IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe an Occasion When Somebody Said Something Positive About Some Work That You Did 🏆

Describe an Occasion When Somebody Said Something Positive About Some Work That You Did 🏆

Ideas 💡

• Work you did: A school project 📚, a work presentation 💼, organizing an event 🎉, writing an article ✍️
• Who praised you: A teacher 👩‍🏫, a boss 👨‍💼, a friend 👯, a colleague 🤝
• Feelings: Proud 😃, motivated 💪, surprised 😲

Useful Grammar & Structures 🏗️

✅ Past Simple & Past Perfect (I had worked really hard on the project, so I was thrilled when my boss praised me.)
✅ Passive Voice (My work was highly appreciated by my manager.)
✅ Conditional Sentences (If I hadn’t received that compliment, I wouldn’t have gained so much confidence.)

Collocations & Idioms 🌟

1. Go the extra mile 🚀 (nỗ lực hơn mong đợi)
2. A pat on the back 👏 (được khen ngợi)
3. Boost my confidence 💪 (tăng sự tự tin)
4. A job well done 🎯 (một công việc được hoàn thành tốt)
5. A turning point 🔄 (bước ngoặt quan trọng)

Full Sample Answer (2+ minutes) 🎤

A few months ago, I was working on an important project at my company, where I had to prepare a detailed presentation about a new marketing strategy. I spent weeks going the extra mile, researching data, and designing slides to make sure everything was clear and engaging.

On the day of the presentation, I was quite nervous, but I managed to deliver it confidently. After I finished, my manager stood up and said, “This is one of the most well-prepared and insightful presentations I have seen.” He even gave me a pat on the back and mentioned that my ideas could have a real impact on the company’s future.

Hearing such positive feedback was a turning point for me. It boosted my confidence and made me believe in my abilities. Since then, I have felt more motivated to take on challenges and push myself to do even better. That compliment not only made my day but also changed the way I see my own potential.

🎤 Part 3: Follow-up Questions & Answers

1. Will you be affected when hearing a number of negative stories?

Ideas 💡

• Yes: Can be discouraging 😞, lowers motivation 📉
• No: Learn from criticism, build resilience 💪

Collocations 🌟

1. Take criticism constructively 🤔 (tiếp nhận phê bình một cách xây dựng)
2. Develop a thick skin 🛡️ (trở nên mạnh mẽ hơn trước lời chỉ trích)
3. Maintain a positive mindset 😊 (giữ vững tư duy tích cực)

Sample Answer 🎤

Yes, hearing too many negative stories can definitely be discouraging, especially when they come all at once. However, I try to take criticism constructively and learn from it rather than let it affect my confidence. I believe that developing a thick skin is important, especially in professional settings, because not all feedback is meant to bring you down. The key is to maintain a positive mindset and focus on self-improvement.

2. How will you react when someone pays you a compliment?

Ideas 💡

• Smile & say thank you 😊
• Be modest, but appreciate it 🙏
• Feel more confident & motivated 💪

Collocations 🌟

1. Show gratitude 🙏 (bày tỏ sự biết ơn)
2. Take it with humility 🙂 (đón nhận một cách khiêm tốn)
3. Encourage positive reinforcement 👍 (khuyến khích sự công nhận tích cực)

Sample Answer 🎤

Whenever someone gives me a compliment, I make sure to show gratitude and say thank you. I also try to take it with humility, because while it’s great to receive praise, I believe there’s always room for improvement. Compliments can be very motivating, and they encourage positive reinforcement, making people feel valued and appreciated.

3. Why is negative feedback as important as positive feedback at work?

Ideas 💡

• Negative feedback helps us grow 📈
• Prepares us for challenges 💪
• Ensures continuous improvement 🏆

Collocations 🌟

1. Identify areas for improvement 🔍 (xác định điểm cần cải thiện)
2. Strive for excellence 🎯 (phấn đấu cho sự xuất sắc)
3. Constructive criticism 💬 (lời phê bình mang tính xây dựng)

Sample Answer 🎤

Negative feedback is just as important as positive feedback because it helps us identify areas for improvement. If we only receive praise, we might never know what we need to work on. Constructive criticism allows us to strive for excellence and become better at what we do. Although it can sometimes be hard to hear, I believe that learning from our mistakes is crucial for success.

4. How can people give feedback in a polite way?

Ideas 💡

• Use constructive language 📝
• Focus on improvement, not blame 🤝
• Balance negative with positive feedback ⚖️

Collocations 🌟

1. Use a diplomatic approach 🏛️ (sử dụng cách tiếp cận khéo léo)
2. Avoid harsh criticism 🚫 (tránh chỉ trích gay gắt)
3. Encourage personal growth 🌱 (khuyến khích sự phát triển cá nhân)

Sample Answer 🎤

Giving feedback politely is very important, especially in professional and academic settings. One way to do this is to use a diplomatic approach by focusing on solutions rather than just pointing out problems. It’s also helpful to avoid harsh criticism and instead offer suggestions for improvement in a supportive way. Finally, balancing negative feedback with positive comments can encourage personal growth and make the person feel motivated rather than discouraged.