IELTS Speaking Part 2 - Cue Card
Describe a time someone didn’t tell you the truth about something
You should say:
- When it happened
- Who the person was
- Why they didn’t tell the truth
and explain how you felt about the situation.
1. IDEAS
In this question, we could talk about…
- family member,
- someone at work,
- government office (where you are applying for something),
- bank employee
- complaining about something you bought (in a shop, restaurant, online…)
Not telling the truth could be…
- Telling a lie
- Telling a white lie or telling a fib (often to protect someone, e.g. ‘Mmmm, yes the cake you made is lovely’)
- Exaggerating
- Not lying, but not telling you everything
How to use this sample answer
- Close your eyes and listen
- Listen again, pause and repeat short phrases.
- Listen again and shadow (say the words at the same time but without pausing)
- Listen again and read
- Note useful words, chunks and phrase
2. SAMPLE ANSWER
Click arrow to read script
I was after a new adaptor for my new phone, and I came across this one store where they had a sale on.
So, I asked about the adaptors and the guy behind the counter showed me this nifty, what he called ‘state of the art’ adaptor that apparently works on all phones.
So, I asked if it would work on my Samsung model and he said yeah, of course.
Unfortunately, I had forgotten to bring my phone, so I couldn’t try it.
Well, the sales assistant was very confident, and dismissed any questions with a wave of the hand – saying it will work, I guarantee you, I stake my life on it.
So I took a chance and thought it would be fine.
It turns out though, that it didn’t fit.
Now, my first reaction was that he had blatantly lied to me, just to make a sale.
Naturally, I was a little annoyed, but then I thought, maybe he had just made a mistake.
Mind you, maybe, I was being too forgiving.
In any case, I went back the next day, and complained.
He actually seemed genuinely surprised that it didn’t work, but as I had a receipt, he let me change it for another one and reimbursed me with the price difference.
So it worked out well in the end.
Watch the cartoon version here
3. LANGUAGE
– Be careful, to lie has several meanings such as
- Be horizontal
- Be situated
- Position of a team
- Not to tell the truth
– Synonyms and collocations of ‘to lie’ (verb) lied (past) lying (participle)
To lie about something (v.)
To lie to someone (v.)
- To tell a lie (n.)
- To tell a pork pie (slang U.K.)
- To tell a white lie (n.)
- To fib (v.)
- To tell a fib (n.)
- A blatant lie (a clear lie) (adj.)
- You are lying through your teeth (idiomatic expression)
To find out the truth (v.)
To uncover the truth (v.)
Deceptive (adj)
Misleading (adj.)
Great! Now you can talk about the truth, let’s move on and learn to talk about a statue in your city.
9 thoughts on “IELTS Speaking Model Answer – Tell the Truth”
You are a great role model for all your students who live in different pockets around the world. This virtual community really loves and respects you. The like topic ‘telling lies’ has been concluded very positively by you. It’s awesome.
Thank you so much – I really appreciate your comments
Thank you!
Keith’s course is extremely helpful and practical! a super nice, professional teacher with great passion in teaching language.
Thanks for your kind words Wen – I am pleased the course is useful
Your tricks and comments are very usefu.You are doing a great job
So pleased that are useful!
Exceptionally brilliant….space that keeps everyone glued to it for quite some time for sure..it is musical to be with him..i.love him…. his words are vibe indeed. J p. Kottayam kerala south india..
Thank you so much for your comments Jaypee!