for fluency, coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. A well-told story naturally hits all these criteria:

Fluency: You keep talking without long pauses.

Coherence: Your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Vocabulary: You use vivid, specific words.

Grammar: You naturally use past tenses, conditionals, and complex sentences.

The key? You don’t need exotic experiences. The examiner cares about how you tell the story, not what happened. Even a trip to the grocery store can become engaging.

The 3-Part Story Structure

Use this simple framework for every “describe an experience” cue card:

Part 1: Setting the Scene (15-20 seconds)

Answer the who, what, when, where questions immediately. This shows the examiner you understand the task. Example: “I’d like to talk about a memorable experience I had about two years ago, when I volunteered at a local animal shelter in my hometown. It was a rainy Saturday morning, and I was feeling a bit nervous because it was my first time doing something like that.” Why it works:

Provides context quickly.

Builds anticipation.

Uses past tense naturally.

Part 2: The Body – What Happened? (60-80 seconds)

Describe the sequence of events. Use time markers like first of all, then, after that, suddenly, eventually. Mix short sentences for action and longer sentences for description. Example: “First, I was given a tour of the shelter, which was quite chaotic – dogs barking, cats meowing everywhere. Then, I was assigned to walk a friendly golden retriever named Max. As soon as I took the leash, he pulled me towards the park. I was genuinely surprised by his energy! After a few minutes, we sat on a bench, and I just watched him play with other dogs. That moment of calm really stood out to me.” Why it works:

Uses variety in sentence length.

Includes sensory details (sounds, feelings).

Shows progression of events.

Part 3: The Emotional Reaction & Lesson (15-20 seconds)

This is what makes your story unique. Describe how you felt then and now (if applicable). Mention an insight you gained. Example: “Looking back, that experience taught me the value of small acts of kindness. I felt a deep sense of fulfillment, and it motivated me to adopt my own pet a year later. Today, I still think about that rainy morning whenever I need a reminder of how simple actions can bring so much joy.” Why it works:

Shows reflection (higher band skill).

Creates a satisfying ending.

Uses advanced vocabulary (fulfillment, motivated).

Essential Vocabulary & Collocations for Describing Experiences

Here are high-scoring phrases organised by the part of the story they fit:

Story Part	Useful Language
Setting the scene	`out of the blue`, `a couple of years ago`, `it was a typical [weather] day`, `I happened to...`
Describing the event	`what struck me most was...`, `it dawned on me that...`, `everything unfolded in a matter of minutes`
Expressing emotion	`genuinely surprised`, `overwhelmed with joy/nervousness`, `a sense of awe`, `I was on cloud nine`
Reflecting	`in hindsight`, `this experience shaped my perspective`, `it made me realise that`, `I came away feeling...`

Example collocation in a sentence: “What struck me most was the genuine kindness of the staff – it completely changed my view on volunteering.”

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Basic story structure. Simple vocabulary. Some pauses. Limited detail.
7	Clear beginning/middle/end. Good range of vocabulary with some collocations. Few pauses. Emotional detail present.
8	Fluent storytelling with sophisticated linking words. Rich vocabulary (idioms, precise adjectives). Reflection is natural.
9	Effortless narrative. Creative use of tense (e.g., past perfect for background). Complex grammar. Powerful sensory language.

Sample Answers

Band 7: “I’d like to talk about a time I visited a museum with my friend. It was last summer, and we went to the National Museum of History. First, we saw the dinosaur skeletons – they were huge. Then we walked through an exhibition about ancient Egypt. I felt amazed by everything. It was a good day because we learned a lot.” Why it’s Band 7: Clear structure, some descriptive words, but lacks emotional depth and advanced vocabulary. Band 8: “An unforgettable experience I had was when I attended a live classical music concert for the first time. It was about six months ago, at a historic opera house in my city. As soon as the orchestra began playing, I was completely captivated by the melody. The highlight was when the violinist performed a solo – I felt a chill run down my spine. In hindsight, that evening deepened my appreciation for music. I left feeling truly inspired.” Why it’s Band 8:

Uses sensory details (chill down my spine).

Reflection is natural.

Advanced collocations (deepened my appreciation).

Band 9: “I’d like to recount an experience that, in many ways, changed my perception of failure. Two years ago, I decided to run a half-marathon despite having no prior training. On race day, I had barely completed 10 kilometres when my legs gave out. I remember sitting on the pavement, gasping for air, while thousands of runners passed me. But what struck me most was that a stranger stopped – a woman in her 60s – and handed me water, saying, ‘You didn’t lose. You just learned.’ That moment of unexpected compassion taught me more than any victory ever could. Today, whenever I face setbacks, I recall her words. It was, without a doubt, a profound lesson in resilience.” Why it’s Band 9:

Complex narrative with flashback.

Perfect use of quotation.

Powerful emotional arc.

Sophisticated grammar (despite having, whenever I face).

Common Mistakes

❌Telling the examiner “I’m nervous” or apologising – This breaks fluency. Just smile and continue.

❌Pausing to think mid-sentence – Use fillers like “well,” “you know,” “that’s interesting because…” instead of silence.

❌Giving a flat, list-like answer – “First this, then that, then that.” Add emotion and detail to avoid sounding robotic.

Top Tips

💡 Use the 1-minute preparation time wisely. Jot down 3 key points: setting, main event, reaction. Don’t write full sentences.

💡 Tell the story to yourself before the exam – Record your voice on your phone. Listen for unnatural pauses or repeated words.

💡 If you forget a detail, improvise. The examiner doesn’t know your real experience. Keep talking confidently.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. Their Part 2 question bank and sample answers can help you build strong storytelling habits.

FAQ

Q: What if I don’t have a real experience to describe? A: Invent one! The examiner only cares about your English, not the truth. Just make it believable and detailed. Q: How long should my answer be? A: Aim for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes. If the examiner stops you, it’s fine – they just need to check next tasks. Q: Can I use present tense during the story? A: It’s better to stick to past tenses (past simple, past continuous, past perfect) for most of the answer. Use present tense only when reflecting on general truths. Q: What if I realise I’m going off-topic? A: Quickly steer back. Say “But anyway, the most important part was…” and refocus on the cue card.

Key Takeaways

✅Use a 3-part structure: setting → events → reflection.

✅Include sensory and emotional details to boost fluency.

✅Practice with a timer and record yourself weekly.

✅Memorise 5-6 versatile collocations for describing experiences.

Related Posts:

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics & Strategies: 50+ Cue Cards with Answers

How to Improve Your IELTS Speaking Fluency in 30 Days

Top 10 Common Mistakes in IELTS Speaking & How to Fix Them