Answering Difficult IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions

How would you answer this difficult IELTS speaking part 2 question?

Describe your favourite type of curtain.

You should say

• what it is
• where you saw it
• what it looks like
• and explain why you liked it so much.

I think this is one of the most difficult Part 2 questions that I have seen for a long time and I am not surprised that my students find it challenging.

This is how many students tackle this type of question. See how I am starting to repeat my ideas and run out of things to say.

I’m going to talk about the curtains in my bedroom, which are a light green colour. They go really well with my bed cover and look really smart. I think they are made of cotton but I’m not sure. 

I’m a big fan of green as it reminds me of nature. I love the way the curtains look and they match my bed cover and look great together. 

Yes, I think these are my favourite curtains….

A better way to approach this question

Tell a good story with:

• Beginning
• Middle 
• End

This is my model answer. I answer the question but talk about other things and tell a good story. I think you will agree that it is better to listen to and much more interesting.

I’ve decided to tell you about my new shower curtain, which I recently purchased for my flat. The reason that I needed to go curtain shopping was that the old shower curtain was ripped and thoroughly worn out, and the whole bathroom was getting socked whenever I took a shower.

I had been on the lookout for one for a while, but I came across one on Saturday, which really caught my eye. I’m an avid sailor and into everything nautical so when I saw that this curtain was decorated with the most beautifully stunning classic sailing boats I couldn’t resist. 

To be honest it was a little pricey for what is essentially just a piece of plastic but I decided to push the boat out and get it.

When I got it home, I put it up straight away and it really looks great. Now every time I’m in the shower I can stare at some of the most beautiful transportation designs in human history.

Now I will discuss the vocabulary from my model answer.

Grammar

I’ve decided to tell you about… (present perfect)

Which I recently purchased for my flat (Relative clause)

Vocabulary

Worn out (pv) – Used so much it has broken

On the lookout for (phrase) – Searching for

Came across (pv) – To Find (past tense)

Caught my eye (idiom) – Attracted my attention

Nautical (adj) – Concerning boats and sailors

Beautifully stunning (phrase) – Extremely attractive

Pricey (adj) – Expensive

Push the boat out (idiom) – Spend a lot of money

Put (it) up (pv) – Construct or erect something

How would you answer this question? What would you talk about? Please tell me in the comment and thanks for reading.

Good luck with your IELTS.