IELTS Speaking Topic: Success – Vocabulary & Model Answers from ECE

“Success” is a familiar and essential topic for any IELTS candidate. How do you define success? On a more personal level, as you prepare for your upcoming IELTS exam, do you consider yourself successful if you hit your target band score, or is it more about surpassing your own limits?

Join Ms. Tran Thi Huong Thao, an 8.5 IELTS instructor at ECE, as we practice and “conquer” this topic for the Speaking test to help you walk into the exam room with confidence!

I. High-value vocabulary & structures for the “Success” topic

To discuss the topic of success in depth, it is essential to equip yourself with a rich vocabulary and flexible grammatical structures. Below are the key words and phrases you should master:

II. IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample – Success

In this section, the examiner will ask you general questions about your definition of and personal perspective on success.

1. How would you define success?

Answer: “Well, personally I believe that success does go beyond being recognized or admired by other people. It’s more about the simple joy you get whenever you reach a goal you set for yourself. For example, I cooked pasta for the first time last week, which made me feel elated.”

• Go beyond being recognized or admired by other people: to be more than just external validation or fame.
• Reach a goal you set for yourself: to achieve a personal objective.
• Elated: extremely happy and excited.

2. Do you prefer working alone or with others to achieve success?

Answer: “It’s really hard to choose. However, as an extrovert, I would prefer to collaborate with others. And it’s the best way to gain success, isn’t it? Not only can you learn from your teammates, but working in a group also enhances the overall productivity, which helps ensure a successful outcome.”

• Extrovert: an outgoing person.
• Collaborate with others: to work together with others.
• Enhance the overall productivity: to increase total efficiency.
• Ensure a successful outcome: to guarantee a positive result.

3. Have you ever achieved something you’re really proud of?

Answer: “Absolutely, yes. One achievement that I’m particularly proud of was winning a singing contest at my primary school, probably 10 years ago. I wasn’t confident at first because I kept comparing myself with other contestants. However, after getting a big round of applause from the audience, I felt encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and ended up winning first place.”

• Comparing myself with other contestants: measuring my own performance against others.
• Big round of applause: a loud, enthusiastic clapping.
• Encouraged to step out of my comfort zone: motivated to try something new or challenging.

III. IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample – Describe a time when you felt proud of a success you achieved

Part 2 requires you to describe in detail a time you felt proud of an achievement. This is your chance to showcase your storytelling skills and use a diverse range of vocabulary.

Topic: Describe a time when you felt proud of a success you achieved.

You should say:

• what the success was
• when and where it happened
• what you did to achieve it
• and explain why you felt proud of this achievement.

Answer: “One of the most memorable achievements in my life so far was when I managed to pass the final math test with a score much higher than I had expected. It happened just a few weeks ago, right before the summer vacation kicked off.”

“At that time, I only had one month left to prepare when I was juggling tons of homework along with all upcoming exams at the end of the semester. And more importantly, math has always been my forever nightmare haha. I just needed a 6 to pass, but I did want to challenge myself and get something better, at least to make my parents proud of me. So I made a detailed study plan with various sources of exercises online for further practice. I even went an extra mile, pairing up with my deskmate to practice together whenever we had some spare time. Ah, I know it’s not well-advised, but I also pulled an all-nighter to study for the test.”

“When I finally got the result, I was over the moon. You know what, I got an 8, which made my parents thrilled. I felt like all my hard work had paid off.”

“I was proud of this result not just because of the score itself, but mainly because I had pushed myself beyond my limits. What it taught me was invaluable. As the saying goes, ‘Nothing is impossible as long as you try your hardest.'”

• Memorable achievements: significant milestones.
• Kicked off: started.
• Juggling tons of homework: balancing a heavy workload.
• Forever nightmare: a long-standing source of dread.
• Challenge myself: to push my own boundaries.
• Detailed study plan: a structured approach to learning.
• Sources of exercises online for further practice: additional online study materials.
• Went an extra mile: put in more effort than expected.
• Pairing up with my deskmate: studying with a classmate.
• Well-advised: recommended (used here to imply it wasn’t a healthy habit).
• Pulled an all-nighter: stayed up all night to work/study.
• Over the moon: extremely happy.
• Thrilled: very excited and pleased.
• Hard work had paid off: my efforts yielded results.
• Pushed myself beyond my limits: exceeded my own expectations.
• Invaluable: extremely useful or precious.
• Nothing is impossible as long as you try your hardest: a common idiom about perseverance.

IV. IELTS Speaking Part 3 Sample – Success

Part 3 requires you to discuss philosophical, social, and multi-dimensional perspectives on success.

1. Do you think success always means earning a lot of money?

Answer: “Not necessarily though. Although quite a lot of people define success as accumulating wealth, many others don’t. They may already experience the sweet taste of success when they attain their goals. For instance, more and more youngsters nowadays have chosen to become digital nomads as they think striking a balance between work and life would be the greatest feat.”

• Accumulating wealth: gathering money or assets.
• Sweet taste of success: the feeling of accomplishment.
• Attain their goals: reach their objectives.
• Digital nomads: people who work remotely while traveling.
• Striking a balance between work and life: achieving a healthy work-life balance.
• Greatest feat: a major achievement.

2. What are the qualities needed to be a successful person?

Answer: “Well, right off the bat, I think having a clear vision of who they are now and who they want to become in the future is the most significant attribute. When people know their strengths and weaknesses, and long-term goals, it will be much easier for them to stay motivated and consistent on their own journeys. On top of that, a thirst for knowledge is the key. In today’s fast-paced world, those who are open-minded and adapt quickly are more likely to succeed.”

• Right off the bat: immediately; from the start.
• Clear vision: a well-defined plan or perspective.
• Significant attribute: an important quality.
• Long-term goals: objectives for the future.
• Stay motivated and consistent: maintain drive and regularity.
• On top of that: furthermore.
• Thirst for knowledge: a strong desire to learn.
• Fast-paced world: a world that changes and moves quickly.
• Open-minded: willing to consider new ideas.
• Adapt quickly: to adjust easily to new situations.

3. Do you think luck plays a big role in achieving success?

Answer: “To some extent, yes, I guess. For example, meeting the right mentor, in the right place, at the right time can be such a good springboard for one’s career. Having said that, luck is not the main factor, for sure. Take the IELTS exam as a prime example. Would you think a candidate without any appropriate language skills or sufficient practice can get a band 9, only relying on their luck? So in short, success must be driven primarily from one’s efforts. With luck, the process might just get faster and a bit easier.”

• Right mentor, right place, right time: the importance of timing and networking.
• Springboard for one’s career: a starting point that helps you advance.
• Having said that: however; despite that.
• Prime example: a perfect illustration.
• Appropriate language skills: the necessary linguistic abilities.
• Sufficient practice: enough preparation.
• Relying on their luck: depending on chance.
• Driven primarily from one’s efforts: mainly coming from personal hard work.

We have now learned and practiced the topic of “Success” for IELTS Speaking. Remember these vocabulary words and structures, and practice regularly so you can confidently express your opinions fluently and achieve a high score in your upcoming exam!