IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a goal you achieved

Achievement cue cards tempt candidates into a highlight reel with no obstacles. Examiners give higher marks when you show the unglamorous middle part — the setbacks — not just the starting point and the celebration.

The cue card

Describe a goal you achieved.

You should say:

  • what the goal was
  • how you decided to pursue it
  • what obstacles you faced
  • and explain how you felt when you achieved it

60 seconds to prepare · speak for 1–2 minutes

Your one-minute prep plan

  1. 1Choose a goal that took real effort over time, not something achieved by luck or in one sitting.
  2. 2Note the specific moment you decided to commit to it, with a place or trigger.
  3. 3Note one setback in the middle where you nearly gave up. This is the section examiners remember.
  4. 4Note the exact moment of achievement and one honest word for how you felt, avoiding just 'happy'.

Band 9 model answer

The goal I want to describe is running a half marathon, which I finished last spring. I'd never really been a runner — I decided to try it after a fairly ordinary evening when a colleague mentioned she'd signed up and I said, almost as a joke, that I'd do it too. I registered before I could talk myself out of it, which turned out to be the smartest part of the whole process. The training itself was where things got difficult. About six weeks in I developed shin pain that a physiotherapist told me was from increasing my distance too quickly, and I had to stop running completely for nearly three weeks, which felt like starting over after I'd already built momentum. I genuinely considered dropping the whole idea at that point, since the race date wasn't moving but my fitness clearly was, backwards. I came back slowly, cut my weekly mileage, and adjusted my shoes, and somehow still made it to the start line in reasonable shape. Crossing the finish line, I didn't feel the dramatic euphoria I'd expected from films; it was more a kind of quiet disbelief, like my legs had done something my brain hadn't fully authorised. What I actually felt proudest of, afterwards, wasn't the finish time — it was that I hadn't quit during those three injured weeks when quitting would have been completely reasonable.

The same answer at band 7

I want to talk about the goal of running a half marathon, which I completed last spring. I decided to do it after my colleague told me she was training for one, and I said I would join her. I registered for the race quickly so I could not change my mind. During training, I had a problem with pain in my leg after about six weeks, and the doctor told me I had increased my distance too fast. I had to stop training for almost three weeks, and I thought about giving up because I was worried I would not be ready in time. I came back slowly and trained less each week, and I managed to finish the training before the race. When I crossed the finish line, I felt very proud and a little surprised because it was harder than I expected. This experience taught me that I can achieve difficult goals if I do not give up.

The band 7 answer covers all four bullets accurately and reaches a sensible conclusion. The band 9 answer is stronger because it names the exact physical detail of the setback, undercuts the expected cliché ('I didn't feel the dramatic euphoria I'd expected'), and locates pride in perseverance rather than in the finishing time itself.

Phrases worth stealing

“I said, almost as a joke, that I'd do it too.”
Natural way to show how casual commitments become real goals.
“…which turned out to be the smartest part of the whole process.”
Reflective aside that adds a layer beyond narration.
“…my fitness clearly was, backwards.”
Understated humour that sounds genuinely spoken, not scripted.
“I genuinely considered dropping the whole idea at that point.”
Direct admission of near-failure, which examiners find convincing.
“It was more a kind of quiet disbelief.”
Subverts the expected 'I was so happy' cliché.
“What I actually felt proudest of, afterwards, was…”
Strong closing structure separating expectation from reality.

Part 3 questions that usually follow

Why do some people fail to achieve their goals?

Distinguish between goals that are poorly planned and goals that are abandoned after setbacks, and give one example of each.

Do you think setting goals is important for success?

Concede that goals can also cause stress or rigidity before arguing that, on balance, they help — concession then argument is a strong Part 3 pattern.

How do personal goals differ from professional goals?

Compare the source of motivation for each type and give one general example rather than describing your own goals again.

Mistakes to avoid

Now say it out loud

Reading model answers only gets you so far. Linguently gives you a timed Part 2 recorder with AI feedback on fluency, grammar and pronunciation, plus native speakers to practise with in real conversations.

Practise Part 2 free

More Part 2 cue cards

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a person you admireIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a place you like to visitIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a memorable event in your lifeIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe an object that is important to youIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a teacher who influenced youIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a friend you spend a lot of time withIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a family member you are close toIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe someone who helped youIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a book you recently readIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a skill you want to learnIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a website or app you use oftenIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a photograph you likeIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a journey you remember wellIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a restaurant you likeIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a hobby you enjoyIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a piece of music you likeIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a time when you were lateIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a difficult decision you madeIELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe an important change in your life