# Describe an achievement you are proud of: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Experiences

Describe an achievement you are proud of.

You should say:
- what you achieved
- when you achieved it
- what difficulties you faced
- and explain why you are proud of this achievement

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 7 sample

An achievement I'm really proud of is passing my driving test, which I finally did about three years ago, on my third attempt.

I started taking driving lessons when I was twenty, mainly because my new job was in an industrial area outside the city and the bus took nearly two hours. I thought it would be quite easy, because all my friends had passed at the first time. But actually, I found it really hard. I was very nervous behind the wheel, especially at busy roundabouts, and I had a lot of troubles with parking.

The first time I took the test, I failed after about ten minutes, because I didn't stop properly at a junction. The second time I was doing well, but then I hit the kerb while I was parking, and the examiner failed me again. After that, I was really disappointed and I almost gave up. My friends were joking about it, and honestly I started to believe I was just a bad driver.

But my instructor told me that nerves were my biggest problem, not my skill. So I booked extra lessons, practised parking in an empty car park every Sunday with my uncle, and I also tried some breathing exercises before driving. When I took the test the third time, I was much calmer, and I passed with only two minor faults.

I'm proud of it because it wasn't easy for me. It would have been easier to give up and keep taking the bus, but I kept going. It taught me that if I fail at something, it doesn't mean I can never do it.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer gives a clear, honest story with a satisfying turning point. Vocabulary is good and topic-specific ("behind the wheel", "roundabouts", "hit the kerb", "minor faults"), and the speaker uses a past hypothetical accurately ("It would have been easier to give up"). However, "really" appears several times, linking relies on "But", and there are typical slips: "had passed at the first time" (rather than "the first time") and "a lot of troubles" (rather than "a lot of trouble"). Band 8 would add more varied, precise and idiomatic vocabulary, especially for feelings, and smoother cohesion between stages of the story.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-an-achievement-you-are-proud-of).

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.