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Jan-Apr 2025 Prediction
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Describe a piece of good news you heard from others

You should say:

  • What the news was
  • Who told you the news
  • When you heard it
  • And explain why you felt happy about it

🎙️ Band 9 Model Answer

Model Answer RecordingAI SYNTHESIS
Ready to listenBand 9 Audio
One of the most heartening pieces of news I’ve received recently came from my sister, Claire, about three months ago. She called me to say that she’d finally been awarded a fully-funded scholarship to pursue her PhD in renewable energy. Claire had been working towards this goal for nearly four years and had faced several setbacks, so hearing her news was absolutely thrilling. I felt over the moon for her because I knew exactly how much blood, sweat, and tears she’d poured into her applications. It wasn't just about the personal achievement; it was also about the relief that her financial burden would be lifted and she could focus entirely on her passion for environmental conservation. Her success felt like a shared victory for our whole family and was a powerful reminder that hard work and resilience eventually hit the mark.

✨ Natural Vocabulary Used

HearteningIncreasing cheerfulness or confidence.
Over the moonExtremely happy and excited.
Blood, sweat, and tearsA lot of hard work and effort over a long time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get definitive answers from IELTS examiners and high-band experts.

The test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes and is divided into three parts.
You can ask for clarification! Say 'Could you repeat the question, please?' or 'I'm not exactly sure what you mean by [word].'
No. You are marked on pronunciation, not accent. As long as you are clear and easy to understand, you can achieve a Band 9.
You must speak for at least 1 minute, but aim to keep talking until the examiner stops you at the 2-minute mark.
Avoid slang, but use idiomatic expressions and natural phrasal verbs to show a high level of fluency (Band 7.5+).
While not a marking criterion, eye contact shows confidence and helps with natural communication.
You can be honest! Say 'That's an interesting question, I've never really thought about it, but I suppose...' to keep the fluency going.
Aim for 2-3 sentences. Don't give one-word answers, but don't talk for too long as there are many questions to cover.